Would decorating also include changing light fixtures? Adding some light fixtures that perform the necessary functions while also looking beautiful and a little more decorative--I'm thinking specifically of the dining area, perhaps in the kitchen (the height of the area precludes us from thinking of really ornate and long chandeliers there, for example, but a more decorative flush or semi-flush mount could help) and the overhead track lighting in the living room. Those may help bring some warmth! Let us know if you need more advice or want some product recommendations!

Your kitchen is fine. Personal items — fruits in lovely baskets, decorative plates etc — and it'll be fine

Thank you everyone. I have attached a picture of our current furniture in our rental living area (the picture with the couch).
I tend to like my furniture very neutral. I am considering a burnt orange colour for the kitchen, like in the other picture I have attached. I am hoping that could warm up the area. I we did not really decorate here, as we didn't intend to stay very long. But that is the furniture we have now. As I said I am willing to add pieces, just not to the point its cluttered. I really want the space to feel like home, not just a builder's model.

Lights Online: yes I am looking to change up the light fixtures. I am unsure where to start.

SP: In addition to the suggestions I made above, which mostly concerned changing the general ambient light fixtures for each of the 3 spaces pictured, you could also add some more decorative fun by putting pendants or even mini chandeliers above your kitchen island. Also, floor and table lamps for the living room!

There's a lot to consider with lighting, so when you're just getting started, consider our Lighting Buying Guides collection! http://www.lightsonline.com/lighting-buying-guides/
We just published our kitchen guide recently--great timing, since it's now available to help you.

We're also here to offer more help if you need it!

I would paint your walls to something a bit more warm. There are so many warm yet neutral paint colors that will suit your tastes. I would also add a rug in your living room that complements your paint colors. Does your kitchen also have a back splash? And new light fixtures can really transform the rooms too.

Personally I like your minimalist look. The kitchen needs a decorative tile back-splash tile instead of that 3" high piece of counter top material. The black appliances are a bit oppressive but costly to replace but stainless would have looked much better. I'd paint the wall in your dining area that has the contemporary framed picture in a color I like to call "brown paper bag". The living room needs a coffee table and perhaps a small accent rug to anchor it.

urbanata, actually I should have mentioned, the photos have the builders appliances, ours are Stainless steel, including the microwave :). I will look into a black splash. I wont do a coffee table, as my youngest daughter is way too accident prone. I am wondering if a larger ottoman than what I have now, with storage would work as a coffee table., Thank you for the help.

The house is adorable but it is cold and bit dull. Try painting the walls a nice shade of olive, sage, celery or moss green? I don't like clutter either so don't go overboard with too much furniture. Find some nice wall art with nice bold colors in them to make the rooms pop. I think with nice paintings and warm paint colors, your rooms will come alive in no time. It will look cozy and warm yet still feel open and spacious. Oh and don't forget pops of deep reds and burgundy flowers for center pieces in nice glass or colorful vases?

Yolanda. What great relatively inexpensive suggestions. Most times a little goes a long way. B-)))

You can always try something on the wall using a Command Strip, then if you don't like it you are not stuck with a hole in the wall or the something permanent. That's what I'm going to do with my new house.

A large vase can always add color in your kitchen or dining area! Here are a few ideas for you:

http://deciture.com/blue-rebecca-pitcher-vase/

http://deciture.com/eurasia-ceramic-vases-set-of-3/

http://deciture.com/isla-large-vase/

Hope this helps you!

You might pick a kitchen paint color that's a step between the cabinetry and floor...a cocoa or mocha (I personally like the warm wall colors in some Starbucks). That would keep it in the neutral family and complement your sofa.

Add a big accent like deep eggplant sofa slipcover in the living room. Custom could be made for around $1000.

I would add some small rugs - at least one under the coffee table. This would define the areas and allow you to add some color. I actually like the color of the walls but it just doesn't go with the couch. You could consider putting a colorful, coordinating throw over the couch to pull the two colors together (one that is washable given the age of your daughter!).

I love your idea of the orange in the kitchen. Then you could keep your living room furniture neutral and accent with the orange. It is a nice warm color. Curtains always make a space feel more finished and add warmth. Also make sure to put some good sized art of some sort on the walls. You might consider painting one wall in the living area to match the kitchen, or maybe a slightly dark taupe. Also I would put a patterned rug under the dining table (patterned because it won't show every crumb, and if there is a spill and a stain it won't show either)

Small modern chandelier would make a conversation.

Don't start with changing the light fixtures. Your sofa is very casual (and I see why, cute!) so an ornate chandelier will not work. Your furniture looks like it will work but I do see quite a bit of clutter.

You can add some kitchen accents like towels, canisters, etc without overdoing it.

One thing that will make your new place really have the wow factor is getting some art. Save the family pictures for a hall gallery or bedroom.

Love your console and display with orange wall.

What kind of look are you going for? Transitional? Fun & child-friendly? What colors do you lean toward? (Whites? Tans/browns? Cool tones? Etc.) Do you have an inspiration piece?

A few non-clutter items that can add a lot of interest are rugs, window treatments, and art. Maybe find a few pieces of art that you are drawn to (a few large pieces) and use those to kickstart the rest of the room. Pull colors out of the art for wall paint inspiration, throw pillows, etc. Art always looks nice if it's the right size and is framed/matted well. A rug might work really well in the living area to define the living space and add interest. A few fun ideas...

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Handmade-Thom-Filicia-Niagra-Blue-N.Z.-Wool-Rug-8-x-10/5281241/product.html
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/dot-dash-outdoor-rug-blue/?pkey=call-rugs&cm_src=all-rugs%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-
http://www.art.com/products/p11728968-sa-i1343799/yunlan-he-clouds-at-dusk.htm?sOrig=CAT&sOrigID=27524&dimVals=27524&ui=95B2EBA90E5D42D0A9D124ECADEAC409
http://www.art.com/products/p14235738321-sa-i6655924/rob-tilley-rainbow-eucalyptus-trunk-near-hana-maui-hawaii-usa.htm?sOrig=CAT&sOrigID=1822&dimVals=1822&ui=FE070B72321F4CC49FEAC64939E97D83&utm_source=campaign&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2014-04-07_Art_30off&RFID=423805&EMID=1001001
http://www.art.com/products/p21691718792-sa-i7388921/winslow-homer-schooners-at-anchor-key-west-1903.htm?sOrig=CAT&sOrigID=27418&dimVals=27418-23944&ui=95B2EBA90E5D42D0A9D124ECADEAC409&utm_source=campaign&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2014-03-27_Art_35-25off&RFID=355970&EMID=1001001

Hi! I love your new place, and the color palette you like of the rust wall is wonderful! I, too, have a rust accent wall, with a sandy khaki on the other walls! I agree with laurakdesigns on painting the only open wall beside the stove a color, like that deep lovely rust! Also carry that color on the wall behind the fireplace and continue it on the wall to the right of the fireplace. Then, find a beefy old console table like in your inspiration photo, and kind of "copy" the look. It's warm and cozy and old feeling, with still being very current in style. I love their antique wood door frame to "frame" interior wood art. Copy that basic look, and you'll instantly get the feel you desire. Also, paint out the other walls a bit warmer, in a khaki, to warm up the whole space, even the kitchen. I'd add backsplash tile that has texture and browns and rusts, to keep things mostly neutral like you like. Even copper embossed panels would be sweet! Toss down a couple of rugs in the neutral palette of your living room rug. Even a long runner would work.

Keep your sofa, just dress up what's around it and also add pillows. A few pillows and a grounding rug with SOME colors to pick up on the rust, also bringing in a bit of other color, will add pizazz. Find a industrial cart (faux or antique) for a coffee table. Next, add a rattan nubby chair where the stock townhome photo's chair is. Add a couple of small ottomans in leather with nail heads for extra wow! Then, toss in some copper accents in the kitchen on the wall, countertop, and maybe a couple of items like an umbrella stand or magazine holder in the living room. Add a cool orb chandelier in your dining area, and I'd even suggest a larger, beefy dining table with a more rugged appearance to go with your inspiration photo. Remember, you can mix chairs. To keep it a little more neutral, maybe only the end chairs of one style, and the side chairs of another. I'll submit my pics of things I found. Hope this gets your creative juices flowing. :) Please update us with your choices. It's fun to watch the evolution of a space. Be blessed!

Here are some more items.

And more. The rug will tie it all in, especially with that killer rust wall!

You have a great starting point. Before you paint, start with a nice backsplash. Pick something with a hint of color that you're favoring. That will change the entire kitchen. Add a few kitchen accents that bring out that color, like a bowl for fruit, etc. Add complimentary rugs and towels. Your stainless steel appliances will dramatically brighten the space. Love your console table and it would look great in the dining area. A colored wall there would work well. First thing in the living room would be drapes/curtains to hang on either side of the windows/patio door. Nothing too heavy but get something with a subtle pattern and color. This will brighten up the room, add color and give it a little drama. Add pillows that compliment the drapes and an area rug to tie it all together. Some colored pieces of interest by the fireplace will pull it all together. Your space will look sophisticated and warm without all the cluttered look.

Can you change the appliances or are you stuck with the black? I think those are the main cause of 'dreary' in the kitchen.

I would have to say that I wouldn't do anything until you painted the entire space a warmer colour first.

Move in. Get the feel of the place. decide if your getting new furniture and what colors you like. then slowly make changes. To jump in and change the paint before you know what you like could end up being a mistake, and then you have to repaint again. My sister took this approach with both of her homes, and they ended up gorgeous and like homes you see in magazines. It looks like a nice home, enjoy it!

i would paint both soffits the same color, add a fruit bowl or flower arrangement with coordinating colors, add accessories, and a new picture or kitchen wall decorations.

Let the space tell you what to do which means live in it for awhile if you are timid about knowing your own taste and preferences. Don't make any expensive decisions until you have thought them through and have a good plan that pleases you. It's a very nice space with good bones to work with and there are great ideas commented here. Houzz has so many pictures to get the ideas flowing and if you make an ideabook of ones you like, I predict you will see similarities in them to guide you.

I would put ceramic tile above the bottom cupboards, add some fruit in dishes or some floral items. ADD throw pillows and throw rugs for color. I think your new home will be VERY PRETTY!!!!

I think the living room is decorated beautiful as shown from whomever did it. Very clean lines and neutral looking

Rugs, rugs, rugs! Not identical, but coordinated. Perhaps with kitchen backsplash tile/coordinating (larger scale) tile on fireplace. Easy on the window coverings - I prefer to keep them neutral to the wall color. Good luck in your new home!

If it's not too late don't let the contractor do the 4" backsplash out of the counter material.

Add a large aqua blue rug with a subtle pattern

Someone said to make the FP a focal point by moving the couch. I am surprised that this model furniture, lovely though it is, wasn't placed better in the beginning. When you float your sofa, you can put an industrial sofa table behind it. I would add under cabinet lighting in your kitchen. I recently had under cabinet lighting and a white glass subway backsplash installed. My kitchen now seems so much brighter and larger. Listen to all the advice, take notes and digest it. I am Mrs. Compulsive, and have many $$$ worth of items stored and waiting for my married granddaughters to visit. They always ooh and ah at whatever I have done since their last visit. I send them home to Southern Utah with whatever they want from my stash of good intentions.

The call is to add more dimension, color and texture to "humanize" your home. The kitchen could us a ceiling fixture that projects into the space e a bit more and is more artful. A multidimensional backsplash would certainly add visual interest. The dining area would be more interesting with a pet tern on the chairs and maybe sconces on either side of the wall art. The living room sorely need some drapery panels to soften the effect. Consider some sort of textured wallpaper, like grasscloth or decorative paint technique on At least one wall. A few unique pillows would also lend personality.

Thank you everyone. I am taking notes and going to get in there and see what works or doesn't for us. Thank you again. So many great ideas.

You asked if a larger ottoman would work in place of a coffee table, and provide storage at the same time. Absolutely yes! You could use that for some color in your room besides. I understand not wanting a coffee table. Many years ago, my brother ran into the coffee table and ended up needing stitches on his head. An ottoman is much more forgiving!

Any time you can use furniture that does double duty, it's a bonus: ottoman as coffee table and storage, end tables with drawers or doors for storage, etc.

Just getting your own furniture in there and your own artwork on the walls will help make it more homey.

If you want the rust accent wall, definitely go for it, and go for a light café au lait or light khaki on the rest of the walls. Something with just a hint of color will help but not be overpowering. I like to paint before I move the furniture in. It sure saves a lot of effort after the fact.

Oh, and lamps! You definitely need some lamps, not just overhead lights.

Try a potted plant in a warm tone pot set on the counter . Plants have a way of saying "welcome home".

I'd stone the fireplace wall all the way up, make the mantel darker like your other woods and perhaps build out the base/stoop abit more.... I'd also add 2 matching remote controlled ceiling fans!