How can I make this more cosy!?

9 years ago

Really need help on how I can make our living room more cosy as I feel it's just too plain! I have a one year old son who as you can see has taken up a whole chunk of the living room space! We're also renting this flat so really can't paint anything or hang anything on walls! Was thinking maybe to add deep plum cushions, or possibly more living room furniture? Any ideas would be awesome!

Featured Answer

lula80

9 years ago

Pictures on the wall, lamps, cosy throw maybe a knitted one and cushions on the sofa. A rug would also bring in colour, maybe under the table to separate the dining area or under the sofa. Adding an accent colour in those accessories would help too maybe teal or purple.

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Comments (22)

Emmeline Westin
9 years ago
I would put flowers on the window sill to get some colour in the room. It would be nice to have some atmospheric lighting, perhaps a floor or table lamp would be an idea.
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I would find a more interesting, warmer and less stark paint and also paint the radiator in the same colour - whatever colour you choose, you can get an exact match paint suitable for radiators, mixed by someone like Valspar (they do it at B&Q) . I would then get a lovely rug to coordinate with the paint colour and make it more "homely". I'd also get a coloured/patterned/textured roman blind. I'd ditch the yellow stool and replace it with something less dominant and a lot more comfortable. I'd also be reluctant to introduce a bright yellow desk. Do you actually need to two work stations? The desk on the left in combination with that high stool looks extremely uncomfortable and difficult to work at, is it overly high?. Personally, I love the taupe desk, but I can see it is of little practical use in terms of size. I'd be tempted to get rid of it and have some sort of shelving or bookcase on that wall, where you can have photos and accessories, but also to provide somewhere to keep papers, files, post etc. I'm not sure there's room for the mirror as it stands, but if you feel you need to keep it, would it fit on the wall in between the desk on the left and the window wall? If you're keen on introducing that bright yellow into the room, why don't you add it with files/folders, cushions or vases etc? You could even choose it for seat upholstery or as accent colour in the blind or rug. Personally, I think it would be a mistake to have too much of such a bright colour, in a relatively small space.
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Tony McIntyre
9 years ago
Maybe go for a feature wall. Something with lots of colour and is quite a contrast
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Carte Blanche Decorative Painters
9 years ago
I can't see why you can't hang some pictures in a rented flat - I am quite sure that the colour on the wall is probably magnolia or gardenia, speak to your landlord and ask him if you can have some paint or tell you the colour and brand so you can touch up or repaint a wall when you leave. Lightweight prints and canvases from places like Ikea, TKMaxx and Dunelm Mill would only need a couple of wee pins to keep them up.
I would turn your TV on an angle as it doesn't fit the space and looks so square and angular where it is.
Cut your curtain pole down so that the curtains sit back to the end and they will look better, they are also too short and if you are handy with a sewing machine add on a panel at the bottom, if you go with an accent colour as lula80 suggested, use something in that colour. Pick a similar colour to the curtains themselves.
I love Lula80's suggestions, cushions, a lamp on the table and rugs will make a big difference, throws. Low level lighting is always more cosy than overhead. A standard lamp would add height to the room and a nice funky drum lampshade would add colour and pattern if you want it.
It would be cool to get something more cohesive for organizing the toys, a unit or something that you can pop the loose toys on top of. You could use the window for some of your child's art or some nice alphabet art - you can use 3M spray mount to stick this to the glass but make it removable. There are some delightful prints in Etsy https://www.etsy.com/uk/search?q=alphabet art
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User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Accessories make a big difference to the finished look. A throw, some cushions, mood lighting and even a bit of natural green with a pot plant would change the whole atmosphere.
lepstein
9 years ago
I would move the table beside the sofa to in front like a coffee table and take the runner off. I know you have a one yr old, but he will soon be walking around it. If you are concerned about corners, get a cushion big enough for the top or buy a round coffee table. Either way, the placement and size of the table doesn't work.

I agree with others that a colourful rug - I would say under the coffee table and beyond (not too thick so it won't cause tripping), some pillows taken from the colour, a throw, and a lamp will do wonders.

I would also get a unit that has cupboards on the bottom for the toys, and shelves up top for some display would help as well.

I agree with the poster who suggested a slight angle to the TV if possible.
lepstein
9 years ago
Oh, and lightweight art using those removable strips would add some colour (don't hang too high). Have fun with it and it will look great!
Sandi Robinson
9 years ago
put a long floating shelf i.e., lack from ikea above the sofa and fill it with orchids or colourful prints resting on the wall. I have a similar corner sofa and I have used this to brighten the room. Also pick out some fuchsia or green items to bring a splash of colour!
Juliet Docherty
9 years ago
It looks to me like it needs some warm wood, maybe an oak or rustic coffee table. Also, mustard looks great with grey, maybe some velvet cushions? A huge pot plant?
Jane Eley
9 years ago
Add Accent colour sofa cushions in either yellow or white with splashes of red. Lean a picture against the wall on the table containing the accent colours. Take the throw off the table. Declutter the window sill and add one vase or ornament in the accent colour. Add an attractive wardrobe/armoire to house the toys then bring the table out more central and add placemats and runner in the accent colour.
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Just The Chair
9 years ago
Please check out our idea books and website for all our chairs, maybe we could help you
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led2106
9 years ago
Put some colour in the room and get some more furniture
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Stella Michael
9 years ago
Need to soften it and warm it up ... some rounded shapes, maybe even a nice beanbag. Rug, throw, cushions. Use texture, knitted cushions, If you get a large canvas you can also lean it against the wall or on the back of a table/sideboard. Suggest you replace the coffee table with a round one. Get some natural, maybe wicker baskets for some of the toys. Ideally put some of the toys away. Some plants would make a huge difference, and you can take them when you leave.
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Button & Sprung
9 years ago
I would say atmospheric lighting to bring some warm light in to the room is crucial. Perhaps a lamp on the table and a freestanding floor lamp as well. A rug to break up the large carpet space would add another feature to the room. A very quick fix to add something to the walls without worrying about the rental rules would be to hang some bunting between the two wall lights. Also a cosy throw and some bright cushions on the sofa.
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DesignRaaga
9 years ago
Here is some inspiration for vibrant sofa cushion, floor cushion, sofa throw and maybe some ginger gar for the window sill?
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Wallboss
9 years ago
Feature wall, lighting and some cushions.
Faith Foster
9 years ago
Add a coffee table! A two-level table would look great with that sofa. Also, consider putting up some wallpaper. Here are some inspirations:
hortonhearsawho2013
9 years ago
Hide the toys! Find a nice dark wardrobe to blend with existing furniture. (IKEA?)

A cosy rug by the sofa with a pattern in colours of your choice and then toning cushions and rug on the sofa - try adding some texture.

No doubt you've moved everything onto the windowsill and out of 'harms way'!!! LOL
hortonhearsawho2013
9 years ago
If you really can't nail anything into the wall, how about tying some nylon tightly between the two wall lights and hanging a lightweight canvas from it?
mrshste
8 years ago
Move the furniture into the room a bit. Add some colour with cushions and a rug. And move the tv.
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User
8 years ago
I would definitely ask your landlord if you can hang some pictures, most landlords are happy to please their tenants especially if you are going to be there for a while. Cushions definitely, you could go for a range of colours- they don't all have to be the same.
London SW17v · More Info
Maybe choose 3 bright colours, I love green and orange. a rug in the middle would also make the room more inviting. Table lamps will give th room a warm glow and make you feel more at home
Sara Smith
7 years ago
You need warm tones and a mixture of textures. Persoanally, I would have a large fluffy rug by the sofa and drape throws on the sofa to soften the edges. I am sure the landlord would want you to make the property comfortable. After all, a happy tenant is more likely to look after the place. Also, have you considered buying some large wicker trunks for the little ones toys. If you stack them they will look nice and protect the windows. Also, being trunks, they will look nice from both the hall and the living room area