Need help updating this tired living room

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I really need some help planning an update for our tired, rather yellow/beige living space. The furniture has been gathered together over years, some from our student days and now we are ready for a major re-vamp: new seating, storage, dining, decor, the lot! We would love to install a contemporary wood-burning stove too. The room lacks a focal point and we need to opt for just one floor covering. One of the problems for me is the strangely angled wall that the shelf unit is on. Any help appreciated! (Family home - 2 adults, 2 children)

Featured Answer

Angie

9 years ago

Hi
I think perhaps you need to zone the area one part dining one part sitting rather than intermingled as they are

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Comments (13)

PRO
NJK Interiors
9 years ago
Hi ginab77. Firstly, it is a great space. It does seem a bit dark in certain angels, although you've got big windows and a sky light. Not sure if this is just the camera angel or whether the heavy curtains block some of the light? I would suggest making the angled wall your focal point. Either with a large piece of artwork, a feature wall using paint or wallpaper, or installing the wood-burning stove there if possible? With regards to flooring, you need to decide if you are going to go for comfort or practicability. Carpet is great when you've got young kids if you're worried about them falling over and hurting themselves, but not so practical when you've got to clean up after them. Laminate flooring is probably easier to clean than a cream carpet, and you can always add a large rug for comfort and safety. As the room is so large, many colours would work in here. Do you have any colours that are a no go? And what's your thoughts on wallpaper vs paint?
ginab77 thanked NJK Interiors
ginab77
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for your comment! I can't think of any colours that are a no go. My husband objects to wallpaper; we have never had any, but I think it can look good. One of my problems is how to arrange seating so that the focus is not the TV! We will be getting something new, but I'm not sure what configuration to go for...
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Hi Claire, You have a lovely space to work with and it’s great to hear that you’re up for doing a bit of DIY! In regards to the coffee table, go for it! It’s a lovely design and will complement the characteristics of the room perfectly. I’d dress the table with a gorgeous green plant - not only will this add vibrant colour, but also adds life to your space and is guaranteed to make you smile. As suggested by Minnie, a floor standing plant situated underneath your fitted wall shelves will add a feature to this corner of your room. If you fancy doing a little bit of painting, why not head to your nearest charity shop and find a sweet side table to place to the left of your sofa or either side of your armchair? Choose your favourite Dulux paint colour (in a Satinwood finish) and paint your table to add a personalised touch to your space! This will create such a lovely statement as you enter the room, especially if you choose a beautiful blue to create that coastal look. Adding a side lamp to the side table will add height and a lovely ambiance to your room, especially in the evenings when you’re snuggled up watching TV. To give your IKEA unit a fresh look, dress it with these lovely storage boxes which will work so perfectly with the scheme you want to achieve: http://goo.gl/zrKf2u Finally, if your budget stretches, take a look at these lovely cushions from Dunelm. The prices are amazing and I think they will finish the look so well. What do you think? · http://goo.gl/4Y4tim · http://goo.gl/KeBgL3 · http://goo.gl/Nne5dO Good luck giving your living room a homelier feel and please get in touch with us at help@amazingspacedesign.co.uk if you need any further help. And we’d love to see your finished room once it’s complete, so please do share some pics! All the best, Jade Dulux Colour & Design Consultant www.design.duluxamazingspace.co.uk
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I think you could make this room lovely Kate. Firstly, the bed you've sourced. Are you planning to sleep on it as a single or pull it out every night for a double? It's just that it seems you might have to move it 45 degrees every night from what I can see of the design. Other than that it seems like a good option for the space. You already have some ingenious ideas for creating hanging space but I would suggest some shelving (not sure if floating shelves would be strong enough?) with hanging rails underneath to give you a bit more space between the top of your 3 chest of drawers ( commodes) and the rail for longer items. There are some pics below for inspiration. I know we don't all only have black and cream clothes!! but you can see how adding a few picture frames, pretty boxes/baskets/ handbags, etc can make it look more like a glamorous dressing room. I'm assuming concealed wardrobe storage is out of your budget at the moment so making the open storage look as good as possible would be the trick here. Could the rabbit hutch be put on legs or onto an appropriately sized coffee table (ebay /gumtree find!?!) it would look more like part of the room, perhaps with a couple of pics leaning against the wall, food concealed in a pretty box/basket etc.) Does your other menagerie (all the cuddly toys) have to stay? If your looking for the style in your inspiration pics (which are lovely BTW) they might need boxing up and going tthrough the square hole into the loft/attic space!! They'll have a ball up there without you. Maybe a couple on the top of your rabbit hutch for old times sake :-) Good luck.
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PRO
DesignRaaga
9 years ago
Hi Ginab77: Our bright colourful cushions would look lovely on your couch and will instantly give your space a mini facelift
PRO
Just The Chair
9 years ago
Please check out our idea books and website for all our chairs, maybe we could help you
Please let us know if you need anything
ginab77 thanked Just The Chair
DHM 001
9 years ago
The corner area with the large window and single chairs could be filled with a round dining table freeing up the rest of the room to be your sitting area.
ginab77 thanked DHM 001
boundsgreener
9 years ago
Hi. I agree with angieav, but I think you need to tell us how you use the space so we can help with the best layout. Do you use the dining table every day or do you eat in the kitchen? Does the electronic piano get used a lot? Is the woodburner for heat, looks, you've always wanted one, or just because you think you need a focal point for the room? Is there a restriction on where it would be (do you have a second storey above some of that room)?

That said, I would make the sloping wall the focal point with built in shelves, including a slot for the TV, and have it in a contrasting colour with books and nice decorative items. Because it is angled, you can then see the TV from much of the room without it being a big feature. You could have a couch square on to the entrance to the room, maybe an L with the short end against the wall where the TV currently is, a chair or two between the two windows and where the other couch is at the moment, but without sticking out so much (it looks like that couch blocks the traffic to the kitchen, but it might just be the angle of the photos). A dining table can go where you currently have yours, but I would flip it around so that it is long in that space and that is a dedicated dining area. Or have a round one that extends so for everyday it isn't encroaching on the space and traffic to the kitchen. The piano can go over near the door to the outside. A woodburner could be installed where you currently have your TV (as long as the flue has somewhere to go!). With this layout, the seating will be facing the woodburner and the TV.

If you don't use the dining table much, you could put it over on the carpeted area, as someone else suggested, and dedicate the part that currently has tiles to the lounge (and then we can rethink the layout of that area). As for the flooring, I would go with what you have in the kitchen so that it flows.

I hope that helps to get you started.
ginab77 thanked boundsgreener
ginab77
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you all for your suggestions - very much appreciated! We do use our table everyday, but there are usually only 4 of us, so we could consider a smaller one that extends. I am drawing up a plan of the room and playing around with your ideas. Thank you!
Faith Foster
9 years ago
The far wall in the first photo (the wall by the window) is perfect to be a focal point! I would paint the rest of the room a warm off-white, and then that wall a bright colour such as red or turquoise, add some floating shelves, and create some sort of vignette on the shelves. The TV may still be /one/ focal point, but now there is another in the room to diverge some attention.
hortonhearsawho2013
9 years ago
I think a round modern dining table in the area with the angled wall.
Put the TV on the wall where the two purple flower pics are.
Put a two seater sofa under the window where the keyboard is and the other so the back is to the hallway(?) door when you enter.
You can then walk easily through the living area to get to the table.
If you wanted a fireplace, you could put it where the dresser is, backing onto the kitchen wall.
I think wooden or tiled floors if it's to be an eating space and put a rug in the living area for cosiness & character.
Paint the walls a warm off white and then when you've got everything in there to suit, decide on your feature wall colour.
ginab77 thanked hortonhearsawho2013
alant1000
9 years ago
My suggestion won't be to all tastes, but I think you've got something very special and unique with the floor, and I'd be keen to experiment with that and make it the feature. I'd paint everything white, white curtains, sofa, furniture, and have lots of plants and greenery around, and then your floor. I can imagine it looking quite special!
PRO
Ensign Accessories
9 years ago
Have you tried putting the table in the space where there are two chairs which seem a little out of place? The room will then be divided naturally, and will make good use of the slanted wall. Do you use these 2 chairs, as they do seem to be overshadowing the room? If not, dump. Move the sofas around then in the much bigger space, and you will find they will naturally slot in somewhere.
ginab77 thanked Ensign Accessories
sausagedog
7 years ago
paint the floor tiles white or light grey it will change the whole space , and paint the white walls, doors, dresser and architrave in contrast white or grey. intorduce colour in the soft furnishings

Need help updating this tired living room

Angie

Comments (13)

NJK Interiors

ginab77
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Need help updating this tired living room

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