Need affordable living room sprucing up

8 years ago

Hi everyone,

I have a problem with the living room decor. It's quite dull and plain, not much going on. Two black leather sofas (that at some point in time will be changed), sturdy hard wood table, white walls, TV and a floor-to-ceiling window. Seems like more or less blank canvas to work on, but I have no idea what to do with it to make it look more modern and liven it up a little.

The area is not the biggest and budget is tight, so any major changes can't be made unfortunately. I can't afford new sofas or table at the moment. The flat is open plan. Maybe you would have some ideas for the walls? Any art that could work or furniture rearrangement?

There is a white shelf with 'ornaments' (vase, flower, some books, vintage poster) above the longer 3-seater sofa.

I am posting the only two photos I could find at the moment, but I will update more once I get home.

I would be grateful for any advice.

Thanks,

Aga

Featured Answer

minnie101

8 years ago

Hi. I'm not sure what your budget is so some ideas are more expensive than others! I'd add a floor lamp behind the small sofa. Have a look at a rug that can zone the seating area. I've seen the black/white rug in your Ideabook and ikea do a couple that may fit. Either add a collage or set of 3 prints on the tv ŵall. Have a look for posters/prints ( with some colour in ) that are unframed and look on ebay for cheap frames. Do the decorative brackets come off the table? If so I might remove them. You could also paint the table if wanted using annie Sloan chalk paint and wax. Add 1/2 piles of books to the table and a potted plant. For cushions, id keep the black/white geometric then add a little grey and then some colour, maybe dark teal, grass green, petrol blue, fuschia etc. if you want more colour look at ikea for curtains, they also do velvet ones for £39

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Comments (20)

PRO
Blinds 2go
8 years ago
Ceiling to floor window you say? Well that's your answer right there! Add colour, pattern, texture, light, whatever you choose. Just make sure it's a change and you'll notice a difference in no time. We'd be tempted to mount the tv too, getting all the darkness off the floor and dressing the sofas with some brightly coloured fabrics (cushions and throws are an affordable choice if re-upholstering isn't your thing). And if you want to go a touch more adventurous, have you seen the latest trend of tiled tables? Odd tiles (we like them in blue), safely fixed to the surface of your coffee table. Instant updates that don't break the bank.
Carole Wood
8 years ago
Maybe a geometric patterned rug in bright colours? The table covers a large section of the floor however but is no doubt useful if rather large. Maybe a simple largish modern mirror - I like mirrors! - if you are not mounting the TV. Window curtains/blinds and cushions to compliment the rug. Not a professional so just my ideas. Good Luck.
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minnie101
8 years ago
I forgot to say, do you have a pendant light? I've just seen one on ikea for I think £17 that's a none-solid star which could give it all a bit of a scandi feel. I sound ikea obsessed, I've only been to one once but have been promised a trip at the weekend!
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Gegemart
8 years ago
Can you fix it
Aga Kartasinska
Original Author
8 years ago
I love the scandi style idea! I attached most recent photos of the living room. I think maybe a lamp? Or a plant pot? How would you arrange the posters/art on the blank wall so it looks modern but not too crowded?...

On another note, I absolutely hate the sofas... But you can't always have everything... :)
minnie101
8 years ago
I'd go for something a bit abstract, maybe something like this? (On a different scale so they're not so low!)

If you like a scandi idea I would definitely get yourself down to ikea! I've seen a lot worse sofas! Add some coloured cushions and the sofas will fade into the background! You may want more scandi type of colours though rather than what I said before!
Aga Kartasinska
Original Author
8 years ago
Minnie101 I love the idea, I will also try and find a rug in some lighter colour - do you think it would work? Lamp could be a nice addition too, but I think the only place I could put it at the moment would be next to the 3-seater.

Would you also have any ideas for the empty corner next to the window with the radiator/plant? It looks rather sad and abandoned. I was thinking of a hexagonal plant stand or something similar as per attached photo.
PRO
GuigsART
8 years ago
Hi.

Have you ever considered a real interesting eye catching piece of art work to really brighten up an area I think a select piece of art would really make the space stand out, add interest, colour, texture and add a great talking point to the room....

Please check out my website if like the idea and please get in contact, commission work is also welcomed so if you like a particular style I can do in a select colour palette and size but with this it can only be done as a original piece and not a print.....but all prints i can do to the same size or smaller than my original paintings, so lots of options.

Www.GuigsART.co.uk
minnie101
8 years ago
I would probably leave the curtain area as free as possible tbh. I might move the side table to that side with a floor lamp on the other? Perhaps move the sofa up a few inches too. Why not add the planter behind the 2 seater?
Aga Kartasinska
Original Author
8 years ago
The problem with moving the table to the other side is that there is a fixed heater there that cant be covered by any furniture - the same problem appears with moving the sofa. Behind a two seater is a small bookcase that is fitted between the pilar and the wall so there's not much flexibility unfortunately :(
Aga Kartasinska
Original Author
8 years ago
Ok, I am considering getting a rug but because of the size and shape of the area and the position of sofas I am not entirely sure how big and what pattern/plain should the rug have?...
minnie101
8 years ago
You have a few options. You can either stand the front feet of both sofas on the rug which would be my personal preference, or stand all feet on it or have a rug under the coffee table ( such as the pic with the art layout) Or you can go for an irregular shaped rug such as a cowhide which has no "rules" but not cheap or maybe a sheepskin which you can pick up cheaply. I'd measure out the area using all options. A striking pattern may make the area feel smaller but it will add interest, a plain rug could also look good with texture and will still obviously zone that area
ingabrereton
8 years ago
Main problem is the sofas, how many people live in the house? I would get rid of the sofas immediately (try gumtree or local free ads) and get a couple of nicer chairs from your local auction/junk shop/Ikea and sit back and enjoy the extra space and light.
ingabrereton
8 years ago
Made have a lot of lovely chairs, this one would lift the space
http://www.made.com/chairs/accent-chairs/peacock-arte-chair-cobalt-and-meadow-green-velvet
Aga Kartasinska
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, we are planning to get rid of the sofas but (long story short) we can't do it just now... The idea is to get a smaller/more modern sofa and an arm chair in the future.

I was considering this rug as on the attached photo. If you look closer, it has a zig zag pattern on it.
Aga Kartasinska
Original Author
8 years ago
This is also what I have managed to do with the problematic corner so far. I also changed the light a bit so it's slightly brighter, but still warm white.
hortonhearsawho2013
8 years ago
Love the rug and the scandi idea from minnie. I'd change the black curtains for something less harsh, again IKEA do a good selection. I'd go sofa/chair shopping so you know what you want and how much to save up for and then do the room up in view of having the furniture you want so when you do get it, they fit straight into the scheme. I also think the coffee table is holding you back, I'd look for something to replace it, I believe you can get one for £5 from ........ IKEA!
PRO
FrithRugs
8 years ago
Go for a really bright rug, not only will lift the room but you can select one or several of the colours in the rug to accessorise with cushions, lights, candles, curtains etc.
PRO
Heyla
8 years ago
The shelf above your sofa is a key space to add some colour or some statement pieces that would bring your room to life. I assume you can see that shelf as you look down from the kitchen to the sitting room.

Firstly, I would stand the books on the shelf vertically and have the plant pot by the side, this would give some more height. Have a look at our project boards for some art print ideas and you can find some bargain frames from ikea and most supermarkets, this will make that shelf space look really special. Bringing a colourful print will highlight your black and white picture that you have already.

Little changes and you will make your space look amazing!