Decorating a living room
Hi everyone!
I just moved into a new apartment, was hoping to get some advice on how to complete my living room. It's not a large space, and while my furniture fits into the room, it was also bought for a very modern apartment, which this is not. I do like my furniture, but I'm not sure it "sings" in this new place. What do you think?
- I was thinking of getting a traditional persian rug to bring a more classic element into the space, and to pull in the blues and reds from my accessories.
- That black bookcase is actually my tv cabinet turned on it's side, I'm really not sure what to do with it.
- I don't want to drill into the brick wall. You can see that it has an off-center seam, which also an interesting challenge
- The "column" at the left corner was painted a deep copper color by the previous tenant. I like the idea of an accent color, not sure what I should consider.
thanks everyone!
Comments (21)
shirlpp
7 years agoJ L
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Please HELP! Decorating the Living Room...
Comments (20)Thank you everyone for your great ideas! Actually, the room is not as dark as you think - the window is east facing, and we do get a good deal of sunshine through it... I think the pictures don't do the room justice. I do agree, dark furniture does make it seem very dull though. OK, here is what I am thinking at the moment... Unfortunately, the sofa does not fit quite right againt the opposite wall, neither does the love seat by the window (I've measured everything up and the sofas are of the wrong sizes). I'd like to replace the love seat with a couple of chairs (as the love seat is quite chunky, and does dominate the room as you walk in), but I can't justify spending the money on that just yet :( I am planning to buy a bigger rug (thank you for the suggestion, ren2513), I do love the white/cream as we have now, but will go for something with a bit more colour through it, and definitely replace the coffee table with a bright ottoman (thinking something along these lines at the moment http://www.marksandspencer.com/oval-button-footstool/p/p22344378001 colour Measham,Ochre)... And I'd like to move the existing rug behind the love seat. I'd also like to either match the wall paper or a few pictures on the wall to the ottoman (colour-wise) for some continuation. The ceiling lamp shade will be replaced with something a bit more original (this was fitted in a rush when we moved in, with no thought behind it!) All the speakers will go, as I don't think they look right in the room, and will be replaced with more descrete ones :) We are keen to replace the TV stand with Skovby TV unit and a display cabinet (in white oak), so a similar idea to what was suggested by Sauve :) thank you! Haven't decided on the 'behind the love seat' arrangement just yet. Thanks again for the suggestions everyone :)...See MoreDecorating my living room
Comments (2)I am not at all creative and hence really struggling to make this space look cosy and beautiful. Not facing the sun so want to avoid making it too dark. Would love and appreciate the ideas.. House with 2 kids..so please excuse the mess.....See Moredecorate my living room.
Comments (2)Hi, it would be useful to see some photos of the room and your sofas to help you out....See Moredecorate my living room
Comments (11)i like the panelling and sofas. I agree with Jonathan re paint, i don’t know if i’d try farrow and ball purbeck stone/cornforth with inchrya blue on the tv wall. i’d add pattern for cushions. Maybe a browny pink for curtains, ideally not velvet to mix the materials. I’d go for a set of 2 or 3 nesting tables (round or teardrop shape) in wood, put them in front of the RHS sofa towards the window wall. Add table lamps, vases etc. i’d add a large piece of art, portrait orientation, (ignore what I’ve added as art is personal) between the curtains and floor lamp then add a gallery wall in grid format over the RHS sofa. I’d add a mirror over the other sofa to bounce light...See Moreleelee
7 years agoLove the sofa and the Chinese chest. Too many little tables. Two garden stools is one too many unless you're going to use them as a pair then remove one.
The column can be another color but the part that goes behind the chest doesn't work. It should be the same color as the wall above. The picture is too similar to the brick wall. Can it move to another spot? Something to replace it but hung lower.
and another coffee table
floor lamp instead of round table on the left of the sofa.
J L thanked leeleeJ L
7 years agoJ L
7 years agoI'm a bit drawn to something like this, because it's a little bit traditional but pulls in the blues from my other accessories. One concern I have with the rug is to keeping the room feel bright, since the brick wall is quite dark.
havingfun
7 years agohi jl! congrats on your new space.
although i love them, every time i come in those silver garden seats
stick out at me. i think copper, gold or a color would be better.
Justus End Table & Reviews | Joss & Main · More Info
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Coffee Tables - Accent Tables, Modern Coffee Tables | World Market · More Infoa couple might disappear in the next 15 minutes i have not gotten to sift through these in a while. but i don't know, they say hi to the brick? i just think any of the them would be better.
Metal Rani Drum Accent Table | World Market · More InfoJ L thanked havingfun
Maureen
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoI would centre the bookcase in that section and rethink your accessorizes. On the other half of brick wall, add a tapestry held up with Command strips. You could even exchange sides, so the bookcase is on the protruding brick. strips:http://www.command.com/3M/en_US/command/products/~/Command-Products/Picture-Hanging/?N=5924736+8706801+3294529207+3294857497&rt=r3)
Place a garden stool on left of couch and a floor lamp on the other (with black to compliment chest). Lower the artwork. Rug from Wayfair and ideas for pillows are below - rust (to tie in with your brick), gold and deep blues will create a warm room with a touch of a Tibetan/Eastern feel, but in a subtle way.
J L thanked Maureen
decoenthusiaste
7 years agoContinue with your Chinese theme. Here's a pretty blue antique Chinese rug. Remove the coffee table and the glass topped round table and use the two garden stools together for a coffee table. Lay your bookcase on its side where it is and style the shelves with a collection of blue and white Chinese porcelain like your piece on the Chinese chest. If you like it well enough, you might get some bun feet to put on the bottom to raise it up a bit. You can top the bookcase with a decorative Chinese folding screen for interest on top or simply hang a fabric panel from the ceiling to about 5" above the bookcase. A larger screen could cover the window and AC unit when not in use, or stand in front of the protruding brick section when the AC is on. I would center the rug in the space and turn the sofa to face the brick wall since most of your interesting decor will be there. This may leave you enough space for some kind of storage unit behind the sofa.
9'1x11'9 Antique Chinese Rug · More Info
Live-Work Loft · More InfoJ L thanked decoenthusiasteJ L
6 years agoWanted to post an update, I did some rearranging and ended up buying the rug that I saw on houzz. Long term, I might switch out the tv stand to something smaller, but it'll do for now. Thanks everyone for the advice, it was super helpful!
havingfun