Decorating our living room

6 years ago

Hi, we have a south-west facing living room in an old unloved flat that we're renovating. The only natural light comes from patio doors out to the garden at one end and we have big trees surrounding our garden. As a result it gets very little natural light in the morning and only a small amount more in the afternoon.

We have yellowish artificial light from the chandelier and other lights in the room.

We're trying to figure out what colour(s) would work best and, from what we've read, feel that neutrals with warm tones (red/yellow undertones) would be best. We're going to order some samples but if anyone is able to give any advice that would be great.

Thanks

Simon

Comments (5)

PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
I would go with butter or cream (white warm) ,or beige colors.
Jonathan
6 years ago
Your electric light will make creams look yellow and magnolia to look peach. The poor daylight will make white, blue and some pinks look cold.
Personally I would pressure wash the patio or add pale gravel outside to help reflect in a little more daylight- painting the room a pale colour never creates extra light.
Instead I would paint the room in a green tones neutral such as Dulux Stone Green. Then the room will need some light accessories- add mirrors and pictures, a sofa throw and an oversized houseplant and you will be ready to go
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Hi Amy. The colours are changing in each pic:) I probably wouldn't go for a silvery grey I think you need warmer colours. Perhaps look at a pale greige paint for walls and then for a feature wall ( behind large sofa) just look at a textured paper, faux grass cloth, faux linen, silk etc. I'd also paint the radiator and both doors in the wall colour so they fade into the walls. The mirror seems a better size over the small sofa and will bounce more light, have a look at rub n buff from amazon for the frame. I'd add art over the large sofa, either one big piece or three smaller ones, aim for something at least two thirds of the sofa width, my key pad has gone wrong btw and can't use numbers! For an accent colour I'd use aubergine, so aubergine cushions either plain or patterned paired with perhaps a check cushion in the brown and creamy gold. Try your throws over draped over the arm and see what you think but perhaps something softer would work better. Perhaps turn the side table and add an aubergine lamp shade to the lamp. For the window sill I'd add a glass vase with some good quality faux flowers with green foliage. Is the footstool large enough to add a little gold tray and accessorise? If you did want to add a rug I'd go with something that tones in with the floor or it will make the room feel smaller.
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Hi Tommy lee. The tonality of those colours both seem to be very 'warm', I would opt for cooler tone with more grey undertones which will make the lilac pop and compliment it more, greys act as a neutral base colour and are safe to use with most colours i would personally opt for a light grey. would love to see what you decide on.
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You have neutral colour theme, so you can go with any colour you like. I would get some rug first, then pick some colours from rug and repeat them in pillows, vases, etc. I guess you want to hang TV in the wall?
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Now we can see fireplace wall I agree you could try the other low sideboard other side of the fire to balance the space and 'frame' the fireplace. Lamp, plant, art will add interest and you dont need much because less is generally more with the mid century furniture look you've got. Also think you should pull the rug out to meet the glass hearth. Have you got a Billy bookcase type piece of furniture elsewhere so you can try it before you buy one (on the wall where you're taking the small sideboard from to see if you like it first). I still think a round rug under two chairs would be nice but I'm sure it's not essential. Wish I could do a mock up pic for you but I'm rubbish with stuff like that!! Best of luck
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PRO
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I personally would have thought that if you have limited natural light coming in, then to maximize it indoors you would first need natural daylight white bulbs in the lighting that's on during the daytime. ( Ceiling lights and spots ).

You can have warmer lighting at night by the use of lamps etc with warm white bulbs for a cosier feel.

Keeping surface light and airy would involve the lighter cooler colours such as cool whites, cool greys, pale blues or yellows.

Once you start going down the warmer natural tones, the light will start getting zapped out.

Add some soft furnishings as contrast colours, mustard and white work particularly well with grey. Put down a rug. ( have a tidy round and de-clutter ),

I think the soft furnishings are lacking and it just needs an inject of colour and life.
Once you turn off the Chandelier lights in the illustration above and put on the angled Standard lamp, or lamps on side table for instance, using the warm white bulbs, the yellows will become warmer and cosier looking.
PRO
Architectural & interior designer
6 years ago
Hi,

I did the same design you can see the image before and after . a living room in UK
PRO
Inkmill Vinyl
6 years ago
How about a statement gallery wall like the one created here by interior designers Topology London with our hexagon wall pattern. Easy to apply with no messy wallpaper paste and creates a great background to your artwork. Have a look a the blog for the full details.

Topology London | How to create a statement gallery wall

Statement Wall by Interior Designers Topology London · More Info

Statement Wall by Interior Designers Topology London · More Info

Statement Wall by Interior Designers Topology London · More Info

Decorating our living room

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Celery. Visualization, Rendering images

Jonathan

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