Help required with living room
Hello all, I need some general help with my living room. I've worked really hard to try to create a neutral dove grey Laura Ashley type living room, but it's really dull. I love every other room I've decorated, but I just don't get the same feeling with this room.
I can't change the floor, sofa, or furniture.
I can add/remove any accessories, curtains, art, cushions, etc. I've tried a number of rugs but they seem to make the room look really cluttered.
Any ideas / suggestions would be gratefully received! Thanks.
Comments (28)
uk1982
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Need help with designing kitchen/dining/living room open living plan
Comments (10)Thank you for your response. We had plans pretty finalised until we found out that we can keep just that long wall into the large space as it is a load-bearing. There is an opportunity to put a door in though. I am attaching what it looked like with all the walls that we can now remove. We have also been tinkering with ideas which I am adding as well. I added some comments on the plans as well. What we want to have is a dining area with a large table that seats 8-10 people. We want enough space for two people to work and cook in the kitchen. Thus, we were thinking of an island or an L-shape workspace coming out. We'd like to have a utility room to have space for all the cleaning utensils. Washer and Dryer will be upstairs in a separate laundry room. The living room is nothing formal but an area to relax and watch TV. We'd like to have an L-shaped cough in there for a family of four (2 kids under the age of 10)....See MoreUrgent colour advice: open plan living room-kitchen required, please!
Comments (3)It's really hard to have an opinion on a screen............uinfortunately, colours just look different to people as the colours on their screens differ from one another.......does that make sense. I can tell you however, having used Dusted Moss 2 & 3 on many occasions, that it is a lot more green than it looks on your chart above, which looks grey. It has grey tones, but as the name suggests it is a green. Dulux is for sure, lovely paint,. The colour charts however, aren't so accurate and the paint mixing compared to the colour cards is also not that accurate. I always suggest to people to go get colour cards and testers and paint at least an A4 piece of paper with 2 or 3 coats. Move the paper around as the paint changes with the light in differing positions. Probably not what you want to hear, but you can't choose paint from a computer screen and hope for any accuracy at all. I now prefer Valspar ( B&Q ), used to be Crown. The colour matching is phenomenal. The accuracy to the cards is spot on, and the paint is good. I used to be a Dulux everything fan................but since discovering Valspar I have been converted....See MoreI need help improving my living room and dining room
Comments (15)I think you could put the tv in the opposite corner on the other side of the window, then put the two chairs (if they'll fit) side by side on that wall (with the door) with the table in between. If these are a bit too snug, you could always angle them into the centre of the room. Then the sofa could go opposite the window at right angles to the door, but a little over towards the fireplace wall. This will give you clearly defined "square" sitting room area, which you can further delineate with a rug in your chosen accent colour and then add coordinating or matching cushions and throws. I would then move what I think is a glass cabinet (in the corner of the dining part of the room) to the left hand side of the radiator cabinet. I would then try to move the dining table more towards the kitchen and the now empty corner. For the dining table I would look at getting something like a table runner or a big bowl/vase/ornament with reflects your chosen accent colour which will visually join up the two areas. I would also be tempted to replace one of the pictures with a large mirror. And also perhaps think about getting different wall art....See Morefireplace removed - room looks weird - living room layout help
Comments (8)Where are your power points? The vast radiator covers seems the natural centre of the room to refocus the interest, so reorganise around that point with TV flat on wall. Conversation sofas either side could balance the room and make it more intimate or placing an L/corner sofa parallel to the existing radiator could provide you with a frame if the access to other rooms fron the front door is through this room. Currently all furnishing are pushed into the corners. You can easily move some power points and sky points and conceal the cables. Reinstating a fire place if the chimney brest has been removed can be a big job. You will be restricted to an alternative heating source, so any solid fuel burner could be expensive without an existing flue/chimney. You would be looking at electric wall mounted solutions or faking it entirely with a mantel/fire/hearth, so this then becomes a styling question for you....See More
Jules Mc
5 years agoI dont agree you need an injection of colour. I thi k it's more about adding texture, mixed metals, perhaps some black framed pictures and patterned cushions. Also think some larger plants would be lovely. I am a bit confused about the layout - I think it's because you walk into the room to the chaise end of the sofa. I know moving TV aerials etc can be a pain but have you tried spinning it round so you see the TV wall as you walk into the room?
Some ideas below about keeping it neutral but warming the room up
Jules Mc
5 years ago
Juliet Docherty
5 years agoI think it lacks tone and texture. There is a definite violet undertone to this room that I feel is cool, but the floor really helps. Painting the curtain wall a dark warm violety brown may help and then putting a couple of picture on it in wooden frames to add warmth. These cushions are the colours that may help, deep burnt oranges and chocolate colours. Apart from the floor and TV everything is the same tone and colour, so some darker elements and warmer elements should help.
PRORichards Architectural
5 years agoEllie
5 years ago
Carolina
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoHi,
I agree with the people who say that the room doesn't need colour (although that could be lovely too), but it needs texture, possibly a bit more pattern, and personality. It's very safe and bland now. The symmetry of two lamps, two candle holders, two cushions on the left and two on the right is a bit boring (sorry). Three different pieces together is usually much more interesting.
I would start with moving the console table to the other side of the sofa, so it's the first thing you see when you come in. Create a vignette on it: you can use the plant, a lamp, a framed piece of art that you lean against the wall...
[https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/10-great-ideas-for-creating-vignettes-in-your-living-room-stsetivw-vs~80315004[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/10-great-ideas-for-creating-vignettes-in-your-living-room-stsetivw-vs~80315004)
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Marina Residence · More Infoverdigrisjane
5 years agominnie101
5 years agominnie101
5 years agoHi. Is it a LA style room you're after or Hollywood regency? Do you want to add colour as from memory you're keen on neutrals?
I like your lamps but I do think you need something bigger in scale against the mirror and I would just go for one lamp with a pleated shade for texture (although not quite as large as my first image!). I would add flowers next to it and maybe art as Carolina suggested and agree try seeing what it looks like on the other side of the sofa. Perhaps just add a couple of books on the bottom shelf. I also think the window wall would look good in a darker tone as the room is relatively narrow and it would highlight the curtains and wallpaper. I liked a textured rug under the sofa hence the old picture but would rearrange It. Your light looks lovely but maybe a tad small? You can get semi-flush Sputnik lights which work with that style. I would put the tv to one side of the unit and then try grouping 3 of your accessories to the side. Maybe a small gallery on the tv wall so it's not too cluttered? A shagreen tray would look nice on the footstool, preferably a round one, and you could add a decanter etc unless you have children/pets. Pictures are just to give an idea of bits If you're after the regency style (I would probably change a couple of bits in the 2nd pic with the burnt orange cushions but was being lazy!). The cushion is from H&M in case you like it and they also do it in black. I can't find any in a dark grey or chocolate if the black is too bold.
Not sure if this was the type of thing you're after though..
Carolina
5 years agoHere's my version. I'd switch the console table and the floor lamp and add 'Minnie's plant' to the floor lamp corner.
I like Minnie's choice for table, tray and lamps.
uk1982
5 years agoHello everyone, I typed out a long thank you message but it seems to have disappeared! I am so grateful for all the advice. There are some things I've been unable to do (hubby is dead set against a rug, and we can't move the console table as it won't fit to the left and we can't shift the sofa for the radiator...but the console table is actually the first thing you see when you walk in due to the positioning of the door so it's quite nice).
I've worked hard to add tone and texture and I'm so happy with the results so far! I still have a way to go but I thought I would update you on my progress so far. It's amazing how the floor has stopped clashing so much since I've added some darker/warmer tones. Next step might be some dark-framed pictures and possibly putting some greenery back in. Not sure what to put to the immediate left of the sofa yet but you have all given me food for thought!
uk1982
5 years agoI also got this dark throw for the footstool/ottoman but I'm wondering it if looks silly. It's EXTREMELY soft though so I would like to keep it! Do I get bonus decor points for adding a large cat for added texture? :D
User
5 years agoWhat about changing your clock for one of our magnificent 3D floral wall arts! If you are interested, mail me direct on petalart@mail.com.
uk1982 thanked Useruk1982
5 years agoHello everyone, just another status update. I have added a larger plant, some black plant stands, taller table lamps with textured shades, and lots of pattern/texture on the sofa. Feeling EXTREMELY happy. It's not perfect and I can still work on it, but it is so much better than it was. Photos of it always look nicer when I turn the exposure up on the camera, so I'm thinking of changing the ceiling lights to ones that will flood the room with light during the day (despite the french doors, the ceiling is quite low so the room is very dull.), Thanks everyone!
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My Home · More Infouk1982
5 years agoFrancoise Jowett
5 years agoJune Hulton
5 years agoValerie Wingrove
5 years ago
Carole Menzies
5 years agoI think the problem is it's very 'safe' and maybe isn't reflecting your personality? Consider painting the wall behind the TV in a strong dark colour - the room will come to life!
PROLitecraft
5 years agoHi!
I think you've got a really good starting point for a sophisticated modern look here, however I'd definitely say things feel a bit washed out looking at the images you've posted.
I'd probably start off by adding a few layers of texture to the space, whether that be through throws, or maybe some extra cushions across the sofa. A splash of colour on the curtains could also make a big difference, giving a vibrant pop to the space.
If you'd be willing to go a little bolder, a statement lamp might be able to revamp the room, giving a unique focal point to the decor for an unusual, personalised style! I'll post a few of our examples below so you can see what I'm thinking:
[4 Light Wavy Floor Lamp with Smoked Glass Shades, Black Nickel[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/products/4-light-wavy-floor-lamp-with-smoked-glass-shades-black-nickel-prvw-vr~105367635)
4 Light Wavy Floor Lamp with Smoked Glass Shades, Black Nickel · More Info[Visconte Corona 6-Light Vertical Spiral Floor Lamp, Copper[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/products/visconte-corona-6-light-vertical-spiral-floor-lamp-copper-prvw-vr~134581313)
Visconte Corona 6-Light Vertical Spiral Floor Lamp, Copper · More InfoI hope this helps you!
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Patrina