Hi. What kind of styles do you like or are you wanting a sea/beach decor? Do you have any pictures of the apartment? It might be an idea to start looking through houzz or interior magazines and create an Ideabook of the styles you like. Do you know which way the rooms face in terms of light for decor?

Hi Suleman. What style is the sofa? It is easy to paint the ceilings white and add a feature wall but it would be nice to do something a little different. Have you tried looking at some of the rooms on Houzz and adding some to your image books. There are some great ideas on here. What kind of colours do you like? what appeals to you?

Because the sofas are big heavy and dark I agree that you need to lighten up this room. I wouldn't have additional furniture because I think it looks full already but I might swap your little table lamp for a standard lamp to you have a light that is the same height as the TV. I also think your mirror is undersized, it should hang portrait to make the room seem taller - a round mirror would also work. I would get a white dining table. The mahogany trunk seems to obscure the view of the fireplace- perhaps a lower table should be better. I would also get an oversized houseplant. I don't mind the fireplace. I think you can put any colour on the walls and I don't think it has to be neutral but you should replace the curtains with much paler-perhaps even white. I think one of the reasons for replacing the curtains is the now slightly dated pattern. Perhaps put pattern in art or cushions so it can be changed more regularly. I like the rug but it does dictate your decorating choices- could it go in another room? If it can I think that your instinct is right that a large pale textured rug would be comfy and visually break up the dark tones of the sofas and floor. Lastly I would add a throw and a couple of cushions to make the sofas less imposing, add pattern and break up their darkness.

We vote white bedside tables with vintage handles ... Amazon is cheap, cheerful and full of options. It's a little effort, but will add a lovely finishing touch to the room!