Decorating advice for a family living room please!

4 years ago

We're about to decorate our family living room, and need help if we're to avoid making a similar mistake. Whilst the walls look ok in the photos in reality they're in need of a brighter colour as they are quite yellow in daylight, but what colour? The furniture is not being changed, but carpets and curtains are. I'd like a more streamlined look, less clutter and a bit more sophistication for our main entertaining room. As you can see I'm not good with accessorising, all suggestions gladly received.

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Comments (5)

Sonia
4 years ago
Hope you don’t mind me saying, but the room is rather cluttered. There also seems too many different materials and styles - wood, metal, rustic, Art Deco. Is there anything you particularly love in the room? I would remove the shelf below the mirrors, have one large mirror above the unit. The bookcase does need decluttering - keep the books you love and give the rest to charity. That’s what I do. I have two large bookcases, but when they start to look a bit messy I donate the read ones to charity. Create more gaps in the bookcase and you could use some of the accessories from the shelf into the bookcase.

I think a nice sage green on the walls would be lovely. It will go beautifully with your raspberry and black (or is it brown?) sofas. Something like F&B Mizzle or Cromarty, or Dulux Overtly Olive. Re-carpet with a nice neutral carpet in a soft beige, grey or biscuit. Keep the wooden tables which will go nicely with the green walls. I think the curtains are quite neutral and look absolutely fine. Here’s some pics of what I mean:
S
Original Author
4 years ago
Sonia, thanks and yes I agree it is cluttered and is what I'm hoping to improve. The books are all collectables and are my husbands, I've given up trying to get him to reduce the quantity but this redecoration is an opportunity! I like your colour suggestions especially sage for the walls, the curtains will have to be replaced I washed them and they shrunk!! Thanks again.
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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 :)
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The sofas are quite domineering so I think you really need a very bright colour to detract from them slightly. I'd go for either a bright yellow or hot pink and team with white and grey. I've posted a pic from homesthetics as an idea. I'd get a really big piece of modern art above the sofa with yellow and black etc. This one is from art.co.uk as no idea of your style. You need some texture on the floor so a grey rug could work, I'd avoid an all yellow rug given the floor colour. I'd move the small bookcase and have a giant angle poise or similar lamp in either black or grey. Bright yellow patterned cushions on the sofa with a couple of plain grey and maybe even a throw. I would personally paint the kitchen cabinets grey and add yellow accessories and update the floor when you can change it. Maybe try a glass coffee table and add some accessories. Can you post some more pics of the room in light as its difficult to tell if the room would take all grey. I'd also flip the table so it's central with the window and add a big yellow bowl or similar.If you don't like yellow then just change the accent colour but I think it needs to be bright. If you want to go modern I would change the mirror, maybe something with a black frame to work with an accent colour.
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Sonia
4 years ago
Men and their books lol! I have Cromarty in my living room and it is a very serene shade. Here’s a pic of mine, along with one of my bookcases. Still very full, but much better than it was!
E D
4 years ago
“Here’s a pic of mine”...

OH you meant, Sonia? :-)
S thanked E D
Sonia
4 years ago
Haha E D! :-)

Decorating advice for a family living room please!

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Decorating advice for a family living room please!

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