Update my living Room. Any ideas??
Hi Everyone my name is Tracy and I was last on here 4 years ago when I updated my living room and got some amazing ideas from you all- especially @Carolina, Thank you!
So 4 years on and having gone for some of your ideas I want to update again. sadly i cannot start from scratch and some things need to stay! If I started over it would all be neutral/ grey i think.
So what has to stay :-
1) Carpet- YES- sandy, gold, biscuit. beige colour
2) Curtains - YES. they are made from Villa Nova fabric, Hanna in Arcacia 04. Happy to change or paint curtain rails.
3) Sofas - YES , although i would consider recovering them if had to est.£4,300
4) Furniture- YES/ NO. I hate all the mahogany furniture now so could repaint/ upcycle it? if so what colour or buy new? or mix it with some new furniture? I love the Hanna Oyster sideboard, console table and TV table _ photo below- all available from from Dunelm Mill
5) Lighting- want to keep modern glass chrome lamps, ceiling and wall lights, but others could be painted or changed?
6) Pictures- some might stay but happy to buy new ones or paint frames of existing and change prints
7) Cushions- Okay to change these or swap some. I have 4 Floral cushions with plain cream backs and 5 Of the blue velvet cushions.
8) Walls- Would like to repaint with Farrow & Ball Dimity neutral colour as this is what I have elsewhere in the house. Not so keen on wallpaper as i have had this room covered in paper previously and it took a lot of work to remove.
9) TV Stand- Hate it. Would like a clear glass cantilever TV stand
Would really appreciate all your ideas about how to update / improve my lounge. i have attached several photos including a couple of the Dunelm Mill Hanna furniture. Many thanks Tracy
Comments (34)
minnie101
3 years agoTracy Mccormack-gibbs
3 years agoRelated Discussions
Need help with design ideas for my living/dining room
Comments (16)Have you thought of rearranging the furniture so the tv isn't the focal point? Furniture against walls can make a room appear smaller. If the budget permits I would add a coffee table to bring furniture into the middle of the room. I would also add a mirror to the dining area to bounce light and maybe install a low hanging pendant light over the table. I would also choose a neutral coloured rug as using a single colour for an item becomes the focal point. Grey is a good modern neutral for walls. If you want to use paper on a smaller wall choose a small pattern that won't date unless you don't mind repapering to keep it up to date. There are some really fantastic papers around at the moment such as chinoiserie, bold contemporary and typography but it depends on your preferred style? Maybe use plain (not patterned as this may date or your taste will change) velvet or silk curtains to soften the room. Use different colours and textures for the accessories to avoid block colours as per comment above. Pattern/interest can also be added in the form of wall art....See MoreHelp, need help updating my rented living room!
Comments (4)Hi Claire, You have a lovely space to work with and it’s great to hear that you’re up for doing a bit of DIY! In regards to the coffee table, go for it! It’s a lovely design and will complement the characteristics of the room perfectly. I’d dress the table with a gorgeous green plant - not only will this add vibrant colour, but also adds life to your space and is guaranteed to make you smile. As suggested by Minnie, a floor standing plant situated underneath your fitted wall shelves will add a feature to this corner of your room. If you fancy doing a little bit of painting, why not head to your nearest charity shop and find a sweet side table to place to the left of your sofa or either side of your armchair? Choose your favourite Dulux paint colour (in a Satinwood finish) and paint your table to add a personalised touch to your space! This will create such a lovely statement as you enter the room, especially if you choose a beautiful blue to create that coastal look. Adding a side lamp to the side table will add height and a lovely ambiance to your room, especially in the evenings when you’re snuggled up watching TV. To give your IKEA unit a fresh look, dress it with these lovely storage boxes which will work so perfectly with the scheme you want to achieve: http://goo.gl/zrKf2u Finally, if your budget stretches, take a look at these lovely cushions from Dunelm. The prices are amazing and I think they will finish the look so well. What do you think? · http://goo.gl/4Y4tim · http://goo.gl/KeBgL3 · http://goo.gl/Nne5dO Good luck giving your living room a homelier feel and please get in touch with us at help@amazingspacedesign.co.uk if you need any further help. And we’d love to see your finished room once it’s complete, so please do share some pics! All the best, Jade Dulux Colour & Design Consultant www.design.duluxamazingspace.co.uk...See MoreIs changing my living room into a kitchen/ dining room a good idea?
Comments (1)It’s not a big house and I suspect that if you try to increase the number of rental bedrooms you only invite the student market which may not be your intention. You need to make the decision on your local market- I suspect your research will tell you that either no change will increase the rental potential enough to justify the cost. Or you might conclude two bedrooms with a bathroom each is great for sharing professionals...See MoreNo idea how to decorate this living room.. any ideas?
Comments (4)Hi, congrats on your first home together! I'm struggling to get my head round the floor plan. Is there really no access to the living room from the hall? Nor to the kitchen? I think the L lends itself well to a dining area up by the kitchen and cosier seating in the other part. You could be bold and use different colour schemes to denote the different areas (perhaps with the dining area continuing the colours/style of the kitchen so they feel connected?) or just your furniture, rugs and lighting to change the feel of the spaces. Is there a nice view out through the conservatory that you'll want to be facing? Might you like to fit a fireplace on the end (garage) wall to give a focal point to the sitting room? Are you bookcases and house plants people? Good luck!...See More
Juliet Docherty
3 years agoTracy Mccormack-gibbs
3 years agoJuliet Docherty
3 years agoFair enough, you could be right. Here is an image of De Nimes though if you are tempted.
Tracy Mccormack-gibbs thanked Juliet DochertyTracy Mccormack-gibbs
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoTracy Mccormack-gibbs
3 years agominnie101
3 years agoI love colourhappy colour suggestion but understand if you don’t want to go dark. I’m not too sure on Dimity, I think you need some contrast? personally I’d wait until you’ve got the furniture and then get some testers. There looks to be a stone colour in the fabric so maybe something like that? I’d go for the matching tv unit as the glass unit sounds a bit modern.
Does the layout work for you? Maybe it’s the photos but the sofas look really far apart so not cosy for conversation? Would a sofa work where the chair is and have the chair to the left of the tv and pull the other sofa forward? I think a coffee table would work well and perhaps a rug too. I’d try and pull in some darker tones, so maybe a glass table with I think an antique bronze finish (can’t remember as I’m typing!) would work well and I think this one sits with most styles. I’d try the patterned cushions in front of the blue ones as the solid colour is quite a contrast. I’d probably introduce another pattern too, I think an ikat could work for a lampshade.
if you don’t like the furniture, do you think you will painted? Maybe a large plant would work where the clock is and break up some of the warm tones. I recently bought a large kentia palm from B&Q for £48, which was a bargain as larger than advertised!
embzop
3 years agoHU-502896296
3 years agolast modified: 3 years ago
Carolina
3 years agoHi, it's good to know that you've loved your room transformation :-) Of course I remember you! And I see you have had some great suggestions here already! I have to agree that a darker colour would be gorgeous and make the room feel really luxurious and cosy at the same time.
De Nimes, as suggested is beautiful, but if you want to go more grey: how about a greyer blue like Little Greene Mid Lead for the TV wall and Mono for the other walls for example (depending on how the colours look in real life in your room). There are so many lovely shades of grey/blue available in paint.
I love the sideboard. They have a (long) media unit in the same colour. Would you not rather go for that than for a chrome/glass TV stand? Maybe to matchy? Not sure.
The colours below look great on my computer screen, but might look ugly on any other screen. My computer screen is not to be trusted :-)
Tracy Mccormack-gibbs thanked Carolina
Sonia
3 years agoI cannot add much more to what has already been said, but I must say, much as I love Dunelm, I think some of their sofas let the side down. My brother has 2 from Dunelm and he’s always moaning about how uncomfortable they are. I’ve sat on some in-store and they are so uncomfortable. I know they’re cheap but quality? You get what you pay for. Your sofas look good quality so maybe recover them as you suggest? I know re-upholstering can cost as much as brand new.
Have you seen F&B Oval Room Blue? It’s a gorgeous muddy blue that will go rather nicely with the sofas and carpet. Just a suggestion. I agree that a chrome and glass tv unit doesn’t really fit in and it shows the dust........😊 This is Oval Room Blue.
Tracy Mccormack-gibbs thanked SoniaSonia
3 years agoI’d saved these pictures from another thread which I just love. The blue and the biscuit gold would look lovely in your room.
Tracy Mccormack-gibbs thanked SoniaTracy Mccormack-gibbs
3 years agoTracy Mccormack-gibbs
3 years agominnie101
3 years agoI don’t have any sophisticated colours like De Nimes or Oval Room Blue on my iPad but I tried this in case it wasn’t too dark (just to give an idea anyway)
Tracy Mccormack-gibbs
3 years agoCarolina
3 years agoOkay, so light and more modern: I think it would be nice to keep some of the dark wood, but mix it with the painted sideboard and TV console and a glass/gold table to bring in some 'lightness'.
What do you think of this? Modern art will also make the room feel more up to date. Maybe you hate the one I picked, but there's so much choice out there... And you could do a gallery wall with some of the pieces you already have.
https://www.wayfair.co.uk/textiles-bedding/pdp/norden-home-hardy-blanketthrow-u001003885.html
https://www.wayfair.co.uk/furniture/pdp/canora-grey-loftus-side-table-u000204526.html
Tracy Mccormack-gibbs thanked Carolinaminnie101
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoI was just trying a darker colour, it’s not for everyone 😊
I love the loaf art Carolina added, they have a couple of nice pieces.
Just a thought but as you mentioned re-covering the large footstool, I’m wondering if it’s worth looking at a different armchair. I just liked the colour of this one hence adding It but there are some reasonably priced ones which may not actually cost a lost more than reupholstering?
I noticed the table was bronze when I added the link but it looks to work with the Dunelm furniture?
Tracy Mccormack-gibbs thanked minnie101smac232
3 years agoTracy. You’ve been getting a lot of good advice but I just thought I’d add a few thoughts.
When I look at your current set up I see a classic and oriental feeling. I think this is timeless and just needs a refresh. Your sofas are a classic design and I think that recovering them in a more neutral fabric would work. But I think your curtains are really fresh and modern and it would be good to really layer on lots of cushions to tie in with the design. See attached other fabrics from Villa Nova which complement but don’t match your existing design. Loads of these layered up on a neutral linens effect background would look great and could be changed over time.
For your walls, I actually don’t think dark blue is right. It’s very on trend right now and can look great in a smaller cosy room but your room is spacious and I’d personally keep that feeling of light. I know you don’t like wallpaper but a pale ivory type paper with a subtle colour or texture could look really elegant.
I actually like your mahogany style furniture. It’s the tv stand I’d change along with maybe freshening up your lampshades. Minnie’s choices look great. Alternatively, some blue and white China lamp bases would look wonderful and pick out the Asian themes in your furniture.
See photos attached and good luck
Tracy Mccormack-gibbs thanked smac232- Tracy Mccormack-gibbs thanked Carolina
Tracy Mccormack-gibbs
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agofound this nice wall art. do you like this one from John Lewis?
Tracy Mccormack-gibbs
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoanother find from Dunelm Mill. H 60cm, W 80 cm, D 4cm £25
Carolina
3 years agoArt is very personal, so it's important that they make you smile. I like them both. That Dunelm one is super cheap! The size of the John Lewis one is great though.
Tracy Mccormack-gibbs thanked Carolina
minnie101