What's wrong with this living room?

2 years ago

I just can't seem to get it to feel 'homely' and bored of the layout but unsure what to do as the sofa takes up a lot of the space (but don't want to get a new sofa!). Any suggestions on any missing touches or layout options? I've since moved the coffee table so it's on the right hand side of the large sofa. On the other side of the fireplace there's a yellow armchair which you can't see in the photo. Many thanks in advice for your inspiration!

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hedgehog99

2 years ago

I think it does look homely already (lots of lovely elements: natural light, nice sofa and chair in the window, cosy rug, natural elements in wood flooring and plant, fireplace for focal point, nice ceiling light and floor lamp, dog!), though am struggling a bit with the blue wall. I think perhaps it jars because it's an unusual choice of wall to make into a feature wall. Usually people go for the fireplace wall or behind the sofa. You don't have to do what most people do, of course, but there's something slightly jarring about it. It looks like a lovely light room and I wonder if it might feel cosier if it was all painted blue? And maybe some cushions that either pick up the blue, or give some contrast to it. The ones you have look a bit random, perhaps? Also: curtains. Definitely. To the floor if possible. And you can never go wrong with an extra plant or two. Go big.

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Comments (9)

Rebecca Liu
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you! I have ummed about curtains before! Do you think it would look better within the bay or across the 'straight bit' so it covers the little sofa when closed? I see what you mean by the blue. What was unclear in my post is that the indented wall behind the TV, and the armchair on the other side of the fireplace, are in the same blue! So the beige wall and the chimney breast is the feature colour 😊
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Hi weezer16. I've had the same problem several times. If I were you I would keep to a fairly simple shape like a drum e.g http://www.pagazzi.com/shop-for-lighting/ceiling-lights/davis-extra-large-pendant-silver.html I can't tell from your photos whether a warmer colour would go better but the shape won't detract from the wall paper on the chimney Brest and ties in with the fairly simple mantle but a larger size will stop it blending into the background. Then you can add a bit more interest with your cabinet lighting etc.
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hedgehog99
2 years ago
Ah - perhaps that's the problem, in that whatever is the bolder/darker colour will "read" as the feature colour, so I think the arrangement of colours feels a bit back to front, perhaps. I think if you can, I'd go with curtains within the bay, though I know that's sometimes difficult to achieve (but probably lots of advice on here as to how to do it).
macbroom
2 years ago
I think there’s too much blue and would paint all the walls in the neutral wall colour, since you‘ve already a blue chair, rug and art looks blue too?
Rebecca Liu thanked macbroom
angelavdavis
2 years ago
Curtains. Maybe pick up the yellow accent you mention?
Rebecca Liu thanked angelavdavis
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Matilde Interiors
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Yes - I think the problem you find here is that blue wall. The blue is quite strong, perhaps If it contained a bit more white / grey it would help. If you look at the image your eye falls immediately to the blue, and the rest of the elements seem a bit lost next to it. There is also the element of the window, and so your eye should really look at the window and the outside lovely green plants, but it doesn't. I think I would probably paint the wall behind the sofa / the wall by the fireplace in blue, but I would try to choose a blue with more white/grey. In that way it looks more calming. This one is quite a vivid bold blue. I think it makes the room feel colder than it is. Saying that you have really lovely elements in that living room. A soft linen curtain I think would also help to 'soften' things up a bit.
Rebecca Liu thanked Matilde Interiors
Juliet Docherty
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
The rug is lovely but a bit 'pushed aside' by the saturation of the blue wall. I think I would paint that wall the neutal and any blue wall in the alcoves make a softer more greyed paler blue. Linen curtains with a soft grey blue edging would then pick up the rug colours.
Rebecca Liu thanked Juliet Docherty
Daisy England
2 years ago
Another vote for toning down the blue wall. Looking at the image all you see is a huge window and dark blue. The window needs framing so do add curtains.
Rebecca Liu thanked Daisy England
Sonia
2 years ago
Are you up for painting the walls in one colour? Something like oval room blue by F&B would look lovely. It will sit well with both navy and yellow. I would change the blinds and change them for a linen blend curtain although I do rather like angelavdavis’s yellow ones.
Rebecca Liu thanked Sonia

What's wrong with this living room?

hedgehog99

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Rebecca Liu
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What's wrong with this living room?

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Rebecca LiuOriginal Author

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Rebecca Liu
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