Please help. Lounge/diner just don't seem to like it no matter what I

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hi all,Please help. I cannot get my interior design right ever. I have spent money, time, effort but nothing ever seems to look right.This is my lounge area of the living/dining room. Awkward room as it is. Sofa is brand new but looks grey in life and looks neutral in some shots. Walls are dulux Egyptian cotton which I really like in life but never looks right on pictures.I ordered this rug but it doesn't seem to go. I don't have any artwork because I am scared of ordering and hating how it turns out just like with sofa, rug etc. I end up hating things once I have got them.I'm tired of painting and changing things. How can I make this space nice? What colours what rugs what throw pillows? Someone please help!
At the moment the wall colour really seems to clash with the sofa!

Featured Answer

minnie101

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hi. Did you manage to try the table in front of the tv?

The only other option is this but pull the sofa away from the patio doors. There would be a bit of a pinch point getting to the sofa from the entrance door though and you don’t have garden views.. You definitely need a table with kids, could be a very messy dinnertime if not! I also like the panelling

i wouldn’t paint, buy anything etc until you’ve got a layout that works

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Comments (18)

Tahreem Qureshi
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
This is the layout currently. Tv doesn't really work anywhere else and we prefer it on the wall out of the way because of the kids
Tahreem Qureshi
Original Author
2 years ago
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Yes, it's a complete nightmare! Thank you both for replying. We have tried dividing the room with the large sofa, where the smaller armchair is, and the TV used to be on the patterned wall. The smaller armchair went where the TV is. Whatvwe found was that there wasn't much space between the two chairs to get in and out of the kitchen - the chairs are both very deep so they really come into the room . when the chair was where the TV is I always felt like I was missing something that was going on behind me - that sounds silly, I know!! I love the idea of zoning with a rug and a coffee table would be so handy - currently we have to twist right round to reach the tables on either side of the sofa. If you'd have a writing desk where the TV currently is, what would you do with the armchair? At the moment it feels like there are two chunks of wasted space on either side of the big sofa. Yes, yes, yes to the yellow and grey! I love your photos, and it would really lift the dark wallpaper. I bought the cushions for Christmas 2015 and didn't change them afterwards, so a fresh look is long overdue! Thank you again for your ideas, feel free to throw more suggestions around - I'll try anything!
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Tahreem Qureshi
Original Author
2 years ago
Tahreem Qureshi
Original Author
2 years ago
Tahreem Qureshi
Original Author
2 years ago
kazzh
2 years ago
You might benefit from creating an idea book here in Houzz to be able to see what looks you like, to get ideas together so you can create a co ordinated look.
Tahreem Qureshi thanked kazzh
Kate
2 years ago
https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/think-you-havent-got-space-for-a-big-sofa-stsetivw-vs~79038143?share=clipboard Your sofa is very large compared with the other chairs and the entertainment unit. What makes it work in the attached link is that there aren't any other small out of scale items. Can you build in storage around the TV so you don't have so many bits around the room? Your art will need to be large to look right with the sofa. You really only have the blue in the rug and the pink chairs to tie in with.
Tahreem Qureshi thanked Kate
Tahreem Qureshi
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you! Yes I can't get rid of the sofa as it is new but the chair and other peices will be going. I was thinking of getting a large armchair or sideboard unit on either side of the sofa to blend it in a bit. Rug is new and going back too - going to get a smaller one. Do you think that will work?
PRO
The Living House
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Hi Tahreem Qureshi , incorporating slightly more blue tones that are within the rug would help bring the room together too. As you have mentioned the rug is slightly too big but make sure when you return for a new size you don't go too small as a small rug would give a floating effect. It can feel overwhelming with all the decisions that you need to make. If you would like any guidance and help with your home, we are an affordable online interior design company offering expert advice with affordable packages. Heres the link to our website if you would like to take look - https://www.thelivinghouse.co.uk/
minnie101
2 years ago
It’s quite a tricky room for layout! Given the height you have the tv hung, is it worth trying the table in front of the tv? If so, could you take more photos?

Rugs tend to come in standard sizes and I’m not convinced the next size down would work but may be wrong! I’d try pulling the rug under the sofa further in both directions
Tahreem Qureshi thanked minnie101
Tahreem Qureshi
Original Author
2 years ago
It really is! We didn't have a dining table before and just had sofas which worked out okish but I really don't want to get rid of the table either. I did actually turn the table around but it then has to be pushed flush against wall because of door. I will try again and attach a pic. Have a look at this layout I tried with the sofa which blocks patio doors. Unfortunately it's not going to stay that way as it's approching summer and the kids need open access to the garden 🤣

I think we are just going to stick to this layout

And the big panelling wall - i may get full length net curtains to cover it because I just hate it at the moment. Don't have time to paint or remove the panelling.

Should have left that lilac colour on. It looks ok
Tahreem Qureshi
Original Author
2 years ago
It really is! We didn't have a dining table before and just had sofas which worked out okish but I really don't want to get rid of the table either. I did actually turn the table around but it then has to be pushed flush against wall because of door. I will try again and attach a pic. Have a look at this layout I tried with the sofa which blocks patio doors. Unfortunately it's not going to stay that way as it's approching summer and the kids need open access to the garden 🤣

I think we are just going to stick to this layout

And the big panelling wall - i may get full length net curtains to cover it because I just hate it at the moment. Don't have time to paint or remove the panelling.

Should have left that lilac colour on. It looks ok here
Sandra Marshall
2 years ago
Hi. You have the makings of a lovely family living room. I would flip the sofa so that it runs up the wall opposite the French door, and have the tv on the even shorter wall. Don’t put the tv too high, and paint the wall behind it dark blue, then the tv disappears. I like the rug and don’t think it’s too big. You need to get rid of all the miscellaneous stuff,and invest in some flexible storage. Give your table some room to breathe, it’s very beautiful and useful.don’t have it shoved in the corner.
I think most peoples artwork is generic and dull, think about the places and things you love, and colours that you like, and then find a way to reflect that. Try to avoid having stuff that’s currently popular, it will just be filling charity shops in 2 years. Take your kids to an art gallery and all choose one thing you love. They may sell prints, or it may just inform your choices. I’m always drawn to figures, my husband prefers architectural stuff. Don’t be scared, don’t be too matchy, and don’t buy one tiny thing and stick it up high. Art should be at eye level.but hang your choices with proper respect. Introduce some texture, with throws and cushions. Please put in some plants.And keep the panelling, honestly that room needs depth.
Tahreem Qureshi thanked Sandra Marshall
lolalola73
2 years ago
I think part of the problem is that the room is trying to do too much - it’s partly sitting room, dining room & playroom and you haven’t managed to get the zoning quite right yet. Because of where the tv is you’re having to watch tv with all the clutter underneath along that wall - that doesn’t create a peaceful, relaxed vibe.
Have you tried placing the sofa to face the panelled wall instead & could you place the tv on that wall? (I like the panelling by the way). People tend to place sofas against a wall facing into the room, but in a multi-purpose room, it can be placed differently to create zones. Moving it away from the walls would also lessen the contrast between the wall colour & sofa colour that you’ve said is jarring for you.
Then change your table placement to the wall that currently has the tv and put some storage in so that you can put the kids stuff away when they’re finished with it.
Tahreem Qureshi thanked lolalola73
Tahreem Qureshi
Original Author
2 years ago
You are probably right. Unfortunately the sofa is too big to leave any floor area if I was to put it opposite the panelling and I can't block the patio doors as it's access we actually need. The problem is it's the only downstairs room so we have to use it for all purposes. The only person that watches the TV is my husband so it's not something we focus on a lot.
Tahreem Qureshi
Original Author
2 years ago
Hello - I am just going to try the table in front of tv now actually! Will post a picture. I think sofa is staying where it was out of the way. I did put the sofa in front of patio doors with space but again it wasn't functional at all.
Tahreem Qureshi
Original Author
2 years ago
Hello so here are the pictures and I think I am happier with this layout. The table did make a difference. Now I can concentrate on getting some units and getting rid of the clutter. Also thinking of sage and pink in the room as already have pink dining chairs and maybe some shelfs on side of tv for the tv things etc.

We don't actually use the table a lot - only when entertaining which is it's sole purpose and thats when we usually pull it out rather than have it out all the time.

Also I think the rug was nice and we really loved it but it had too much going in it so I may be sticking to a plainer pattern or just a plain one.