I don’t mind the green but think an earthier one would also work as you were keen on green before. Similar ideas to Sarah. i’d focus on curtains, pendant light, rug and coffee table and then accessories, the furniture already works. Maybe fewer but larger items on the sideboard.

If you’ve seen anything you like, happy to mock it up for you

Thanks both for your suggestions and mockups. I did wonder if the green was too pastelly it was a colour match of Mizzle. I’m not sure if I want to keep the green, but ever kind of biege/griege colour tester hasn’t looked right in this room. And my bedroom is Egyptian cotton which I don’t really like so I wondered if maybe I don’t like biege kind of colours. Do you think this layout works for this room? Sometimes it feels like I’ve lost so much floor space for my daughter because the sofa is slap in the middle of the room, with my dining table behind, but I think that’s the way the house was designed to be laid out judging by where all the sockets are etc.

Also, a random thing to worry about but the tv size do you think I should go slightly smaller? My dad gave it to us but it’s an older style and I have felt like it’s so dominant? Any suggestions for budget curtains for me would be great! And budget rugs, they are the 2 things I think will make the most difference

Just wanted to show you the hallway view as well so you can see what I mean about the floating sofa. If you have any ideas for the hallway too? I’m waiting for my dad to do half panelling and saving the get rid of that carpet in the hall. The stair carpet has to stay as it’s reasonably new. But again stuck and kind of just left it painted cream as it’s so innofensive but also so dull. Preferably a scheme that ties both rooms together. Appreciate your help x

If you're not keen on beige, a blue+green scheme could work well for your room. Dark teal curtains https://www.dunelm.com/product/luna-brushed-blackout-eyelet-curtains-1000083340?defaultSkuId=31003196. Olive rug https://www.dunelm.com/product/seb-striped-wool-rug-1000290135?defaultSkuId=31038421&rugSize=160cm+x+230cm+(5ft+x+7.5ft)&colour=Seb+Stripe+Olive

I think a bigger tv stand would help, along with a nice lampshade. In terms of colour, why not go dark? Green Smoke or Card Room Green perhaps. Also something is needed on back wall to make dining area more intentional.

I’m terrified of dark colours, I like them in other peoples houses but I’d be so scared in my own. I do like both of those greens though. Do you have any suggestions for the dining room wall? Maybe a large mirror?

Something like this might work well (not necessarily that colour, it was AI generated...although I do quite like it!). Also, move the sofa forward a bit so the front legs are on the rug.

If green isn't working maybe go for a complimentary colour with green toned accessories?

I'd move the TV opposite the window and have the sofa in front of the window facing the TV . Single chair floating. That would open up the space for more play room and allow you to pull the dining table away from the wall a little bit more.

Decor changes - change out the rug and curtains and get a lampshade for the ceiling light. Bring in the green in pillows/curtains/rug - but only in small bits, don't get plain green curtains and a plain green rug and plain green cushions. Bring in more pattern and texture according to your personal taste eg. do you like florals or geometric or checks? Again, don't buy them all the same to match exactly, you need a mix of patterns and texture, but it's difficult to choose from someone as it's personal taste.

I quite like the layout but you could also try CWD’s option and pull the sofa away from the window.

Arthouse do a few jute effect rugs which will be softer. Dunelm is worth a look too. it really depends what style you want and budget though

The tv is a little large for the stand, you could go either way, downsize tv or upsize stand but the current setup doesn’t look awful!

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su915846/g18517

https://www.dunelm.com/product/zia-linen-look-multi-header-unlined-curtains-1000254313?defaultSkuId=30930803

Thanks both of you for your suggestions I may try juggling things around and seeing if that layout feels more open. Where would you put the sideboard? On the wall where the tv is now? Also does the rug need to be bigger than what I have now?

Ideally the front legs of the sofa and chair should sit on the rug

I'd try the sideboard on the wall behind dining table if there is enough room there - it might need to go behind that door, where the toy kitchen is at the moment? I'd fully embrace the living area being for play and move the toy kitchen over where the TV is currently. The playroom years don't last forever!

Thank you CWD, you hit a nerve there as that’s the biggest thing that’s been bothering me. I’m constantly getting annoyed at toys out because I don’t feel like there’s enough space. Which I don’t like that I’m getting annoyed about it as it is my daughter’s home as much as mine. Could you suggest a nice colour to paint? Preferably quite neutral maybe just a shade darker than the existing cream which I found so bland? I really want to make this house feel more homely for us both, somewhere I don’t king being in the winter.

Also the layout does work but I think it looks quite bare with my small sofa in the window, possibly that layout would work better if I eventually change to a corner sofa. As the chair then didn’t really have a home, I just tried it very briefly

I’ve put together a shopping board, i missed you already had green cushions so ignore those. This was based on the style you liked months ago. The floor lamp shade looks off in the render so I’ve reattached it.

it might be an idea to pull together an ideabook on houzz so people know what colours and styles you like and can help further

Do you not want any colour in the room or just change the wall colour?

Thanks Minnie that’s so helpful. I’m not opposed to colour if I’m honest I just don’t know what I like. If somebody completely came in and just changed the whole room for me I’d probably be happy because I don’t trust my own taste 😂 not good at pulling everything together

Tricky! A lot of people say look at your wardrobe to define your interior style. What colours do you like wearing as they’ll be the ones your most comfortable with in your home. Having said that you’ll always find something bright red in my wardrobe but never in my house although there will be burgundy! Again, what style of clothes, could be modern, tailored, boho, tracksuits, minimal pattern or bold pattern. Do you wear a lot of accessories, jewellery, scarves etc or different textures. They may all point to certain styles.

Or look at places you’ve been like restaurants, hotels etc that you like. I‘ve subscribed to 25 Beautiful Homes magazine for years, as i find it has the most content, the homes shown are often different in style. It might be worth picking up a copy.

If you find something you particularly love you can always post on here for help.

I honestly don’t think you need to give up on the room or go back to grey. From the photo, the wall color itself isn’t really the main problem. The room just needs more contrast and a clearer focal point.

I’d keep the walls fairly calm and work on the layers instead — curtains with more presence, a larger rug with more character, better lighting, and a few stronger accents around the TV area. Right now many of the elements have a similar visual weight, so changing the wall color again probably won’t give you the transformation you’re looking for.

I recently made a comparison of a $2,000 living room and a $200,000 one, looking at which details actually make a room feel more expensive and where spending more really matters. There are also curtains and a chandelier in the video that I think could work really well with your space and give it some of the depth and character it’s missing now. I’ve linked the actual products in the video description if you want to take a closer look:
https://youtu.be/BSqmk20JaAQ

I definitely wouldn’t give up on this room yet — I think it has much more potential than you’re giving it credit for.