Presently your furniture grouping needs to move forward toward the fireplace. The area rug is floating in a kind of "no man's land". A larger area rug, larger cocktail table and large scale accessories would fill the space more effectively. You might also consider a more solid piece of furniture where the bookshelf is located. For color accents, how about a fun ikat print?

I agree that the first thing to do is move your furniture forward. Until you do that, the rug is drawing the eye toward the fireplace, but the fireplace fails as the focal point it should be. If you are going to have the TV on that wall at all, it needs to be above the fireplace. Definitely remove the vertical blinds and cornice in favor of anything, even if it need just be sheers for the time being. Consider making the units under the windows blend in more by lightening their color and be sure to take advantage of that substantial mantle with something eye-catching!

Hi, Scooterpig. Since you feel the room is still rather dark even with the windows, think in terms of light reflecting surfaces: hardwood floors, a glass or polished limestone topped coffee table, mirrored lamps, etc. They'll all reflect light.

In terms of furniture arrangement, I think Kelli Kaufer nailed it in her drawing. You'll have to decide for yourself if the TV above the fireplace works for you. I'd put your leaning bookshelf to the left of that vertical blind door way. And as lizmaguire mentioned, you might want to reconsider that whole ensemble - vertical blinds with the valance kind don't really match the contemporary and urban-esque vibe you've got going.

The room needs some color and I think your burnt orange idea is great! Add it with pillows, a different area rug and art. I'd also think about adding a lounge chair for a counter texture point to the leather as well as introduce some more color. The windows have such a pretty tree-top view that I would want it to be easily accessible at all times - bamboo shades might work.

With REALLY high ceilings like you have, it usually works well to paint the ceiling a darker color to visually bring it down. In this situation, I think I would bring the color down 1/3 of the wall from the ceiling and make that my "new" ceiling.

I found an article that talks about how to work with high ceilings, here:

http://theidesignbox.com/2011/01/06/how-to-decorate-a-room-with-high-ceilings/

I've also attached a design board with the burnt orange so you can see what it looks like. I think celery or turquoise would be nice with it, too.

Fave fun!

Hi
I agree with the design layout of the room suggested by Kelli Kaufer and the idea to paint the ceiling a darker shade and bring that colour down 1/3 of the wall. In addition to these suggestions, I would also introduce a low hanging ceiling pendant or cluster of pendants to distract the eye from looking up. At the moment the floor lamp to the right of your room is being dwarfed by the height of the space. I think a large scale print or art on the wall to the right is also an option to keep the focus grounded. Another suggestion is to introduce large urns either side of the fireplace with a floral interest that extends to the height of the lower windows. I too would also remove the pelmet from the door, as this tends to visually cut the room at that point. I would even go further and hang sheers say 600mm above the door frame to create the illusion of height. I also believe the dark rug also 'cuts' up the floor space. Perhaps introduce a lighter textural rug that extends to the sofas for interest. I don't think you need anything displayed on the mantel, as it is a bold statement in itself! Also if you bring the lighting down to that level, this becomes the feature. Good Luck! It looks like a great space to work with.
Sharon

When I see really high ceilings, I always want to put a colorful mobile in one of the corners. I have one I love from Eurway. It sort of looks like an Alex Calder. If you Google alexander calder mobiles, you can see some pics. You have good light for plants too. I like the proposed furniture placement. It's a wonderful space. Have fun with it!

Hi, wow, thanks for the quick responses and suggestions. I agree with moving the furniture forward. Unfortunately, the TV can't go above the fireplace. The mantel sticks out about 28 inches from the wall and is tiled but getting power in there is virtually impossible. Husband is also adamant he doesn't want it there - he generally doesn't mind what I do with the interior and will only object if he really hates something.

I hate the cornice and am desperate to get rid of it, but had left it to hide the ugly rail for the blinds. I think getting rid of the blinds would really help. I had originally thought of blue curtains, but am now thinking a bold colour might work better. The windows around the fireplace currently have white remote-controlled blinds - should they be changed to a colour too?

If the TV is an issue, why dont you hide it in a cabinet which could replace the bookcase. Put it on a bracket so that it can be turned to face the couches. I am not sure that you should move the furniture forward as it would be in front of your glass door, rather move the rug under the coffe table. To lighten the room try and introduce a large mirror.

these are some of the ideas u can look into ...I hope it will help ...

Hi, Scooterpig. The doorway with the vertical blinds - what's on the other side? From the photos it look like another indoor room. If so, how about leaving it unadorned?

Rgarding the remote controlled white blinds - I would leave them; they have a modern feel that fits well with your sofas and architecture of the house. Get your furniture arrangement and color scheme together for now. If when you're finished, you feel you want to add some color on the window you can do so.

Your living room is exciting! I hope you share pictures when you're finished so we can all "oooh and aaaah".

Hi, just want to say thanks for all the ideas and inspiration. Apologies for the delay in posting, I got somewhat sidetracked by the remodelling of our laundry room (which is almost finished - I just need to pick the right countertop to work with my fire-engine red high gloss cabinets).

The vertical blinds cover the patio doors leading out to the deck. I hate them and they are coming down shortly. I have invested in a couple of small square red ottomans and some pillows and am going to play around with furniture placement over the next few days. Hoping to persuade husband that moving the TV to the other side of the fireplace would really help as we could then move the sofas and lamps. I have a notion of doing contemporary wood panelling on the big wall to the right of the TV but that could be totally unfeasible.

Lets see pics when you are finished

Congratulations for the new house. I like the room, and Kelli Kaufer has done an amazing job I love her plan. Also Manon ideas were great. You have a nice room and these small changes are going to make it even much nicer:)

4 picture .in that big wall I would add our 3d wall panels ..
Check the designs out
www.walllpanels3d.com

3D wall panels - love your product! Could you contact me via email - kelli.kaufer@gmail.com I design for tv and am interested in your product. Thank You!