Hi Zoe, Congratulations to you both on your 1st home purchase. Small designer furniture is what comes to mind. 2 seater sofa, lamp table, floor rug, small coffee table and a TV entertainment unit that fits the common wall at the kitchen end. Light coloured furniture & decor and the clever use of wall lighting will help make the room seem larger. The good thing is you can spend up big on the small amount of things you need to buy. Below are some images that I've found online that could be of interest to you. Links as follows: http://ynnu.net/tips-in-decorating-small-living-room-design-with-modern-furniture/elegant-grey-sofa-furniture-and-indoor-flowers-plant-in-small-living-room-decorating-design-ideas-2012 http://www.besthomedesigns.org/start-small-living-room-decorating-ideas/small-living-room-ideas/ http://abanthome.com/living-rooms-ideas-for-small-space/ http://www.a-v-designs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Very-Small-Living-Room-Ideas-66.jpg

Western wall will have a carport attached so will be shielded from sun. Western 'wall' of carport will be mesh with a creeper grown up it. We live in Gladstone SA where we have a long hot summer and a long cold winter. We have built houses before that make use of north facing but have found since we have lived here that having lots of south facing windows is also very important for light without sun coming in and for when a cool breeze is present. Shower room is on the north side so that it dries out well and doesn't grow mold. North wall will have a pergola with a deciduous climber on it. The second bedroom is a spare room - children have gone. The dog room does not have solid walls. It will actually be cellar balustrading - the dogs are in the room without being all over the furniture. Their spot is there because it gives them access to the yard (there will be a dog door in the wall). The house is actually a converted shed. We are using secondhand products as much as possible. Windows in the living area are 1800H but have to be 500 off the floor or we have to reglaze them with safety glass (they are old windows). External doors are both glass. Our taste is country/shabby chic/reclaimed/antique. We already have plenty of furniture, just not sure how to arrange it and wanted some advice

Hi Roz, Looks like you have a beautiful space with lots of light, great idea to go with a tropical theme and the bar will be a fantastic touch. If you want something a little more casual, have you considered adding a [drinks trolley/ bar cart[(https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/bar-trolleys-let-the-good-times-roll-stsetivw-vs~56579761) instead of a built-in bar? Also, there are some great ideas in [this story[(https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/get-the-look-caribbean-style-with-a-twist-stsetivw-vs~76280038) that might help you with furniture and decor. As a lot of other people have said, natural fibres are going to be your best friends, as are lots of [beautiful houseplants[(https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/our-10-hottest-indoor-plants-stsetivw-vs~27299305) to add lushness and freshness to the space, perfect with all of those windows. Hope this helps, and can't wait to see the finished product! Deirdre

Just some more general comments first . The living/dining area already has quite a mix of colours , all nice in themselves , but it doesn't look like you've got a whole plan . The fireplace is 'earthy' with brown and red , but then you have a different brown on the mirror surround ; the 2 wall units are an off-white with a bit of gold ; one chair is older in style with a different brown and off-white ; the other more modern in style with sharp black and white material ; then a table that is a lighter brown again and basic black legs . One of the wall units may even be in front of a window , and the window surround looks a different shade of golden brown again . Even if you added cushions and a rug , all the differences will still be there , then you want either black or pink marble ? I'd look at swapping around furniture , selling or recovering some , maybe restain furniture in a Japanese Black and fixtures and fittings all the same brown tone ? Then decide on a 'highlight' colour , maybe get an artwork in that tone ( lets say red , or maybe a blue ? ) , say 6 cushions the same almost -- say 2 solid red , 2 red striped , 2 red chequered ? And I haven't forgotten the marble -- how about an offwhite , with mainly grey veins , but maybe some pink or light blue veins to reference the cushions and art ? The primarily light marble will look smart , but importantly should help set a cohesive tone . Just my thoughts .