I think the feature wall behind the sofa needs to be much darker in line with the darker grey of the sofa and end wall. It will create depth to the room. Making the wall much darker will give you a back drop for a second accessory colour, the greens will work well with everything you have so far, hence someone elses suggestion of plants.

I'd even consider going for the darker grey on the wall opposite ( the T.V wall )

Also adding in darker neutral shades for the lamps.

You really need some pictures on the walls, will make it more homely too. I would also suggest replacing the rug with something bright and clolurful but if thats not an option a throw of the sofa, which will also be useful on those dark cold nights. Good luck

Hi Mark. It looks like a great room and just needs accessorising which you can do over time when you find something you love and as budget permits. I think I'd mix burnt orange and reds and just add green for plants.I'd paint the radiator in the wall colour if you have some left over then hang Art over it picking up orange and red. I like the cushions in the first pic if you wanted to add more pattern which are from Oka which look also great with a burnt orange velvet (they have a cushion arranger online) if you wanted to move the checks to the chairs. A textured throw in the sofa colour may look nice draped over the arm of the chair. I'd add a vase of faux stems on the table, I love eucalyptus for something simple, these are Cox and Cox. Assuming you don't use the footstool, add a couple of books and a small tray with an ornament or a small vase of flowers etc. I'd move the tv unit down a bit and try a tall potted plant next to it. I might also consider a side table between the sofa and chair. A mirror over the sideboard might work, perhaps rectangular landscape but tack some paper to the wall to see how it works under the wall light before buying. I might also play around with the lighting, perhaps try a table lamp on the sideboard and one on the tv unit or a side table if you buy one. The lamp on the sideboard might look good with the Oka ikat shade shown in the pic. Try the floor lamp in the nib wall corner and perhaps the other in the corner where the pic was taken.

I'd advise to stay neutral with the sofa and add some gorgeous new scatter cushions http://www.rume.co.uk/accessories/cushions.html/ with maybe a buttoned ottoman to tie in the buttons on the dining chair and to match the cushions in a bright velvet. http://www.rume.co.uk/lithe-ottoman.html

Try re-covering your dining chairs and then accessorise. One eye-catching piece of art will also go a long way.

I would look to differentiate the dining and living areas. Consider using colour on the walls either side of the dinging table. In terms of colour, maybe a slightly lighter tone of the coral colour in your footstool.

I've had to return my dining chairs and Argos have allowed me to get a replacement on their website (and I just pay the balance over what I paid originally). Can you guys help me choose some dining chairs which would help improve the look of this room?!

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse/ID72/33015778/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CHome+and+garden%7C33005908/c_2/2%7C33005908%7CDining+room+furniture%7C33008897/c_3/3%7Ccat_33008897%7CDining+chairs%7C33015778.htm

Oh no what happened to the chairs?? I've gone right through all the chairs, several times, i transposed quite a few on to the original pic for colour visualisation. I thought all of the greys were too steely or too pale, and clashed with the sofa and walls.

I comtemplated the duck egg -

I finally decided that if you were not going to get the same ones again, and i think they look lovely, you just need to change the lampshades and get more cushions

I tried the oatmeal oatmeal at least these went well with the sofa, and didn't clash with the walls or armchair.

I personally like the colours in the room already, it's really cosy and restful. However, i see that one of the suggestions for adding colour was to define the dining area with a different colour on the wall such as this, which i feel works well with the rattan

Rattan Chairs

I still maintain however, that the original room is much nicer, if it were me i'd be buying the same chairs ( whatever went wrong i'm not sure ), they blend in to the room well and I think all you need is extra cushions and maybe a mirror by the dining table.

Hmm... I liked the chairs, but hey ho... I did a mock up for you too... Subtle changes, but they do make a difference I think.

hi there Mark

I think what the room lacks in a little cohesive thinking.

So rather than just leap in with ideas, I would like to get some understanding of you and what you are looking for the room to achieve,

Did you buy the footstool and cushions because you wanted to add colour?

Did you choose the paper and the rug and what was it that appealed to you?

When you think about décor, what kinds of look appeals to you - is it cosy, industrial, country, loft style.

At the moment the various items in the room seem to come from a variety of styles and we just need to pull the look together :)

Would love to give you some ideas!

J

I had to give the chairs back because two were wobbly and one of them came with a stain on the back. Thank you for the mockups you guys have created, very useful! I am still deciding on the chairs :(

As it is my first house, I just went on a furniture buying spree with just neutral colours in mind. I liked the sofas but the footstall and cushions came free so they would not have been my first choice.

The wallpaper was already there, but the rug was my choice, but I dont think the rug works!

I guess I prefer a cosy, country style home that feels warm!

Hi Mark

Thanks for your response.

I have created a mood design board for you below.

With neutrals it is important to have texture so I have incorporated that into my plan.

There is a textured wallpaper that is brick effect, I have used this paper and it is really effective. This not only adds texture but colour - there are greys in there but also browns that echo the wooden furniture you have. There is a smaller sample of brick paper in similar shades. Both are available from Iwantwallpaper.com and around £15 per roll.

It goes well with red and you could keep the existing footstool and cushions, offsetting them with other cushions, such as the embroidered stag cushion available from Dunelm.

I have replaced the chairs with benches - also from Dunelm (to avoid traipsing around multiple shops!)

To soften the look use small sheepskins as throws rather than rugs - these look great on chairs, sofas and benches (available from Dunelm, TKMaxx for under £35).

All in all, its a very cost effective update that will give you the cosiness you seek.

Hope this helps

J

Hi Mark,

You have an amazing room and have made great use of the space.

You have a great base colour but just need to inject some colour, add personal touches to show your personality.

Firstly i'd change the rug, go for a contrast colour to your deco and have some matching cushions in a similar tone group to the rug your choose.

Personalise the room with some artwork and photographs and add finishing touches like accessories, vases or sculptures.

We'd change how you have the lighting, there is nothing wrong with a lot of light but it seems like you have too much everywhere you look you have lights, floor, table and wall lights. Loose the two table lamps at the side of the TV and place one of them down on your sideboard at the bottom of your room. Loose the floor lamp on the centre of the room and keep the one at the front of the photograph. Possibly loose both and go for a larger more structured floor lamp that can add some height and design to the room. A few changes to the lights will create more of an ambience and create a different mood and look.

Hi Mark - perhaps some original abstract art would brighten up the room? Here are a few suggestions. To view more please visit my website: www.corinnenatel.co.uk. Feel free to email me for more information: design@corinnenatel.co.uk