Help! Decorating ideas needed for my new living room

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I have downsized to a new home. I've brought furniture from my old (much grander) home. I would love to replace all the furniture, but can't afford to right now. The storage bench is definitely not working as a coffee table (although I will really hate to lose the storage). The sofa is charcoal gray--about the same color as the open plan kitchen cabinets. The wood furniture pieces (yes, I know I need to replace the handle on the tv ottoman) and sofa legs are cherry (lighter and more orangey than in the photo, I don't love it, but it's so huge, that I don't know how I would move it to paint it). The walls are light gray, the carpet is medium gray. There will be no curtains because my son has dust mite allergies. The floor will eventually be a lighter colored wood (when I can afford to do it), also because of my son's dust mite allergies. I do have two boys, so the coffee table needs to be sturdy and not too large. If it has room for some storage baskets, that would be ideal. There is so much brown furniture in this room, that I hesitate to go with more brown. There is so much gray in the carpet, walls, and sofa, I wasn't sure if gray was the right choice either. I need throw pillows and the walls are naked. Ideas?

Featured Answer

julie herbert

6 years ago

Hi,
I agree with Dr Retro, while your furniture is beautiful it is too heavy for your room, I would not paint it as it would lose its value, either relocate to another room or sell it ( you would get a really good price on such beautiful pieces) light contemporary furniture would look great and give the room a great feel, love the couch, a hall table near door with storage baskets underneath, coffee table with storage, a buffet near kitchen, lamp to clean air for your son, enjoy textured throw and cushions and it will look gorgeous, silver fan would complete the look

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Comments (11)

legendaryflame
6 years ago
Photo?
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Original Author
6 years ago
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PRO
Dr Retro House Calls
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
The right coffee table, throw and wall art are not going to be enough to disguise the fact that you have downsized from a much larger home with your large, dark, formal furniture that dominates a compact room.

Have you considered moving pieces to other rooms, or selling it, and buying clean-lined, contemporary style furniture off eBay? This style will fit the proportions of your room, and make it easier to live with your dust free strategy. The beauty of second-hand furniture is that when you can afford to upgrade you can sell it again on eBay. and recover your costs.

Never paint perfectly good pieces of timber furniture as it will devalue the pieces. Sell them as is, somebody will cherish them as they are.

I would keep the couch, decide on the tone of your new timber floor, and use these two elements to decide on the rest of your colour scheme. Your celing fan/light is also a distraction, so replace with something sleek and contemporary that is not such a feature.

Your room layout is problemmatic with the number of doors coming into the room, but it is hard to suggest a better stategy without a floorplan.

Best of luck with making this house your new home,

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls
julie herbert
6 years ago
Ficus or peace Lilly are great air filters, hope we have inspired you
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julie herbert
6 years ago
Oops! Should have read plant for cleaning air for your young son, good luck and happy decorating.
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siriuskey
6 years ago
You have some beautiful pieces, I would try the lounge across under the window and fit white internal shutters to the window to dress it up a bit.

If you can move the Armoire along bit away from the window leaving the clock as is, a large coffee table in metal and glass or multi coloured timber as would be made from recycled timber, you can buy them and not very expensive.

Some large wall hangings, mirror art etc would look lovely and a new white ceiling fan. cheers
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JE C
6 years ago
Hi I think the armoire might look nice in your dining area if you have space and a timber dining table ....I love the way they have mixed up dark wood, light wood and casual seating in this photo. They have separated the woods with a neutral rug but maybe you use an outdoor rug given your son's issue. At a pinch you could use one of the chess of drawers to put your Tv on or above ( will be higher than ideal) and relocate the other one to a bedroom. I would choose a similar rug for the living area once you have the new flooring. I worry about that lovely clock in a small space with your sons ..i know it would be at risk in my house:( also that is the piece that really looks too grand for the new house, sorry). I agree the ottoman doesnt work there either, but it could perhaps be covered with a throw and put under the window as extra storage / seating. Have you brought any art with you from your old home that you want to use in this space?
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JE C
6 years ago
Hi, a couple of coffee table ideas that would suit a smaller space, obviously in toughened glass or perspex, given your boys. IKEA had one similar with matching side table that was a bargain. A dark timber bowl on the coffee table could tie in with any remaining wood. Have also attached another rug picture which you could get as an outdoor version to manage dust . I think your blinds are fine if you are working to a budget, but I think a simple white drum pendant would smarten the space. Choose cushions, throw to tie in with any artworks but yellow teal or blue could work for the cushions.
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JE C
6 years ago
Some cushion inspo for the grey couch, also I would drape a lighter coloured throw over the back to soften its shape. Good luck and hope you and your boys settle in soon.
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PRO
Moss Furniture
6 years ago
I agree with the previous comments. I would suggest a few art works to brighten up the room whilst tying in the grey tones. Throws, rugs, lamps and scatter cushions are also cheap and effective ideas for adding warmth and colour. Best of luck !