Orange and blue are on the opposite ends of the colour wheel so together with the grey as the neutral to tone down, it all works!... with an open plan, you want to define the zones and the best way to achieve that is with rugs... start with the orange couch as it's the biggest item (and probably most costly to replace)... 1. Orange is a 'block' colour so break it up with a geometric & monochromatic rug (black/white or charcoal/white) and large enough (best is 2mx3m) for the edge of the rug to sit just under the front base of the couch (for a budget option check out Ikea's Lappljung Ruta 2x3m rug: http://m.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/art/20260520) 2. Pick a few scatter cushions for the couch... a couple of monochrome ones to match the rug (note Ikea's got matching cushions to the above rug) plus a couple of blue ones to tie in the blue hues and introduce a third colour and/or textured cushions to break it up 3. Find a large piece of abstract artwork, either canvas or just a framed print if on a budjet, which picks up the main colours of blue and orange plus a mix of any other colours. Place the artwork on that dining room wall on the left (no offense, but the current one there looks lost, it's too small and colour blends into the wall too much) 4. Love your dining chairs, but if there are only four and it looks like the table can accommodate six chairs, then you could do with a couple more but not in white. Get two more chairs in the same or a similar style, but in orange (or blue if you want a more muted look e.g. Freedom's Brandon dining chair: http://m.freedom.com.au/furniture/dining/dining-chairs/23437432/brandon-dining-chair-turquoiseoak) sounds out there, but mix-match dining chairs are very much on trend. 5. The exposed brick wall actually works really well with your colour scheme, but break it up with some floating shelves on one side (black/charcoal so the tv doesn't stand out so much, or just a natural timber to tie in the orange) for photo frames, books, objects, ferns, etc and one the other side create a nice little vignette of similar items on top of a cabinet noting to pick colours from the palette. A few inspiration photos I found on Houzz that sort of reflect what I suggested above... good luck! :)

emerald..don't know how you full time mum does it..I wouldn't be able to cope lol I only work part time and yet on the days I work I don't even look after myself properly lol. took the kids to Yum Cha today so I bought groceries at Melb Central before hopping on the train back .. just making a stir fry tonight..was going to have stir fried noodles..turned out my Hokkien noodles are expired..this is the reason why I don't buy stuff beforehand lol so will wing it and have with rice..one wok wonder with some scallops from the freezer.. my kids are easy they don't ever whinge about what I cook they know better..as sometimes I don't cook at all lol

Thank you so much for responding Houzzers. The cushions do look bright in the pic, but they're actually mustard as is the ottoman, throw and also in the cushions. I did try lime green in the room but was a bit reluctant to add another colour although it does look good against the purple especially. My plan is to get a smaller, more colourful rug and layer it over the big one. I purchased the cement trivets that are on the console because they are heavy enough to act as trays on the ottomans. As there is a bit of pale mustard in the horse art I may go for mustard for the fireplace. I will get a sample pot first though. Thank you all for your contributions. I am much happier in my space now as I have more room and no hard pointy edged coffee table to injure my grandchildren. Happy Houzzing.

I like all the garden ideas ( it does look a bit sparse and 'rental property' look about it IMO ) , with a low fence along the front , a wooden screen a couple of metres in front of the door , etc , BUT when I looked at the very first photo -- the wider angle one -- the one thing you notice first is the yellow marker post on the left hand side of the driveway fence . So take that as a cue , and paint the garage door a bright colour to stand out -- primary or metallic or trendy , just one that you like , and personally I'd probably change the curtains ( or even dye them ) to the same colour as the garage door . Right now , everything is various derivatives of off-white and red brown earth brick -- needs a decent spot of colour to lift the houses look IMO . Another option would be 'natural' timber blinds , especially if you had them the same shade of stain as the screen and the front fence , but I'd still do the garage door ( and maybe the guttering ) your current favourite colour .