I think it just feels dull and im not sure what to put on the wall with the big couch! I feel like i need a focal point but cant figure out what that should be or go. The wall color is a light grey blue and i do like it and do like the furniture, just trying to make it feel co-hesive and figure out what is missing or if i should rearrange to a diff focal point. Thank you!!

I wonder if the space is still dominated by the staircase, so that while you are sitting there you are still very mindful of the stairs being there? To give it some more grounding could you try having a sofa with its back to the stairs for example? I understand you may want to have the stairs in view so to be able to watch your toddler - in this case, could the handrails and gate be solid? This way, they would present as a low wall, and still serve to enclose and support the space. Again, as safety is a priority, perhaps a low 500mm high toughened glass balustrade on top of the 900mm nib wall (in place of railings) might help.

Scale may be an issue too . A smaller room needs small furniture and furniture that allows you to see under it so the floor area looks larger. Replacing wooden stair features with clear glass pool surround panels will give safety and make the area look larger.

I agree with suancol -the proportions are out of balance

Try removing the 2 large armchairs and see how the space feels

If you need additional chairs in that space use cane or another light style with lots of 'see-through' parts

Instead of curtains at the doors, try plain white linen roman blinds that are attached to the doors.

The print above the armchair could look good on the opposite wall That will give you the focal point you're after and will be the first thing you see when you come up the stairs

And with stronger colouring for the cushions and lamp shade, you will have the impact you are seeking

ps lift the lovely palm in the corner to sit on a table or plant stand. It will fill the corner better

Sara - some chair ideas!

The Whitsunday · More Info

Lindsay Street · More Info

Palm Beach Gardens Home · More Info

Hamptons Armchair · More Info

I love your furniture. i want to snuggle up with a good book. I’d replace the lamp with something much taller and add some photos or art to the wall. Why not a picture of your daughter. I’m thinking a professional setup where your daughter is in the left corner of the photo and provides the splash of colour in an otherwise toned down background. You then pick up the colour in your accents around the room, cushions etc.

I agree with other comments. The curtains are too lightweight looking and do not complement your robust furniture. Fitted blinds would be better and more modern. I assume you are keeping your furniture so I would be inclined to use your ottoman as a coffee table, that will free up some space. Your can place a nice styled tray on the ottoman which can be simply lifted off.
The room just needs a lift with some colour. A large landscape shaped art or mirror above the couch. I think more colourful cushions will help too and yes, the palm would look better sitting up higher. Best of luck.

I would keep your furniture, lovely and comfortable and not something that your little one could drag across to the railing and climb up on and over, is the gate too low?

Try swapping the lounge with the table, table could have a reading light and potted palm on it, (with protection), the light could also help feature the Palm.

A standard lamp at the other end of the lounge. Your TV Mounted on the wall behind the single arm chair and removing that table which will allow more playing floor space and as suggested replacing the hard coffee table with the ottoman. The curtains need to be full height and wider so that they can be pulled back without the need for ties

Hi there, sounds like you have got plenty of good advice since I saw your "dilemma" this morning and decided to practise my Sketch Up skills vaguely recreating your living room! Just some ideas for curtain style, colours and accessories. Not that we ever get to style any coffee tables with little ones under foot! I have included the original coffee table as a little play area for your littlie (Who looks so like my 10 year old at the same age, bless!).

PS: Dont look too closely at placement of wall art, I am still coming to grips with the rotation tool !

You did well using Sketchup, I use it but find it is more complicated and takes longer than my 1997 program which does everything, except no longer allows you to download updates since it was taken over and repurposed. Houzz has their own Sketchup which can work really well once you get the hang of it

Hi Sara,

Your living room has a lot of potential! We would really recommending using that lengthy space behind the sofa to place a large scale artwork. As you have a landscape photograph on another wall, you could keep to landscape photography to keep cohesion, or lean towards landscape paintings. Another alternative could be our most popular art category, abstract art.

As Australia's largest online art gallery we're sure you'll find the art you love! We also offer a complimentary art advisory, so if you'd like further advice or guidance with choosing artwork, you can email help@bluethumb.com.au free of charge :)

Good luck with the decorating!

Your team at Bluethumb