Jen, can you post a few pictures of your room from different angles and a couple of long shots showing the whole thing so we can advise you better? That always seems to work out best.

I'm thinking that some of the most beautiful color schemes I've seen are black, white and tan/brown. That can be just gorgeous.

What styles draw you? What colors do you love best? Do you want your room more feminine or more maculine? Do you love the clean minimal look or the more accessoried look? Do you have a favorite inspiration picture for that room?

Wow, you have very diverse taste in art, which is cool! The first one has a very oriental flair, the second very american country, and the third kind of an abstract/modern feel. All, as we see, are awash in red. Is that what you want for the accent color? Or are you picking red because it says 'bright' to you?

I think your room does sound kind of, um, neutral, and if it feels blah to you, then it is. It would be a big help if you could post a pix or two, but if not, here are some things to think about.

What do you have for lighting in the room? Overhead lighting will only wash out the color and the depth in the space, so if you don't have any lamps, think about adding those. They can be a source of texture and color interest, too.

Your choice of throw pillows, I fear, are just going to blend in to all the rest of the beige and brown by themselves. You need to look for some pillows with color and pattern that aren't mostly those colors. Take a look at this pillow. It has lots of great color in it, but also some green and other neutral tones to work with the space:

Amelie pillow

Use those with a couple of the striped ones you chose. Picture that pillow with the last of your artwork picks on the wall.

Add a cool vase or bowl, perhaps some rich blue pottery candlesticks with cream candles to bring out the touches of blue in the pillows and artwork.

I bet the room will be great!

This is exactly the kind of thing I need. Because I always go to buy something thinking, I'm going to get something with color, but by the time I get home I bought something brown, LOL. It's just fear I guess. Well, I don't have a sense of style. I like oriental and country and modern. I like lots of stuff!

I'm going to try and post pics.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1542501}}

Ok, here is the other side of the room. I feel like even the brick fireplace blends in with the drab. I did pick the artwork from the "red" category as red says bright to me and its also my favorite color. I like minimal knick knacks as I'm the type that doesn't not want to spend time dusting. I LOVE those pillows. I would have never thought they would match in my room. Thanks for pointing those out.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1542503}}

Could we please get a head on shot of the wall where the couch is, and also whatever is opposite that wall?

You have a great space. I only see one lamp, no rug (didn't you say you bought a rug?), but a lot of potential!

Ok I didn't post this one earlier, because I didn't think it showed much. These are pictures I had already taken from earlier when I bought the furniture and painted, so I didn't have the rug yet. From this picture you can at least see that the couch has to sit in front of two windows which I have bass blinds on as curtains didn't work out well, again brown wood. Across from this couch is a short wall and then a large open entry way to a small area where I have my computer and stuff. There is no furniture that can fit on that wall because there is a closet and the door opens to block most of it.

If you still need better pictures, I'll get the camera out later tonight and take some new ones.

Also, I got the rug on clearance at JCPenny for 50.00. It's not going to break my heart to part with it and try again for something brighter althought I might get a lecture from DH.

Here are more pics.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1542505}}

and here is the rug. Oh, and you are right I only have one lamp in this area. More lamps are on my to buy list.

Maybe its just better to link my Photobucket page here. These pics are all I have on there and you could see everything together.

It's here: http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/ii1/jla815/

Thanks again. You guys are so helpful.

Jen

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1542508}}

Oh, the fun you're going to have :)

Your pics say "classic blank slate" to me...love the rug, btw. I'm looking forward to seeing what magic les and oceanna and maybe some photoshop mavens work on your space.

I really would like to see the whole wall behind the couch, not just the couch level. Also would like to see the other wall, if it isn't too much trouble. The close shots don't really give perspective on the room, and that will help with suggestions for decor.

Love the rug, by the way.

Ok, I've taken new pics all around and posted them on my photobucket. With it being dark and having to use the over head lighting, you can REALLY see how depressing this room really is especially with no christmas tree, LOL. I can't even believe I'm posting these pictures, and even one of my computer area (gasp!) on the internet, but I am desperate!

Thanks for your compliments on the rug. I liked it too, but once I got it down the colors just I dunno seemed to be swallowed up?

Oh, and the one picture is on the floor because the light was glaring off it.

I have different throw pillows, possibly different rug, coffee/end tables, lamps and art work on my to buy list. Also, I'd like to get some type of table to put opposite my computer desk with shelves above to display some of my personal pictures.

Thank you so much. I hope to get tons of ideas/advice. I'm so tired of this depressing room, but have no clue what to do.

Here is a link that might be useful: My PhotoBucket

The rug you showed in a prior post is the rug under the table in the pics in this last post?! If so, it's unfortunately WAY too small for the space. It doesn't look like the same rug, though, except for the black rim--the pattern is somewhat different. You do need a bigger rug, a nice big statement on which to base the rest of your room. Go for it--let's find a *big* rug you *LOVE* to get things started.

Ok, here is a rug that caught my eye. I'm hoping you are going to say 5x8 will do it, because I really don't know if I can afford the bigger one. I'd have to save for AWHILE to get that. BUT, anyhoo... the stripes are calling to me and they are even pictured with the throw pillows that les pointed out to me earlier.

Do you like it? think I could build on that?

Here is a link that might be useful: PB rug

It's pretty, but you need to want a no-pile rug...it's a dhurrie, which means it's a flat-weave, rather than a pile/knotted rug.

How big is the rug you have in the room now?

I'm kind of thinking go for black and ivory, or throw some red around in there in a carpet, pillows, etc.

The rug in the room now is a 3x5. I bought that size on purpose because I had this picture in mind where it just has the rug underneath the coffee tables. These are the coffee tables I was planning on buying too.

The room is carpeted, so I don't think I need a cushy rug, but 300.00 bucks is kind of expensive for a flat weaved thing, sigh.

This is my constant struggle as well, trying to make this house look decorated and not having to spend a fortune doing it. I know I've read about some of you who have decorated your houses on very limited funds, but I am having very little luck with that.

Here is a link that might be useful: JC Penny Tables and Rug

OK, I found a GREAT rug, I think. Now I can definitely afford this in a big size and I like the green or the red in the yasmine, the all over floral ones. I think I like the green better but am worried it will blend in like the last one since it was green, but also I like the green because I have a red one under my dining table and every little crumb shows up. This won't be as much of a problem downstairs, as they don't eat down there, but still I do have three kids.

What do you guys think? Keeping my fingers crossed. And what size do you think would be best?

Here is a link that might be useful: JC Penny Rug

Any opinions on whether I should go with the green or burgundy and in what size?

Thanks guys!

Nice rug and great price! I'd go with the burgundy to give some punch to the area. I'm sure no expert on rugs whatsoever, so please feel free to correct me folks, but in most of the pics I see the rug just tucks under the front feet of the surrounding seating pieces to anchor together a conversation area. So I'd arrange the furniture and then get out a tape measure and see what comes closest.

Looks like the 5X8 fits the bill to the above, and only 100.00 to boot!

I'd love to get a few more opinions before I make the plunge, green or Burgundy?

Definately the burgundy.

I would go with burgandy also---Another suggestion, add some large floor plants and smaller plants to your room to give it some life. That always seems to work for me.
Good luck.

After measuring and re-measuring I decided to get the larger 7x10 rug in the burgundy. I hope it turns out. Should ship within 2 wks and once I get it down, I will post new pics to my photo bucket and beg for advice on the next step.

Moegaff, I did move my ONE plant downstairs to the family room. It has made quite a diffence in the room already. Thank you. I may have to limit it to this one though, as its the only plant I've been able to keep alive this long, lol.

Thanks again all. I'll post a follow up, I promise!

Jen