Do you have any furniture or rugs that you will be using? If so, pick a color you like from them. If not, find an inspiration piece for a color scheme, maybe a colorful rug. I like a blue/green with your trim and floor color. Think about painting the trim white as suggested above even if you can't replace it.

Good luck!

Hiya, you said it parts of it were a big fixer upper. Since you don't sound like you have the budget to do anything major right now- and provided the house doesn't need any serious repairs, I would just concentrate on painting. The yellow does nothing for it, and makes the space feel enclosed in your pictures, the low ceilings add to making the space feel smaller.

I would definitely do very light colors all over, then decide on what's needed next.

I would paint the walls off-white and the baseboards white like the ceiling. Actually, painting the ceiling the same color as the walls is the best idea. In my house lighter ceilings with off-white walls has not really been a success. Painting the fireplace white will make the room look larger.

first of all, I want to make one observation that you might find helpful

every empty room will look smaller than a room that's not empty

that's how our brain works-we measure the distance, mentally, with some visuals to hang onto. If we see just a wall-that wall will seem closer. That's why any stager who understands about staging will put at least a flower pot or something, in an otherwise empty room.

so I'd keep that simple fact in mind. It's bigger than it seems.

No need to clutter a room too much of course, then at some point will seem smaller too..but one needs to really put an effort to clutter a room to such a degree))

As for the color scheme and furnishings. There are no rules (I mean, there are-they might work for house X but it's great to break them in house Y). Depends on your style, context, location even, the light that room gets..does the house have a definite architectural style? What are your favorite colors?

Can you show maybe inspirational pictures that show more or less the vibe and mood you're going for? Will help with better understanding and future suggestions

I'm wary with going with definite suggestions until I understand better what appeals to you, and what is the context.

That room spells a potentially cozy, comfortable room. You dont always want things to seem larger as in size wise-you do want them to breathe so to say, and to feel comfortable.

Is the ceiling standard height? For the illusion of a higher ceiling, if that height bothers you-choose either a color that won't be drastically darker then the ceiling, but as close as possible to it, so as not to get this white lid effect..or if going with slightly darker color make sure to tint your ceiling with that color, maybe a lot, so the border is not very obvious..or another-more expensive but works like a charm-idea-is to use crown molding. And paint it ceiling color, for example. Your transition gets softer, ceiling seems higher.

And I wouldn't pass an opportunity to hunt for a cool semi flash mount light either.

But add a lot of lighting -table lamps, floor one, maybe wall lights..you want to have layers of lighting, that's how any room is more beautiful. Light. That you can play with and create mood and function you need.

Good luck to you!

I would put a sofa on the wall to the right of the fireplace and a chair in the corner to the left of the fireplace.

Are the floors the same color throughout the first floor? In one photo they look grayish, in another they look yellowish.

White paint and a well-placed large mirror.

I'd paint the walls a nice creamy/off-white to brighten things... Are there any windows in the room?

If there were no windows it would not be legally considered a room. My guess is that it's on the right side in the last picture where the floor looks lighter.

every empty room will look smaller than a room that's not empty

april is right. I was just coming here to post that the room will, in fact, look larger when it's furnished. I know that seems kooky, but it's true : ) .

The other advice I have is to take your time, don't rush, whether it's picking the right paint color or buying furniture.

What might be helpful is posting a floor plan, and letting us know what you plan to do in the room -- watch TV, entertain friends, read, sew, play board games, etc. And we can recommend furniture placement.

Are there any windows in this room? Hard to tell what to do without seeing the windows!

Painting the room a very light color, and then painting the baseboards a white color will help this room a lot. Take a look at some of our designs below to help you with your current dilemma.

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