That "Barbara Stewart Interiors" picture? That made the sofa look wonderful!

These pictures are really helping me! I am really loving all of your creative ideas! Keep going if you feel inspired :)

You could tke this sofa set in a bohemian direction, very eclectic with traditional and eastern combined, it's fun and light and young at heart! To take your room that direction you will need some modern pieces, maybe lighting or accent tables. There is usually lots of texture in bohemian so add some fuzzy pillows or a fuzzy rug or throw. (You could add a fuzzy upholstered top to a thick layer of foam over your exsisting coffee table!) You will need a collection of fun pillows and wall art. It always looks easy to live in and inviting nothing stiff or orderly! A collected art collage is another bohemian trade mark.

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I was going to suggest bohemian, also....

That means stay away from sofa pillows that "go"...like satin or silky fabrics..The burlap ones would be great. If you sew, you can use the existing ones and simply make new covers. Unexpected fabrics...

Also agree that the coffee table is too matchy for a boho look. Do you have another kind of table lurking around somewhere?

Have a look on craigslist for a throw--a vintage quilt would be great if the colors are right.

Visit the thrift shop for an MCM lamp or two...THE THRIFT SHOP IS YOUR FRIEND!!!

Abstract art...

"Found" items...and a can of spray paint. I would throw quite a bit of gold in there...

ETA: This is a much more fun project than if you had unlimited funds...

I can't make these sofas go boho, but I do have the perfect art for them:

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If the art is 'wild-y' // is some sweet ok?.. not lacy and old lady fabric:

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[https://www.houzz.com/products/jaipur-living-pacific-gray-solid-throw-50x60-prvw-vr~44644095[(https://www.houzz.com/products/jaipur-living-pacific-gray-solid-throw-50x60-prvw-vr~44644095)

Art could introduce another pastel, and not necessarily, better not the sofa's pink.... this building seems a dusky lavender.... ??

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You could paint the sofa, all of it, it's been done well before. Magnaverde had one he painted.

I'm sure you don't want to hear this, but nothing is going to make that fabric look good. You have 3 choices: reupholster them if they are well constructed, cover them with slipcovers and/or matelasee blankets, or donate them and replace with something you CAN work the room around.

Sometimes things you get for a "steal" are not worth stealing.

I have to agree with Diana. There's Boho and there's 1980's grandmas nightgown. Do some inexpensive things for improvements until your budget allows a change of upholstery or a complete change.

This is mostly cheap stuff from Ikea from my post above. Don't know where this rug is from but look for a cheap brown and green rug. CL always has faux plants...look for mirrors as well. All the solid color sofa boho rooms are beautiful but you don't have a solid sofa. The Fantastic art work looks real nice but if you don't have any money that's not realistic. A three dollar jar of green textile paint will help with a few of the Ikea pillow covers. Look for some small cheap brightish green ottomans to give more of a updated spin. If you don't have money for the rug spring for the small brightish green ottomans. Those will give a big punch in a good direction.

I was thinking the same as bumblebeez - paint them!

https://youdonotneedtoreadthis.wordpress.com/tag/bart-swindall/

For anyone who wasn't here at the time, Bart Swindall is/was GardenWeb's own Magnaverde : ) ,

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/magnaverde-in-o-at-home-from-s-62790

Paint a table white and the legs of the couches, get a couple of these for under 100.00 and go from there. SOLUTION

I have to say that I just really dislike slipcovers...unless you're going for a cottage-y look....which is also lovely. And, please....sew them (or tailor ready-made).

I don't think you would be putting too much toward some decor that might change in the future anyway, right? Why would you spend a thousand dollars on a patchwork quilt or a painting if you'll be having the sofas reupholstered within a couple of years? So, of course this is just a stop-gap measure, but you can at least create a look that makes you smile..

I don't think there is any decorating trick that is going to downplay or disguise that upholstery. I think it was very common in the 70's or 80's maybe?

I was scrolling through wondering why no one suggested painting that upholstery - then finally Bumblebeez and Daisy did. There are more examples that have appeared here over the years and if I had those sofas, I would paint the fabric in a heartbeat. You don't need fabric paint, just latex and apparently the fabric comes out almost like a soft leather, with no cracking or chipping. If you have one cushion side that seems more worn than the rest, I would definitely experiment on it and see how it comes out.

from an older thread:

"I did! I mixed the medium with regular house paint, using a brush I
just painted it on. A year later the couch is still in great shape."

Here's another thread with a plaid chair painted red with info about method. I can't seem to post the pics:

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/painted-upholstered-furniture-dsvw-vd~2660164[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/painted-upholstered-furniture-dsvw-vd~2660164)

one more:

Take a look at pinterest for inspiration, too:

painting upholstery

I also dislike many slipcovers, but some on the Overstock link look nice. I'd buy them to try them.

Please Irene tell what goes over the chalk paint - anything?

Until you decide if you are going to reupholster, I would save my funds for that and live with what you have. A big metallic tray on the coffee table, change out the pillows, and put a cheap rug down. To me the floor is the outlier, it is a beachy rustic look that is so "in" right now. Better to cover it with something complimenting. I wouldn't even paint the table, it goes well with the dark woodwork on the sofas.

Nothing wrong with pink paint - it'd blend right in. Add the new items "over it."

Be warned that painting may not work on bold patterned fabric like these couches have. There are examples online where people tried it and the pattern shows through: http://www.interiorsbykenz.com/spray-painting-dos-and-donts/

http://www.diyhomedecoratingideas.com/upholstery-spray-paint.html

Cover with brightly colored bedspreads and go BoHo -Eclectic.

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Note that those paint failures were upholstery spray paint. The ones others have linked here are successful because they used the right product and technique. I just happened to look at a current thread that has some fabulous painted chairs by a current poster, who did them several years ago, says they've held up perfectly. Scroll down to the orange chairs and the stenciled chair:
https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5087420/decor-on-a-shoestring-thread-3-share-your-recent-finds#21692993

I simply cannot believe that in the above link by songbird, she spray painted that beautiful blue and white wing back chair....Makeover fail...

I THINK that spray paints are more like a dye in a can whereas a latex paint would just be a coating that sticks to whatever it's applied to...I've noticed lately that latex paints are rather stretch and filmy so I see how this wouldn't crack...

I hope our own ilikefriday doesn't mind me sharing her fantastic creation (I believe she did this one 10 years ago):

Penny, that chair in songbird's link was gorgeous before painted and atrocious after. What a shame. I love the one you posted by ilikefriday ,as well as her orange chairs - I reference both in my link just above, but a picture is worth a thousand words.

I have partially painted floral upholstery a few times. In my case though I just changed a color of flower to another. The last I did was six upholstered ( front and back) dining chairs. To do it right it takes forever. My technique is to almost dry brush a few coats on.

I have almost every color in this brand. Jacquard textile color. Cloth feels like cloth when done.

The OP could tape off the lines and paint the floral part as a cream /off white stripe. Know it will take a few coats.

Gosh, I hope she comes back....

I know I tend to be a bit rabid in my enthusiasm sometimes. Sorry if we scared you op!!

I've always liked this room. Simple white slipcovers and paint all furniture black.

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You can pick up some inexpensive pieces at thrift store and paint black.

Or locally:

https://www.anniesloan.com/annie-sloan-products/paints/chalk-paint

https://www.anniesloan.com/inspiration

Thanks guys, at the moment I am terrified with the paint because I'm worried about messing up. The slip covers seem easy but I don't know if it would grip the couch properly... I am really enjoying everyone's takes on the furniture and it's so cool to see everyones opinions.

I would be also...But I would like to try it. Perhaps on a garbage-picked ottoman...I'll may have to see what I can find.

I do like this for your coffee table...unexpected. (different color maybe)

If you're tempted to paint, I'd look on CL for a free or really inexpensive $5 - $10 chair and try that first, just to give yourself confidence that it will make your furniture look 100% better!

I'm glad some of you have had success painting fabric furniture. Far be it from me to discourage you if it works for you and you enjoy it. But every tutorial I'm reading about painted upholstery seems to indicate that people do it mostly on pieces they rarely use and only want the LOOK to be different. Most tutorials are for small accent chairs that sit in a corner of the room unused the majority of the time. The OP here has 2 couches that would be the primary furniture in the room. I assume she wants to use them everyday and have them be comfortable, hold up to wear, and not just nice to look at. It's a bit of a bigger risk to paint two large sofas, don't you think? Some more blogs to read on painted furniture results:

http://24cottonwoodlane.com/2015/06/10/the-truth-about-chalk-painted-chair/

http://www.tidbitsandtwine.com/diy-chalk-painting-a-velvet-chair/

https://www.sparklesofsunshine.com/paintedupholstery/

https://www.younghouselove.com/2011/04/in-a-minute-i-have-to-hairdry-the-chair/

https://salvagedinspirations.com/painting-velvet-w-fabric-medium-failed/

https://paintedfurnitureideas.com/10-things-never-paint/

https://www.allthingsthrifty.com/bad-ideas-by-brooke-never-paint-a-couch/

This one has some good looking results but also realistic reviews on the quality of different methods: https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/diy-project-test-lab-results-we-tried-3-fabric-paints-on-upholstery-and-heres-what-happened-218302

I remain skeptical that painting is the best answer. But of course, the OP will have to decide for herself if it's worth the risk.

I wouldn't be brave enough to paint furniture that were my main pieces. I'd slipcover. There were lots of good suggestions above for without the slipcover too.

If slipcovers and painting are out of your comfort range, I think you can still work with the pattern. You might find inspiration in Laura Ashley rooms and Cottage style. I’d love to see a few large shutters in the corner, hinged together, and hiding the air conditioner. They could be white, or green, and probably chippy. You might find some on Craigslist, or yard sale season will be starting in a few months. You could even chalk paint new shutters if you’re so inclined. If you sew, there are many tutorials online for diy slipcovers. Some people use drop cloths for this. The blog Farmhouse on Boone has a tutorial, and specifies which drop cloths she buys. She has five kids, so her furniture definitely gets used.

Sara, What would be great to learn is what your budget is for this room. $100? $200? And, if these sofas were not in the picture and you were starting from scratch, what kinds of looks do you like? Do you have any favorite houzz inspirations? Also, do you have pictures of the rest of the room?

I am not a fan of painting or slipcovering. I can't imagine slip covers on your kind of sofa. I still think there is a lot of room to make this place look great. Give us some feedback on where you are at.

I think we need to give you more super budget fixes. Part of the problem too is you have nothing else going on in the room and you are just stuck looking at what you don't like.

As much as you hate this fabric, you need to a certain extent just deal with it and make the room as interesting and pleasant in other ways. I would go with a lot of neutrals. It takes a really talented eye, tons of shopping, and cash to pull off some of the looks others have posted above with mixing and matching patterns. Instead I would play off of the beige color so the sofa blends in and use pillows and a beige throw to distract from the flowers.

Super budget curtains:

DIY floor to ceiling curtains made from painters drop cloth. Very inexpensive, like in this pic.

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Super budget pillows:

Do you have a sewing machine or know someone who does? If so, get cheap pillow inserts - look online, at discount craft stores, or buy an ugly super sale pillow and just use the pillow form. Sew new covers with the same painter drop cloth fabric.

Get a throw:

Shop Tuesday AM, or other real discount stores. Get something that is beige but with chevrons, or checks, plaid, even strips. It will compliment pillows, sofa, curtain also in beige and distract from the floral.

Coffee Table

Score a new coffee table that doesn't have wavy, curvy lines. Craigslist is full of them. I'd go for a lighter brown wood. Something with some character, that will be a statement on it's own, yet blend well enough with the sofas.

Cheap Art

Do you have any other furniture in this room? Anything to make a display on or some kind of DIY art? I live in a nice house with art from Chelsea galleries, but I certainly didn't always live this way. I came up with super frugal ways to make decor when I was living on a tiny budget.

On a long empty wall I got an ironing board, ripped the fabric off and spray painted it an interesting color. Then I collected all kind of interesting color glass bottles and jars in varying shapes and sizes. I lined them up on the board, threw some tea lights in a few and it was really pretty and so cheap.

On a wall where I could not afford art, I hung hardly visible strings from the very top of the wall near the ceiling and tied a clothes pin to each a little higher than eye level. Then I clipped to them really arresting, colorful or interesting pictures I found in magazines. I would always do it in a series of odd numbers and evenly spaced. Depending on the wall size I would do it with 3, 5, or 7. In a tiny space I would hang post cards.

Not too long ago the vintage look was all the rage. If you keep it kind of playful and funky I think you could make it look good - just according to your taste. Who cares what the latest trend is, its your home, do what you like and what feels like home to you.

What about burlap drapes if they were trimmed out in lace ribbon Or velvet ribbon? If not, the above dropcloth drapes would be the perfect texture and color...

I would add layers of black, white, cream, gold, and gray...

Here are some shutter inspiration pictures.

If these don’t suit you, there are many ideas for masking an air conditioner that could help it become more of a feature Here.

Maria Killam’s blog post on how to update a 90’s sofa Here. (Ha! I have identical sofas to this one...)

Thanks guys! I will be slowly changing the place around. I also have a roommate and our tastes clash quite a bit unfortunately. His style is monochromatic and nautical and I'm more bohemian/vintage. I've made the decision to move to a single apartment with darker flooring this summer so I'll make sure to use your ideas in the new place. For now I will just make small adjustments with pillows and rugs. Your ideas have been inspiring and I hope to make an awesome living room.

Something (for all of us) to keep in mind. Nothing is ever a steal if you do not like it.

Home Depot drop cloths make great low cost covers. They are even cheaper if you order online. I would tuck and use a heavy duty staple to get the look of black and white inspiration room above.

any new developments?

roommate bought a giant red rug and I am not in favour of it haha I'm moving out in the summer so I've decided to live with it until I can make all the design choices I want when I live alone.

I'm with songbird about painting fabric. It's just not pleasant to sit on.

BTW, you can bleach HD drop cloths if you want a whiter fabric--there are several tutorials online.