! agree with all of Denita's suggestions (your furniture is very nice but I wonder if maybe people are afraid that they may spill something on the off-white linen).

Exactly what Danita said. Add a large, soft rug, add end tables around the wall sofa and between the chairs. there is room for more art. Add a soft, cozy throw blanket.

I like the sofas but not the chairs. I would get a rug. Then replace the 2 chairs with comfortable chairs. Swivel chairs in a stripe or pattern would look nice.

I think color helps with coziness.

Throws always seem to help a room look more welcoming.

You also need lamps. I would put a table between the sofas with a lamp and move the floor lamp to the left of the loveseat.

People just need to sit on your sofas! There is nothing wrong with your set-up.

What is wrong with people?! Lol!

Move the food, Tv, iPhone chargers and stuff some cash in the cushions. That should entice folks!

Lol, About That Cottage Life! Don't forgot the neon sign that says "must sit here" pointing to the seating. Alternatively, just get some floor cushions and a dog or cat to pet and let them sit on the floor.

100 percent the addition of area rugs for both the living area and the dining area are a must. Getting the sizing right is key, there are a lot of resources online that suggest the appropriate sizes. I would do 2 different rugs that have the some or all of the same colors they just need to have a different sized pattern from each other. I attached pictures of one pairing example. I agree that some end tables would also help to encourage people in as they will have a place to set a drink or even food. With all of your white furniture I would be inclined to possible paint either opposing walls or the whole room a darker color balancing lights and darks will help. Also, replace the light colored pillow covers with another rich color. I do like the idea of having a printed upholstery on the side chairs. If you love these chairs they could be re-upholstered but often, that can cost more than just replacing them. I typically do the same pattern when I do 2 accent chairs side by side.
I hope these few ideas help.
Jana

I would definitely switch sofa with love seat as Denita suggested and turn coffee table length wise.

I'm sure you can see how much more inviting the room is with the addition of a rug. Your room needs more things. Perhaps a couple of plants and more art. Would recommend new draperies in a color, and more panels.

Art, plants, rugs, lamps, fuller drapes. Try the large sofa out in front of the return air vent and the love facing the window with two chairs at the window, but armchairs, not slipper chairs (they are not comfortable for having a long conversation.)

I like dining rug to be 36-42" larger than the table so the chairs don't fall off it when pulled out.

So helpful about the rug size, decoenthusiaste. Thank you!

Here is my mock up. I think this layout is better.

Yes, place the sofa on the wall and the loveseat in front of the window. Here are some examples of teal patterned rugs to tie everything together.

I turned the furniture around as instructed. I also added a throw blanket and more pillow as suggested. They don't match, but you get the idea. Now those two chairs need replacing, a rug added, and side tables. Correct?

Here are some additional options for rugs so you can see what impact they have on your room.

Might just be me, but at night when I see a lamp lighting up the window, it's inviting. So if loveseat were at window could try table lamps in front of smaller windows.

When you walk in, you see several chairs [LR and DR's] -- too many.

Or 2 chairs at window, with small-ish lamp between / and larger floor lamp at one side of sofa / loveseat on DR side.

Agree, switch the 2 chairs with the love seat and put a small table in-between the 2 chairs.

You have some lovely pieces that will look so much better with a rug.

PS Your picture over the sofa is a little high

Rug first, chairs later....

A large area rug, some art, and colorful window treatments can make a living room appealing. I also like some patterned fabric in a room, whether it is drapes, pillows or upholstered chairs. Decoenthusiaste has posted do’s and don’ts of area rugs. Copy those diagrams to your photos.

Love your artwork!

I would give switching the 2 chairs and love seat a try.

Can't wait to see what area rug you choose.

You could use a larger rug at the front door. When looking for your area rug,

check for something at the front door also.

I brought art work above the sofa and got a mirror above the console in dining area. Or may be some decor instead mirror.

Wow celerygirl - course area rug adds much - but how combining 2 art pieces helps warm with pillows to complement... etc. Posting this rug cause good reviews for $103.

You switched sofa and love seat. Now,

-center love seat on the window

-limit pillows to 2 on each sofa. Put them on one end only.

-art over sofa needs to be wider.

-put games on the table: board games, other games. etc

-remove photos from the buffet and add a wine or coffee bar

-eventually chairs need to be changed. Chairs without arms are not comfortable.

Here is my mock up with Rug that everdebz found

Tribute Jacinda Rustic Distressed Vintage Lattice 8x10 Area Rug, Multicolored · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/tribute-jacinda-rustic-distressed-vintage-lattice-8x10-area-rug-multicolored-prvw-vr~138285476

celerygirl, do you do this for a living? So good. I thought the same about the paintings. Now it is too small for sofa. I'm choosing a rug and will upload. I will add a pink as the accent color instead of the orange that I threw in there now.

Much improved already,definitely add a rug. My advice would be to keep that rug on the casual side, not too matchy, and not too light. Make it feel like if a glass of wine gets spilled, no big deal. (many Loloi rugs have that sensibility, so do plenty of others including "used" ones) Where the "corner" is formed by the sofa/loveseat combo, add a round table. As large as possible. Put a large-ish lamp on it. & a couple books/mags, or a toy robot, or an Alexander Girard wooden doll, or some legos, or a tarot deck, or or or ....basically just try to get an interesting & lived in feel. Not too precious. When having guests, plunk some nibbles/drinks on it. Make folks walk into the space to get them. (pavlovian,I know) Also,don't overdo the pillows, you want people to sit. Good start with the throw, you can also consider employing a different textile to soften up the sofas. When you replace the chairs, make sure the new ones have arms.

Your spaces have a good start and lots of light, now onward to comfortable greatness! Happy New Year!

I too have white furniture that nobody would sit on. Oddly I solved the problem thanks to my dogs. Trying to protect the furniture from them, I draped my furniture with beautiful shawls & an antique bedspread. It took the room from a formal space to something quite boho. And if I want something more formal I can just take off the coverings. Your lamp doesn’t do much for the room. I’m thinking a couple of brass base table lamps with linen shades might be quite pretty and add ambient lighting. In my book, all seats need a table where people can rest a drink or whatever. Without those side tables, a room can look unfinished. I like wicker trunks as side tables and I think your room could use some texture like wicker could give it. To that end, I would add bamboo shades & much thicker curtains at the window. I think some texture in fabrics, woods, and metal would enliven the room. My living room isn’t award winning but I think it shows that you can add some furniture protection with shawls, etc. and still maintain a pretty space. Good luck!

@ wendiwalsh1 I am doing it not for living but for pleasure! :-))

Hers is with pink accents

Because L and DR are open together, I'd pick a rug which has color that also looks great, your vibe, with white chairs just beyond. So I prefer orange or citrus [less feminine than pinks] and more zest [get it?]

Perhaps place chairs by window with small round table in between and the smaller sofa facing chairs, definitely needed big area rug

celery girls 2nd photo above is great!!! love the textural rug, the two pieces of art above the sofa. all the pillows look great too. I night consider adding a couple to the two chairs too so there is more color on that side. I also might consider using the top of the antique piece between the living and dining area as a bar top

Here is the model living room that I started with years ago. What do folks think about a rug like this? Or should I go for color? I do like the orange one that you all posted above as well.

celerygirl, you are an inspiration! I love the pink. I'm so thankful to everyone.

How about the two chairs by the window, table with lamp in between. It will give guests a place to place their beverages. Add more sheets and perhaps stationary panels on the end for color and warmth. The sofa where the chairs are currently and then place a couch table behind the sofa, add lamps to the couch table. That’s now a room I would love to sit in luxury on white couches...with everdebz’ area rug :)

Lidia - I had to read your comment twice before understanding. You created another room! There really is space for that. Well, there goes my Sunday but I didn't know this website existed and it is fantastic!

I think you have a great start! Now I get a lot of compliments on my living room and I think the reason lies in the suggestions you have. There is a very colorful oversized rug, two loveseats, a comfy chair (the kind you sink into and read or talk), an unusual coffee table, side tables, a long, low bookcase that holds very personal objects, a gallery wall, an oversized pictures, more art, and at least four lamps. (I read so I have floor and table lamps.) The color scheme is neutral, off-white, but probably the color most noticed is emerald green (which the two loveseats are). Color seems to make a big difference as does art that is not "matching" but is very personal to you. Mine goes from photographs to original drawings to watercolor to prints to canvas and mixed in are three-dimensional pieces that I fell in love with, including a silly but adorable small metal teardrop trailer from World Market.

In other words, what is your favorite color or colors? Keeping some neutrals helps highlight the colors. And don't look for "art"; shop your home and crafts fairs and antique/thrift stores and any other kind of store for things you love. I think you should want to sit in your living room when at home because it makes you feel valued, loved, appreciated and "you." If you have that, your visitors will love it too..

I think a rug with texture would help make the room more inviting. I might also stay neutral and let the art and pillows be the color.

Sorry, on cold medicine. Your place is fabulous, just thought a little arranging would reveal a different feel and delineate the eating from the lounging space. Hopefully the entire space will feel,larger yet cozier. Love your art BTW!

So what I would love to do is visit you for an afternoon, bring a bottle of wine and rearrange your furniture. I’d mover your chairs to the window, find a square table to place in between. Then I’d move your sofa so it perpendicular to the window and place a narrow but long couch table behind it and then add a runner for your door...sort of creating an entry area. Then your loveseat would be parallel to your window, another couch table behind it but larger/dealer with a single or double buffet lamps. On the wall under your art, I’d pull in that pretty buffet you have and use it as a bar. You have great art, this way everyone in the room could enjoy it. Add a great rug for under your cocktail table but too many pillows on the couch may not be as welcoming to guests as it is to you. So when moving to and from your living and dining spaces becomes an event, and you can dim or brighten the spaces separately, further creating different rooms but with light, theatrically. Please just have fun with the process and trust your instincts. Playing is most of the fun!

I like your space...especially the art:) I would add a colorful rug and some accent tables so people have a place to set drinks, books, and phones:)

Let's say your lady in art has an outfit somewhat this color, and not a baby blush... maybe new curtains and less striking a rug? their display photo seems color of sofas.

Top Opening: 1 1/2 In Grommet Open in Oil Rubbed Bronze, 100% Polyester Woven Unlined •Machine Wash

If lucky and you wanted to - maybe your white ones have very similar features to use with:

https://www.jcpenney.com/p/eclipse-basel-geo-energy-saving-blackout-grommet-top-single-curtain-panel/ppr5007882250?pTmplType=regular&rrplacementtype=pdp2_jrecs

wendi, just saw your post about using color...?

it's what your inspiration and wish is -- for example about your art and DR -- do you want art to have charcoal to modernize the women there, and maybe could say emphasize the shapes in them? and have black/white look sharp.

or are you drawn to the gentle, dreamy quality, and want direction toward the cozy more so? whatever you want to call it...

Contemporary -

https://www.curtainandbathoutlet.com/intersect-paprika-grommet-curtain-panel?c1=MSN_SE_NWW&source=PLA_USA&kw=7638775001_-grommet/tab_top_panels&cr6=pla&c1=MSN_SE_NW&source=PLA_USA&cr2=shopping_-plas-__all_products&kw=7638775001&cr6=pla&cr7=c&msclkid=d7ebcdd4d1fb1cae4b7693d9afbf2637&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping%2520-%2520PLAs%2520-%2520All%2520Products&utm_term=4580290569473471&utm_content=All%2520Products

I love what celerygirl suggested. Another complimentary painting, rug and tables as others have mentioned. I totally agree with the too-many-pillows problem for guests. Without a rug and tables, the room seems oddly “out of place”. A rug anchors the different pieces of furniture. I also agree you should hunt for interesting tables - they become conversation starters.
Your furniture is really, really nice. It’s like a well dressed woman who now needs some accessories. And yes, celerygirl is a gem!

This might inspire you.

Uptown Bungalow · More Info

My living room has more side tables which can hold table lamps and/or someone’s drink or small plate. A coffee table is often a long reach for guests. And my living room and den always include a large area rug.