I was advised on here earlier not to put art by the plant?

Not sure why unless you are misting the plant?

We're hardly uniform in our opinions here; maybe someone thought the plant should stand alone. I, on the other hand, like art and have a lot of it. I'd put a piece where Vks images it, by the plant, a piece to the right of the TV, and one over the mantel. But as the the specific art--look for pieces that resonate with you. I could recommend something that I like, or something that I think is broadly (perhaps blandly) appealing, but art is where you can really express your personality, and it's better if it's, well, personal.

Art doesn't have to be expensive. Even original art doesn't have to be expensive. Photography, digital art, and some collages can be less expensive than paintings. Prints (including limited edition) can be affordable. Textile art (quilts, macrame hanging, batik, etc.) can be an affordable option (especially if you are looking fore something large). Student art shows and other forums for non-professional artists can have appealing pieces.

So I didn’t like the way our art was hung, so I took it all down and patched up the walls. I didn’t take a before picture but we have a lot of art to work with

Here’s the way I had it

Would you ask for help with a broken leg and then demand that the people who help you not use a cast or splint?

Because of your previous material selections, the room is a dark hole that needs some contrast. Additionally, it's easier to vacuum up pet hair from a flat flat rug, then chasing it around a room that has a dark floor.

These selections are from RugsUSA.com

Even a just rug would look good in your space.

Get some lamps both table and floor and turn off the overhead fan light. The quality of that light doesn't do anything for your furnishings.

@BeverlyFLADeziner so you're suggesting is the only way to help the room would be a rug? Do you know of any other companies besides ruggable? We need a rug that can be washed because of our older dogs. Ruggable rugs felt like laying an extremely large beach towel on our floor.

I like to keep art hung at a level where the center is about 5’6” above the floor. Unless you have really huge art work most should be hung as if you had 8’ ceilings in other words human size. Have yo looked at Chilewich floor mats for a rug look but you just hose it off when it gets dirty or the guy has an accident. We have quite a bit of art too and I found hanging some of it in the hallway was a good choice. You for sure need more lighting and I like LEDs in 4000K to keep colors true at night. This is one pic of the floor mats .

Go to the patio section of Target, Home Depot, Walmart, etc. They'll have a large selection of indoor-outdoor rugs that can be easily cleaned and even hosed off.

They aren't bulletproof so don't buy a light-colored one. A pretty blue or other bright color or a lively patterned rug will hide puppy spots and go a long way to brightening your room. Don't buy a rug that is predominately gray, a cool tone won't work with your sofa, walls and floors.

Make sure you get one that is large enough. Also, indoor-outdoor rugs have different textures so shop around. Some are stiff and plasticy which your puppies might not like.

Most of the rugs I suggested are outdoor rugs. When required you just take them out and hose them down on the driveway or patio. Having lived with aged dogs I am sympathetic to your situation. The outdoor rugs are polypropylene and can withstand urine and chemicals. Also if you spray them with a can of waterproofing spray which you can purchase at any store that sells camping equipment, it's likely an accident will stay on top of the rug so they can be blotted up.

So, I caved and bought off craigslist today for $50. We’re going to scotch guard it for the dogs.

Do you have any recommendations if we buy a new TV console? Also, our ceiling are 13 feet. The walls are kind of patched up from previous owners. How would you decorate mantle piece and the walls above tv etc...?

IMO, nothing above the tv. It appears that there are too many small random things around the tv and the mantel. To me, it looks haphazard. I think a bare, or nearly bare, tv console would be better.

Is the tv console pushed too far to the left because of the door on the right?

not really, move it more to the right? The wall above the tv looks a little patched up. I understand the barewall with no tv, but my gut is telling me to put something there. It's a large empty wall. Thanks for all the help

When you decorate up high when the room is unfinished it just makes the space appear even more disjointed.

Decorate where the people are. WIndow treatments, such natural shades, will help the eye ground the room and add some sound control. Add bigger art at the people level, get some bigger lamps and tables, some large colorful pillows for the sofa.

Then and only then, you can add some large things up high without throwing off the entire space.

edited to add - the new rug looks good.

In my opinion, the TV set-up should be centered on its wall unless there’s a compelling reason not to.

The proper way to mount a tv is eye level, if it were centered, we would be straining our necks looking up.

I think she means eye level, centered on the wall. I'm guessing that you have the console and tv closer to the fireplace because of the door clearance. That's okay, whatever works.

Ahh I see, unfortunately, the door makes us move the tv to the side. Sorry for the confusion!

Is that better? I kind of already feels better. Thank you all for the suggestions!

Another angle

Yes, I mean tv centered on the wall, horizontally, left to right. NOT centered vertically, up and down. (It seems you are fixated on the upper wall for some reason. Why? It’s fine the way it is - empty. All spaces don’t need filled.)

following

That TV is not hung for the center of the screen to be at eye level it is too high

I lowered the TV and took everything off the top of the media cabinet except the speakers. I painted your fireplace wall a dark charcoal and added a multi framed series of images. Nothing on the mantle.

I don't this the mantle is quite right for this room and could consider puchasing a new one from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Bjorn-Woodworks-Shipwreck-Glazed-Distressed/dp/B07RN9F56Z/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=mantel&qid=1584484015&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzVk9RMUpGVlhSSzE5JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTA0ODkwMktUNU9TOENOMzBXUyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTc4NDgwM0lERDNCMjUwNDlOUyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

@BeverlyFLADeziner How would it look with the painted wall on the fireplace if the ceilings are the same color as the wall? Also, any other colors you recommend? The tv will be lowered, I see the point now. The mantle isn’t in the budget quite yet, but we could definitely paint that wall. what is your opinion on wallpapering the fireplace wall?

You have a very n ce living space. I might suggest (on a budget) moving a few pieces around And making some fairly inexpensive purchases. Clear everything off your audio cabinet and place speakers there. i Would turn the side tables with vases long side against the wall one in front of the other. clear everything off mantle and hang a large vertical canvas or acrylic art piece there. Place the 3 lanterns on coffee table. You might consider a couple of purchases...2 small stools to also use as seating in front of fireplace repeating color in painting. I think a large overhung floor lamp would be great in the corner where your plant is. it would be fun to introduce some color on that fireplace wall as well. Good luck.

@Christy Reves what inexpensive purchases would you make? What color recommendations would you do for the fireplace wall? I took the laterrns down, but on the coffee table, they are too big for comfortable viewing of the TV. Do you have any suggestions on what to do with them? Also, our dog beds go in front of the fireplace, which makes it an eyesore, but those are pups, and they come first : )

Just wanted to add that I love your rug. What a deal you found.

Try grouping the lanterns on the floor next to the hearth. (If you don't think it will bother the pups.)

I stole a table from the dining area and put our smaller houseplants on it. I also moved the red lamp. Thoughts? Thanks for all the help everyone

Love your changes! Much better. I am sorry I didn’t account for your furry kids with the stool suggestion. I still think you need some taller single focal points like a large mantle painting and oversized floor pottery jar to left of fireplace. Maybe those lanterns can be used in on kitchen table or bedroom? A medium grey (or mustard yellow) in darker contrast color would look nice on your fireplace wall. I would steer away from brown since you have a lot of brown going on there. I too love your rug and corner lighting.

Here are some inexpensive (under $26) throw pillows to consider for your sofa/chairs to add some color; I've tried to pick colors from your rug :

paprika: https://www.target.com/p/20-x20-solid-throw-pillow-rizzy-home/-/A-16898790?preselect=16872708#lnk=sametab

beige: https://www.target.com/p/mina-victory-woven-stripes-throw-pillow/-/A-53036825?preselect=52846831#lnk=sametab

goldish: https://www.target.com/p/pillow-perfect-18-x18-velvet-flange-throw-pillow/-/A-53677272?preselect=78207642#lnk=sametab

redish/tan pattern: https://www.target.com/p/red-tan-floral-damask-throw-pillow-pillow-perfect/-/A-14390826?preselect=13893365#lnk=sametab

tan print: https://www.target.com/p/ogee-printed-pillow-20-x20/-/A-52438368?preselect=52425911#lnk=sametab

clay/beige stripe: https://www.target.com/p/mina-victory-life-styles-diamond-stripe-texture-throw-pillow/-/A-79504493?preselect=79504494#lnk=sametab

The above are from Target - check size when ordering; you could also check the Salvation Army Store if you have one, or thrift shops. Here are a couple of examples of pillow styling:

Joseph Residence · More Info

Umbau Einfamilienhaus · More Info

Notice how a few different sizes are used. Other posters could add more info for pillows.

If you don't want charcoal gray, I selected the orange from your rug.

I prefer the charcoal gray! This quarantine has given me the push to do some house projects

Don't use a cool-toned charcoal. The rest of your room is warm, the charcoal will stick out like a sore thumb.

Gray and tan can work together but it is a hard look to pull off. Right now your room is all warm tones. Make your life easier and pick a warm greige or other warm color that works with the room, not a cool gray that will clash.

Peter, some of the advice you receive is not worth anything.

Charcoal gray is neutral and works with anything. The reason I selected it for your room is that the black leather sofa so 'weight' your room to one side, I thought the room required some balance on the opposite wall.

Either of these will work on your wall. I might consider also painting the mantel so it doesn't stock out on the dark wall, but it doesn't have to be gray.

BeverlyFLADeziner

Peter, some of the advice you receive is not worth anything.

-------------

No need for insults.

Don't take my word for it. Feel free to look at all the threads that say, I painted my walls gray or purchased a gray sectional or installed gray carpet, what is wrong with my room? The problem is almost always because the gray is fighting with oak floors or tan walls or warm whites.

Yes, gray and tans can work together but it takes decorating skill. If you are a decorating novice, make your life easier. Stick with the same color tones.

On my screen the sofas show as dark brown. If they are in fact black, a warm dark wall would still help balance and work with the predominant tones in the room.

@BeverlyFLADeziner what color would you paint the mantle with the charcoal grey?

@deegw I really like your advice with the warm colors. They are black sofas. Maybe this color?

I think a round coffee table would look nice. Your coffee table and console for tv r off center. The round would make room look balanced.

Either a gel coat stain to match the media cabinet

Or possibly black.

deegw, comparing gray color rules to charcoal gray is like comparing aqua color rules to navy blue. Apples and oranges.

So, I forgot to add, I bought this new TV stand, it's lower and longer. It's not here yet.

Peter, I think you can go darker than mega greige. Something like sw urbane bronze or black fox. Definitely test it in your light and space to make sure it looks good with the wall color and fireplace tile.

We offer a wide range of award winning wall art and photography you may like at http://mndphoto.com

Updates. Need an art piece above mantle