(I’m a visual person so design mockups would be amazing!)

Can you get another pair of those chairs? I would circle four of them around a coffee table or hassock without legs; don't want a leggy room. Put the rattan table in the bay without the ottomans. Do curtains this way, outside the bay. They don't have to close unless you want them to. Floor lamps on either side would be nice. Do oversized photos in a large gallery much like your photo where they nearly go to the floor on the large wall. You might want to do blow ups of the kids on canvas instead; might be a better bargain but IDK. Do the end wall like that desk set-up you show. It's cool and the kids will not be distracted by what's going on outside the windows.

Jennifer Brouwer Design Inc. · More Info

love those #3 and 4 of your mood board ideas.

I also like the bamboo shades w/the white panels. or, just do an inset roman shade or woven wood blind, no curtains.

here are some bay window blind ideas

Silouettes,

come in all colors and textures

Romans

or a woven wood

you have the perfect wall to do "accent wall trim" design. paint it a contrast color or the same color as the others

I like that sofa. you could do it like this w/your console against the accent wall

ignore the windows on this one, but you see how they did the wall trim w/the console/tv? then position your sofa/chairs like you see here.

or, something simple like this one and a walnut butcher block for a desk area.

I really like this idea. if you copied the design above, and then brought in the little built-ins on the sides, w/the desk area (I like a walnut butcher block though and a piece of art between these sconces) that would be perfect for that wall

Something like this darker green would be very nice w/your wall color. I think you need a longer console table though. maybe do a desk on one side, and closer to the windows bring in some tall potted trees

accent wall, put the sofa under it, some floating shelves, plants.

you seem to like the boho type of look. what if you did that one wall w/some type of wood, wood slat, etc?

or you could do just the middle portion like this, hang art or a tv, and beneath it your console (no firieplace)

do a long, low console across, and the wall could be wood,

3D type of design, slats, or vertical shiplap. tons of ideas.

if you look up "accent wood wall" or Accent slat wood wall", you'll see all sorts of stuff.

or, on that wall, just do what they did here w/the sofa, plants, art above it. do a little sitting area over by your windows, and something else on the shorter wall.

or, just do a darker shade on that wall and decorate like shown.

you could do some nice builtins on that wall. do you like the idea of some storage or bookcases?

@Flo Mangan tagging you in because it was your idea i create a post dedicated to this project :)

@decoenthusiaste thank you! are you suggesting I do a gallery wall along the entire width of the large wall, or just the part closest to the windows? And would you place the console on that wall as well?

for the desk setup, I did consider placing that on the short wall but was worried that the wall wasn’t deep enough, so the desk would sort of stick out? not sure if I am explaining that correctly!

I recently saw a before and after photo someone posted and I thought it was cool how the after photo kind of separates the room into two areas- a sitting area and a working area, with two different rugs too. see below- not saying I necessarily want to so that but it did seem like a cool way to make a room multipurpose.

@decoenthusiaste also like the idea about getting two more chairs. or what do you think about a sofa that coordinates instead of two more chairs? (not sure what color sofa I would pair with charcoal accent chairs… my first thought would be either charcoal or cream, but cream with kids scares me!)

I'd place the console in the window; it is too short for either of the other walls. You could do the desks on the long wall and the gallery on the short wall. What colors are the upholstery in the other room nearby?

@Beth H. : WOW! thank you for all the visuals! LOVE LOVE the textured wall idea. I love bead board—does that count? maybe make the whole wall white? Open to ideas. Most of our house is pretty neutral—robins egg blue, muted seafoam, grays, cream, etc — so I don’t think I’d want to go TOO bold. I have also seen people just do a chair rail all the way across the wall, but its not as fun.

I noticed a lot of the photos you showed have a sofa and chairs. Do you think a sofa would work in my room?

DEFINITELY love the idea of storage / bookcases! I would love to have someone build me built-ins (we are no chip and joanna, sadly), but hoping there are some quick, relatively inexpensive things we can do in the meantime that do not require a ton of carpentry work!

You get so much light there I would put a pair of modern zig zag bookcases on the wall and put in plenty of books. Then I would put in between the bookcases a version of the double-seat work-craft table one of your pictures shows, depending on how much space you want to give it. Then over that table either an artwork or a functional cork board, memo board, whatever that suits a creative spirit.

Follow the pattern in your rug to get an interesting bookcase. These are not tops, but you get the idea

@decoenthusiaste the sofa sectional in our family room is light gray and we have a cream and gray accent chair in there also (but the chair is on its last legs, literally, and filfthy, so we need to replace it soon).

I am trying to picture the console in the window—sounds like an interesting idea. Do you happen to have any visuals? Thank you!

It looks pretty lightweight; just use a couple of small area rugs or bath towels to move it there and see how it looks.

jlynn,, no beadboard. that's too country looking. for just about the same amount of work, you could do simple board and batten, or just the battens (basically rail and stiles. We did it in one of our rooms) I'd say it's on the lower end of expertise DIY scale! all you need is a chop saw. (and you can rent them for the day) and some painting skills.

You could a partial wall w/diff spacing (little bit of math to determine how wide they should be and how far apart the spacing should go)

or you could do this simple single battens w/a little ledge on top (so much better than a simple chair rail! which is just a NO )

you don't have to paint it this color, just showing you how it could look w/artwork, maybe a longer sofa along it.

https://caitlinmariedesign.com/2020/06/10/board-and-batten-accent-wall/

here's the tutorial for this one:

or if you like the partial one w/the ledge, here's a hot-to

https://www.trimdesignco.com/blog/board-and-batten-tutorial

How about this one? matches your style

https://domesticblonde.com/2020/06/13/diy-board-batten-wall/

pretty simple.

Another style. this one is so pretty (it's a bedroom, but it's perfectly fine for the living space) I just love the decor and colors w/this one (SW sea salt)

https://thehouseofhoodblog.com/board-and-batten-wall/ complete tutorial

And look, if a pregnant gal can do this on her own, I'm sure you and a partner could do it! lol

https://www.jennasuedesign.com/diy-board-and-batten-tutorial/

some of the tutorials give a full visual of the sizes you can use and how to space them. you'll have to adjust the math to fit your wall

if you want to venture to something a bit more individual, then try this. it's not difficult, it's just math!

paint it the same color as your walls if you don't want to be 'bold'.

Take a look at the links and see if it's something your want to try. shouldn't take more than a weekend. it's really not that difficult.

Hi Jlynn...what color are your walls in the bonus room? Thanks :)

@mary44 the paint color is Agreeable Gray

@Beth H. : I googled beadboard and thats totally not what I thought it was, ha! i agree, definitely prefer board and batten. Love these options:

As for color… The paint color in our dining room across from this room is Magnetic Gray, which is on the same paint card as Silver Strand, just a little darker. What about if only the board and batten wall was painted a different color? Would you suggest Magnetic Gray or something darker? Or something different entirely? maybe just white?

Quick question... thoughts on the chairs I got for the room?

Here is what I have now:

It also comes in light gray and cream:

Or there is a similar chair that has light wood legs instead:

And that one has a matching sofa, if I decided to go that route:

I like what you have. Everything feels relaxed and not hyper-consumption or fussy. It looks like you found nice affordable things and have the taste to put them together, and a have a life other than thinking about decorating! The room already looks like it will serve the main purpose — an nice place to gather (you really have so much nice light in there for a ”bonus” room ) I’d just see what you can do that is simple and pleases you before your housewarming that you’re sure you won’t regret or can’t change easily if you change your mind.

You’ve got some of the best pros helping you already. Just wanted to say the accent wall that Beth suggested, in a complementary color to your room, would be a game changer. Building a huge unit of the long right side wall might make the room feel more crowded if you decide to do the accent wall too (@Beth H?).

Your taste is soft colors. I think the willowy curtains are more to your style than some of the other window treatments ideas.

I like the cream colored chairs the best, but it depends on the rest of the room.

In looking at your room, I feel like it's going to be important to determine function.  Not sure if there is enough room for both lounging and a wall of multiple desks, there may be, but not sure.  It may be helpful to tape out a built in desk area and bring in a couple more chairs from other rooms to see how it feels.  Could the desk area also go to the lower level perhaps and make this room more of a lounging, adult entertaining space?  It's the first room you see when entering your home so something else to consider.

Instead of having the pressure to buy items under time restraints, just add some plants, maybe move console to long wall and play around with chair locations.

I’d would do an on line floor plan and identity priorities. Take your time looking at inspiration pictures; have a plan that has functionality, meets your needs and feels well coordinated.

I could see a couch on long wall and try console behind. Desks on short wall and think about using the bay window area. I’d hold off with painting and window treatment until everything else is decided on.

I also like the cream or the one w/the wood legs. you'll have a lot of gray in there if you pick all gray furniture and gray walls!

You could prob paint it the same as the other walls, or, do a darker charcoal.

but for furniture I'd try and add in some diff color chairs if you're doing a gray sofa. pick a color or the cream, maybe some leather items, natural wood, and a few green plants. some pillows w/some colors or prints would also be nice. you don't want an overload of gray.

Great start! I would get either two or three large pieces of framed art for that back wall, or even do a gallery wall. Add an upholstered bench underneath the art for additional seating beyond the ottomans you already have, plus a small sofa that faces the art wall. And I think I'd go for a larger, rectangular coffee table to accommodate the additional seating.

Some inspiration photos:

Minimalist Boho · More Info

SKYLARK LANE · More Info

Another option would be to add a wallpaper mural to the large blank wall.

DSGoWest · More Info

With the leggy chairs and table, I would opt for a sofa that is more or less legless.

I really love these chair styles—debating switching out the ones I have currently for cream ones in one of these styles and then doing a sofa in the charcoal color instead

@decoenthusiaste great tip on the legless sofa. I guess the one I found won’t work then, bummer!

@Beth H. : thank you and AGREED! I don’t want a gray overload. I really love the idea of keeping it neutral and mixing gray and cream. Debating swapping out the chairs I have for one of the styles I posted above - thoughts?

Your original chairs look more comforatble

@User they are pretty comfortable but if I add a sofa I am assuming people will gravitate toward the sofa and the chairs will serve as overflow seating.

I just saw this couch posted in facebook marketplace - maybe it would work?

The first of the two cream chairs looks more comfortable. I don’t think that specific gray couch is your style. It seems too “heavy” after seeing photos of your home and what you’re attracted to.

Your wall color reminds me of this one

they did a grayish/white sofa, similar chairs and rug. notice the natural slat wood wall accent, and some other monotone elements. It's ok if you like monotone. lol

This one is monotone as well, but look at all the textured items! Really makes a diff.

Artwork, plants, wood, rattan, dff pillows, etc, don't overlook these things

Have you looked at Article? they have the style you like, some nice colors w/the Sven sofa, and their chairs too. prices are very reasonable.

For example, this is mine. I got the black leather sofa w/the matching bench, but went w/the walnut leg chair and the light gray fabric. (they have lighter wood too)

https://www.article.com/product/18253/otio-mist-gray-walnut-lounge-chair

The leather pouf keeps things warm along w/the vintage console and the custom artwork.

sofas:

https://www.article.com/browse/1/sofas

these are just a few of the styles/colors

just adding pillows and throw in one of these combos, can take it up a notch:

With that leather color sofa, you could do something like shown here:

so if you like the gray, what about something like this for that wall?

A cooler silver gray tone gets you this. add in tihe blues and greens for accents, maybe some texture w/the jute/sisal rug layered w/a hide:

want to add some warmth, add these elements:

pretty simple. black/white framed artwork would look nice on the accent wall.

patterned color rug, some leather, a rattan pendant

Pretty room, so many great ideas posted, I've lost track of the direction you're headed, but I just wanted to comment on your furniture arrangement. Right now, you have that beautiful window, but all of the seating is facing away from it, backs to it, facing a wall. Even with art hanging, it's much more pleasant to look out a window than at a wall. Also,with the furniture facing the room opening, while still being able to see out the window (if most of the furniture is facing the room opening and the window) welcomes and invites you into the room. With all of the furniture facing sideways from the entry, it looks off and uninviting to me. So please consider this when arranging and purchasing your new pieces.

I lived in cold Minnesota, so I'll ask if 2 chairs would work right near the windows [where cold seeps in], a round table between with lamp? or sconces to plug in at sides?

I saw nothing wrong with your charcoal grey chairs...

Regis Cream Sofa With Pine Frame and Gunmetal Legs · More Info

"Multiform" Abstract Wall Art Frameless Free Floating Tempered Glass Print · More Info

GDF Studio Greta Mid Century Modern Fabric Club Chair, Beige/Dark Walnut · More Info

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This color combo for adults? curtains -

or cover 2 or 3 ottomans?

Apollo Burnout Velvet Upholstery Fabric, Satsuma · More Info

Kentish Burnout Velvet Upholstery Fabric, Henna · More Info

But velvet -- ?

Signature Aqua Mist Blackout Velvet Curtain Single Panel, 50"x96" · More Info

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With warm of the wood floor, you could add more gold items, or burnt, or spicy -

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Add dimension to your space with this amazing sparkling mica wallpaper. A champagne background bounces the light off the mica glitter. Undertones of a cool Gray keep the design fresh and modern.

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Already was said, but you could add rattan, burlap, leather, and green,.

Living Room · More Info

A peacock blue, or a blue like this room has?

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A casual look - gives less 'visual' at upper wall, which is worth doing photoshop, but idk how. It seems a repeat of the blond/natural items you have.

Ombre Faux Linen Semi Sheer Single Panel Curtain, Gold, 50W x 108L · More Info

Another idea - Anthropologie has these large tapestries that are such a $deal for their impact - its a great way to fill a wall with something a little different that wont break the bank -

also i tend to agree with @Jennifer Hogan and would not rush any purchases - my parents’ living room was empty for 5 years when they first bought their house, its crazy that we all expect houses to be ”done” so fast (not being critical, I am just as inpatient as the next person!)

A vintage addition can be a charming part, and a person can find contemporary/ transitional items [in Home Goods, etc.] that have a color from it.

Thanks everyone for so many suggestions! I am worried I’m trying to do TOO many things with this room.

At first I thought I would get some desks in there for the kids to use for homework/crafts. I considered getting the IKEA shelving units and counter top to make a DIY 2 or 3 person desk along the long wall. Then I found this photo on pinterest and fell in LOVE with everything about it.

Then I thought it would also be great to have the room serve as a quiet relaxing area to read a book or sit and talk, and for overflow seating when we host people. Also considered adding a small tv in there since the living room is always taken over by the kids and their shows.

I kinda feel like I’m going in circles. I am a very visual person. Although I am not sure what exactly I want to do in the room yet, I feel like I will know it when I see it. I would LOVE to see some mockups, if anyone is good with that sort of thing.

I am considering swapping out the charcoal chairs for some cream ones, similar to these:

I LOVE the console I have in there (and the lamp and the picture I have propped up on it currently) and would LOVE to figure out a way to use them. I also really love my tables in there.

I am looking at a few sofa options - thinking beige or tan since that would coordinate with the charcoal OR cream chairs. Here are some I am looking at and would love your input.

I picked up some pillows to pull together the neutral colors also:

And for the long wall, I am considering a gallery wall to showcase some pics of the kids. I stopped at Target last night and picked up a 14x18 and 16x20 size. Not sure how many frames to use and which layout to use, or if there are rules about this sort of thing, especially if going above a sofa on the long wall. I got them in a black and also a natural wood—leaning toward the black for the pop it would give but open to feedback on all of this!

For inspiration, I really love how these rooms just seem to well put together and want to get mine there too!

Basically could really use some helping pulling this all together!!!

You need to do one of two things: A. Make a decision about the primary function of this room (kids homework, quiet resting and reading space, or extra living room (with another tv). Or B. Create a flexible multi-function room. Since you’re unsure, get past the housewarming and take a breath. It feels like you’re rushing to decorate for a party that is coming up too soon. I don’t think anyone expects your house to be “done”.

You need to take the pressure off yourself. Yo have multiple great ideas and photos. Let them germinate with you and go back to the photos you like AFTER the housewarming. People care more about you, the food and the drinks anyway!

Start an inspiration Houzz page for this room. Keep adding to it, taking away and thinking what you want this room to be.

Could have an ease, a blend with warm floor. I found some to sit on.

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With grey sofa, black legs... maybe contrasting shiny silvery?

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To me, interesting that they didn't place a thing on the mural wall [though the light is viewed in this photo].

Others are more neutral... .quite a commitment though.

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Go with textured console, etc.?

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