"Congratulations on your first apartment! I like the clean lines of your sofa. The pillow picture comes up as error - are they the ones in the picture?" -Thank you! Its the same one as the photobucket links I posted. "All of your rugs are basically black or black/gray. I think you should look for a rug with some color, or else the entire room will be black and gray (for the most part) and whatever accessories you have in the room." -This is what I was trying to avoid. I would love to bring some more color into the room. Just am unsure what would help do that. I was under the impression I should pick a rug that matches, but do want to stay away from over blending everything to avoid a room full of black/gray. "Would you consider a modern rug with a little black/gray but red, blue, green, yellow, multicolor, teal, orange - what other colors would you consider? Almost any color(s) would go." -I'm very open to modern rugs, just not sure as to what I should pick. I don't want something that will stand out as an eye sore. Would like it to have some pop and look good but not a first impression of "what was he thinking when he picked that :/ ". "Do you have any artwork selected or already owned? Can pulls colors from it." -None yet. Figured I would start looking for artwork/wall decor when I got the basics all picked out. So basically its like a blank canvas minus the sofa and coffee table.

Jan, I can't thank you enough for your response and thinking "outside the box"! We purchased the Zuri "low maintenance" decking because we have two other wood decks that do require some maintenance. I agree with you that all of the composite/no maintenance deck options seem to require SOME sort of challenge. In my opinion, the companies who sell these decks should include some sort of reference to furniture/décor that DOES WORK in the space! Photos on their websites help but ACTUAL users of the products and not just staged photos are what really helps the customer! I LOVE your idea of the canvas and had thought for a moment about using/making a duck canvas runner. Our deck space is 5x9 but the actual size of runner I would purchase/make would be 2' 8"x 7. The thought on this length would be that the length would fit 2 chairs and a 1 ft small table as well as some extra space to utilize as a "doormat". The furniture would hold down the canvas. I realize that it does sound ridiculous to spend all this $ on a beautiful deck then cover it up! The benefit of a canvas runner is that I could easily roll it up and hopefully wash it as needed. I do like your ideas of acrylic, painting, and pre primed fabric but due to the "what not to use on Zuri deck" I am hesitant to use anything that isn't "natural". Again I *sigh*. While we spent some $$ on the Zuri deck, here I am trying to "design on a dime" and DIY what I can for the deck. I plan on ordering 2 deck chairs from Ikea, make a 1' side table, and with your suggestion, try and make a canvas runner. I appreciate your feedback and thoughts:) Side note: I noticed you are from ROC-YAY! I am originally from Webster but now live in Baltimore. My parents still reside in Webster- "Where Life is Worth Living" Thx again!

I would suggest two large rugs. They can be identical, but it's not necessary. Just keep them in the same color family. I can't imaging needing those monstrosities in a house. Everyone will have hearing loss. They seem more appropriate for a concert venue. If hubby won't sell them and buy something smaller, can they at least be pushed back towards the corners?

I found a few I think would look pretty in there, keeping in mind your upcoming paint change. Do any of these appeal? Even if not, it’ll help for future suggestions. :) https://incrediblerugsanddecor.com/products/loloi-heirloom-hq-08-brick-sand-area-rug ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ https://www.rugsdoneright.com/products/loloi-rugs-underwood-un01-charcoal-rug ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ https://www.rugsdoneright.com/products/kalaty-rug-co-soumak-su214-ivory-rug ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ https://www.rugsdoneright.com/products/nourison-living-treasures-li01-rust-rug ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ https://incrediblerugsanddecor.com/products/loloi-anastasia-af-07-sand-lt-blue-area-rug ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ https://incrediblerugsanddecor.com/products/loloi-underwood-un-01-charcoal-gold-area-rug ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ https://www.potterybarn.com/products/murrietta-handknotted-rug/?pkey=cpatterned-rugs&isx=0.0.23730 ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ https://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/surya-srp-1001/Dark-Red/158SRP1001-930126.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ https://www.horchow.com/Safavieh-Addington-Hand-Knotted-Rug-10-x-14-and-Matching-Items/cprod147070002_cat000020__/p.prod?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%252Fcategory.service%253FitemId%253Dcat000020%2526pageSize%253D30%2526Nao%253D90%2526Ns%253DPCS_SORT%2526refinements%253D&eItemId=cprod147070002&cmCat=product ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ https://www.horchow.com/Lauren-Ralph-Lauren-Tristan-Power-Loomed-Rug-10-x-13-and-Matching-Items/cprod147510001_cat000020__/p.prod?icid=&searchType=EndecaDrivenCat&rte=%252Fcategory.service%253FitemId%253Dcat000020%2526pageSize%253D30%2526Nao%253D120%2526Ns%253DPCS_SORT%2526refinements%253D&eItemId=cprod147510001&cmCat=product