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Design Dilemma Home Decorating living room

What would you do with this living room?

last month

I'm newly moved in to this apartment with my family, and I'd like to make some changes. I like the rug and I like our books, but everything else is negotiable. A new sofa is definitely on the list. I also think it could use more or different light. (Really not a fan of the one attached to the wall by the window.) Wall decor is just where it is cause there were already hooks there.

Going from a purely style perspective, I'm curious what others with a keen eye for this would consider. Thoughts?

(Also, pardon the things I forgot to pick up before taking these pictures...)

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Comments (9)

eld6161
last month
It is a fun rug. I would choose a blue for the sofa. I would get two matching chairs. Others here might come up with two different colors, but I find it easier to match it all.

I would do multi colored throw pillows, colorful art above the sofa.
splatteredwhim
Original Author
last month
I like it! Definitely would like some colorful art. And I agree that matching chairs would be easier. The more things need to be decided, the more overthink will happen.
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Hi...In my opinion (my field is not interior design), but I sure love it. I haven't read all the responses as I wanted to look at it and develop my own opinions/thoughts. First, I would NEVER sacrifice your outside view....I would keep my living room there and minimize items. If it was me, I would replace the slip covers on the white chairs with a more fitted style (see below). I would move the couch away from the window to maximize the view (seriously some ppl don't have any view). So I would figure a way to angle the couch so you can have that view. I would hang my tv up in the right side corner of the window so it is away from sun and doesn't take up space. I would also move that white chest out (looks like a file cabinet). and replace it with a more modern table (see below). As for the white shelves surrounding the tv, I would declutter it as it can be very elegant with just a few items. I would replace the ceiling fan with a modern style (3 blade) and have your recessed lights changed to LED and on dimmers. I would add a large plant/tree in a decorative basket for added warmth. Definitely center the rug (we have the same style of sofa in the family room). The view to the kitchen is an easy fix by decluttering (again, I think you have great bones here). Finally, I would paint, or tile the area under the island, per your taste/style. Sorry if there are any duplicate pictures . Anyways, the choices are endless for you (see below).
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There are a few things you might try: --Move the upholstered chair from out of the office area and put it where the living room chair is, and rehome that one elsewhere or have the chairs facing each other from each side of the coffee table. --With the big chair gone, can you flip the desk, screen, and all the normal office stuff so it's on the left wall and you don't have to see it when you come in? --Think about a round glass coffee table to reduce some of the bulkiness of sofa, filing cabinets, large desk. The room needs a few lighter pieces. --Your office furnishings look very high quality, so you probably want to keep them. However, can you rehome some of the filing cabinets to your husband's office if you don't use the filing cabinets daily. They take up a lot of real and visual space. --No wall clock--good for work, not so good for relaxation in the living room. You already have the grandfather clock--no need for double reminders about time! (Any chance you can move the grandfather clock to a foyer or den?) That would really open up the space by removing some bulkiness and adding more open space.
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How about some new sofas that are not dark to start. Also not reclining. A nice ottoman lets you put up your feet and still not take over the whole space. Drapes that are all one color and touch the floor for sure not dark colored. More lighting, if at all possible keep the furniture from blocking the entry into the space so maybe think a sofa and 2 chairs . Something lower for a TV stand and what I see is a great confusion over what style you want. I see formal stools with a country table . Mixing styles is an art and very rarely pulled off with real success so I would advise getting maybe some design help before buying new furniture to make this space the best it can be.
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Comments (1)
Three suggestions. First, everything in the room skews warm-toned. If you force cool greys in a predominately warm space they will look too harsh. Any grey or charcoal you add has to have some warm undertones. Second, the family room has a lot of visual clutter. I would suggest that she take every single thing off the walls, off the flat surfaces, and off the sofas. Then slowly add back things that she loves, taking stock after each addition. At some point, the stuff is going to tip the space from decorated to cluttered. That is when she should stop adding things to the room. Three, one large dramatic painting over the fireplace will give the fireplace more visual weight. Right now all the little decor items around the fireplace and on the hearth and on the mantle just obscure the fireplace. I don't think she will need to paint it.
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Fori
last month
I noticed IKEA has a seriously yellow cover for the Poang chair right now. It could look awesome with that rug...
splatteredwhim
Original Author
last month
I will check it out! That's a good idea
Shawna Rushford
last month
I love the bookshelf, but it dwarfs the TV. Is there another place you can put it and then have a bigger TV console?
Olychick
last month
last modified: last month
I like some of the suggestions. Great rug.

I might look for a piece of furniture (cabinet/buffet/console with doors) in wood to match the bookcase, then mount the TV above it. It will look more like a built-in and be more cohesive than the black piece that is next to it now. Kind of on the order of this, but reversed, of course.
splatteredwhim
Original Author
last month
Oh that shelf looks good! That would help with the oddness on that side.

I don't think there is anywhere else I could put the shelves. It's a small place and we are short on wall space
btydrvn
last month
Try moving the bookcase to the left of the wall and angle the tv in the corner…..then move the couch to face the tv at the same angle…leaving a triangular space behind the couch to display your plants…some art …even a console table…against the wall…with baskets beneath it to store some of the clutter
btydrvn
last month
Depending on how many people live there …sometimes a loveseat ( instead of a couch) and two side chairs will seat more people comfortably..with the added flexibility of one side chair to easily move close to a lamp when needed …for reading

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