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Paint Home Decorating Design Dilemma

Add color to open concept loft space

6 months ago

Hi, I've got a two-story open-concept house. In our loft space I'd like to add some color, but don't know how to do it. It is currently used as a kid's play space. I've thought about adding a darker ceiling fan, an accent color in the wall inset, etc... Does anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!

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Comments (8)

blueskysunnyday
6 months ago
How about an area rug?
mytwo cents
6 months ago
last modified: 6 months ago
Definitely a rug. If the map is going to stay then getting a multi-colored rug with pastel-sherbert colors would be fun.

Peel and stick wallpaper in the niche would be good too.

Floor pillows might work out well.
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this room has similar windows to yours. look at how nice the darker paint color on the wall sets them off. Perhaps you could do just the living room area walls a darker shade.bring in some drapery panels. you really need to get a media console for under the tv. if you can't afford to buy a new one, look on craigslist or yard sales for a vintage credenza, buffet or dresser, and paint it white. (or if in good shape, and walnut, leave it natural), see how this one is pictured? :get a tall plant for the corner, place a chair next to it and your tv, the media console (heck, even Ikea has ones you can use) and then look at how they have those white drapes. that will make that part of your room look fine. here,,,console, art, plants, chair lamp, pouf,,,just try and find things like this that go with your decor. your pillow are sad. can anyone sew? if not, just get some pillow covers for the ones your have. the cost is 10-15 bucks. or spring for some new, colorful pillows. get a tall plant to put in the corner near your desk. you need some life. to the left of it, look at garage sales or craigslist for a larger book shelf. Paint it a glossy white or whatever color you have in there as an accent. Learn how to DIY better yet, you have the perfect little nook area for a built in desk/shelving. this is super easy to build, would look great, and offer you way more storage as a work space area. just look up, "built in desk nook' or 'built in desk area'. you could even find a second hand desk, paint it, and build shelving around it. The dining room needs a large piece of art in place of where the mirror is. find a canvas art piece (or paint your own) that you like that eats up a good portion of that wall. put the mirror somewhere else. as of right now, you have no life or movement in your rooms, and very little color. look at pictures of rooms you like and see what you can use in your own rooms.
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Thank you both for your kind words! The fan would be more for function over form - the room gets rather hot during the day and I think some air circulation would be nice. That said, I don’t think it’s necessary to define the space (as you noted) and runs the risk of having too much going on... The chandelier I’m less likely to do, but I do love a chandelier and I could see myself caving on a nice big fixture once I wrap my head around putting a fan up there...I know myself too well..
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I need to see the print but maybe for the drapes a single color from the print to save having too much print. That is a fun print but I think too much of it will just be too much.
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Actually I did think about that as a layout but do not like have blocked bulky and have no openings to get into the living room but one. and i see that the couch (smaller) is pulled out into the slider. That brings it 3 feet from the dining room. We are talking the ability to walk around it 3 ft and maybe a small console (I have seen this with smaller scalled furniture) It is super tight. If I do Italian leather and get lower furniture so you can see past it and it has and open feeling which I am thinking of changing It might work but I want to keep it looking open and when you look at the back of the couch coming from a kitchen which is 6ft away . It cannot be a high back couch in my oppinion. But yes this layout might be a possibility. I appreciate your input
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mytwo cents
6 months ago
last modified: 6 months ago
btw, if you're mildly crafty and have the time, you can also use peel stick wallpaper to makeover a cabinet

I hope you understand just showing you modalities, not suggesting you use all or any of these particular patterns or all together. Solid colors for rugs or painting the niche, using dark or primary colors not just pastels would work too
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
6 months ago
Your ceiling fan is woefully undersized for the volume of air it needs to push around, & the stem is way too short.

You could paint the back walls an accent color and pick it up in your furnishings in the loft.

These are slipcovered sofas from IKEA
Annie Bryant
Original Author
6 months ago
Thanks for the ideas, everyone. I generally don't like putting rugs over carpet, though I know that is a popular option. Find a color for the insets looks like it would have a big impact, so I may lean in that direction!
Cara Fidler
6 months ago
Figure out if you are going to keep it as a kid's play space or possibly use the room as a family room? If you are going to keep it for the children, I would paint the wall a neat accent color where the entranceway is on the left side wall. I would tie that together with a nice area rug===something colorful that has the same color as the painted wall. Maybe a nice shade of apricot or even a pale yellow or a lime green. I would put some big stuffed animals in there and hang some shelves on the walls. You could get a colorful throw for the sofa. If you are going to use it as a family room, I would mount a tv over the piece of furniture in that inset and put the couch facing the tv. Get a coffee table and paint the entire left wall a cool accent color. Get a throw for the couch and some throw pillows for the couch and add some comfortable swivel chairs towards the tv. For the back wall you could place the table with chairs and add a credenza against the wall or some low book shelves.
Kendrah
6 months ago
I think rugs over carpet can be a tripping hazard and I just imagine tripping and careening over that railing.

I'd find a pallet of colors that you like to accessorize with for pillows, throws, desk seat cushion, lamp, hanging light cord, toy bins, bean bag chair, nook paint color, and large artwork to hang in nook, low coffee table to sit on floor and play or draw. Here are examples in blues and turquoise.

6W Desk Lamp, Blue · More Info

Links Linen Pillow, 18"x12" · More Info

Designart Geometric Vortex Ii Modern Framed Wall Art, Gold, 30x30 · More Info

Ponce Outdoor Patio Bean Bag Lounger, Light Blue · More Info

Landra Fringe Throw Blue/White Safavieh · More Info

Commercial Grade Crystal Teal-Blue Metal Indoor-Outdoor Stackable Chair · More Info

DII 10" Rectangle Modern Fabric Medium Burlap Ikat Storage Bin in Teal Blue · More Info
Denise Marchand
6 months ago
I would advise to paint the back wall entirely - two story from downstairs to include the loft space.

Paint the niche downstairs and the niche in the loft a coordinating color. It would look amazing! Imagine going upstairs and and seeing that elevation with a color. It would also connect the open spaces and compliment the architecture. I feel if you just paint the niche, it will not be what you are looking for and look contrived.

Add big colorful floor pillows.

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