Uninviting, dark living room
Violetta
9 years ago
Our 12’ x 17’ living room does not feel cozy or inviting. All we do is walk through it. There are 3 entrances to the room:
Picture 1--From back hall (busiest entrance to room)
Picture 2—From kitchen (next busiest entrance)
Picture 3--From foyer, least busy entrance
Picture 4—From foyer looking toward back of house
The walls are yellow (not greenish as they appear in these pix). With the red furniture, the room has a nice glow at night, but only when the stove is on in winter. In the daytime, the room looks dreary and dark, despite the all the light my camera picked up.
Pic #2 probably shows the darkness best.
I removed the dark green drapes. What window treatments should I use? Windows are 72 x 37”
Please suggest a better furniture arrangement?
I’d love to get a small sectional but is the room too small?
My husband thinks we have too much furniture crammed in.
What’s wrong? Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Picture 1--From back hall (busiest entrance to room)
Picture 2—From kitchen (next busiest entrance)
Picture 3--From foyer, least busy entrance
Picture 4—From foyer looking toward back of house
The walls are yellow (not greenish as they appear in these pix). With the red furniture, the room has a nice glow at night, but only when the stove is on in winter. In the daytime, the room looks dreary and dark, despite the all the light my camera picked up.
Pic #2 probably shows the darkness best.
I removed the dark green drapes. What window treatments should I use? Windows are 72 x 37”
Please suggest a better furniture arrangement?
I’d love to get a small sectional but is the room too small?
My husband thinks we have too much furniture crammed in.
What’s wrong? Thanks for any and all suggestions.
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Comments (32)
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Violetta
9 years agoVioletta
9 years agoVioletta
9 years ago
decoenthusiaste
9 years agoHere's my analysis. The piano may be electric so exterior wall placement may not have a negative effect. However, the way it protrudes into both windows is unattractive and it needs to be moved. I'd put it on the yellow wall in pic #4 if it will fit there. Place your sofa perpendicular to the FP with its back to the windows. Move the two wing chairs to face the FP, making an "L" with the sofa. Replace all your tables and lamps with properly scaled ones, not matching tables though.Probably on pair of matched lamps plus a floor lamp. Here's a chart to help with that. If the piano is too large for that wall, then put it on the wall opposite the FP and arrange the two wing chairs opposite the sofa. Consider painting the FP brick to match the white trim, and do paint the brass trim on the FP with heat proof black paint. I think you might want to look at a new area rug to replace the lifeless brown one that isn't keeping up with your color scheme.
Violetta
9 years ago- PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
9 years agoI think she means a sofa that has room for a couple of pillows but that being said I think your sofa is a finestyle in this room but I agree in this size room there is no walkway space. First if you want the room to feel inviting you have to open it up so it invites people in, get rid of all the little bits and get a plant that is thriving or get rid of the one you have. Drapes are a must in this space not blinds to warm it up. I think I would put the sofa on the window wall and then you could pull it into the room a bit the piano on the wall with the large painting and the chairs are what I would want matching, sitting with a table between them facing the sofa The tiffany type lamp on that table and 2 end tables at the ends of the sofa with 2 lamps that match(I like the glass base one) The rug is lovely so when looking at chairs try to find a color in there to use, my opinion is in a small spce keep pattern to a minimum or it just gets too busy.Paint the walls a nice neutral. I would suggest some linen or faux silk drapes hung at the ceiling on a nice rod make sure they are full enough to be able to close in the evening. If you have the sofa sitting at the edge of the carpt and the chairs the same you should be able to put a coffee table in fron of the sofs just not too large. And then a nice painting to replace the one you are moving. This style of chair would be nice.
Violetta
9 years agoThanks, Patricia. Will you all give me comments on the pix?
#1 From back hall
#2 From foyer
#3 From foyer
#4 From kitchen
Will probably replace rug--guidance on color and size? Our Yorkie is hard on rugs so need to keep that in mind. Walls will remain yellow for now. Might be able to find a matching lamp to glass bottom one at Marshall's, that's where mine came from.
I can find new tables. My slag lamp was my great-grandmother's and I want to incorporate it.
For windows, a whitish, creamiest color for drapes?
I can breathe in here already--
PROArtajul
9 years agoWhat a transformation. I would also consider changing/removing the pre-war lamp & table. It doesnt seem to be working with the rest of the room. Whenever you have the budget for it a new rug might also give this room a further push to look roomier as well as livelier. Something that will bring the colors of the room together & complete the modern/post-war/retro look. Whichever direction you choose....See some options we have to offer below !
Violetta thanked ArtajulVioletta
9 years agoVioletta
9 years ago- PRO
Artajul
9 years agoI agree you something too busy might not be right for you - especially with the patterned chair. the 1st & last designs are actually pretty spread out for the size you'd go for - 6X9 ...... & here's more
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Geometric Art Pattern Dhurry Rug Indoor/Outdoor, 9"x11", Wake Up · More InfoVioletta thanked Artajul Violetta
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