Need help with our new family room. Its big but ugly!
patticella22
9 years ago
Hi! Bought this house a year ago and I have a love hate relationship with this room. Love the beams and space! Hate the fireplace, 70's paneling, and mismatched bookshelves. Problem is we practically have no budget so I am looking for a cheap fix. So paint may be our only option.
1. Can I paint the wood paneling, trim, and bookshelves all white? Or is that too much?
2. If I paint it all white, do I paint the back of the bookshelves a gray to compliment the fireplace? Possibly stone harbor (bm)??
3. Do I paint the beams white or keep them dark?
4. Do I ask a carpenter to remove all the shelves besides the ones under the windows since they are mismatched anyways?
5. I have to keep the carpet and furniture due to budget but I can remove the leather chair and add something else? Thoughts/Help! Much appreciated!
1. Can I paint the wood paneling, trim, and bookshelves all white? Or is that too much?
2. If I paint it all white, do I paint the back of the bookshelves a gray to compliment the fireplace? Possibly stone harbor (bm)??
3. Do I paint the beams white or keep them dark?
4. Do I ask a carpenter to remove all the shelves besides the ones under the windows since they are mismatched anyways?
5. I have to keep the carpet and furniture due to budget but I can remove the leather chair and add something else? Thoughts/Help! Much appreciated!
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PROAshley Thomas Photography
9 years agoRelated Discussions
i am bored with the look of my home!
Comments (26)Hi. It's looking really good and you've done well with the bookshelves! ! I love the new sofa! I would say just a tad more yellow if your husband can bear it, doesn't have to be solid yellow. I'd add something else on the left shelves (I'd move one shelf of photos to the right hand shelving and swap for some books), maybe a ginger jar if you can get an old one. Maybe a patterned throw or cushion for your wooden chair and a small yellow throw for the bench just draped over the corner. Table idea sounds great. Are you happy with it? I think it's made such a big difference...See MoreHow to maximise space in a small apartment?
Comments (6)I'm not a pro (and I hope a real designer answers your question), but here's how my family does it in Singapore: 1. Get rid of things. Don't fall prey to sunk cost fallacies. Just because you bought a piece of furniture or a bunch of clothing or books or toys or whatever, doesn't mean you need to keep them if they are no longer working for you. You can sell stuff on Carousell or donate them to needy people. Sometimes not having those things will provide more value, by freeing up space, than the false belief that you need to keep things around because you paid for them. 2. Everything should be multi-function. Especially here in Singapore, everything should have multiple uses. Your bed can lift up to provide storage. Your book shelf can also be your entertainment stand. Your coffee table can double as a breakfast nook or homework table. No tool in your kitchen should be a one-job tool (for example, if you have a blender, a food processor, a spice grinder, an immersion blender, a coffee grinder and a mortar and pestle - maybe it's time to clean out the kitchen cabinets). 3. Rotate toys We have a baby at home and try really hard not to accumulate too many toys. To do that we have two toy bins. Every two weeks we switch the bin that's in rotation, so every two weeks our baby gets "new" toys that he hasn't seen for a few weeks. That allows us to keep the total number of toys to a minimum and he seems to be pretty happy (and hasn't caught on to this trick yet). Hope that helps some. Google around for "small apartment" blogs and ideas - there is a ton out there. Andrew...See MoreHow to position my round table?
Comments (8)Hi 4eva zx, It's not optimum if you don't want to build a bespoke TV wall/console where I've placed the TV here (suggest that you get something where you can swivel the TV towards the sofa, or slightly extend that wall so the TV can be directly in front of the sofa), but in terms of spatial efficiency, your round table would be better placed like so: This is so that it's near the kitchen and you can use it for meals for more than two people. This placement will also allow you to make this family heirloom a visual focal point and conversation piece for your home. If you ever need to use a bigger table for gatherings with more people, you can simply put a rectangular top onto the round table and seat 6-8 people – the placement provides for space that allows this. Find a good ID or decorator who will work towards incorporating this family heirloom in your new home, and you'll be able to enjoy it for years to come. Hope this helps!...See Morehow to optimize small 3 bedroom layout
Comments (5)Hello, In 3 years time, you need to put back the wall since u have a 9 yrs old Son hitting teenager and expect own space or your girl would prefer her private space as girl and part of build self-respected lady. Beginning putting them together helps build bond and family strength. Best to start building independence early, makes your parenting easier. Build a home rather than a house. A space is meant to build relationship. With your family size, I would not suggest breaking wall. Extend living room, best is extending into balcony by creating same levels as living room. Now got zip blinds which seal aircon space within balcony open to living. Having glass showcase is good for your toys display. See idea from Ikea. For your new home starting, get basic done prosper. Basic means the essentials. For other parts, take your time and enjoy finding more ideas and shopping around till the great feeling comes to u. If not sure, I think Ikea has many combinations so if u do not like after few years, easy to do make-over. Expensive furniture is too painful to change. Ha! More space for bedroom? use the folding type beds and double as study table. I use platform bed like Japanese room. For Long dining tables, there are extendable type when guests comes. Ikea comes cheapest. There are premium in other Malls. Get extra chair that is stackable not foldable, hurt kids fingers and takes space. Have fun!...See More
patticella22
9 years ago
edithsmom
9 years agopatticella22
9 years agopatticella22
9 years agopatticella22
9 years ago
chloebud
9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
sacapuntaslapioz
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoVery nice transformation. ikea has cow hides at good prices
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40222933/
regent123
9 years ago
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