My living room *updated again with new area rug pics*

~~~Update 11/8~~~

Last time I update, I promise!!

FINALLY convinced DH to move the coffee tables out. It was hard, but I did it. I will move them into my office where my filing cabinet is. Move the filing cabinet into his office. He complained that his office was already crowded so we're buying two large bookcases from Ikea to replace a rickety cd rack and bookcase that's already in his office to make room for the file cabinet.

Amazing how one purchase can turn into 10, isn't it?

We love the area rug but are undecided about the placement, if we should move it under the media console feet more.

Looks like the new tv/speakers/receiver will be purchased in a few weeks so we can slide it under then, once the big tv is gone if that's a better look.

I know we need more accents with unifying colors and shapes - more blues, oranges and circles. Still searching for good sheers for the window in a tan color. We'll also move the media console to the center of the wall and pull the bookcase to the right more for even spacing.

Opinions welcome, as always!










~~~Update 11/6~~~

We moved the couch down a couple of feet, there's now a gap between the end of the couch and the media console. We tried to center the console in the middle but can't move the damn thing because it's too heavy!

We measured where the 46" TV will go on the wall, it's juuuuust shy of the width of the console, so I think it will look pretty good.

DH is liking the idea of the sheers and either covering the AC with something painted the same color as the wall, or putting a large fern or peace lily in front of it on top of the bookcase.

He is resistant about moving the coffee tables, but I'm working on it. I moved them both out and the room looked pretty empty which is good for spaciousness but fairly boring. So we found this rug on Target.com that I thought was very cool looking:





What do you think? I said, if we get this, we would have to replace the throw pillows. He was cranky about that too. He thinks the blue in the rug would work nicely with the blue in the pillows. I think the shapes will clash.

Lastly, until we move the media console over, caddy-cornering that bookcase looks silly because there isn't enough room.

We're on our way! Thanks again for your opinions!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We need to do a lot. Winter is a good as time as any! Here's what my living room looks like:



Sorry for the graininess in the photo and the scary looking woman on the tv ... As you can see, we went a little nuts with the brown. We concentrated on furniture for a while and now we need to jazz it up a bit!

The wall is *just* to the left of the end of the picture, so we don't have much room. Here's what it looked like largely unfurnished when we first moved in:





I would like any suggestions but specifically, I'd like to know (please be gentle):

1. Do you think the mass of all the furniture makes it look closed in and cluttered? I think I might want to move the coffee tables out completely, especially since we'll have 2 dogs soon and Brinkley likes to hang out in the middle there while we watch tv. I can move the couch/console table about two feet away from the back wall, but that's about it.

2. We plan on putting a flat panel TV on the back wall next to the AC. Would you put anything to the right of the tv to balance out the wall or is it ok because the ceiling is slanted?

3. What kind of window treatments would you choose? DH doesn't like the look of heavy valances, and I know nothing about drapes, especially for a window that high.

4. The carpet will be replaced next year or the year after. In the meantime, do you think a patterned area rug with green, tan, brown, etc. would look good? Something solid, something light colored?

5. I want to jazz up the console table next to the couch but can't put anything breakable on it. What do you think about a colored fabric runner on the top and maybe some colored baskets for the bottom with some standing books? We just stack the books there now.

Any help would be appreciated, I'm totally clueless. Thanks!!

Message edited 11/8/2009 10:20:55 AM.

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

Message edited 9/17/2013 2:27:18 PM.

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

ok, I do think there is too much furniture...I think you can ease that by mounting the tv on the wall...

I know what you mean about getting rid of the coffee table but then I feel like where will you put things?

What do you think about moving the console table to the other wall? I was thinking of pulling it back but now I see the door opens there...so that other wall where I see the electrical outlet? Then you can pull the couch back a bit and its not on top of the tv?

Any shot of putting down a laminate wood flooring? I would like that with a area rug but I wouldn't put an area rug there now, I think its too busy...

So thats my suggestion for now, put the console on the other wall, I'd love a piece of art over it and pull the couch back and lets see it after that...

Message edited 11/3/2009 10:45:22 AM.

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

I think it's fine... It is a little heavy with all the furniture - you're right.

But it looks nice and inviting - I want to lay on that couch and watch TV now.

Can you switch the tall bookcase to the left of the TV with the lamp and table in the corner? Maybe caddy corner it if it will fit? eta: I would lose that table and lamp completely...

I imagine that would create the balance you're looking for - AC / TV / tall bookcase.

Maybe do a torchiere lamp in the corner by the AC if you need light?

I think your idea with the baskets on the console table is perfect.

If you need coffee tables - how about those clear ones? I see them all over HGTV now - it will give you the coffee table but it's see-through...

they have one at CB2

Message edited 11/3/2009 10:46:51 AM.

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

I would get a punch of color with a rug. Like brown and rust and green, etc..

Bold art work.

I also agree on the TV off the floor.

Message edited 11/3/2009 10:51:35 AM.

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

1. I would remove one of you coffee tables. Can you bring the sofa table and the couch closer to the door? Maybe 6 inches or more if you have the space. It looks like your furniture is too close near the TV area.

2. I'm not sure about the TV wall with the AC. Maybe you can do what I did in my Family Room. We have the TV in the middle, a piece of art on one side and than bamboo in a vase on the other to balance it out. Can you bring the side table out of the corner? Than maybe you could put some tall bamboo or something tall in the corner.

3. I would do curtain panels on each side of the window. Hang them high to the ceiling and out wide. Wide meaning about a foot out on each side. This way you don't lose any of the window light and it makes the room and/or the window look bigger. Maybe some Tan/Beige panels....solid I'm thinking.

4. I'm not sure about the area rug. I would go with something neutral and light probably.

5. How about a low candle piece. Something like this.

A runner would be nice, but I'm not sure for this table. And some baskets underneath.

You can really put this all together to make the room feel lighter by buying tan/beige curtain panels, maybe a light colored Jute rug, bamboo (light color) and light colored baskets.

We can go shopping if you want.

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

Posted by JldDolphin

1. I would remove one of you coffee tables. Can you bring the sofa table and the couch closer to the door? Maybe 6 inches or more if you have the space. It looks like your furniture is too close near the TV area.

2. I'm not sure about the TV wall with the AC. Maybe you can do what I did in my Family Room. We have the TV in the middle, a piece of art on one side and than bamboo in a vase on the other to balance it out. Can you bring the side table out of the corner? Than maybe you could put some tall bamboo or something tall in the corner.

3. I would do curtain panels on each side of the window. Hang them high to the ceiling and out wide. Wide meaning about a foot out on each side. This way you don't lose any of the window light and it makes the room and/or the window look bigger. Maybe some Tan/Beige panels....solid I'm thinking.

4. I'm not sure about the area rug. I would go with something neutral and light probably.

5. How about a low candle piece. Something like this.
IMAGE
A runner would be nice, but I'm not sure for this table. And some baskets underneath.

You can really put this all together to make the room feel lighter by buying tan/beige curtain panels, maybe a light colored Jute rug, bamboo (light color) and light colored baskets.

We can go shopping if you want.

Image Attachment(s):

Message edited 11/3/2009 11:18:14 AM.

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

Message edited 11/3/2009 12:03:42 PM.

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

I love the color and the style of the furniture!

I agree that there is too much furniture in the room. I would remove the coffee tables in the center and just leave one on the side.

I would move the couch down a bit closer to the door, I agree that it is too close to the tv but, once you hang the tv it may be ok. Just a matter of waiting to see.

Don't rest the couch right against the wall once you add curtains. I agree with Jenn to hang them higher to give the affect of a larger window.

I would put the shelf/bookcase unit currently next to the TV unit cadi-corner.

I agree with Jenn (again) on trying to find some art to hang over the ac unit and hang another one on the other side to even it out or maybe you can put a plant or something on top of the unit to block the view of the ac for the months that you wont use it.

Also, I'm not a big fan of carpet on top of carpet so I would do away with the area rug and focus on the art.

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

You guys came through in a big way, THANK YOU!

I have to take a better picture of the living room, because I think once the tv is on the wall, the top may wind up being level with the bookcase and it will create a triangle type shape that goes with the slant of the ceiling.

I bought a trailing plant last weekend for a different part of the house but I think you're on to something, because DH hates the AC unit there. We have a large framed photo in front of it right now that draws your eye to it instead of the AC. But a nice lush plant in a decorative planter that tied together the colors would be cool.

Now, at the very least, I have to work on DH about getting those coffee tables out of there, moving the couch, replacing the lamp, and putting up sheers. He's going to protest because we seriously have no other spot for that furniture and they'll wind up in the unfinished basement.

Kitty, yes, I'm concerned about not just Brinkley knocking things over but when we add our new addition to our family in January. Brinkley almost knocks ME down when he's playing in the house with another dog. I'm going to look into your suggestion, thank you.

I'd love to move that console to the other wall but there really isn't enough room to walk by it then. That outlet you see is a replacement because Brinkley broke the original with his butt. When we play in the house he runs to just past the couch and whips his body around - right into the wall.

As far as flooring goes, I can't even think about that yet. that living room used to be the garage, and the transition between the front door and the end of the house is not level. We would probably put new carpet in there and save the wood floors for the other areas that are level. This is not our forever home so we're looking to only make improvements that we can get a return on financially.

I think I'm going to make DH help me move some furniture tonight and then take another pic of the space... Maybe get a little Photoshop going...

Thanks again!!!

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

if you do get baskets, maybe get a different "wood tone" than the dark brown color of the rest of the furniture

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

1. Do you think the mass of all the furniture makes it look closed in and cluttered? I think I might want to move the coffee tables out completely, especially since we'll have 2 dogs soon and Brinkley likes to hang out in the middle there while we watch tv. I can move the couch/console table about two feet away from the back wall, but that's about it.

I think the room has way too much furniture in it. I think all the darkness of the furniture really makes the room feel really closed in. If you could move some of the furniture into other rooms, and possibly change the layout of the furniture, this would really help.

2. We plan on putting a flat panel TV on the back wall next to the AC. Would you put anything to the right of the tv to balance out the wall or is it ok because the ceiling is slanted?

I personally would not put anything on the other side of the tv, because it wouldn't look right to me.

3. What kind of window treatments would you choose? DH doesn't like the look of heavy valances, and I know nothing about drapes, especially for a window that high.

Since your husband doesnt like anything heavy, I would go with white sheer Drapes, and maybe a different colored Scarf to accent the room...



4. The carpet will be replaced next year or the year after. In the meantime, do you think a patterned area rug with green, tan, brown, etc. would look good? Something solid, something light colored?

I wouldn't go with a solid area rug. The room needs some boldness to it. A area rug that has a combination of greens, and browns would be an excellent idea for that room.

5. I want to jazz up the console table next to the couch but can't put anything breakable on it. What do you think about a colored fabric runner on the top and maybe some colored baskets for the bottom with some standing books? We just stack the books there now.

The Colored runner is a nice simple idea. If you do baskets, make them a different color...Like a wheat or a tan color to break up the darkness.

Scott

Re: My living room is too monotone... need ideas and opinions

I updated the top of my original post with progress and another opinion question about an area rug. Thank you everyone for helping me!

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

That's the kind of rug I was talking about. You need a "darker" rug to anchor the sofa to the ground.

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

For the AC, I have seen those shows on HGTV that make an "art cover".

It's like creating a box on hinge that opens up to you can use the AC when you need it. You paint or install art work the size of the box. Since you have a wall on the left it's perfect, you can swing the box open to the left if you want to to use the AC. And close it when you don't. You can repeat a symmetry to the right on the same wall except it's just art work but no hinge.

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

Great rug. I'm not sure either about the pillows with the rug. Maybe buy the rug and see if you like the pillows, if not get new pillows.

Let's see a new pic of the room with what you moved.

Great about the sheers and the AC covering. Keep working on him about the coffee tables.

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

Try getting rid of the coffee table and see how you like it. We did the same thing b/c at first Dh was like "where are we going to put stuff down" so we put ours in the garage for a few weeks and we adjusted. It opened it up so much I cant even believe we had a coffee table in there! So try it.

Def add some brightly colored art work. I am so into oranges with green walls.

And I think sheer curtains would look nice.

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

Posted by KittyGags

Posted by JldDolphin

1. I would remove one of you coffee tables. Can you bring the sofa table and the couch closer to the door? Maybe 6 inches or more if you have the space. It looks like your furniture is too close near the TV area.

2. I'm not sure about the TV wall with the AC. Maybe you can do what I did in my Family Room. We have the TV in the middle, a piece of art on one side and than bamboo in a vase on the other to balance it out. Can you bring the side table out of the corner? Than maybe you could put some tall bamboo or something tall in the corner.

3. I would do curtain panels on each side of the window. Hang them high to the ceiling and out wide. Wide meaning about a foot out on each side. This way you don't lose any of the window light and it makes the room and/or the window look bigger. Maybe some Tan/Beige panels....solid I'm thinking.

4. I'm not sure about the area rug. I would go with something neutral and light probably.

5. How about a low candle piece. Something like this.
IMAGE
A runner would be nice, but I'm not sure for this table. And some baskets underneath.

You can really put this all together to make the room feel lighter by buying tan/beige curtain panels, maybe a light colored Jute rug, bamboo (light color) and light colored baskets.

We can go shopping if you want.

For the window I was looking at something like this for her --it comes in a color called flax thats perfect

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

I was going to take a new pic last night but my camera's flash sucks and I figured I could do it this weekend when the sun is coming in.

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

Posted by greenfreak

I was going to take a new pic last night but my camera's flash sucks and I figured I could do it this weekend when the sun is coming in.

Posted by DeniseMarie

I am so into oranges with green walls.

You know what would be so cool? A rug like that that you could snap in different colored shapes into. You could keep the background brown and then change the squares for the seasons.

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

Posted by greenfreak

I was going to take a new pic last night but my camera's flash sucks and I figured I could do it this weekend when the sun is coming in.

Posted by DeniseMarie

I am so into oranges with green walls.

Omg, that's my newest obsession... mixing green and orange. I bought a pocketbook while on vacation last year that's orange inside, like the LIF header, and lime green outside. Friggin LOVE it.

You know what would be so cool? A rug like that that you could snap in different colored shapes into. You could keep the background brown and then change the squares for the seasons.

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

Something like this.

Link

or you could buy a solid color and mix the colors.


Check out all the colors they have

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

That's so funny... see? No original ideas!! We decided to go to Target tonight to look at rugs and walked out with one. But not the one we thought!

I told DH I liked the rugs with circles because I think we have too many squares and hard edges in the living room. He originally didn't agree with me and thought they were too 'busy'. But then we saw one that was perfect, and got it:



It's still very brown but it's lighter than the furniture and the circles tie in with the throw pillows, it has matching colors in the tan and two complimentary colors that we're going to accent with - blue and orange.

The second we laid it out to let it flatten, Brinkley walked right to the middle and laid down. Preeeeetty sure he approves.

I will take pictures tomorrow once we put it down!

Re: My living room *updated with new opinion Q and pics*

Posted by greenfreak

That's so funny... see? No original ideas!! We decided to go to Target tonight to look at rugs and walked out with one. But not the one we thought!

I told DH I liked the rugs with circles because I think we have too many squares and hard edges in the living room. He originally didn't agree with me and thought they were too 'busy'. But then we saw one that was perfect, and got it:

IMAGE

It's still very brown but it's lighter than the furniture and the circles tie in with the throw pillows, it has matching colors in the tan and two complimentary colors that we're going to accent with - blue and orange.

The second we laid it out to let it flatten, Brinkley walked right to the middle and laid down. Preeeeetty sure he approves.

I will take pictures tomorrow once we put it down!