skip to main content

Smaller Homes Design Dilemma Living Rooms

I am a mess! How can I decorate above the sofa?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hi guys, Im really struggling with this! I don't know how can I decorate the tiny livingroom in general , but what is most important now is the space above the sofa and the fireplace.

I am renting so I can't paint or change some things and I need the ugly furniture on the fireplace for storage reasons, but any advice on how to improve this space will be deeply appreciated! Thank you.

Featured Answer

Sonia

5 years ago

Hmmm you can’t paint, and I assume you can’t put up pictures either? I think the wall behind the sofa is crying out for art. There is something called Command strips which let you fix pictures to a wall without nails and it’s removable without leaving any marks. I’ve used them and they are good but it must be a lightweight picture, I wouldn’t trust them with a heavy work of art! You can get them from The Range. Or how about a ladder shelf? They are very attractive and just lean against a wall, and you can dress them with books and favourite artefacts. I think a neutral rug would look nice and cosy up the room. Dunelm have loads of reasonably priced ones.

That storage cupboard is the main problem - it’s like the elephant in the room. Maybe you could paint it an off white so it isn’t so obvious. Or bring it into the room and use it as a coffee table, maybe? Does look a bit Tall for that though.

Comments (16)

Lara Bae
Original Author
5 years ago
thank you so much for the comment! I can hung up things on the wall but I don't know what kind of art or picture goes well or how to arrange the frames. I have a little baby so the cupboard is there because I can lock it and its out of her reach.
Related Discussions
Need help to dress up my dining room,am thinking of cream panelling,ra
Q
Comments (33)
If you want custom cream panelling built from scratch, it is likely to take you more than three weeks to line up a contractor, get it built and then painted. If you want to use beadboard (thin, lightweight, cheap) you can do it yourself if you are good at the small precision cuts around the wood window trim and behind the radiators. You can get a custom built wood cover with doors for your tv or use the painting over tv disguise made with hinges. I think the room is beautiful as it is. Spend some money on a truly beautiful, impressive chandelier, have it centered over the table. If you want to impress relatives at an event, the chandelier is the way to go. Clean the windows for extra sparkle. If you are in the US, try Home Decorators http://www.homedecorators.com for DVD storage cabinets that are closed. I would not get a rug for this room unless I was ready to get it cleaned frequently and I could find one that looked good with dog hair on it and did not show stains. A good quality, highly patterned wool Oriental rug will do that job nicely. Such a rug is an investment and may take longer than three weeks to find.
...See More
I need a new rug for my sitting room
Q
Comments (21)
Love your carpet choices here! I noticed that there no artwork on the walls yet. This will elevate the mood of the room since you will need an upper emphasis once your room is anchored with the carpet. It is easier to decorate around a rug, the one you love for sure, than around a focal piece, such as art. After you choose from any of the beautiful carpets above that work with your interior, take a photo of the room with the carpet installed in it. Have fun looking for the artwork that best sings with your carpet. and that grabs you. After you have the choice of art up on the wall, look for small accessories of colour of shape, size and texture that work with the whole composition last. Do not forget something living such as plants, which take the sterility out of the room, especially neutral walls and natural floors.
...See More
New sofa style
Q
Comments (81)
Hi Lisa, nice sofa. I had a red sofa for 10 years and loved it ( though mine was fabric) I've changed the kitchen/ living room and it stuck out like a sore thumb. I gave in and put in a grey leather sectional one and I must say it's much easier to decorate around. Are you in Ireland? Have you heard of the 1933 company, they have very nice suites. Red makes a big statement! Just my 2 cents worth, good luck!
...See More
Living room decor
Q
Comments (4)
The perfect, clean decor-ed, living room....! 1. REMOVE ALL CLUTTER Get rid of sheets on coffee table and sectional Move toys, play mats, Xmas stuff and other general rubbish out Remove curtain rod off window Vacuum and wipe walls 2. COLOURS If you like contemporary and rustic looks - stick to the greys,reds,creams and wooden looks Arrange cushions artistically and in a colour order Make sure there are two of evey cushion. Don't have one odd one out Is the door able to be painting the same as the walls? 3. LIGHTS Are you able to get a chandelier or a lot of LED down lights? Don't get a floor lamp! 4. TV SET Built in TV Set hides cords, switches....etc... Looks much neater and organised TV Set at the moment looks way to low 5. DECOR THE WALLS Add a bit of ompf into the room by simply purchasing some large wall mirrors/Canvas artworks. 6. KEEP CLEAN Dust regularly, wipe blinds, vacuum, spray, mop...! ENJOY.! :)
...See More
Sonia
5 years ago
There are so many types of art that I would struggle to suggest some, and art is something very personal. Something I love may not be your thing at all, if you see what I mean? You could choose a large canvas in a landscape shape, it could be something of nature - trees, flowers or animals. Or you could look at pop art rather like Andy Warhol, or portraits of 60’s pop stars in black frames. Or an abstract canvas which has little form, but in a colour you like. The Range have some fabulous art which is so reasonably priced. Or look on Etsy where people sell good quality prints of cool pop stars, landscapes etc, and then put them in frames from The Range. The first pic below are prints I bought from a photographer and put them in my own frames. The rest are just ideas. If you love a piece of art, it will always be right.
Lara Bae thanked Sonia
Sonia
5 years ago
Sorry Houzz has juggled the pictures about - naughty! My prints are the trio in picture two.
Lara Bae thanked Sonia
Natalie I
5 years ago
How about re-useable wall stickers so you could peel them off when you leave?
Lara Bae thanked Natalie I
E D
5 years ago
What is the actual size of your room?

Can you post photos taken from different angles, showing the other side(s) of the room?
Lara Bae thanked E D
PRO
Christie's Interiors
5 years ago
Great advice above
I would also add to de clutter could you not put that wooden cabinet on top of the existing one to free up the fire place. Put the photos on the wall behind the couch maybe or art as above. Definitely need a rug and matching throw for the couch. Lastly I would recommend a bigger mirror with a thicker frame on the wall above the fireplace so it’s not resting it will make room look bigger.
Hope this helps, good luck x x
Lara Bae thanked Christie's Interiors
PRO
Christie's Interiors
5 years ago
Oh and an electric fire maybe to make it more cosy x
Lara Bae thanked Christie's Interiors
Natalie I
5 years ago
Just read this morning that Dunelm are now doing removable wallpaper!
Lara Bae thanked Natalie I
Lara Bae
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Thanks so much for the comments! I'll definitely going to have a think about all your ideas and suggestions. How do you recommend I style the sofa rug? I already have a rug in the TV area in front I will attach more photos so you can see the whole room better...
delyth price
5 years ago
Could you swap the tv cabinet with the troublesome unit in the fireplace? It should fit into the bay window without being too tall, and the tv cabinet would look less cumbersome in the fireplace?
PRO
Christie's Interiors
5 years ago
I’d move the couch to the bay window and put the Tv in the corner?
KK1000
5 years ago
The room is small and you have lots of things on display that makes it look clattered. I would take down all the frames with photos in them , remove photos and frame them all in one big frame and hang it on the wall or just lean it on the wall above the fireplace. Try to create gallery wall with your photos instead spending on the art. Try moving furniture around as suggested you might come with solution yourself.
KK1000
5 years ago
Your rug is very nice but to small for the room if you can get another identical rug and have one in each end of the room so it doesn’t look empty on one end.
PRO
Sara Slade Interiors
5 years ago
I would suggest taking everything off of your mantel (bar the lanterns), and mounting the mirror above it to the wall - don't have it leaning. The cupboard in the middle of the fireplace really needs moving... if you don't have enough storage in your side board without it then I'd suggest replacing both units for one bigger storage unit. You could also get rid of all your cushions, and replace with some brighter ones and a sofa throw - I would also move your sofa with its back against the window. And as people have said above, the rug is too small for the room, by replacing this for a bigger one it'll bring your space altogether. And lastly, check out Desenio.co.uk for artwork.
PRO
User
5 years ago
If you put the sofa under the window and move the big sideboard to the wall where the sofa was. You then have a larger wall for your storage. The small chest that's in the fireplace will fit to the left or right of it. The T.V can go on top of the larger sideboard.

Sign Up to Comment

Sponsored

Reload the page to not see this specific ad anymore

More Discussions

Belgian style renovation of small building to office/ studio

0

Single story extension

1

Help, do i cancel the windows order

1

Further Education & Training Centre Open Day: Interior Design Classes

0

Authentic Feng Shui Workshop

0

Ireland

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.