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Home Decorating Design Dilemma

Help with Bachelor pad! Help a single guy out!

5 years ago

Hello guys. Recently single and decided to re-do my apartment, i've got so far with the livingroom but something is just not sitting right

and i can't quote figure out what! Help! I originally ordered a black sofa, but got a call that non were in stock so had to settle for the light grey.

The walls i wanted a darker grey but came out a more dove grey/blue which i wasnt happy with. I'm aware im mixing greys with browns and thats a hard job

to pull off.

Some things i could do.

1.Repaint walls a darker grey

2.Grab a brown table and replace the black.

These are a few options, but i'm still unsure what it is that's mot working

I want it looking elegant, masculine, warm, cosy, modern

Any help would be appreciated

!

Featured Answer

PRO

Rukmini Patel Interior Design

5 years ago

Hi Matthew,

I think first thing is first, how do you want the room to feel? Forget about how it should look for the moment, but how do you want to feel when you are watching TV or entering the room? You see, elegant and masculine are two very different styles and that's why your room is not working, the light grey sofa and dove grey walls are elegant colours/ choices. Whereas your black table and other dark furniture pieces are pulling your scheme into a masculine vibe. See what I mean?!

So you need to decide which one you lean towards the most, which one you feel comfortable with the most and identify with and then stick with that style. That will help you decide what design choices to make. It sounds like you prefer a masculine style but not something too heavy?

There are quite a few things you could do to improve your room - first off there is no balance in the alcoves, you need to create symmetry and a focal point by adding shelves or similar/same pieces of furniture either side.

Secondly, I suggest you either remove the black table and replace it with a glass coffee table or walnut or a lighter colour. Your living room lacks warmth and natural materials provide that without you realising it.

Paint the door and woodwork a complimentary colour to the dove blue if you are keeping it so a dark blue would work well or go for a darker grey if you plan to paint the walls grey. The current wood work doesn't work well with the rest of the colours, it looks like a peachy cream?!

Get better lighting, use lamp shades or funky industrial style lights that add to the style rather there just for the output of light.

I really hope that has helped as a starter for 10!

Thanks

Rukmini Patel Interior Design

Comments (17)

minnie101
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Can you take some more pictures with the lights on/blind open as It's hard to see things properly. The things that jump out at me are the tv, it feels like it it needs a fire of sorts beneath it or something decorative. As you said the table feels too dark for the room and I would also accessorise it. I think you also need a visually cosy seating area, it's impossible to talk someone sat next to you so you could add a chair in front of the alcove and maybe some pattern somewhere. It looks like a lovely room though. I'm struggling to post photos ATM but try westelm, the table (hopefully to follow) is 1/2 price ATM and they have some chairs on offer
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minnie101
5 years ago
Tani H-S
5 years ago
Paint the tv wall or the whole back wall in a darker grey to add a focal point. You can always add a wall mounted electric fire under the tv as Minnie suggested to give a cosy feel.

Otherwise it looks pretty good for a bachelor pad!

Day shots would be good as well
Carolina
5 years ago
Hi, as said: daylight pics would be good, but from what I can see now I quite like the wall colour. It's quite sophisticated and seems to go very well with the curtains. You should be happy that the black sofa wasn't available. Think the lighter colour is perfect for the room. I think the coffee table is too dark. Dark coffee table on a dark rug, creating a bit of a black hole there. I think that a glass coffee table would be good. Or a marble top one. Agree with Minnie that a chair would be a nice addition.
kikiamack
5 years ago
I think that the room looks a bit monochromatic. All the fabrics look like they’re a similar texture. The only pattern I can see is in the vase in the foreground. I think that maybe a patterned rug, or patterned / textured / coloured cushions would add a bit of extra interest. Maybe add some natural materials like baskets on the shelf. I agree that you need something on the wall under the TV, either a faux mantle shelf, or an audio/visual unit. Finally, when you decide on a coffee table you could add a brass tray on top to add warmth and reflect light.
kikiamack
5 years ago
Not saying that you should choose orange as an accent colour but this picture shows how pattern / texture / colour gives a lift to a grey room and sofa.
Edmunds House · More Info
Jane Hodgson
5 years ago
Hi - I think you should paint the wall where the tv and pictures are in a darker shade and definitely add a fire feature. Have you considered getting a larger tv? - I think that would look good. A lighter rug would change the look of the coffee table and if you didn’t want to change it you could always have a glass top made to soften the look. The paintwork would look better an off white -it looks a touch too creamy. If you add a couple of dark cushions that would give you a nice contrast.
Hope that has given you some ideas.
J Hen
5 years ago
Hi, definitely need more and brighter photos!

From what I can see the issues lie with the tv placement and alcoves rather than paint.

Maybe using an tv stand on the breast or in an alcove then getting the lightning right and some plants would really help.

Good luck
E D
5 years ago
I don’t think there’s that much wrong with your room.

Judging from your photo the wall colour looks nice and the room has a nice feel to it.

However, the TV is positioned too high not only for aesthetic reasons but also, to make viewing comfortable, its centre needs to be at eye level when sitting down.

I you‘re going to keep the floor lamp in the alcove, try moving it out of the corner away from the walls a little (some 30 cm).
Soraya
5 years ago
Hi. I think the room looks pretty good! The thing that i think is missing is a fireplace. i also think that if you added a similar cabinet/ table in the left alcove it would add some symmetry to the room but as others have said, an armchair there would be very practical. The black coffee table mirrors the black TV so it doesn't look too out of place in my opinion but would need to see the room in another light.
PRO
User
5 years ago
Love the top Idea that Minnie posted, perfect. I'd also change the picture on the left for a frame the same size as the one on the right and hang them at the same height as each other, it's bugging me. I also think that light levels in alcoves have to match, so the height of the lamps should be the same.
PRO
Tangram Furnishers
5 years ago
Love the ideas here. Every bachelor pads needs a armchair! A little brown leather would work well with the room and also still give the regal feel. Perfect for reading next to the fire place Minnie suggests :)
Anthony (Beano)
5 years ago
Have to agree with Minnie’s mock up, fire armchair and plant/s possible even the fireplace wall and in shots to the side made into a feature wall, prob go for a nice worn look brown leather armchair!
Matthew Leigh
Original Author
5 years ago
Hey guys. Many thanks for all the replies. Rukmini Patel Interior Design has hit the nail on the head. I'm after a more apartment feel and because of the mess up with the paint colour and sofa, i've swayed from what i originally wanted. I think i know what i need to do Currently in the progress of repainting the walls and changing alot of stuff, Will repost up some images when its complete. Everyone's been a great help so thank you! :)
minnie101
5 years ago
I like the grey sofa if I'm honest! I'm not sure what you mean by an apartment feel, is it a loft look? You haven't got any ideabooks set up so people may be able to help further if you add some photos of what you'd like (just in case you don't like any changes?). I haven't had a proper look, just added a few images from one designer but I think you can achieve the look you described with choices of colour, fabric, stems/flowers, lighting etc
mattweeksdj
5 years ago
IMO the decoration looks fine but agree some colour would help. Look for some colourful prints or accessories, it may also help bring the room together for you

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