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Home Decorating Design Dilemma Living Rooms

Help redecorating rented living room?

4 years ago

I've recently rented a new house after being in a studio flat for a while and I'm keen to make it feel as "mine" as possible as I plan to stay here for a good while. Got the go ahead to paint (nothing outrageous) and I have a silver coloured sofa on order. I'd love to go for a cool gray on the walls with greeny/bluey undertones and then get cushions/curtains/throw in a seafoam green, but I won't be able to change the carpet that runs throughout the house which is a sort of harvest beige and I'm worried the carpet will ruin the whole look. Also painting in the living room means I'd have to take it all the way up the stairs as well and possibly into the kitchen, which is very visible from the living room through some archways in the dividing wall, and I'm nervous about having to paint so much and then potentially needing to paint it all back at the end of the tenancy. Any advice and ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Please excuse the mess in the photos, I don't have living room furniture yet so stuff is just stacked.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/uC2ss1AMLG2y8Hjr7

Comments (4)

PRO
Law Unto Ren Designs
4 years ago
Hi Charlotte

I would recommend putting down a click lock laminate flooring, you can use the existing carpet like an underlay. This option it won't damage the carpet underneath and will save you money on the carpet cleaning and various things related to carpets the estate agents will try to charge you for when checking out. I would take this through to the kitchen area as well.

You can lift this back up when you move and use it again. Just be careful not the damage the edges in transit.

You can carry on the laminate up the stairs too buy getting a edge trim for the lip of each step. Like this: https://www.floorsafetyuk.co.uk/size/luxury-click-vinyl-flooring-stair-nosing-edge-profile-trim/366?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4rCdjtTe5wIVWeDtCh297wKxEAQYAiABEgK4ovD_BwE

You can find cheap options out there like https://www.flooring.uk.com/elka-8mm-laminate-flooring-pebble-oak?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgfTWzdXe5wIVB_lRCh2GBg_IEAkYBiABEgJ-jPD_BwE

Speak to your landlord/estate agent and establish that you would not have 'make good' any painting you do. They should be OK with this as they are getting a free paint job! Make sure you get everything in writing before proceeding.

If you did paint I would go for white/light greys (this won't clash with the carpets when you do move which will go down well with the landlord) and then decorate with the bolder colours through pictures/paintings/wall hangings and your own furniture and soft furnishings like rugs, throws, pillows, light, etc. After all if you move you won't be able to take the walls with you.

Taking the paint up the stairs in unavoidable really but in a lighter colour you won't notice the change but the downstairs and upstairs spaces so much. Also whites/light greys paints are much much cheaper then stronger colours.

You can also get room dividers which have great patterns/colour. Here are some examples:

https://www.flooring.uk.com/elka-8mm-laminate-flooring-pebble-oak?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgfTWzdXe5wIVB_lRCh2GBg_IEAkYBiABEgJ-jPD_BwE

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Feeby-Frames-Decorative-Divider-Paravent/dp/B07GVNPKZ9/ref=asc_df_B07GVNPKZ9/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=410504097720&hvpos=1o25&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15207715045821132372&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006946&hvtargid=pla-871653604925&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=89992321153&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=410504097720&hvpos=1o25&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15207715045821132372&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006946&hvtargid=pla-871653604925
rinked
4 years ago
Laminate on top of carpet, really? Only if it's a thin sturdy and completely artificial carpet. For moist and bacteria and fungi.. And let's not forget any guarantee (read: none) if something goes wrong.
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I think you should consider installing wood or laminate flooring for a more on trend look. Do this first so that you have a nice frame to place your furnishing. Keep the walls painted as they are for now while you figure out what you want to do furniture wise for the room I think you should consider where the TV will be placed so that you can have good viewing and then have the sofa placed opposite the TV. This way you can enjoy the room if tv is going to be placed here. After that the other pieces will fall into place for you. You might also consider making the mantel deeper to display the radio antique?It could be a nice focal point in the room and on the fireplace. Also I like the current color of your room....it will work while you are figuring out what goes where. Paint LAST when you have your color design established in your upholstery. No need to have 100 dollars worth of paint dictating what the sofa color will be. If you do not have funds now, then place things you have now and take your time deciding what you are going to do first. But as your walls look fine and you are not sure about furnishings then do the floor and wait for the rest as funds become available.
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rinked
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Your walls look rather creamy. Perhaps paint the whole lot offwhite (RAL9010 is quite common here, in the Netherlands that is) and create an accent wall (for example the one between the wall with arches and the window wall. A bit more dramatic color then seafoam? Look, blues and greens go just fine with beige:

Parkside - Showhouse · More Info

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And if you decide to use a solid color 'thoughout', it's ok to stop somewhere in a corner, where a 'function' ends or even a large rectangle. Some examples:
Charlotte Rees thanked rinked
PRO
Law Unto Ren Designs
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
We have put laminate flooring over carpet many times and never had a problem. As long as the carpet is clean and you use click lock not lose board it creates a water proof layer. You will only get moisture in the carpet if you have underfloor heating which I doubt is the case. I have done this myself back when I was renting and the carpet was completely prestine. Also carpet is similar to underlay anyway so it makes no difference. Clearly rinq has never done this so wouldn't know.

Also if you go for off white you would need to go all the way upstairs. As magnolia and whites do not look good together in the same space.

You can do a bold colour and stop the paint where the function of a room stops but bare in mind this will make the room feel smaller. However I do think painting the inside of the arches would be a nice touch and easy to change back when you move.

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