tips on making a room look less like a shipping container

3 months ago

My living room has the proportions of a shipping container - long and narrow with a low ceiling. It also has various boxed-in ducts that lower the ceiling more and catch the eye. It feels very much like a box - there are lots of straight lines.

I wish it felt more homely so I'm planning to add some extra texture plus some furniture with curves (a pouffe, a table with barley legs, photos with round mounts). the walls and ceiling are also going to be the same colour (white). I'd love any other suggestions that would make this space feel more welcoming.

It doesn't get much light so I'm reluctant to change the blinds - although window stickers could be an option?

Featured Answer

Sonia

3 months ago

Definitely adding one or two floor lamps behind the sofa will add cosiness. Overhead lights can be a bit too glaring and we rarely use ours. A nice cosy rug will help, doesn’t have to be expensive. Dunelm sell some lovely ones. A cosy velvet footstool or coffee table in front of the sofa will help fill the space. As everyone has said, the pictures are too small and dotted about. I would bring them together and display them as a group. Some larger pieces of art displayed at eye level would look good. Here’s a few ideas, just look at the cosiness of a floor lamp!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

tamp75
3 months ago
I can see you have a radiator under the window, which might be an issue, but adding curtains would soften the lines. Having an extra long curtain rail, so the curtains can be drawn right back would mean you wouldn’t lose light coming in. Removing those blinds would also soften the look. I also think the placement of the pictures on the walls doesn’t help, as your eye follows them around in a line. I think some larger artwork would help or group the pictures you have - they’re too small to be displayed individually. A rug would be great and possibly moving the sofa out from the wall slightly, even at an angle with a tall lamp or plant behind it in the corner (or a plant on a small table for height).
K R thanked tamp75
Kate
3 months ago
Your idea of adding texture sounds good. I would add that your pictures are too small and not impactful enough. A large piece behind the sofa or a gallery wall would give the room far more interest. Rooms that get little light are often lifted by painting the walls a definite colour, rather than using white. Perhaps a warm sage green would be cosy and help bounce around what light there is.
K R thanked Kate
Related Discussions
All in one kitchen & living space
Q
Comments (14)
Thanks everyone. AMN - The lighting in the photo isn't great - the walls and venetian blinds are both white and the green is a wallpaper. I've a TV on one side and radiator on the other side of the wall but I do like the idea of painting it a different colour. What do you mean by "because the sectional is too big for the space already" thanks! Dar Eckert - like your suggestion of introducing another colour, I was thinking about aubergine but again it could be over modern and not the slightly warm vibe I'm looking for - what do you think? Carolyn - thanks for posting the rug, going to look it up and see about shipping costs etc to Ireland from that site. Really happy with the rooms but we've just had a baby and I want a bit more of a cosier feel with her around whilst still keeping with my modern twist!! Long post, sorry!!!
...See More
Sliding door/ divider ideas
Q
Comments (29)
With a sliding door, you can have each side different to match the style of the room it faces. Here are some ideas that, believe it or not, are done with sharpies on flat surfaces. I can envision a "fireplace" on the lounge side. On the dining room side, you could do the "double door" look, by putting half on the door, and half on the wall next to the door. So when the door is closed, it looks like a pair of doors, but when the door is slid open it looks like only one door (but it's the wall!) I added the 3rd picture just because I think it's so cool. I believe the only "real" thing in the room is the glass table/desk, and the filing cabinet.
...See More
What are the most important design considerations for a Self-Build?
Q
Comments (11)
Hi Michele, self build is very exciting and we wish you luck for your upcoming project. We have various tips when it comes to our customers designing their home. As some have suggested above understanding how you and your family occupy the space is fundamental in making those early design decisions. We also tell self builders to put 'wants and needs' into 3 columns, must have, nice to have and luxury. This helps define budget and start with the fundamentals before progressing to those items such as cinema rooms or a top end kitchen worktop. There are many helpful tips on our Self Build Academy website also plenty of design and interior inspiration at Potton Self Build Galleries Before you decide that building your home is right for you, ask yourself four questions; Do you have the time and commitment to see your project through to the end. Do you have the skills and knowledge required for the task ahead Do you understand the cost involved and do you have enough money to complete the build Do you have a constitution strong enough to see you through both the highs and lows of building your own home Provided you understand your answers to these questions and can ‘fill the gaps’ when it comes to skills, knowledge, time and funding, then press ahead and enjoy what is probably going to be one of the most rewarding experiences that you will ever have in your lifetime!
...See More
Any ideas for living room???
Q
Comments (16)
The pictures you have above the sofa would serve you better if displayed in a hallway or foyer or even in a larger collection of photos in a family room. You definitely need more color in this room and a larger area rug. The sofa and wall colors look the same on my computer, so I suggest you paint the walls a color that will make the sofas stand out more. I also would suggest you find a much larger, print area rug that contains an accent color and center it in the room. Perhaps you could find a large, colorful picture to serve as wall art and also as the inspiration for the color scheme and especially for the accent color I suggested. In addition to the rug, you could use the accent color in throws and throw pillows to be placed on the sofas. I also would like to suggest that you add a wide piece of white-painted trim above the windows/patio doors (whatever) and attach the metal rod to this piece of trim. The trim will add emphasis to the glassed-in space as well as to the dark-colored rod and curtains.
...See More
PRO
The Living House
3 months ago
Hi K R, a rug would add a cosy feel and texture to the room. Have you consider curtains even if they are only to dress the windows, you have enough room either side for these to stack back onto the wall. Hope this helps, if you would like help creating a cosy and welcoming room you'll love, I have linked our website below for you. - Sophie

www.thelivinghouse.co.uk
Little Jem
3 months ago
Some very obvious points about this room have already been made. I would just add that I think something living - a large statement plant, for example, perhaps floor standing, would bring about an improvement in colour and texture. The greenery would look very 'at home' if the walls were painted a sage green (as suggested above). I've noticed a lot of living rooms are basically 'shipping containers', but it's possible to overcome this !
PRO
Pearlosa
2 months ago
Soft furnishings always help along with a touch of nature as mentioned by Little Jem.

An additional option to soften the corners would be to use some sort of coving (dependent on wall height) but this generally helps for the kind of concern you have.

More Discussions

Help to update Garden tub without removing it, needs fresh tile!!

Interior Design Bloggers Wanted

Front elevation A or B?

Help visualize a living room layout

Help with our cottage floor plan

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’.

tips on making a room look less like a shipping container

Sonia

Comments (6)

tamp75

Kate

Related Discussions

The Living House

Little Jem

Pearlosa

COMPANY

EXPLORE HOUZZ

CONNECT WITH US