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Living Rooms Design Dilemma Smaller Homes

how to make rental living room cosy

last year

We are moving in to an unfurnished rental house with a narrow lounge.

So no rugs curtains or furniture such as sofa/ coffee table purchased or found yet.

The laminate is cheap and I don’t really like the colour. Advice on how to cosify /warm up this end of the lounge? Hoping to put up a curtain pole .

Not sure best way to arrange furniture in the space. Would want our tv opposite a sofa . Electric fireplace on wall can’t be moved.

Unsure what colour rug / furniture to have on the laminate flooring.

Featured Answer

Katie Duke

last year

I agree with other comments re trying to find a really large sisal/jute rug (maybe something longer to cover up more of the floor) and then also trying to find one or two smaller, colourful or patterned rugs to help zone into different areas. Having that layered look of several different floor coverings will help with getting that cosy feeling - and will take the chill off the laminate! Might also help if there are drafts as well.

You mentioned a curtain pole I would go for long, floor length curtains (maybe velvet? In a colour picked out from a rug?) to add to the cosy feeling. Also several different lamps, at different heights and with diff shades, some for tasks, others for atmosphere. And plants! Lots of plants. Pictures, mirrors and interest on walls will help too. Like Sonia says a big empty room can be a bit overfacing but you can definitely cosy this up.

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Comments (17)

kazzh
last year
I would think about a large (LARGE!) jute or sisal rug for your lounge area to cover the floor and maybe extend beyond your seating area and continue with an oatmeal/linen material in your seating.
Sonia
last year
You are looking at an empty room so it can be daunting, but sofas, tables and a lovely big rug will make it cosier. Standard lamps to light up corners will also make it warmer. The room is pretty neutral so lots of colours will go, but I agree soft neutrals like cream and taupe will look nice, but if you want more colour you could try navy or tan leather sofas. Depends on your budget.
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Thanks, I wasn't sure where the 9'4 measurement came in. If you're buying all new furniture then look for items on legs, as you can see the floor beneath it will make the space feel bigger. You can also use glass ie a glass coffee table or Louis ghost chairs for example. I'd also go for a large mirror over the hearth or not knowing your style could also have a ŵall of glass tiles for the same effect which will also bounce light. I'd go for a pale tone sofa and use warmer/darker colours for cushions if wanted. If you want a rug then I'd keep it in the same tone as the floor else to visually maximise floor space. I've drawn a very rough plan (not entirely to scale and obviously not knowing where doors etc are!). I assume you're wanting to buy furniture before you move in? If so do you have a similar size room where you could cut out paper templates of all furniture to see if the space works? I would mount the tv on the ŵall if you have one. Hanging it over a slim console (or slim cabinet for storage) means you can add art on the ŵall and accessorise the console so the tv doesn't become the feature of the ŵall. You could go for a coffee table or a small footstool which can double up as extra seating and table. I'd go for a round dining table, 3ft will seat 4 and you can pull it away from the corner when entertaining. i'd go for a 2 seater sofa (c5f?) but try and get a slim one. I don't know the size of the windows but blinds, shutters may also be an idea so curtains don't encroach on the floor space? In terms of decor do you want light and neutral or dark and moody then people can suggest paint colours?
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Ellen Harrison
Original Author
last year
Thank you both so much for these points :) we can go high on budget if I am envisioned enough /convinced and can convince partner a more expensive large rug worth it investing for future . Like the idea of the lamp.

Part of my issue is where best to place the sofa/tv in the narrow space .

We are considering this second hand sofa as only renting for now . And local made coffee table. But I’m tempted to go all out on a new high end sofa . This geeen one you can’t nestle back into too much .
kazzh
last year
A suggestion that i was given once was to see if carpet stores had any offcuts from jobs that they could hem and sell to you for a reduced price. Might be worth exploring?
kazzh
last year
Am also seeing in the back ground of your sofa pic an oatmeal sofa ( with the blue cushions), was that a viable option?
Ellen Harrison
Original Author
last year
Good idea re carpet, thank you.
I am not sure an oatmeal sofa will work with our level of clumsiness re any spills. The second hand one in that photo when zoomed in on my original shows up a large stain already .
Sonia
last year
Rugs don’t have to be expensive. Of course an oriental rug can cost thousands, but a polypropylene rug can be a good alternative and look very authentic. Jute rugs are also well priced. Look at Next or Dunelm.
PRO
Home & Decor Hub
last year
Hi, is it sunny side or north part, please? It’s important to take into account
Wumi
last year
last modified: last year

Dark blue - Tall freestanding media unit.

Light blue - low sideboard/ record cabinet.

Purple - Occasional chair

Red - Side tables

Green - 2/3 seater

Pink -dining table

Yellow - floor lamp

You can install some coat hooks, a clothes rail and shoe storage behind the media unit and use it as cloak area.

Facebook Marketplace and EBay are great for finding second hand furniture. I will sometimes look at the brand new stuff I want and then search for the same model/brand second hand!
Ellen Harrison
Original Author
last year
The boxy bay window is south. Sun shines inyo lounge in the morning through it . The double doors other end are north .
Ellen Harrison
Original Author
last year
Wumi, thank you so much for your careful work and suggestions ! I do agree a long media unit or sideboard would be good .

Katie I love this, lights, plants, lots of plants!! I think maximum cosifying will be great. I used to work at the Holbein company curtain poles (I recommend to designers here) so might get a deal on a beautiful pole too . Would love some thick curtains , to the floor .
Ellen Harrison
Original Author
last year
I was wondering about layering rugs over a jute too!
jillyhilltop
last year
For jute rugs I've found IKEAs Lohals jute rug pretty unbeatable. 200cm x 300cm (8'x10'approx) £140 plus delivery if needed. Heavy weight, lovely light colour and texture. Very easy to vacuum. If you want a change as time goes on you haven't spent a fortune.
PRO
User
last year
A tall, colourful standard lamp would look great in that far right corner. Re the rug, just make sure it has a non-slip backing - as some of my friends learned the hard way.
PRO
The Living House
last year
Hi Ellen Harrison, as your living room is rectangular and long we recommending zoning the room using rugs and furniture to do this. You may find our blog helpful which is all about this, here is the link - https://www.thelivinghouse.co.uk/blog-interior-design-tips/how-to-design-your-rectangular-living-room

If you would like any guidance and help with your living room, we are an affordable online interior design company offering expert advice with affordable packages. Heres the link to our website if you would like to take a look - https://www.thelivinghouse.co.uk/

You may also find our Facebook group community helpful, its another place to ask questions and gain free advice from like minded interior lovers and us as experts! Here is the link if you would like to join - https://www.facebook.com/groups/interiorhomedesignadviceandsupportuk
Ellen Harrison
Original Author
last year
Thanks, the living house, great blog !

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