how to add warmth and cosy to current living room?

last year

Hi, I want to upgrade the current living room on a budget. I want to keep everything that is currently present but happy to add items like throws and cushions etc. please suggest what colours would look good with this living room.

Comment (1)

Sonia
last year
My first thought is that the rug is too small. It looks like it is lost at sea. Rugs look so much better if the furniture sits on it, even if it’s just the front legs. See example below. A larger rug will create immediate cosiness. I then think adding some cushions and a throw in mustard yellow goes well with grey and will tie in with your artwork. Choose a mix of plain and patterned. I would also add some art or a mirror on the other walls as they are rather bare.
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Hello Mary, Yes some good advice here about moving the sofa from the front of the window.. What you want really is to create some symmetry between rooms whilst allowing them some individuality.. That comes with differing height furnishings such as the two cabinets and the tables.. Definitely paint the cabinets- that way they blend in to the alcove and appear less solid allowing the room to breathe. If you were to paint the chimney breast a different colour this will give the two fireplaces greater impact! Something to accent the purple curtains and cushions I'd suggest a darker shade of grey or Purple but not entirely sure what colour the sofa's are... Black, Brown, Aubergine?? ..You have a double room so show it off! I would not take away that wooden armchair... It is slightly more subtle and is good to have- again can't tell what colour the fabric is...Green, Grey?? So consider that if the painting sounds like a nice idea to you.. I would also like to suggest getting another mirror for the front fireplace similar or the same as you have in the rear of the room. Mirrors add something and bounce light... It also gives a sense of symmetry with the two fireplaces... Re- arrange the existing pictures.. One really good way to tone down the size and density of those sofas and armchair is to have some nicely chosen throws and cushions and - even simply folded down the back and place the big leather armchair at an angle in the far end part of the room... I would place the sofas so they face each of the fireplaces in both rooms as you have two of each! Turn the coffee table round too, so it aligns with the sofa. Simple lines are needed whilst keeping the windows and french doors as free as possible. The single armchair with the wooden arm rests could sit in front of one of the alcoves...With the book shelving behind, so you can sit and read in the cosy armchair next to the fire... : ))
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Hello aoifej, Firstly that is a good sized room... The fireplace is very interesting indeed! It is the main focus and so perhaps you want to consider painting it a darker shade still. The base a very dark shade of charcoal so it is separate and looks like a base stand....... Put a fabulous mirror over it... Something simple in design and squared or full circle like a convex. The red and wood box shelving, don't discard but consider painting it and then you could, if you have enough create a screen/divider for floor area arranged with gaps so it's not solid. Or mount in an interesting configuration on the walls for storage, and painted to match the walls... This then gives you something textured on the walls... that is somewhat bolder and would sit well with the fireplace which is really fantastic.. The sofa is the wrong period style for this room really as it's not old enough or rustic..for french style.. Also the french doors are very modern, so the room takes on a far more modern feel... So you will find it hard to make it sit right such as it is..... It would be best to place it to face the fireplace and leave the french doors free.... You want to be able to have them open so you can easily walk outside... So try situating it in the bay window but not too far in... You may like to have a console table behind the sofa in the window with a table lamp... To take the ornate feel of the sofa away and to make it blend more... Try a sheet over the entire sofa... Then add a throw over the back and both arms... Something you could layer perhaps to disguise it's design more... I think then it will sit better in the room... You then at least can use the sofa, whilst you work out what to do as a sheet will protect it, should you wish to sell it... but I think if you keep it, as it is you will struggle, so re-upholster would be my suggestion.. So have it upholstered in a dark plain fabric and a colour to blend with the wooden frame, charcoal or something dark like mole, earthy tones........ This too then makes it really solid rather than ornate... It will help to blend it into the room and allow you to coordinate furniture to go with it.. Old and new can sit well together if you know how and what to do to make it work..... So some ideas for you to consider if you modify the sofa accordingly.... With a bit of artistic licence as I have used the fireplace as a focus twice and brought the garden in.. simply to cover your sofa, so I could add a similar one in a darker colour to show you what I mean.. I have added a whole array of styles to illustrate how you can integrate many styles to create something interesting.. In reality you will have far more space... as you won't be looking at duplicates! It's done very quickly merely to offer you some ideas as to how to work with what you have, rather than start again! Good design is about working with rather than against what someone has... ... NB: The hare pictured is merely for styling purposes as I like to use it.... BUT I would always recommend natural expiration or accidental expiration for taxidermy as opposed to acquiring by any other less humane means! . : ))
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Hi minnie101, Thanks so much for your detailed reply. Great to know what colour that grey is. It may be a little dark with our floor. We will definitely update the handles - I hate the current ones. We'll probably go with wood to keep within budget. Your non-tiles pic is lovely. We'll probably keep some tiles and try to keep the kitchen a little more modern than country kitchen, which might be a challenge with wood. The room faces south. I like your idea of dividing it with paint. We probably will go with white in the kitchen and then 1/2 slightly darker tones in the tv-couch area. The 'other' entrance into the dining area is narrowed by a non-structural wall, so we should remove this to open it properly or like you say, close it off. Maybe not close it off entirely as we'd lose a lot of light, but maybe put in a counter or breakfast bar if space allowed. I love your pendant light suggestions over the dining table. Details like this and a rug in the couch area will really help divide the room as at the moment it is one big cavernous space. I really can't decide yet what way the couches should face - into a tv in the corner, or out into the room like you suggest. We'll have to draw out some chalk outlines on the floor and see how much space there actually is. Colour-wise we like the idea of keeping walls and cabinets quite stark, the wood counter will add a bit of warmth, and then adding colour with couches, rugs and possibly dining chairs. I've attached a couple of pieces of furniture I like. Some may not work, but we'll figure it out.
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how to add warmth and cosy to current living room?

Comment (1)

Sonia

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