What am I missing here? The rest of our home feels like it has so much color and personality and this room is just…okay. Would love any tips on breathing some life into it!! Different curtains or throw pillows? More fun art? We’re adding a green glass light fixture over the table and switching that shelf out with an arched hutch to store the toys. Also plan to swap the tv stand (currently sans tv) for a larger one matching the tone of the coffee table.
by Glittering_Boat_3551
14 Comments
Entryway rug is missing.
The mirror by the dining table is a bit large and bulky. I think a taller art piece with colour would be nice.
The shelves above the console in pic 3 are too high but also will be awkward above the tv. I’d take them down.
I’d get cabinets with doors to hide more of all the clutter and toys.
Lamps. Spend some time learning about layered lighting. It will transform this space.
I think you block the flow and everything is near a wall. The couch blocking the back window makes it feel more closed in. I feel like the window needs more breathing room. Also the corner by the table has no light. So it feels tucked in the dark. An accent wall might be nice once the flow is better
Color. And focus. The room is laid out like a furniture showroom. With a walkway between the sofa and TV.
I’d think about turning the sofa, so there is a clear division between rooms.
I’m not a fan of mirrors except where you use them to look at yourself (bedroom, bathroom and entryway).
Add a chandelier above the dining table (even with a swinging wire).
I think it looks good but I really think you could do better with the dining set. I would go with an oval white table, something like this: https://www.westelm.com/products/poppy-extendable-dining-table-h4239/?catalogId=71&sku=6407710&pickuplocation=ST:%7Bstore_code%7D&cm_ven=PLA&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=Furniture%20%3E%20Dining%20Tables&cm_ite=6407710_14464751978_aud-869309482559:pla-548078221180&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=14464751978&gbraid=0AAAAABjYLmmEvnCU-QiZomG2GAAYwlriZ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwo_PRBhDNARIsAEcVALV4q3Gvrt_6AppKFBn5wJPjf2wt8btEPwy1ljk7dIBn1zG6TxVyNx0aAjyGEALw_wcB
Get colorful curtains (orange curtains can completely transform a room) and MORE LIGHTING! Buy some lamps from the thrift store, buy a shade, and install a soft white light bulb. The recessed lighting you have going on is giving Ikea showroom, add some warmth! I am also a huge fan of colorful rugs to liven a place but I know rugs are expensive so start with the lighting and curtains.
The flow of the room could also be worked on. Maybe adjust the couch so it is facing the wall with the three frames and doorway? That would create a natural divide between the dining space and living space. The toys by the TV feel awkward, but by turning the couch you could dedicate that wall as a play area.
The shelves are waaay to high and the tv is too r/TVTooHigh
Replace the colored or patterned curtains. Hang a bold large painting.
Both windows need curtains.
Replace the dining room chairs with something softer / not black.
Move mirror to right of entry door (out of frame in your photo.) Then move the art currently over the couch to where the mirror is. Then buy a cool, large piece or art for over the couch that you really like.
I’d also recommend tweaking that bookshelf corner – you have too many small things grouped. Either get a bigger book case like the Billy with glass doors from IKEA or a solid wood side table that takes up that wall, paired with a big lamp, a plant or picture frame on top and a bigger art piece above it.
There are three zones here, none of which is well defined.
Move the console and TV to the wall with three art pieces. You may not even need a taller console. Or it could be put under the window. Rotate the sectional so that back of one side aligns with the path into the room from the hall and the back of the other side is against the dining area.
— By moving the sofa this way, the tv viewing area, the dining area and the play zone are now defined —
Now there is an unblocked walkway to the dining area and outside plus no path between the TV and sofa. Get some side tables by the sofa and some table lamps there, too. That little black lamp in the corner is too small next to your large sofas so move it to the kids’ area and be sure your new table lamps are proportional to the space. The carpet is a great size. Move it however so it’s not in the walkway path but more under the sectional and in the tv viewing space.
You also need a light over the dining area. Remove the mirror as it serves no purpose there. Place art work on the wall there instead (the 3 pieces that are where the tv will be for now—bolder art with color will be another place to add color in). Get a large enough rug (this is another place to add color) for under the dining area and center it on the window, it’s too close to the wall now.
You can lay down a little rug in the toddler zone so the kids know where the edge of their play zone is.
I think this will all get you on your way to what you are looking for
Curtains!
Plants!
Color and texture. Also your art is hung too high.
Like you pointed out with the tv stand, you have several wood tones going on. The door goes okay with the floating shelf and coffee table, but the tv stand and the bookshelf in the back match the dining set. I think a lighter tone dining set would brighten up the room quite a bit, honestly just get rid of the dark tone wood altogether. Bold curtains will do good as well, right now the background just fades out. I would also put a nice centerpiece and maybe some place settings on the table. You can also never go wrong with more plants.
Personalization. It looks like an air bnb. Its pretty but doesn’t look like someone lives there. Maybe art and accessories you really love, and lower the shelves. Put stuff in them that is pics of ur family or things u guys like. The quilt on the couch looks the most like someone lives here lol. Its nice otherwise!