How can I (cheaply) make this large, bland space more cosy?

[Bloomp]

Its a new build, rented house. I cant decorate the walls but am allowed to put up pictures. I'm also pretty skint

I love the size of this kitchen and we use this as our living room so are always in it but it feels very studenty or something. It doesnt feel cosy at all. I suspect it will require buying some large furniture tbh but i just cant afford to right now. Is there anything i can do cheaply that will bring the space together to be more like a cosy living room?

[Bloomp]

Sorry! Pic would be useful

[8FencingWire]

Have you got a picture?

[8FencingWire]

Ha, x post :(

[xMumToTwox]

Here are some ideas...

Rugs, throws cushions..etc.
Two tall lamps behind sofa & tv and hang bunting between them to add interest to that end wall.
A tall slim shelving unit filled with photo frames.

xx

[leeds84]

Rug in front of sofa, pictures on wall, maybe move the to console so it's not set right against the wall? Perhaps so it's perpendicular the where it is now, though that might obstruct. Ice view to garden. Add a nice big lampshade over the kitchen table? Also would be not add some colour. Some plants?

[8FencingWire]

A rug under/in front of the sofa and a light shade, Ikea does some nice ones very cheap (£3-7).
I just realised I put a sad face above, sorry, it was meant to be :)

[leeds84]

Sorry for typos, am on rubbish phone. Obviously meant TV and nice views

[CatsCantFlyFast]

I'd move the sofa away from the wall as a start point. Some rugs, throws, cushions/floor cushions? I think it's probably studenty as its quite empty - can you pick up a cheap armchair from eBay or gumtree?

[Hoppinggreen]

Get a couple more Golden Retrievers

[Bloomp]

Thanks all, i hadnt thought about a tall lamp! Makes so much sense

As for pictures, would you put a large picture above the radiator or a couple of smaller ones at each side of the radiator?

[Bloomp]

Get a couple more Golden Retrievers

I would have ten of him if i could, but you cant improve on perfection

[8FencingWire]

This is from an app called Houz

[Bloomp]

notwithout would you just have the sofa pulled out from the wall behind it or the wall at the end of it or both or change the angle of sofa? Do you think the sofa is too big? Good idea about checking gumtree.

[Bloomp]

Would it look awful to have the sofa facing the radiator wall and moving the table and chairs to the wall on the right of the picture?

[Lou2711]

Bunting that matches the cushions on the sofa may liven the wall up and is usually pretty cheap!! When I was at uni it worked well I also had loads of photos (Polaroids) in a pattern that made use of another wall. They were cheap enough to do on a student budget (from a company called squaresnaps I think!). Also I had a world scratch map (you can get GB ones too) which can be great for kids and adults loved it too!! And then a few candles and fairy lights

[SisterViktorine]

I might flip sofa round so the back faces the kitchen and then put TV in right hand far corner as we look at that photo. Nice rug, reclaimed coffee table (paint one from the tip?) and a couple of 'downlighter' lamps and you have a whole separate room.

[Bloomp]

Good idea about a map. I'm irish so maybe go for one of ireland.

sister thats what i was thinking re sofa. I'm childless tonight so going to get shifting some furniture. I have a coffee table in the proper living room but i might nab it for in here as we use this space all the time.

[porsmork]

Maybe move the sofa away from the wall (turn it 90 degrees), pop the tv in the right hand corner, and that'll make a separate living area. A plant by the window, a rug, tall lamp, nice vase on TV stand, and a picture or mirror on the wall. Maybe one large picture on the long wall, and a collection of 4-5 frames on the right hand wall? Maybe also another chair for living area, a cheap wicker one that you could pop some nice cushions on?
IKEA does quite a lot of designs where living spaces are open plan, but still divided into separate areas with shelves or drapes, so worth having a browse there. Enjoy! Love decorating, especially where you can't paint, com you can change things around all the time easily!

[SisterViktorine]

We need after photos!

[wobblywonderwoman]

a large clock would look great on the back wall.

Lighting for sure.

a bookcase would look good when you can afford it.

i have a lot of bunting and it looks great

[SisterViktorine]

Also- lightshade. They are fiver in homebase. I know because I've just had to buy 18 of the feckers for my magnolia newbuild!

They make a real difference to the atmosphere though as they make the light warmer and less supermarket-like.

[Bloomp]

Ok i just realised i cant move the TV as that is where the aerial and sky socket/wired are

I'm currently playing around with the sofa and a rug that was rolled up in the spare room.

[SisterViktorine]

Maybe you could just post a few pictures of your dog who I would like to steal while we await the decision...

[WhisperingLoudly]

Move the sofa so it is across the room facing the back wall and acting as a divider.

Then lamp shade on ceiling pendent and rug in from of sofa as priority. Side table on right of sofa with table lamp next.

You can get hooks that stick on the wall to hang pictures - they'll take 3kg and work well when you don't want to use nails