My newly decorated room feels chilly.

[LittleFrieda]

We've redecorated our big sitting room. It's a lovely pale grey with off white wood work. I love the colour but it feels a bit chilly and clinical and I'm at a loss as to how to warm it up/ enliven it.

One sofa is dark grey velvet the other is cream herringbone linen and there are a couple of small Georgian mahogany tables with lamps on. Floor is oak with an antique red rug (hmmm - I think this is the main problem tbh). Curtains are yet to be decided. Temporarily there are unbleached linen curtains hanging at both windows and they look all wrong.

Help. I wanted a calm, restrained room.

[lalalonglegs]

You need to get a lot more in the way of soft furnishings - cushions, curtains etc - in richer colours and perhaps rethink the rug. It all sounds very tasteful, I think you need to be a bit bolder. You haven't mentioned any art so, in case you don't have any paintings, prints or whatever on the walls get some. Think about lighting, is it a bit dull or too harsh? Could just changing the strength of the bulbs and repositioning the lamps help (put them at different heights on in new locations)?

[Yfronts]

Cn you get some red into some cushions?

[LittleFrieda]

We have lots of lovely paintings but haven't yet worked out where to put things so lots of art is just leaning against the wall under its possible final position. I keep giving up on the oom because it doesn't feel quite right.

Red doesn't work in there. It makes the grey walls look gloomy. I think I need a different rug . But what sort of rug? - it needs to be big, ideally 4m x 4m or 3m x 3m minimum.

[LittleFrieda]

Thanks for the help so far.

[Teeb]

Would you consider purple? It can look very sophisticated and warm in the right tones/textures. I'm thinking deep intense aubergines or softer heather shades maybe?

I think curtains will make a real difference though in adding warmth to the room.

[wendybird77]

If you are unsure about colour you could always put in an off-white rug, but with texture. this or this?. There are loads out there. Nice textured blankets and cushions. I like yellow with grey and some shades of blue work well too. Raspberry is nice too. Loaf has some nice things and nice photos in their new brochure with neutral backgrounds. Also consider your overhead lighting - maybe a something big and bold if the room will take it?

[JennyPiccolo]

My friend has a grey living room with mustard yellow bits, it's quite nice.

[lalalonglegs]

You can get kilims in very bright colours which somehow still seem not to be lairy. They were a bit ubiquitous a few years ago but are probably due a revival.

[minipie]

We have a pale grey sitting room with white woodwork and oak floor. browns seem to go quite well to warm it up whilst still having an overall calm feel rather than anything too bright and contrasting. for example we have a sofa in an unbleached linen type colour, a warm wood coffee table and I am planning to get a pale brown rug. take your cue from the mahogany tables perhaps?

lots of soft and squishy fabrics also warms up a room, so a thick shaggy rug, throws over the arms of sofas etc. lots of lamps rather than just ceiling light.

personally I would avoid grey and yellow as its been around a year or two and may date.

[LittleFrieda]

Thanks all for advice. I've moved the rug out and it's instantly improved.

[Madamecastafiore]

DH just painted the kids snug lulworth blue, it has cream carpet and grey sofa and white blinds. I am making some bright red cushions to liven it up about and make it less chilly. The red peps up the drabness and makes it warmer. Mind you with all the bloody playmobil it doesn't look soulless.

A citrus colour would work too. Am planning on grey kitchen with city's sofa and blinds and oil cloth on table to make it less rainy day!

[Madamecastafiore]

Or you could try a minky mauve colour. Not lilacy more brown toned. That could warm things up.

[RedHelenB]

I think it'd the grey itself that will date rather than the colours you put with it.

[MrsJamin]

Orange and grey looks wonderful - I'd go for 2 of orange vase, cushions, or lampshade?

[fossil971]

Try a blanket - I'm not joking but something about a lovely soft throw draped over the end of a sofa looks so warm and gives a splash of colour and texture. Then if you are literally chilly you can wrap yourself up in it too

[itsmummynotmum]

I've recently got into www.jim-lawrence.co.uk/ they do great stuff, just got a spring mailer in the post and they recommend greens (shame spring not here yet!) loadsa lovely soft furnishings and more for cosy touches and good ideas...
Have been introducing soft greens to our living room ie cushions & throws (I made a quilt!!!) as we just has our walls painted a soft putty/greyish col - so very restful, still cosy and lovely after previously being a F&B Book Room Red which was actuallyv really oppressive I now realise!

[LittleFrieda]

LOL at try a blanket.

Lots of ideas to mull, thank you all.

[jalopy]

I think you need to add pink tones to compliment and warm the grey. Cushions, throws, etc. Blanket is a good idea.

[lydiajones]

We have just done our living room a pale grey and have accessorized with purples, creams and pale pinks which seems to warm it up a bit.

[NinjaChipmunk]

I'd add some burnt orange and yellowy orange tones and get some wool throws for a snuggle factor. the room sounds very nice btw.