Would it be horribly outing to ask for a picture of your lounge?

[TheGirlWhoLived]

I’ve recently moved and mine is just not looking right. My 8 year old summed it up saying it’s just not ‘homely’ enough- whereas the furniture really suited my previous house.

I can summon some cash to throw at it, but not huge amounts, and I have the added bonus of not being able to paint/wallpaper as it’s rented. I’ve tried looking in Instagram and Pinterest, and all the magazines (living etc.) but I would love to see REAL homes, not show homes. So if you please wouldn’t mind, any chance of a picture?

@VeeJayBee

I love Houzz, but I prefer these threads with ‘lived in’ rooms of an ordinary size I find Houzz a bit showhome/need lots of spare money and it can be quite demotivating at times.

One thing is for SURE I am NDVER going to be talked into.buying another house without a fireplace. Not Ever

You need:

Colour.
Plants.
Posh candles and nice holders.
Abstract art. (Go outside, slosh some random paint on a canvas in colours of your choice. Allow to dry).
Photos.
Not really keen on ornaments so won't recommend those.

It’s a good point. I just like it for ideas and the community is incredibly friendly. And I have done my house on a budget and got lots of good tips from professionals on there!

Your Home or Home Style mags are quite down to earth.
Normal homes, normal jobs. Whenever they do a big renovation it's because her dad is a builder. Plenty of IKEA kitchens in 2 bed flats, looking fab.

Much more attainable and inspiring rather than pictures of a zinc and glass box overlooking Sydney harbour with $800 wallpaper in the kids room.

You can’t beat a trip to ikea for inspiration! But same as others have said

Floor length curtains
Lamp
Candles
Some canvas or artwork
Cushions and throws
And personally I would change the rug for a bigger one in a warm colour

I think everything is too "square and boxy" looking.

Introduce different shapes with curves - maybe a circular rug.

Putting the TV at an angle will soften the edges. I think it would also sit better if you swap the corner it's in, closer to the window wall.

Add a lamp for soft lighting which isn't so bright.

Neutral brown colours are beginning to be phased out by brighter ones so accessorise with some others - lime green and teal tends to work with browns if you can't afford to replace your large furniture items. Then get curtains to match the accessories.

Some wall hangings - a clock or a mirror above the fireplace would break up the plain wall behind it. On the opposite wall you could always get a canvas print from somewhere like the Range, to fit in with any accessories you buy. They're normally good value, around £10-£20. Local sales sites on facebook always seem to have people selling household items so you may pick up a bargain.

Good luck - I understand your frustrations as I also live in rented accommodation so limited to what I can and can't do.

Do post some pics once you've had the chance to change things - you have a really good space to live in :).

@beckyvardy and @TheOriginalNutty - thank you. :) x

@Nothing7 - thank you. There’s a mix of real and faux. We have some large ZZ plants (waxy leaves) but have been growing them for years. You can buy smaller ones easily. We have snake plants/mother in law’s tongue, Boston ferns and my favourite - Staghorn plants. We also have a lot of succulents and succulent type plants which you can get from IKEA.

My other half bought me two lots of string of pearls in a concrete pot (you can find it on Amazon) as I just can’t keep those alive. 🙈🤣
I also have a huge Monstera (cheese plant) that he bought me for my birthday a couple of years ago and that is thriving!

Most of the flowers in the house are fake and are from Neptune and Fox Flowers online. I try to have some fresh ones in now and again.

Hope that helps. (Ps - when you mix it up, people won’t know what is real and what is fake, and you have less watering to do!) x

I agree with Shhhh223- get thee to Ikea. They are exceptionally good at modern boxy spaces. There's no point going all vintage in a home without period features: work with what you've got and make a virtue of it.

I've seen some lovely cosy room sets there with excellent storage space and shelving, and it will give you some great ideas to bring the hygge in.

Have a browse for some ideas.

@Langpants you are a superstar thanks so much. I have had my eye on cheese plants for a while now and that’s a great idea about mixing it up. At the moment I have just 2. A fake fig and a real peace lily which hasn’t flowered for a long time.... I think I just need to get on a invest in them.
Then it’s trying to figure out where to put them....
Your rooms are stunning. The colours and style I love!

OP, your lounge looks neutral which is fine. Bear in mind that

1. it is small so you can't just add all those obects some posters are suggesting without making it look cluttered.
2. again, since it is small you might not find the space to add a e.g. different coloured armchair to brighten it but you can use a few coordinated cushions as suggested to break the monotony
3. you do have art, so don't overdo it. It is not the art I would like but that's personal. I personally don't like most "art" bought at Wilko or the supermarket and would rather buy nice curtains or cushions. The "art" we have is local to many different countries people have travelled to and brought and at least in our opinion looks different. I prefer this to "LOVE" statements bought at Wilko.
4. Your dark laminate contrasts very well with you light walls and colours seem to match, so it's not that bad.
5. You can put some extra light on a corner for night time IF it suits you (some people prefer all the night on at night).
6. Posters keep suggesting you use some tall bookselves but I can see you have chosen to put them in the dinning room. Some people prefer emptier walls and feel suffocated so maybe you are the same? We have also put most of our IKEA bookcases in another room because all the books and stuff look unsightly because they are overloaded but they can be used as display cabinets too.
7. Don't cover the radiators with curtains because you need heat in winter and it can create mould.

@Nothing7 You’re welcome! Yes, it is about investing. Once you start, you’re likely to get addicted. Good luck. :) xx

Lang, your photos are gorgeous!

@Langpants 😍😍

@BitOfFun love that little dolls house, makes a really nice light feature. Where did you get the printed wallpaper etc?

It's the dining room but hey!

Ooh, so nice! minesagin37 did you think of that and buy everything all yourself.

You lot are so creative!
One thing...where do you guys put all your bits and bobs, papers, everyday itty bitty bits that gather in the week?
I have toddler aged children in my house so nearly most things are placed high and above (on the rooftop lol) their reach. It seriously limits the looks of the house.

Here's mine. It's pretty dark but being a north facing room it was never going to be bright anyway. I have lamps and lots of soft throws which makes it feel cosy.

@Nothing7, the wallpaper is William Morris, which is horrendously expensive, hence only having it on one wall (it took two rolls, with a tiny bit of patching, which the doll house hides nicely!). The curtains are from Dunelm, and I chose them for the Art Nouveau vibe. I'm glad you like the effect- I'm still fascinated by doll houses even as an adult .

This has been my favourite thread in ages thanks for all the lovely pictures everyone. @Downunderduchess I LOVE your bird picture

Try tk max for some nice bits, they gave lovely frames and furniture.

About halfway there I reckon! Still got plants, art/frames and lamps but it’s on the right path! Decs are up for dd’s birthday so excuse the bunting

This is it from the other side