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?

A BIG rug, even beige or black, floor length curtains in a cream/ black/ pastel colour (maybe pink or blue, with similar cushions/ throw etc) and turning off the big light in favour of soft uplighters by the telly and at the other end would make a huge difference. A mirror above the fireplace would make the walls less stark and a few green plants (small Ikea succulent type would do if you don't want anything bigger) would cozy it up a bit.

The magnolia walls are sucking the colour out of the room. You can't change that if it's rented but artwork will help. The fireplace makes a great focal point so I would hang something above that. You could put all your art there or have a second wall with art. Google how to hang a gallery wall. It doesn't have to be anything expensive, you can get frames for a couple of pounds and the pictures can by your DD, a postcard, wrapping paper, fabric, cheap prints, anything. If you use Command hooks to hang them it won't mark the walls. Using frames that are the same colour will help pull it all together.

Some statement floor length curtains would look great. As well as plants and lamps, texture will help make it feel cosy. A sheepskin rug or knitted throw, velvet cushions etc

Everything you have is very neutral apart from the red stuff. If you can find several colours that complement each other rather than contrast as highlight colours, that will look better than just one, it will feel less harsh.

If you can break up the linear effect, that would also help, maybe turn the shelf units on their sides? Rearrange the door inserts so they aren't all in a line.

@TheGirlWhoLived

This is ours. Not the best pic.

(NC'd for this)

Love Apollo's mishmashed yet matching sofas, very inviting

More a picture of the dogs than the living room but you get the gist!

Bigger more interesting rug, maybe a picture or two, a mirror would be good. I'd go floor length curtains for dress, but have a blind also.
I would try rearrange your furniture. If you are keeping the furniture then perhaps some real or fake pot plants or flowers to brighten it up. Ornaments, flowers, standing picture frames etc always look better in a little group rather than spread out in a line along furniture tops.
Having a solid row of furniture on one wall and a sofa on the other is not helping, the space needs breaking up. Not sure how it would work but a solid block of furniture and a solid block of plan wall isn't working right now. Pull the rug out and just have a play around moving the furniture?

i'd say a long floating shelf above the tv with a couple of trinkets on would look great, maybe some ivy or a decorative light of some sort and a bit of colour. I think it looks homely and comfy but i have a big bare wall in my living room and it does my nut in so I'm probably just projecting haha. good luck OP

Will the ikea kallax boxes fit standing up along the wall with the opening to the kitchen? One on each side? Then I would put the sofa on the right hand wall opposite the fire and a chair at an angle in the corner between the fire and window. Get a big rug in a nice colour or With a not too boxy pattern and some curtains that hang to the ground. Telly could stay where it is or at a push could it even be hung on the wall above the fire? Get a big floor lamp, some big plants and candles and some pictures up on the walls. Ikea is your friend!

Add some colour and lamps, will instantly look better

Id put the TV in the other corner and not have the unit flat against the wall. Could you use coloured storage baskets instead of the white doors in those units?

I'd put the other unit up the other way so it breaks up the lines a little, and a much larger rug - not necessarily bright but a textured one would look nice, in a solid colour.

Add something to the top of your fireplace too - maybe a runner or just some ornaments or candles.

The rug is too small but you could pull it more central/in front of the sofa instead of pushed against the fire and put a coffee table on it.

I think the TV is in the wrong corner/wrong side of the fire I would put TV & TV unit on the right hand side and put a chair on the other side facing in. Those two units don't work there in a line, if one of them could face in to the room from one of the other walls that would be better, maybe even at the side of the sofa.

I will see if I can find any pictures of any of my lounges, we are currently in the middle if DIY and we haven't decorated yet though.

It is kind of hard to see what your sofa /seating area is like though.

Previous house www.zoopla.co.uk/property-history/36-high-street/great-doddington/wellingborough/nn29-7tq/40415085

Plants! That is all.

It's too brown, in my opinion. It needs some greens and/or maroons or something to brighten it up and a flash of contrasting colour here and there.

@docemmett like your floor - is it wood or LVT? Thanks 🙂

A longer curtain pole that extends at least six inches either side of the radiator with wider and full length curtains would look much better.

Sofa/ seating area! Excuse the pizza- the Prosecco is starting to land a little

LAMPS
Plants
Colour
A colourful and less harsh rug
Maybe reinstate the doors (or even a curtain) between the two rooms - much more cosy when it’s not open plan
Things on the walls
Lamps
Lamps
Warm colours - so giving off an orange/yellow glow
Switch off any overhead lights
Just let the space evolve, I think anything too matchy and co-ordinated doesn’t look as nice as a space where you have gathered things you like.

Artex will always make a room look dated. can you skim it?

It looks functional but needs to be more reflective of your personality. The rug is too small for the space. I like one big piece of art that makes a wow statement rather than bits & pieces.

Sorry, I’m renovating at the moment so mine is fresh plaster (well, not so much ‘fresh’ now, as ‘still not bloody well painted) with lots of unpacked boxes, it doesn’t scream homely as much as ‘Are you moving again?’ 🙄

I think you things ‘worked better’ at your old place because your sofa had some colour, the toys brought some life into the room, as did the curtains and it had carpet!

I think what you need to do is find something YOU love & build on it. Whether that’s a rug or a ‘thing’ (art, vase, throw,).

That ‘cheap’ flooring is difficult to make homely, but a nice big rug or an unfitted carpet would help. I would probably go for the unfitted carpet as I hate rugs (damn things always move and they’re potential trip hazards) . The floor standing lamp from ikea is cheap but cosy.

Put the shelving/ bookcases up the other way again

DUNELM can be good for cushions.

Curtains. It’s tricky because I hate short curtains, but I don’t want long ones over the radiators - waste of heat, so how about a blind?

Plants - I hate house plants. They’re not compulsory...thankfully.

Your fireplace is so low it definitely needs something above it. TV or A print/canvas

Put the sofa on the window wall a couple of feet forward or the radiator.

I've got a few recent photos, as DH has just built a fitted cupboard in an alcove so that I can have my dolls' house on display.

Let's see yours then, MakeItFappy

It's lovely to see all different styles and tastes of livingrooms and think that for each person that's their favourite little space and sanctuary ☺️