How to improve my living room (with pic)

[Interiordesign]

What would you do to make this living room a bit more cosy/colourful and less ‘wood’? I feel like it needs a mirror but more wood or just glass would look a bit severe.

Please note I have small kids so big ornaments etc not practical! Would need to be things they can’t reach/destroy. Please ignore the mess, it’s been an indoor play kind of day. Bonus points for anyone who links to specific items as I have zero power of imagination when people describe things.

Thanks in advance!

Swapping the light shades around would be an instant improvement.

Then, if not renting I would paint the walls personally, but if not then I'd add a large round rug and large pictures and a mirror on the wall.

Would this work over the sofa?

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su009748/599652?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=9262941997&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UWmYNZ7uwcwb8GdPY4rDuJRk&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0_TMv-LtkgMV65FQBh35bxVQEAQYJyABEgKQifD_BwE

Bright throw cushions, bright rug. You can get one with a non-slip back so it's safe. It would make the world of difference! Even some bright pinks and yellows.

Also pictures on the walls.

Smaller tv, large rug, pictures on the wall, coffee table, bookcases.

Mirrors would just reflect what you have surely ? You need colour

what’s you favorite colour ?

It’s a lovely cosy room. Some pictures on the walls and a nice rug would make it even better.

A couple of floating shelves and a coffee table. It just looks a bit empty atm.

I think everyone else has nailed it, art, a big rug, couple of cosy throws and brighter cushions. Tk maxx is your friend for throws and cushions and sometimes nice art.

Add colour. Orange/red/yellow/green.

It just needs layering:

rug
table lamp for side table
throw
pictures on wall
change up the shade on the overhead light
plants

I’m not massively keen on bright colours with brown so I’d go for neutrals in different textures

@Interiordesign - If you like that mirror and it resonates with you then go for it over one wing of the sofa . It's not my taste but then I am sure a lot of things I have would not be to yours.

For me I think you do need some more colour , so if you had that mitrror on the shorter wall I would still get a lovely big picture over the other wing of the sofa. Those won't be terribly danger hazards to small children if put up properly . I would get more colourful (and bigger cushions) a quick win. With older children I would get a coffee table but understand the corner / falling dilemma

These from Dunelm - I like the Atlantic Blue and Fuchsia but just my taste - they have a big range of colours. https://www.dunelm.com/product/clara-cotton-velvet-cushion-1000115671?defaultSkuId=30925076&utmsource=google&utm_medium=cpc&utmcampaign=CushionsCushions-PMax%5BGOO-PLA-CUSHIONS-CUSHIONS%5D&gclsrc=aw.ds&gadsource=1&gadcampaignid=19822796084&gbraid=0AAAAADGqyX0w5jlxOlhMIw1IGThAEINPz&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7-rMBhCFARIsAKnLKtCqwQnpVkMQxOaongwqsG3Q2fNsH2eunsz4-n1TwI2laVnQMChy6KsaAnL3EALwwcB

💐

ETA I would add with get some side lamps for cosier lighting or a less stark shade for the overhead light. I do think a rug would help but that depends on practicality of cleaning with it being a play are - but I do think it would help.

Feature wall in a deep colour like pelt by farrow and ball

Curtains. I always think of venetian blinds as being office like.

To add to the pictures/rug I’d also suggest better lighting.

It makes a huge difference.

I can see you have a large lamp but I’d also change your ceiling light fitting to something like a modern chandelier with warm light bulbs that bounce the light around or a warm ivory/amber fabric shade.

The shade you have in is very cool tone as is the light it reflects out.

From chat gpt. Your ceiling light is too harsh. You need a rug. Personally I would add some dusky pink in there.

Thanks everyone! I didn’t expect so many replies.

Wow this pic! I’ve screenshotted it for ideas - thanks for running it through AI (I wouldn’t even know how to do that)

IRL I’m standing in the doorway so the room is fairly small and quite square. The window isn’t very big so I worried curtains would sort of block the light more than a blind?

It's the walls thar stood out for me as a bit blind. So ... pictures, family photos or an unusual mirror/large wall clock - whichever would work for you best.

Something on the walls would help

Pictures to add interest and colour and height. Worth looking in local charity shops or antique shops to find original art. A mirror is fine but only if it has things to reflect, otherwise it looks cold.

Large squishy pillows on the sofa in different shapes. Not all matching. My preference colour-wise is muted inviting colours e.g. a mix of blues/pinks/greens to soften the grey and browns.

Curtains. More lamps. Possibly shelves for plants if you can't have one on the floor

Re curtains - from your photo I can see there's plenty of space to the right of the window that you could draw the right hand curtain fully open and it wouldn't block the window at all. What's the space like to the left of the window? I think curtains would definitely make it feel more homely. Another option could be a Roman blind?

Wow what a great photo! Agree that getting a light bulb that is more warm /yellow toned, rather than the quite harsh white tone, will be a cheap and quick thing you could do to make the room feel cosier.

You need more stuff. A rug, some pictures, a plant or two, a nice throw, a coffee table perhaps and to bring some colour into the sofa new cushion covers. It’s just too sparse.

They might but if you pull them right to the edges they won’t; and also if you want cosiness, you’ll probably spend most of the time in there with them closed anyway.

if you get plants, speaking as a houseplant killer, I recommend Ivy (likes the low light, cleans the air) and Pothos (also likes low light; flood it and then let it dry right out; perfect for busy forgetful people!).

a rug is worth spending a bit on, if you can stretch to a decent wool kilim, it will pay dividends because it’s so hard wearing. I got one about 13 years ago, it’s had milk and mud spilt on it, dog sick (sorry!) and ash from the stove, we have 2 dogs and a small space so it’s walked over constantly and it looks almost as good as it did when I bought it. Never been washed, only shaken, beaten, and left in the sun. I thought the milk would have been game over but after an hour in the sun it was fine.

I posted something similar aa few years ago (didn't know what to do with charcoal sofas) and got great advice. It didn't take a lot of effort at all to make it look better and even DH begrudingly admitted it looked a lot better afterwards.

I was advised to use:

A rug - larger than what you think would be the right size.
Cushions - - a few different designs, shapes and textures, with colours that tie in with the ones in the rug but not too matchy matchy. I went with monochrome in the end actually with a bit of navy thrown in. Greenery from plants popped quite a lot.
Curtains - keep curtains neutral as easier to swap out other fabrics.
A throw or two, adds texture.
More side lighting - lamps on side tables.
Plants - different shapes and textures again. Train your kids to not touch them, or put them up on high shelves.
Pictures on the wall.
Mirror to reflect light.
Add different finishes in your lampshades or vases to add light and interest eg glass or brass etc.

Keep clutter and knick nacks to a minimum.

ChatGPT design looks good. It really doesn't take a huge amount of effort.

Dunelm velvet cushion covers are a good shout. I got a couple. They really do add some good textural interest.