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How to improve my living room (with pic)

187 replies

Interiordesign · 22/02/2026 18:40

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!

How to improve my living room (with pic)
How to improve my living room (with pic)
OP posts:
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29
Resprayingmyaferraris · 22/02/2026 23:35

@Maia77 wow is that ai ?

DrPrunesqualer · 22/02/2026 23:36

Interiordesign · 22/02/2026 18:51

I was thinking sage/olive/ochre, but didn’t know if that was too dull but I agree it would soften. I’ll add the plant when youngest is past the point of seeing soil as an attractive plaything.

So I’ve gone mad and a bit 70s on ChatGPT

How to improve my living room (with pic)
DrPrunesqualer · 22/02/2026 23:37

Or

How to improve my living room (with pic)

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Emma6cat · 22/02/2026 23:37

Curtains and much better cushions maybe in green, definately a rug and a lamp shade that matches, some pictures on the walls.

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 22/02/2026 23:37

Knittedfairies2 · 22/02/2026 23:22

The answer is always artwork and plants.

I always remember

C - colour???

R - rug

A - art

P - plants

DrPrunesqualer · 22/02/2026 23:38

Or
more black and white on the left
adding green on the right

How to improve my living room (with pic)
Maia77 · 22/02/2026 23:38

Resprayingmyaferraris · 22/02/2026 23:35

@Maia77 wow is that ai ?

Yes it is.

IAmKerplunk · 22/02/2026 23:39

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 22/02/2026 23:37

I always remember

C - colour???

R - rug

A - art

P - plants

Love that!

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 22/02/2026 23:41

IAmKerplunk · 22/02/2026 23:24

Literally take a photo of whatever it is you want advice on then upload it. Click on the + to add a photo. And tell it what you want. When I did the ops lounge I put to keep the flooring and sofas but make it warm and cosy

Edited

Ohhhhhh it’s that simple!

But I use chat gpt and it doesn’t look exactly like this, I’m assuming they’re all the same really?

Is there any reason why I shouldn’t put my photo into chat gpt? Privacy, or…..any reason I haven’t thought of? People put their photos up on blogs and social media all the time so it’s the same I suppose?

placemats · 22/02/2026 23:42

AngelsandAliens · 22/02/2026 18:45

I would mostly say a rug , a rug really warms up the room in appearance and does actually warm up the room . I feel the wooden floor without one looks cold and like something is missing , but I do love a rug 🤣

Firm agree regarding the rug. A couple of brightly coloured cushions as well.

Colours should be on the red orange purple side.

Resprayingmyaferraris · 22/02/2026 23:44

Tk.max and homsense is brilliant to get going with rugs cushions art work photo frames mirros

KnickerlessParsons · 22/02/2026 23:56

Any or all of the following: a rug, some plants, some pictures on the walls, a bookshelf with books/ornaments, a coffee table, some side tables with lamps on them and some jazzy cushions/throws

EricTheGardener · 23/02/2026 00:34

It's a good room with lots of potential. I tried something a bit different as I think books, joinery, lighting and art help add the cosiness factor. I also wanted to try something a bit more colourful (which you may hate!!)

How to improve my living room (with pic)
How to improve my living room (with pic)
FruAashild · 23/02/2026 07:04

Don't run out and spend money on a load of new stuff without thinking about how you use the room. So I have some questions. Is this a rented property or do you own it? Is this your main sitting room or is it a secondary snug / playroom? What do you do in this room apart from watch TV? What's your budget? Can you give us a plan - I'm not sure if the door is nearer the window or the sofa

I think your quickest fix would be to sort out the layout, having the TV in front of the window is just depressing, I agree with the others that say moving the sofa to under the window makes sense. Then have the TV on either the wall opposite the window or on the door wall. This gives you the chance to surround the TV with additional storage, maybe cupboards below to store toys and either shelves or pictures around it. This will make the TV less dominant in the room. I'd paint the whole room either a dark colour if it's exclusively a TV snug or a lighter colour if it's your main sitting room (don't do a painted feature wall, they are dated and pointless).

Agree a large rug that covers most of the floor will warm things up. You can get plastic washable rugs but I'd look for a second hand wool one while you've got small DC.

I think the blinds are fine and would not recommend putting stunt curtains in there, that would be unnecessarily fussy. If at a later date you want to change the blind then find some gorgeous fabric and have roman blinds with interlining, they are cozy and practical.

I like your new standard lamp, would change the bulb and shade of the ceiling light and add more sources of light, either table lamps or wall lights (you can get battery ones if short of plugs/don't want to sort out wiring). Lots of little pools of light are cozier than a central light.

Finally, it takes time to make a room you love. Don't rush out and buy a job lot of crap from Dunelm / IKEA / M&S. Think about what is meaningful to you and try and buy second hand / vintage / antique where you can. It will add depth and history to your home.

LazingOnASundayAfternoon · 23/02/2026 07:30

Curtains and large rug, get rid of the brown cushions, change lamp shade, artwork for walls

littleJoyful · 23/02/2026 07:50

You might want to add some soft things like a light rug or some throw pillows. That way the room feels warmer. A few small prints on the wall could be nice too. They won’t take up much space and will add some color.

travailtotravel · 23/02/2026 07:58

Rug from Ruggablrs as they cam go in the wash. Contrast cushions. A mirror and a couple of pictures.

PeachZebra4 · 23/02/2026 08:29

IAmKerplunk · 22/02/2026 22:34

Love that lampshade!

Me too!! lol. It's here: www.illumination.co.uk/wemude-ceiling-light-h3643280.html

GertieLawrence · 23/02/2026 09:06

I have brown sofas and carpet and I have copper coloured cushions with a couple of accents in teal patterns, and some unusual lamps, all from Cream of Cornwall. I like the teddy throws from Dunelm in chocolate brown and rust, they are cheap as chips but very cosy and perfect if you need to wash regularly.

A friend of mine is an interior designer and her advice was just to have things you really love and don’t worry too much about it being cohesive. If you like that honeycomb Next mirror, go for it.

Nannyfannybanny · 23/02/2026 10:01

Dunelm have some fabulous washable rugs, I've got 2 dogs, open plan bungalow, washable rugs everywhere. They have reasonable price art and mirrors as well. I have table lamps,warm white bulbs,makes it cosy in winter, maybe a fake plant or two.
.

exse24Londoner · 23/02/2026 11:41

no wonder it looks cold & uninviting - why don't you have any pictures on the wall???

mirrors are okay though personally I don't like them in sitting/living rooms - they don't uplift

didgeridid · 23/02/2026 14:11

I'd move on around so you TV isn't in front of the window. You have to have the blinds closed meaning it's dark.
I would have the TV in the corner where the sofa is and the sofa under the window. I'd open the blinds (I'm not a fan of blinds as to offer privacy they need to be closed and that means the rooms dark) or replace with a light coil and add proper curtains. A light colour rug, big mirror on the wall and pictures. Maybe colourful lampshad rather than one that looks like a frame :)

ERthree · 23/02/2026 14:41

Your room looks like you have either just moved in or are moving out. You need a rug,pictures and lamps to change it from cold and uninviting to warm and cosy.

MardyMillylala · 23/02/2026 16:55

I'd swap the lightshade as the one up is a bit basic. A nice colourful rug and cushion covers. Pictures on the wall & a nice mirror will make all the difference.