How can I revamp my lounge?

[GizmoFrisby]

We live in a cottage with logburner/beams and all very neutrally decorated. At present we have a brown leather corner sofa, and mocha carpets all the way through. I feel it seems boring. I'm thinking to change curtains/cushions on sofa to have a change. What else can I do.? I don't want to start painting

[BasiliskStare]

@GizmoFrisbyGrismoI would put a huge painting behind the sofa ( not a mirror if it reflects into the one over the fireplace ) - some time ago I had a huge space to fill & painted a canvas myself as could not afford a painting big enough

[burglarbettybaby]

This is the coffee table we bought

[burglarbettybaby]

Its a beautiful room! Agree with getting rid of the red and absolutely changing the coffee table.

We bought a grey one with wood top and it has freshened up the room so much. Then lots of fresh plants. A roman blind instead of the heavy red curtains. Pale cushions.

I would go for a jute rug to cover the carpet. Look up minimal cosy rooms for inspiration.

Its a lovely home though! Enjoy

[dreamofhungarianlanterns]

From bitter experience of choosing paint first and then looking for curtains to match (expensive mistake!) I would first choose new curtains that you love, then get rid of anything red which alongside the brown is sucking the light out of the room, then have fun finding other bits and pieces that go with the curtains/ sofa/ fireplace (which will easily look lovely if you go with your idea of replacing the red with grey). I would also consider painting the table, even if you just paint the legs and sand the top to take some of the dark brown out of the room.

I love greys and mustards so am with you all the way with your replacement colour choices. They will make the colour of your sofa look better too, more classy less dominant. Have fun!

[kate33]

You've had some top advice already op so nothing to add really apart from the fact that you've got a great starting point and just by changing curtains and adding accessories in complementary colours you can turn it into a gorgeous room. I particularly like the little bunny by the fireplace she looks like she's a keeper!

[GizmoFrisby]

What about these curtains?? I like these...

[Optimist3]

A mid green would compliment

[P1nkP0ppy]

I'd go for grey, mustard and some teal too, how about retro patterned cushion covers (I got mine on eBay and they're great!)?
Lighter curtains would make a huge difference as well.

[LumelaMme]

Yes to pale grey fireplace, yes to paler patterned curtains.

Also up lighters can make a huge difference to how bright and welcoming a room looks: we got one for our living room and dingy-ville was transformed.

[LivingInTheBackOfBeyond]

That maybe doesn't go that well but there are lots of others.

[LivingInTheBackOfBeyond]

For a quick fix, I would just add a bright rug that pulls in all some of the colours that you have already, as the grey doesn't really go.

I like this one but it doesn't work anywhere in my house. I guess it depends whether it's your sort of thing though..

www.therugseller.co.uk/search-viewproduct.asp?id=21740&n=0

[GizmoFrisby]

Wow u lot are full of good ideas. Definitely taking it all on board. Will be getting it done before Xmas. Can't afford to get me carpet plus it's the same carpet that runs through the whole house apart from tiled bathroom and kitchen.
Definitely going for greys mustards.
The red is definately outdated but as we haven't lived here long I suppose I hadn't really noticed what it was like until I've lived in it. Thanks all

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

I've just used some chalk paint from B&Q, to revamp a dark wood, nest of tables, it's really helped to brighten a corner of the room.
If you have anything similar, it's dead easy to use, just slap it on, you'll be amazed! 😄

[londonginge]

And yes to light Grey fireplace. Big fan of dulux chic shadow

[Broombroom]

agree to lighter curtains and plant. And a rug like this (Pinterest)

[londonginge]

I'd go for mirrors and table lamps for more light and then light tartan, cream knit and those deer style/illustrated forest animal cushions, and a pale throw to again lighten up the dark wood and still keep it cosy.

[inmyheadimthequeen]

Although if you haven't been in the house long, maybe live with it a while before you make big and expensive carpet/sofa/fireplace decisions. I agree with others though that the dark red and grey accents aren't helping so for a short-term fix I would change curtains to something lighter with a pattern - maybe a mustardy yellow? With accent cushions, a nice lamp or two and I would replace the wooden coffee table with something different, maybe glass.

[NoCapes]

Is definitely replace all the red, I'd probably go for a nice olive green

Also a new coffee table, that once looks very dated

[Ihearthickson]

Maybe some curtains like this? The grey would tie in with your rug and you could pick out yellow cushions etc. The

[DailyMailFuckRightOff]

Depends (the fireplace) - lighter might be nice but will it show up all the fireplace related dust? Could still go lighter than the deep red it currently is though.

The red/brown seems quite overwhelming at the moment but it doesn't quite tie together as a theme. Perhaps either replace carpet or paint walls? Or both?

Crown Smoulder is my best friend - it is a deep grey but it's sort of purplish, storm-cloud grey? Very cosy and snug feeling, but doesn't feel gloomy.

Nice rug, curtains, cushions in an accent colour? Statement lamp?

[Ihearthickson]

The red is rather dated, so yes I'd go with a paler colour in the fireplace. If budget allows in time, I'd perhaps change the carpets or sofa or table to a paler colour to break all the brown up but I think changing the curtains and cushions would make a big difference now.

[GizmoFrisby]

It was like this when we bought it

[GizmoFrisby]

Oh my gosh yes I can totally see the difference! Wow you have given me some insipation. Thanks very much. Also in my fire place it's painted red not sure if you could see from pics. Do you think if I painted this a light grey that would open it up a bit too as it looks very dark.

[DoItTooJulia]

The deep red with the brown is making it seem dark. And everything is very plain.

I'd go for lighter coloured curtains with a splash of colour. Whatever splash of colour you have, you could incorporate into cushions and a lamp?