What would you do with this living room? (with pictures)

[NormaLouiseBates]

I really don't like our living room. It just doesn't feel cosy or homely you know? I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I could do with it. My budget is pretty much nothing lol but I'd love to hear people's ideas on what they would do with it. I know these photos are pretty outing but never mind! If you recognise me/the house/the dog just give me a wave! I've name changed anyway just in case I've said anything controversial previously

A few points to note:
We rent, so any major changes aren't really an option (like flooring, fireplace etc)
The sofa needs replacing badly (I know it's pretty ugly, I reckon it's the worst thing about the room) but we can't afford it at the moment. It's definitely top of my list though. It's knackered too, the chair in H's PC corner is stuck on 'open', it won't close anymore!
Speaking of H's PC corner... can't move that unfortunately (it's a bit of an eye sore I know) as he works from home some evenings and I've commandeered the only other room downstairs for an office/study as I work from home permanently.
We can't open the blinds at the window as the dog is an arsehole and barks at everyfuckingthing outside if he can see out. So the room does sometimes seem pretty dark and gloomy
Cushions on the sofa aren't really an option as the arsehole dog humps them
The huge rug/mat thing at the patio door needs to stay as it's a special dog mat thing that soaks up wet paw prints.

Think that's about it! I'm open to all other suggestions/ideas... especially the ones along the lines of soft furnishings, accessories etc...

Just realised I can only post 3 photos at a time, so I'll put 2 on this one and 2 on the next post.

Next photos:

Sone nice light sofas and a rug will make a huge difference. I would also suggest removing the mirror fir a different one. It duesbt look right somehow.

Yes I've never particularly liked the mirror, the LL left it and we just never bothered getting around to changing it. Lazy I know especially as I've got a nice wooden framed one that's the same size but is just stored in the spare room, not even being used!

I hope no-one says get rid of the TV unit and sideboard in front of the window... they're brand new lol and about the only things in the room that I genuinely like!

I am rubbish with this sort of stuff but this is what I would do if it was my home - but there's nothing wrong with how you have it.

Remove furniture from in front of window so no light is blocked.

H's make shift desk to go. He can just use your office if it's not often?

Move telly so it's flat against wall. Can't entirely work out layout so not sure where would suit.

Replace sofa when you can in mean time get some light coloured throws?

H's broken chair more in a corner or up against a wall rather than centre.

I would also just move furniture around and have a play. Leave it for a few days and see how it's been working. Then move it around again and see how that works for you. You might find a layout that makes it brighter, more open, or more cosy etc.

Btw I love that flooring.
And your pup is adorable!

I think the dining table should be bigger - tiny dining tables in an area that could take a much larger one always make the room feel smaller. Then you could set up your DH's work station in the dining area.

Agree the sofa isn't right for the room - may be worth looking for a second hand or 'seconds' sofa for now and getting a better one once you've got some money for it.

And no the sideboard and tv but are lovely! Don't get rid!

You've got plenty of pictures but they are randomly dotted around the walls (exactly the way I hang pictures too!)
A friend who has a good eye for design took all my pictures down, shuffled them round, then rehung them in groups. They look more planned now, rather than flung any old place

Move sideboard to other side of chimney breast.

Get rid of sofa if you can or change it around if you can so long part is up against the window wall.

Rugs

Use dining table as computer table along side the moved sideboard

Get rid of big black chair.

Bigger table and chair set on rug in middle of the room.

Or get rid of or move dining table into centre of the room and put laptop on top of side board.

You have the basics it is just a case of toning down the sofa, a couple of rugs and moving/getting rid of what you have

I would swap the mirror for a round one. Too many rectangles.

A pendant overhead light fitting in something warm such As copper would add warmth.

A rug would definitely add a cosy feel. Could you have throws instead of cushions? That would add texture.

The pictures are too small for the wall, agree that they could be better arranged. One big picture over sofa - I see you like doggy things - could you have a picture of the dog blown up on a canvas?

Would the tv unit and sideboard fit either side of the chimney breast?

Small lamps rather than overhead light on and some flickering candles with a nice scent. Wood wick candles crackle like a fire.

Agree about the table, in a through room you need to define the spaces.

Just seen that you have an armchair alongside the sofa - that is making me twitch . You need to move that to avoid the staff room look.

I know your renting but if you can paint get some colour on those walls which would be relatively cheap to do.
Dining table is replace with a round one and ones that's larger. It's stuck in the corner and eating slid an important social event. Your husbands office doesn't look
Very practical so surely you can just share your space for this? Maybe a rug for some more colour. What about some throws for the settee if you dog wouldn't knacker them. Maybe a picture wall as another poster said.

I think a pale blue grey on the walls, tan sofa/chairs and a nice rug. Maybe a wooden coffee table. I also love the copper look so maybe some copper effect accessories

Bookshelves each side of chimney
Sofa in front of window
Two armchairs together opposite sofa
Computer table as coffee table in front of fireplace (maybe on nice rug)
Tv + unit on wall opposite fireplace
Dining table moved to where booksheves were, opened out with decorative bowl/ flowers on it
Sideboard where dining table was against wall. (Computer here)
Couple of throws to break up blackness of sofa/chairs, plant pot/vases/ fruit bowl/candles in matching colour and I think that might work.

Wow, thank you all so much, you've given me loads of ideas and things to think about.

@SentToTheSynByn yes, it makes me twitch too, it's one of many things in the room that I don't like!

I'm going to go and have another good read through all the replies now and make notes

We will need after pictures please.

Have a look around for local charity shops that sell furniture, I've just bought a small sofa in immaculate condition for £70 and they had loads more.

I'd paint the chimney breast and the area near the back door in a matching colour but different to rest of walls. There's some nice dark greys or deep blues that might work depending on light. Sideboard to be moved to right of chimney breast. If you definitley need the tall cupboard I would move it to to where the table is and then have the table a bit more in the middle at the back near the doors. Love the dog.

Is that a massive bed for the dog to sit on??

I'd move the drawers beside the tv unit elsewhere. Bigger dining table and put the computer on it. Can you break up the bookshelves to one each side of the patio doors?

Agree the pictures look as if you just put them on whatever nail was already there!

Or you could try the sofa across the room where the chair is now. Then the two chairs facing the fireplace with a table in between.

Wow. I would like to post a similar thread OP.

@WipsGlitte yes that's the dog's bed and he also has the quilt on the sofa! He also has another bed in my office for when he's in there with me but to be fair he does use them all lol... if any were ignored they'd have been got rid of. He likes to rotate!

Re: the pictures looking like we utilised nails that were already there - guilty as charged for some of them! I've been googling this afternoon how to arrange pictures and it appears that my way (randomly dotted about) is not really the way to do it!

Hi, I always find some lamps and plants dotted about make a place cosy. Maybe some nice prints on the walls.

Sorry Iv just noticed you have pictures. Maybe something a lot bigger and bright