In desperate need of help to decorate a living room that needs everything! Help!

[Loobieloo27]

OK so I've had to move into my house very quickly so I've had no time to decorate at all. Everything needs doing eg carpets, walls, sofas, storage.

However I have absolutely no idea where to start. The room is naturally dark which doesn't get much light. Also a dado rail so unsure on colours.

Please help I've attached photos. I'm so embarrassed

Its a perfectly serviceable room, I don't get why you are quite so embarrassed or desperate?

What is it you especially dislike, because other than suggesting a trade tub of white emulsion to get it to a blank canvas, it's quite hard to offer ideas.

e.g.
Do you want bright colour/neutrals
Bare floors/wood/carpets
What furniture style and requirements
Budget?

Well I don't know your taste but will try a room suggestion. How about white walls to brighten up, oxblood red floor (or rug) for a warm colour. Clear the wall under the tv and hide everything in one of two cabinet/ cupboard/ chest of drawers (not english no idea of the difference) that you put on both sides of the wall next to the tv. Idea: www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/songesand-chest-of-4-drawers-brown-60366789/

Put knick knacks on one chest, hang a happy coloured painting above tge other one.

Make it extra comfy with a bohemian type ottoman and an oxblood coloured throw on the couch.

I'm getting sized up tomorrow for laminate and was thinking a light oak colour for that.

I'm unsure on colours for walls because of how little light it gets, I like light greens/neutral colours but I don't know colours that go together well. Also do different colours above and below dado rail? Or all one colour I really don't know.

My budget covers for new flooring, sofas, storage and light fitting etc.

Light oak would be lovely. Check out Pergo. How about soft white walls then pale green blinds, cushions etc? Really fresh but not clinical. Then add accents of ox blood as suggested earlier and done pot plants?

from the photos i think the carpet looks fine (doesn't need replacing), i would get a carpet cleaning company out to make it look like new again but it will be much cheaper than replacing the whole carpet (i would get rid of the rug as i don't think its necessary with carpet).
personally i would use colours similar to these on the top and bottom, but i would reverse it from the photo (so purple at the bottom and grey at the top). then i would get a grey sofa and armchair, and put purple cushions on them to draw the room together. you could get your dc to flick purple and grey paint over a couple of white canvases, and hang them on the walls too. not too sure what i would do about storage, hopefully someone will have a great idea for that soon

By putting the sofas like that you've created a dead zone.

Is the fireplace missing?

The fireplace was removed prior to moving in. I was thinking of putting an electric one under the TV?

How would you position the sofas for now? I'm replacing them soon anyway it's a case of making do with these for now

I don’t see why you’re so
Embarrassed, or why you feel that everything needs to be done at once. The sofas and flooring look perfectly fine for the time being. I personally would focus on getting a new fire surround/ mantle piece and some storage for either side of the chimney breast.

Pu the sofa's in an L shape with one facing the tv and the other facing the window. That way you have best of both world. Put an ottoman or one of those big sitting cushions across them closer to the window. Maybe do a few of those round tables that are in right now as a coffee table.

rearrange the sofas into more of an L- shape but with a gap
I _.

Alove cupboards and shelves along the t.v. wall.

I do think a rug can tie a room together so if you're finished decorating and it still misses something, then try that.

I think that curtains in a statement colour could go really well with that window in the wall.

I would fill in that wall and make it a media wall . The wires look awful , then paint it a bold colour and have the other walls neutral . Get some nice paintings and bits to make it feel homely .

Alternatively you could also decorate with the lower part of the walls navy, the rest white, navy couches and curtains and a rug and cushions in another colour that complements it, for instance dark yellow.

Or do the walls a light greyish green, with a grey couch, green cushions and curtains and industrial type coffee table and chest of drawers.

Add in a cognac coloured leather chair.

You need to do something with that big wall on your right when you come in as well. Will you be adding a book case? If not you could hang a nice big picture there.

Or a large (and I mean large) standing antique mirror

I would leave it for a year and see how the room gets the sun throughout the seasons & as everywhere is dark at this time of the year. Maybe just buy some cushions and throws to unify the sofas.

Also, give us a floorplan. How many doors?

We've a naturally dark living room, the walls are dulux overtly olive, with one wall Egyptian cotton. Our curtains are oatmeal coloured with brass poles. I reckon a unit either side of the fireplace will help with storage and maybe a storage footstool as well. Definitely a cosy rug if you're getting laminate!

Alcove cupboards not alove.
matching throws on the sofas would make them look a bit more co-ordinated.

The corridor effect and empty wall behind the sofas is a bit weird.

I definately don't like the sofas how they are. I've attached a floor plan if I've done it correctly.

Thanks all for the ideas so far giving me lots to think about

This is what I'd do. Excuse the rubbish drawing, I just did it quickly. Colours are off because DC have been at my paints (even though they've got their own!).
Achievable for under £300.

Sorry to the person who suggested navy walls, sofas & curtains but please don't, OP! We once painted a room half navy & it soaked up the light. You want something pale to bounce the light around.