Help me out with living room makeover that won’t cost the earth 1930’s semi

[Daddylonglegs123]

As the title suggests help me out with inspiration for our front room that won’t cost the earth.

Our front room has a bay window with neutral coloured ivory/cream roman blinds. We have two brown/tan coloured leather couches which are both staying but could update cushions, TV and stand staying, fire staying, light beige carpet staying.

Would like to decorate/paint the room (not sure what colour colours either safe similar neutral shade, green shade or a darker teal shade, Cadburys purple, bright yellow, or dark grey almost black maybe)? It doesn’t get a lot of natural light wondering whether to paint the fire surround and either paint or replace the corner cabinet (suggestions for something else with links or pictures) and whether to paint or replace the mirror suggestions for what type pictures or links and also maybe a new light fitting (not too low). Suggestions please.

Picture rails need to go back in, and you 100% need plantation shutters at the windows - let in loads of light but don't gather dust and dirt. If you wanted to paint your corner unit, look to paint with Frenchic paint. Doesn't need an undercoat and it's super easy to paint.

Sorry it wasn’t a true picture rail I have the name wrong it was around the middle height of the room and it was DH’s idea when we got the room re plastered about 15 years ago.

@catlady2222 I quite like that room minus the oversized table or whatever in the middle of the room. Although that room looks bigger than our room our ceiling aren’t massively high probably standard height.

I was going to suggest similar to cat lady. Olive green, plantation shutters. I wouldn't paint the fire surround with that.

I like a picture rail, I'd put one in.

I'd do a feature mirror, and put in cupboards at the bottom with shelving over, and on one side have space above the cupboards for thr telly. I'd get that bespoke built in. I know you don't like dusting so I'd curate a limited collection, but for me it makes it cosy.

Here's a paint chart from the 1930s, @Daddylonglegs123

You can try painting the door as well to match the window trim. It seems odd that the door goes all the way to the ceiling?

I also agree with shelves on the wall where the corner cupboard is. I like your old fashioned fireplace.

If you like the example you posted then start there. Your room could take the colour as you have light from and white at the windows. It would help your tv unit blend in more.
I don't know whether you have anything under the window but a footstool in a fabric finish would soften the room and also be useful. Maybe bring in the sand / beige / taupe here or if you're going with sage then a slightly lighter shade on the footstool than is on the wall. Then tie together with the rug.
The pic has coving so maybe consider adding that in - it would work well with your lovely doors. (I have the same doors and am also in a 1930s semi)
Agree on the fitted unit instead of the corner unit. To me a corner unit is dated and also never as good for storage as the amount of room it takes up! You could then put a lamp on the fitted unit to soften it down.
Yes to the round mirror. Maybe pick out the metal on your door handles for the frame of it.
I'd go for a light coloured oval or round lampshade instead of what looks like the dark one you currently have. Something like this
https://lamptwist.com/products/hay-nelson-saucer-bubble-pendant?variant=44325837439222&country=ie&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A18928381335%3A%3A&nbadtype=pla&nbbkwd=&nbti=&nbbmi=101431787&nbpc=online&nbbpi=44325837439222&nbppi=&nbbplacement=&nbsi=%7Bsourceid%7D&nbblims=&nbblpms=&nbbfii=&nbap=&nbbmt=&twsource=google&twwadid=&twcampaign=18928381335&gclid=Cj0KCQjwi7GnBhDXARIsAFLvH4le224leA5Sy9SDkl6YrqrEvbe7PvUyD0wFTvnGYp-kJUpq7pGL0B0aAgsDEALw_wcB

There's a version of the lampshade I'm suggesting above on Amazon for a MUCH better price.

Sounds like it was a dado rail that you removed then, I doubt anyone would disagree with getting rid of one of those! The ceilings look high in that picture because of the bit above the picture rail being painted the same colour as the ceiling - it makes the walls seem part of the ceiling. That's why I wouldn't discount reinstating the picture rail - the doors are lovely and fit in with the period of the house so I'd keep going with adding back more period features.

Sorry to revive this thread. Still here and still not moved forward got distracted settling the kids into Uni and enjoying some down time.

Anyway budget is tight funding two kids through Uni etc.

So DH insists TV and stand needs to stay and stay in the same place as it houses something or other, sofas staying, neutral blinds staying, fire place can stay or we can do something cheapish (rarely use fire and it doesn’t give off much heat so just tend to use the radiator in that room. We can decorate still unsure whether (updated neutral colour, vivid green or pale sage), replace dated corner unit with something but what that doesn’t cost the earth or nothing in one alcove ideas, replace light fitting, mirror and possibly get a rug. Added some images as still quite like don’t want it to feel too cluttered or vintagey thinking comfortable but easy to clean but not so bare as it currently is. The kids sometimes have extra friends staying over in that room etc but it is also our front room.

I like the top two photos but both rooms are overly cluttered for me.

So in summary advice on paint colour year round room doesn’t get a lot of sun, round or oval mirror suggestions, light fitting, furniture for corner and possibly rug.