What can I do with grey sofa and carpet to make the room look warmer/cosier?

[hidinginthegarden]

Please help me wise ones!
Our living room has a grey carpet, grey sofa and grey walls with black wallpaper in the alcoves. We have a black wood burner stove.

While I liked all the items individually, when put together it just feels cold and bare. Last winter I tried orange cushions and lampshades but I don't love that.

It doesn't help that the top. Faces north (and actually is cold) but what can I do to make it feel cosier and warmer. I know lighting is an issue but I have tried high voltage bulbs, warm bulbs and nothing seems to help.

I'm ready to repaint the walls (but still like the feature alcoves) and get new lighting - but what colour, what lighting and what else can I do?
Your help would be very appreciated!

This! There are lots of plaster pinks out there and they go with grey and really soften it. Use antique gold lightbulbs in table lamps and put up some pictures. It’ll look fab

I would add a bit of texture rather than contrasting colour. Although some will disagree, I don’t think it looks great to add a pop of colour for the sake of it if it isn’t part of your scheme and I don’t think it would make the room feel cosier or give a cohesive look.
As others have said, I’d add some art or mirror above the fireplace. The contrast between the wallpaper and the expanse of lighter paint is a little stark. However, I know that is easier said than done, I’ve been looking for pictures/art on and off for ages and can’t find anything I love that others in the house also like!
I’d put a rug under the coffee table and a couple more cushions and/or a throw that blend with colours already in the room. I’d dress the coffee table with a plant or vase and a candle, on a tray or mat.

Just one colour 'pop' with grey always looks quite flat and out fashioned imo. As it's such a neutral base you can pick a few colours for accents, e.g. a pink, green, blue, maybe a bit if ochre mixed in there. Don't be afraid of colour! Photo at bottom of p2 of the thread is a good example of a colour accent mix.

I agree that a pop of colour won't work.
Definitely go for more texture, plants and warm lights, lamps or fairy lights (I don't do minimalist 😄) on your mantle. Candles as well.

Oh god. PLEASE let us lose the phrase "pop of colour "! 🙂

Changing your curtains would help too.

It's the wallpaper that dominates the room OP. Remove that and you are on the right track. You can go for any colour really and then get cushions to match and perhaps some wall art.
I have a similar set up but not wallpaper. I am seriously considering forest green for the wall with the fireplace - it's just a case of daring to do it !

Paint over one of the wallpaper alcoves and see is my advice !

I think your room looks lovely as it is, but if you want to make it look a bit warmer, I would add a couple of large plants and maybe some large velvet mid/dark jade coloured cushions, matching lamps, and possibly a big round jade vase for the coffee table.

Couldn't agree more!

Some rich dark greens or reds are quite warming. Just splash your chosen colour around with cushions, curtains, rug etc... You could also lift the mood with some nice statement pictures well placed, or a large mirror placed centrally. Don't fret too much though, the most important thing is you have a nice furnished place to live.

I have a plaster pink living room and we just got rid of our grey carpet as it really really didn’t go. Just a warning!

Copper is a good accent.

The Parker rug from dunelm is really good value. I've got it in the blue version (blue, duck egg, cream black grey, touch of caramel). They also do ochre version.
https://www.dunelm.com/product/parker-rug-1000168296?colour=Parker+Ochre
Plenty of shade to pull out for accessories but the rug will make it cohesive

Sorry OP but those alcoves are not great and it really disjoints the room as well as being cold. Drawing the eye there with a strange detailed pattern doesn't work. The pink posted upthread is ideal - for that whole wall, alcoves and chimney breast, or indeed the whole room. Then you need a mirror above the fireplace, large green plants and cushions.

This is what I meant re walls and plants. Cat optional!

I think I would add some wooden alcove shelves to soften the look a but, something matching your table. Will add some examples to show you what I mean.

I haven't RTFT but I think it needs more natural elements to stop it looking clinical. Definitely plants! But also things like wood (for picture frames or shelving), clay/terracotta (e.g. plant pots), sheepskin (as a throw? Or even hung on the wall?). Think about jute, seagrass, cane, wicker etc for things like storage baskets.

Natural elements. Add texture with knits or faux fur or stripes in the base colour. Maybe copper lights? Embrace the grey. Don't do the ochre/orange/ red highlights. It will look old fashioned. You definitely need something in that chimney breast - be it a picture or a mirror.

I also think it looks quite cold and lacking any individualism op, I’m sorry, it’s a bit ubiquitous next at home.

i think yellow/ochre is such a lazy suggestion too, it’s been done to death.

id also go a blush pink, and I’d add some big green plants, and some nice artwork with a white background, or something colourful and then some different coloured cushions.

i really love the Marie Burke collection at voyage maison and this one which is an artwork of a fushia would brighten it up

https://voyagemaison.com/products/bodmin-printed-feather-cushion-fuchsia?_pos=5&_sid=140085d65&_ss=r

Haha. To be honest o tried the pop
Of colour and it didn't really work!

Lots of plants. Lots.

Oh I like this idea!

To be honest I love the wallpaper (it's velvety and nice to stroke! I know I know) and I'm very fond of the coffee table (it's got quite a lot of history to it) but had never thought of dressing it ! Wow. That's be cool.
But I am up for changing the walls and if I can persuade DH get rid of the carpet (lovely floorboards and a biig rug is more me!). And the curtains - meh!!

Ooooh!

I agree with this. And some texture, furry cushions, knitted cushions, rug with texture and slight pattern. Plants.

I love this too. Thank you to everyone for your ideas. Good job it's payday. I'm off to hit the shops for more texture, plants, rug,artwork and mirror and more wood I think.
The walls are going to have to be re plastered following a damp patch so im definitely considering pink or plaster pink colours.
Thank you - you've all been so helpful!