I need some ideas, where to start?

[LoveBeingAMum555]

Other than a paint freshen up (same colour) pretty much everything in our lounge is 13 years old. This year we are getting the fire place ripped out and a log burner installed so everything is going, it's time for a change. It will be new carpet and curtains, new sofas, possibly other new furniture depending on budget.

I am panicking a bit about choosing the colour scheme and design, we will be investing a bit of money so we want to get it right. We haven't done an entire room like this in a long time, usually we are working around what we need to keep.

Where do I go for ideas? Where do I start?

I'd start with finding a really comfortable sofa and work from there. And if you do find a really comfortable sofa, please share on here.

I’d start with you you want it to feel. Light and airy, snug and cosy, modern and sleek etc. Some of which is determined by the room itself. That can help you make the big choices.

Who uses that room and for what?
Pets?
Is it a large room?
Open plan or separate?

Those were my criterias. Basically, I live on my own and I have a dog. I love a coffee morning, a game of cards with the girls, I love entertaining.
So for me it was no TV in the room, round table, deep seats, my dog is a filthy animal so washable covers, pouffe that can double up as a seat, cheap rug because to clean it is more expensive than to buy a new one ( I actually made to without one in the end).
No curtains, it’s a small room, I have plantation shutters.
All my furniture is white.
What I do have though it some amazing art on the walls, huge paintings in wacky colours, house plants etc. It feels airy and looks clean till the sun comes out and then the truth is dire!

Thanks, that's helpful. It's just me and DH no kids or pets, it's our cosy up and shut ourselves away space and the room is challenging because it's long and narrow. We tend to go for modern styles but I don't want it to be cold and stark.

The sofas we have now are super comfy, but old, threadbare and very dated.

Lots to think about.

We tend to go for modern styles but I don't want it to be cold and stark.
There is an estate agent called The Modern House. Maybe if you scroll through some of their listings you might get some ideas. The Modern House.

I am panicking a bit about choosing the colour scheme and design
PP is right about starting with choosing the FEELING that you want, you've done that bit. Although you are starting the room from scratch it still has to resonate with the rest of the house, so think about how it works next to the hall / kitchen / whatever. Maybe you could repurpose some furniture from elsewhere in the house and see if that inspires you.
For the colour, don't start with paint - there are far too many to choose from. Choose a large piece with several colours in it - could be a painting or a rug or the curtains, etc - and base your colour scheme around the colours in that piece. Pick three colours and dress the room in those, in the ratio 60:30:10. The 60% is a lot of surface area so pick something fairly neutral.
Make the room non-stark by using texture and layering.

Please don’t do the log burner! https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/dec/27/wood-burning-stove-environment-home-toxins