living room inspiration

[boringlivingroom]

God I hate our living room. Hate it.

Brown leather sofas, dark curtains, light brown walls, cheap ikea furniture in four different shades of (fake) wood. Hardly any pictures on the walls. It lacks life.

I've been looking on pinterest for ideas but it is too "ambitious" - I don't have the time or budget for the grand ideas peopl put on there...

Does anyone have any ideas for quick wins or tell me how you decorate your living rooms (it gets the morning sun so looks cool most of the day)? It is a Victorian flat - high ceilings, two black chandelier type light fittings (came with the flat), two big sash windows, fireplace with a nasty wooden surround (unpainted).

Help!

Thanks

You are so lucky to have high ceilings and big sash windows. Without spending too much, I would paint the walls something like Dimity or Slipper Satin by Farrow and Ball and the woodwork Wimborne White or All White. I would change the black chandeliers to the circular glass droplet one that Marks and Spence have at the moment. Not too expensive. Definitely get something that is light in colour, reflective of light and looks exciting.

I would also change the curtains to something like a duck egg blue. Ian Mankin may have something not too expensive in cotton. I would do floor length curtains and therefore ready made may not long enough. I could not live with brown curtains. I think a beige/white Ikat would look good too. I am not sure what you have on the floor, but try and lighten that too. Do you have boards or carpet? Also try some cushions that brighten up the settee. This is assuming you cannot afford to change them. John Lewis or M and S have great options. I am surprised by the summer collections at M and S. Lovely, fashionable, navy and white and hotter hues too. You have such a great room, it will be lovely.

Paint is your friend.
Paint the ikea furniture or better still have a look on gumtree for some sturdier second hand pieces that can be painted.
Definitely paint the walls.
Change the curtains.
Keep the couches. Update with cushions and throws.
Duck egg is a good suggestion with the brown couches.

Have you got carpet or hard floor? What about a rug to go with the good suggestions above?

Thanks all.

I have been looking at paint and thinking of painting the furniture and dreadful fireplace which is just untreated wood.

The floor is a decent wool carpet in a sort of cream colour.

Will check out the f&b colours. My head hurts as cannot work out which is best so good for a start! Thanks.

In the same position, I have walnut sofa and furniture wasn't sure what colours to do but I found this image and I really loved the colour scheme www.pinterest.com/pin/38139928064937959/

the closest colour to the blue paint I could find is Little & Greene Celestial blue - looks amazing on the walls.

Also if you need a colour scheme try this website:
design-seeds.com/

You can decide which colour to put on the wall and the other colours you could use as accents in furnishings etc.

Thank you. I liked that Pinterest pin - have been looking at similar colours.

I tested celestial blue on a wall I was having taken down before I committed and this is how it turned out

The red is the prev colour from the prev owner and its not really for me.

That looks a lovely colour. I've ordered some f&b samples so will look at little &Greene as they had gorgeous colours which I've sampled for other rooms.