Novice with no talent or taste

[iamtheoneandonlyyy]

I live in a rented house with three small children. Recently separated.The previous partner didn't really care much for the contract on the house and felt free to decorate as he felt. I intend to make the entire house neutral but nice and I'm allowed wallpaper on the bottom half of the living room wall.
Anyway, I saw on another thread about elephants breath paint but I'm on a hell of a tiny budget so I'm looking for advice. I'm including a picture of my sofa as it's the main thing in the room and I want it to look nice. The pic also shows the huge and unfortunate pink rug that I'm stuck with for now.
So I'm asking what colour paint would go? And what kind of wallpaper to replace the one seen behind the sofa? And should I gloss the picture rail? The agents will be happy if it's all clean looking and fresh.
I'm so clueless, thanks for any help

Definitely keep the Live Laugh Love wallpaper

Personally I would paint the whole place white. Then add colour through your other stuff. You can't go wrong with white, you can find it inexpensively, it keeps things light and is easy to touch up when like all walls it gets marked. Any other neutral will limit your options.

I have appalling taste but now just find it so much simpler to go white when in any doubt. That said I do have bad taste so possibly discount all of the above!

Live laugh love 😂
I said no to the wallpaper in the first place, I take no responsibility
I did think white but with three little ones I feel it's a bad idea. Whatever I get will go throughout the house. It's mostly magnolia everywhere else and quite old looking.

I just find stark white very cold. I'd be completely turned off a house painted white head to foot.

Definitely a warm white, especially if you can’t change carpets, curtains etc. Are you allowed to hang things on the walls?

You can have F&B paints made up at a Johnstone’s decorator centre for much, much less money (harder wearing finish with kids too).

Yes I can hang things up. As soon as I can replace the rug I will be as well.

What about the wallpaper though🤔I'm thinking elephants breath (cheap version on upper walls, white gloss picture rail and maybe some kind of silvery wallpaper on the bottom half? Not dark or anything but just so it looks like a room rather than bits of lots of old rooms together

I don't think I'd keep any wallpaper -- I'd just paint the whole wall, perhaps with the dado rail in a slightly contrasting colour.

I think a bit of wallpaper brings a cosier feel to a room. Or you could do a darker paint under the rail and lighter above?

I’m looking at wallpapers for my hall at the moment and I’m using this website they have loads of choice and seems good value.
www.gowallpaper.co.uk/arthouse-chinoise-wallpaper-in-yellow-422804.html

I love the Farrow & Ball colours, and they instantly make the room look more interesting. As someone upthread recommended, have them matched with cheaper paint. Follow Farrow & Ball on FB and Instagram for inspiration.

Ok I like these tips, I feel a bit more inspired. Thank you