Help me decorate my new house

[Coffeekam]

I have bought a house which is 2 years old and on an lovely estate in a great town. I really do not like the current decor and need help. I have attached pictures as I’m unsure what to go for. The current choices are really dark and dull and unfortunately I can’t imagine living with them.

The flooring is too dark - any suggestions what would be better? I don’t want grey- I want a warm natural/stone colour.

Also the kitchen I’m not loving. The green splash back tiles and green cupboards I’m not keen on either. The worktop seems so dark and dull too. I’m thinking of painting the cupboards and replacing the worktop, sink and splashback. What would you suggest if it was yours?

I really like the location and the house otherwise. Just not keen on the current decor but struggling to chose and lead times are so very long I want to get it ordered Asap

I'd change the kitchen cabinet doors, the carcass will be fine.
I'm not a fan of the flooring, we've got an oak parquet floor which looks amazing against our pale kitchen.

What is the flooring made of? It may be possible to sell if it's wood or laminate planks.

I love it. Lovely colours, looks high quality finish. Much better than your third pics which look quite cheap and dated.

Why don't you try to add some accessories, rugs etc to brighten it up. And maybe change the handles on the kitchen.....

Hi OP

I agree that the floor and the worktop are too dark, but I like most of the rest of it.

Is the floor made from wood? If so, could it have been varnished that dark and could it be sanded/lacquered to a lighter, more natural colour?

A white, marbled worktop would look lovely with the green cabinet doors. Though if you don't care for the colour of the doors, there are companies that will professionally re-spray to a different colour. The kitchen itself looks in fantastic condition so it would be a shame to tear it out.

Do let us know what you decide!

I think the kitchen is beautiful but totally agree that I'd prefer a more neutral colour too. I agree with a PP that you could get them resprayed.

I also love the floor, it's gorgeous! With a neutral kitchen and new splashback etc you could really brighten up the room.

How is a grey and brown kitchen not neutral?

It’s green and brown. It’s quite dark too.

If you make your lounging/ dining area neutral, the way you like it, and change splashback and handles perhaps you'll end up loving it.

Alternatively, like PP have said companies will spray the doors. If the worktops are solid wood try and work with them.

Check out a specialist tile manufacturer/merchant & put some stunning tiles above the existing ones, up to the ceiling, to jazz up the bathroom. Those tiles should be easy to co-ordinate with.

Thanks for the suggestions. I’m still unsure how I could make it more my style. I’m not sure about the dining table to get and how to make it brighter but I’ll spend some time on the internet looking for inspiration.

I looked on Instagram with the # dark wood floor which has given some suggestions. the dark wood runs throughout the full downstairs and is just the opposite of what I would chose.

I think a light rug with a light couch could make it more my style. The worktop and dark floor are just so dark for me. I think if anything I would need a light coloured worktop to brighten the area.

I’ve attached some dark wood floor pictures from Instagram which I like

I wouldn’t change anything, add curtains and pictures and go from there.

I know it’s not everyone’s style but this is what I like

Well, just style your lounge exactly like the picture you like but with the dark floor. It'll be a lovely contrast (better in my opinion, but that doesn't matter it's your opinion here) and you might actually like it.

For the kitchen live with it for a while,
do the other areas then see.

It seems like the flooring is a problem for you - too dark? It would be possible to change the flooring and do very little to the kitchen.

Having said that, I’d live with it for a while before making changes.

Can you sand and restain the floor so it's to your own taste?

New handles for cupboards is a quick and cheap replacement but the green is lovely and will work with a neutral wall shade of your choice so I'd leave well alone.

I'm another who thinks the decor as it is is lovely (and bang on trend) but we all have our own tastes and you're the one who lives there.

Yep, sage green is very trendy at the moment- I think you’d regret changing it! It doesn’t look to dissimilar to your inspiration pictures, once you add in some more modern knick knacks, you’ll be pretty much there.

I love the floor! Looks expensive. I'd change the worktop to a white marbled quartz (if budget allows). Then maybe change the handles.

@55Jumbo

I love the floor! Looks expensive. I'd change the worktop to a white marbled quartz (if budget allows). Then maybe change the handles.

I agree on both counts. A light, bright counter will bounce the light a lift the units.

For your living area, I'd get a massive big light coloured rug- I've got a dark floor and an off white moroccan style rug that really pops. Then lots of lovely natural fabrics and it will make the space look rich and classy.

Something like this would be lovely!

I like your house as is. It's got a slightly New England, classic richness to it and it suits the style of the property.

Your style is slightly footballers wives but I don't mean in a bad way. Sort of glossy and bright rather than cosy and warm. Your preference can really work in a modern house, I really don't mean the footballers wife thing as a criticism, many of them have a lot of money and big airy rooms. It's hard to achieve the look you like with dark floors but if you go for light furniture and change the lights to down lights, it'll edge you towards the look you like. You need to lighten the space as much as possible with bright white accessories and counters.

I think it’s pretty lovely. I agree about the work surface being a tad dark (I don’t my mind the floor, and I think adding lighter chairs and couch will balance it). Why not price up for having a light coloured surface and new tiles? Re the bathroom, I’d remove the big mirror and tile it all, then add a nicer, smaller mirror/cabinet.

@Coffeekam

I’d say something like this is more my style. I like warm neural shades but still very light. I’m not keen on all grey but some grey is ok. We plan on having a table then a small sitting area at the other side of the table. I’ve attached the floor plan for reference.

I think these very pale floors are going to date whereas yours is classic, New England. I also like the sage green, also classic. I would replace the horrid splash back and the cupboard handles and then lighten it up with modern furniture. Dark wood legs but pale / white fabrics.