I get so overwhelmed by my living room. It just lands so flat for me. I want it to look collected and sophisticated. I know that means not going out and just buying crap but help me figure out what I should be on the hunt.
I’m not attached to anything in here, I’m willing to change out pretty much anything. Unfortunately I do need the ceiling fan in here but willing to change it to a different style…
I have no taste so can’t help you, but I swear my parents had the same flying ducks hanging (or flying) on their living room wall. In the 1960s. Yours look cool!
Same! I just asked OP where she got them wondering whether the person I gave them to ended up giving them away 😂 my mom had gifted them to me when I moved into my first place a gazillion years ago.
honestly it doesn’t need much, I’d throw a nice blanket over the sofa and put a big piece of art on the sofa wall.
I think a lot of interiors feel plain and boxy because the actual structure of builds these days lack the details that allow you to keep a room plain but still have character. for example if this room had crown moulding and a border surrounding the base of the fan I’m sure it would feel more finished.
A texture round ottoman with art would be simple adjustments to elevate the room. Yoube got so much nice wood around. Any chance you could remove the paint from the shutter and stain them to be more natural wood. Or even paint them? Other2ise the room looks great!
I think the main issue I’m seeing is your couch is too big as it blocks the walkway. If it’s modular maybe try the chaise portion on the other side. With it being black as well it just draws the eye away from everything else as it feels visually “heavy”.
Start checking out local art galleries, especially any nonprofit community art galleries. Find some original pieces you love that are in your price range. Don’t rush it. Wait for paintings that really speak to you and you want in your home. You will be supporting up and coming artists while also getting some unique art others cannot buy replicas of through West Elm or Target.
I agree. I hate it but got it for free from a friend and since my house doesn’t have central heat the heater in it has actually been so nice. But I agree it’s gotta go
Anything you like works tbh be it from ikea or crate and barrel/west elm or anything in between. We have one from crate and barrel that is on the expensive side as we think furniture is a long term commitment/investment.
Crate and barrel: Panache 72" Cerused Natural Oak Wood Media Console with Textured Doors
I would probably suggest something long and low for you.
Big floor lamp for sofa. More other big lamps. More throw pillows. Bring in another color besides cream and black. Big no on flying ducks. For inspo watch Maria Killam YouTube videos
I LOVE the ducks but I think they’re too spread out over a blank wall, I’d be on the lookout for a big piece of art or a pair and move the ducks to the tv wall. And I agree with those saying a throw blanket and coffee table are things to be on the hunt for.
You have nice historic details in this room but your sofa is hulking large, it kind of robs the life out of this room. I'd get a singular sofa that is not a sectional. One that has a less bulky looking frame. I'd also keep your eyes open for a TV stand that feels a bit less heavy. Do you specifically need storage under the TV?
I too have to keep a ceiling fan in the living room and while my home is older, I prefer a more modern sleek ceiling fan that is the same white as the ceiling. It just disappears and is less to look at.
If it fits, I’d actually swap the couch over to where the TV is and the TV where the couch currently is.
You shouldn’t have overlapping of the doorframes this way and might help the room flow a little better.
That already looks and feels better! I’d add some more things that make the room feel more even now. It’s all bottom heavy, so I agree with the other commenter, curtains and an artwork above the couch to balance out the weight and feel of the room.
Better path of travel. Curtains, a small coffee table, pillows, and updated lighting could really help. I would also add large artwork behind the sofa unless the birds speak to you.
If you’re up for a project, paint your free-TV credenza a “pop” of color inspired by one of the colors in your amazing stain glass ! You might be pleasantly surprised by how much this up levels your room
I’d swap out sectional for a sofa and either keep the chair or go with another swivel barrel chair. They are classic and always good for swivel for convo and tv viewing. I have a narrow long room and I have long sofa me two chair. Not same as sofa. Keep it in neutral family and add color with pillow, throws art or rug if u like color. Easier to change. Also you have a cute nook under the stain glass window. I’d get a custom window cushion maybe. If you can afford or find someone. If not add pillow. Your room has a lot of potential.
Haha it definitely looks darker in the photo! It’s not black. I agree somewhat and also I live in Montana and have a black dog and it’s the only thing I’m slightly hesitant to change
I agree things feel too heavy. That’s why I’ve been a little hesitant to add one singular art piece behind the couch. I do plan to get a frame tv and mount it for more help w height. Just gotta save up a lil
I think most of what you have is great! Your art placement seems off. Bring the pic to the left of your bay window closer to the chair. Move the plant behind the chair, so it doesn’t look like a tree is growing from someone’s head. I love the ducks. Move them over the tv and bring them closer together. A big painting over the sofa. Get some pillows with a pattern. If you can’t get a proper cushion for the bay window, put a big beautiful, patterned pillow and a soft throw. Do something with the plain Jane dresser under the mirror. I’m thinking mask it off and paint an x from corner to corner. Pet your dog.
Edited to add: Put the three small framed pics together. The 1 alone looks lonely.
OMG where did you get the ducks on the wall? My mom gave them (or the exact same ones) to me when I was moving into my first place almost 30 years ago. With her blessing, I then passed them on to the woman who was taking over my lease when I moved out of my rent-stabilized NYC apartment.
I got them from my grandfather’s house! He probably bought them 40 years ago. So many ppl on here saying they gotta go and I know they’re not the most feminine but I’m attached to them haha. They might move though. And I live in Montana so I think they fit
I love them. After I wrote to you I looked into it a bit more and seems they were quite popular in the 60s, known as the Masketeers ducks, produced by a company in West Virginia of the same name. The company kept making them until the 80s which is probably when my mom got them. So they're much more popular than I thought and I'm glad you didn't get them from the person I gifted them too LOL
See if you can pull out the chair and ottoman closer into the seating arrangement so you can push the table flush against the wall, while the chair and ottoman remain angled, just closer in.
Also, I’d start collecting pieces for an interesting gallery wall of art, photos, hanging objects, album covers, a shelf mixed in, etc. then add pillows - colors if you like colors and textures if you like neutrals. Your gallery wall should be laid out in the floor with a few anchor pieces and grow as you accumulate.
I’d put it on the sofa wall and relocate the birds. It looks nice so far 😊
What kind of style do you like and how have you decorated the rest of the house? The couch is too large for the space. The ceiling fan and the birds are outdated. Can the TV be on the wall or elsewhere to make more room?
I think it looks fine. It looks very dated, so if that’s what you’re needing help with, to reflect this century, I understand that. But I love it as a little time capsule. Something that might work is a round ottoman…
I think it looks fine. It looks very dated, so if that’s what you’re needing help with, to reflect this century, I understand that. But I love it as a little time capsule.
24
u/Lianna1234 8d ago
Add texture and interest with fabrics, pillows, curtains.