Changes to my Living Room
Ironically after I wrote the post entitled “I have a disease” I actually got sick. Like for real sick, puking and whatnot. It was horrendous. On the plus side, I lost like four pounds in one night!
And now I’m pretty much better…this bug left as quickly as it came. Although I’m left with a pretty weak stomach and have only eaten cereal and jello today, I was still able to make a lot of changes to my living room.
First of all…THANK YOU to everyone who left tips and advice. Some of you really got into it! I obviously need some help with my decorating! And I took a lot of your advice.
Here’s what I’ve done so far, without spending any money.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Changes I made:
- Rolled up the rug and am going to sell it on Craigslist
- Took down my brown curtains and replaced them temporarily with ivory sheers
- Put the ottoman behind the couch and filled it up with all of our DVDs
- Moved the Expedit over by the TV
- Changed throw pillows for beige ones I had until I can make some cute new ones
- Added Beige throw
- Ivory quilted table runner on the TV console
- Moved the chair to the corner
- Cleaned the dirty glass doors
- Took down the picture collage
Changes I still plan on making:
- New Beige colored area rug (you can’t really see the stain in the picture but the carpet is basically dissolving anyway)
- Add red and aqua color accents in pillows, vases, artwork, and lampshade
- New Beige/Khaki curtains
- New artwork to replace the giant thing on the wall
- Bins/baskets in the Expedit to hold kids’ toys (so they are easily accessible)
You all talked me out of making a slipcover for my couch, and since I really don’t know where I’d find time to do that anyway, I’ll make the red work. Red and aqua are really pretty together anyway right?!
Questions:
I need suggestions for new artwork to put on the main wall (where the big piece is now)
What should I put on top of the Expedit? I was thinking maybe a plant…
Do you think I’m headed in the right direction?
What would you do if this was your living room?
I really love hearing your suggestions!!
Love the changes you have made so far!
I didn't comment last time, but I am glad you decided not to do the slip cover. I have a red couch, love seat, and ottoman. I thought they may be bad with my gray/blue walls when we bought the house, but I love the burst of color. I can add or change colors easily to change up the look, making it more versatile than I thought. Not to mention they don't stain as easily as lighter color couches. A true godsend with red drinks (which I am usually responsible for spilling!)
wow – moving that rug made a HUGE difference – great job!
Your room looks great! What picture is that on your wall? Also I really like your red couch. But I know what you mean about it – I have a green couch, and green is my favorite color, but after looking at it every day for 7 years I'm kind of over it. I wish I had done what you did to our sliding door in Kansas City. I hated those vertical blinds, but I didn't do anything about them.
Ohhhhh Very nice! It really brightened up the room.
I think it looks so great!! I think you did a fabulous job giving an old room a new look without spending any money. Can't wait to see the finished project!
I love all the changes! Glad you decided to stick with the red couch. My living room is red and beige and I love it! I think the two colors really give it a homey feel. What I thought first when I saw the pictures though was awesome TV stand. Where did you get it? I haven't been able to find one I like.
Looks great!! I definitely think you are headed in the right direction 🙂 For new artwork, try checking out TJ Maxx or a similar store. They always seem to have big pieces of art at great prices.
Looks great! I took the plunge and had a 20×30 family print done (sister took the picture, and used picnik.com to add the dimensions), framed it and put it up on our wall. I really recommend it. It is the first thing people complement me on when they come into our home. You can have red and aqua accents in the clothes that you wear if you wanted it to fit into your color scheme.
beautiful!
I think something with some texture would look great on the wall…like an old fence gate or something like that.
And, just curious about whether or not the couch HAS to be at an angle like that? It seems to take up a lot of floor space and block part of the doors/windows that way. I'd like to see what it looks like flat against that wall.
I've had it against the wall for almost three years and I just got sick of it. I like it at an angle for visual interest and it also helps the conversation flow (not so much 'we worship the TV.') The other thing is that the corner that it blocks is a nice place to hide extra stuff that isn't so cute.
Love the changes! One idea-I don't know how attached you are to the picture in the frame, but it's a great frame. You could take out the picture and paint the frame and put something else in it. Or spray paint the frame and put things on the wall that would fit within the frame. Or make a family portrait collage, etc. It would look great an aqua color. You could also spray paint the shelf on the wall to match your new colors. One more idea-recover the lampshade in different material in your new colors. Good luck!
Wow! What a difference, and all at no cost! I def. like what you've done. I think removing the rug/ curtains have really lightened the space. I like all your other ideas. I'd probably go with a plant on top of the shelving unit too.
Wow!!!! I LOVE IT!!! Taking down the dark curtains and moving out the rug really changed the whole space and made it look a lot brighter and more open! Great job:)
By the way…what are you standing on to get pictures from above? 🙂 It cracks me up:)
it looks awesome! Great job.
Another suggestion for wall art:
shapes, words, names or sayings (like wall tattoo stickers) cut with an exacto knife from foam craft sheets (that way a big wall decoration will only cost you around 10$)
I have some pics on my blog (I just started it, so don't mind the layout and so on) http://heim-elich.blog.de/2010/12/18/wanddeko-10214442/
It's in German, so let my know if you need any translations.
Jenn(ifer)
Do a family photo art wall or find some great prints that you like. Purchase in smaller sizes so you aren't spending a bunch at once and slowly build the wall. OR take them yourself!
It looks good! I guess I would vote for looking for artwork that is personally meaningful to you, whether it is family pictures or whatever. Maybe you could make a quilt to use as a wall-hanging. I also think plants can add a lot to a room.
wow..that is really good..minimize furniture and use the correct colour really make a huge change!
Thank you! I did that last year and I have not regretted it for one minute. I have a white couch slipcover now too!