Quick! Someone fix it for me!
I need serious help because I just can't stand another minute of the blah blah blahsss that is my teeny tiny living room.
I'll admit that these pictures were taken at 2:37am (because that is the ONLY time my living room ever looks this clean. lol.) I would've vacummed but I would've woken the kids and the neighbor so I saved it till the morning. Do you see that cardboard box over there?? That's Liam's Rescue Heroes and I am NOT to remove them from the living room because they protect it, so says Liam.
It's obvious my walls are bare and I have no idea what to hang on them. I'd love to add some color to these ugly white walls but alas it's a small little rental and adding color is a big no-no. I can't rearrange furniture because of my darned piano that's the size of the Titanic and I hate the vertical blinds with a passion....
Okay so I'm going to quit whining now. Promise.
Can somebody please help me figure this room out? I want it to feel a little cozier and less apartment-y. I have a budget of about $10.33...wait no I just found another two pennies make that $10.35.
Okay the comment box is {down there} You better get to suggesting :)
10 comments:
what if you got some cool on clearance fabric with some color and maybe texture and covered one whole wall with it? then get some more cheap fabric, something a little lighter that would cooridnate with the wall and drape it around the window. surely you have something more deco (a basket?) that you can put liams stuff in? thrift store hunt to find a cool glass vase (it can be colorful) or bowl and put something in there...like make your own large tissue paper popppys or you might find some cheap fake flowers or even plastic balls (like christmas ornaments except generic)? if have an extra picture frame or two you could put more fabric inside those too to pull the colors across the room.
oh the vase or whatever could go on the piano.
Adding a big mirror on one wall always makes a room look bigger. Also, I think a rug with more color would make it look more cheerful.
I am terrible at decorating myself. My living room is pretty blah too for 2 reasons: I have a complete inability to spend money on something that is not either to wear, eat, or organize. And 2. I think I have an overwhelming suspicion I'd be pretty crappy at it even if I tried.
You can get big unframed mirrors fairly cheaply though, and a colorful rug will contrast well with the white walls and black couch, but I would never spend the money on the rug ;).
So, when you save up a couple more dollars, you can get the mirror tiles from Wal-Mart to put above the piano. If I were you, I would get some cheap canvases (when they go on sale) and let the kids paint! If I was feeling wild and crazy I would sand down the entertainment center and paint it red or change out the knobs/handles. I would also get a couple smaller boxes or baskets with cute material to put under your TV for Liam's Rescue Heroes. I understand about not being able to paint. Have you seen how horrible my Living Room looks? Nasty carpet and 3 Fish Aquariums. Yep.
I would get one of those wall decals that has a lovely saying, like "Home Is Where The Heart is" or something of the sort. I think something like this would go great above the piano. found some wonderful ones on Etsy. Here is the link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/itswrittenonthewall?section_id=5874282
Target has some really nice, reasonably priced prints. Also, I love accenting rooms with bright things-- like throw pillows. Choose throw pillows in your favorite bright color, accent the pillows with a vase on your entertainment center. Or choose a brighter rug. I love decorating!
Get comfy- this is a long one.
Firstly, the dark carpet and sofa and piano and armoire are like anchors on the room, keeping the eye from traveling up or over.
I love your throw pillows. True winners. Let's go from there and hope craigslist and garage sales come through for us.
I am envisioning a sheepskin rug on the floor (or something light and graphic in color or texture)
I see a chunky, light colored (maybe celery green or cream) throw to break up the black couch.
Then I see contrasting throw pillows to add dimension and an alternate pattern.
I see graphic curtains replacing the vertical blinds. Just pack them on a shelf in the garage until you are done renting. Hang curtains ceiling height to draw the eye up and make sure they always go all the way to the floor.
Pack up anything on top of the piano except for a stack of three books and a solid accessory.
Art work is everything!!! Find large pieces. Spray paint an old frame (the ugliest can turn very nice when made white or black). Just go to goodwill and grab a two dollar, butt-ugly picture with an interesting frame. Replace the picture with a poster or print that you love cut down to size.
We need the picture of the savior relocated because it is pulling the eye to a strange spot. Dress the armoire with a pretty vignette. (always accessorize in odd numbers. 3 or 5, never 2 or 4)
In everything you add or make, look back to the original inspiration (for me it's the pillows) and make sure it is a unified look. (you might fall in love with a rooster- but if it isn't a very modern, cool rooster, save it for your next house. you will waste money by not sticking with a theme)
Make a list of your "need to buys" and work the garage sales and craigslist- one thing at a time.
There is a fine line between overcrowding and not finishing. Use an editing eye to make sure that each thing you put in the room speaks to the other items and creates a balance of texture, color, height and space.
Good luck!!!
I would switch the television and the couch. By placing the couch on the opposite wall it is not competing with the beautiful piano at the far end.
Can you separate the shelf unit over the television. If so then place one shelf where the black armoire is. The other one should fit next to the television.
Turn the piano to face the room more, and move the armoire to the other end of the room out of the room completely. It is beautiful, but there are too many big items making the room feel small.
I would spend the money on a large lamp to place on the piano. One of the candelabra type, or one with lots of fake jewels. You can find those at any thrift store. It would brighten that corner.
I would paint the shelves the color green that's in the throw pillows.
You have a lot of great potential in the long room, but it needs some air. Too many big items are cramping your style.
This was fun! Thank you for stopping by my blog, and I would be honored to follow you too. =)
I forgot the box. If you have some baskets that would fit under the television on the shelf that would be perfect.
I would add a red or turquoise vase and maybe a bright throw on the couch. A colorful picture of two on the walls would help too. I would also add a mirror to make the room appear bigger. Baskets are always fun to decorate with as are books. I get my books from thrift stores and look for the oldest and brightest ones I can find.
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