Help! Can't decorate to save my life!

Pra12376878
by Pra12376878
I can draw but never could get ideas for decorating. We're in this house a year and still no ideas what to do with the room but especially with my unusual curved fireplace. Please help. Thank you
  46 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 23, 2017

    First I would mount the tv on the wall. As for the rest of the room maybe submit more photos so we can assist further.

  • Kj Kj on Jan 23, 2017

    My kind of challenge! I am constantly looking at spaces and mentally rearranging the furniture!

    Here are my suggestions:

    Slide the couch over so that it is directly facing the TV. Whatever is in that space now, move it so that the largest piece (chair, table, etc) is where the couch is now, to create a break between the space (where the camera angle is) and the living room. Having the couch away from the door creates more of a gathering space. I would move the couch up to the edge of the fireplace if possible, but toggle it out so it is still facing the TV. If you have an area rug that you can move into the space, do it to define it. Depending on how often you plan on using the fireplace, the coffee table seems like the curve matches the fireplace, and would be a good place for it. Move it out if you are having a fire(duh). Consider as well, putting the table lamp on the hearth beside the couch, or on a small table next to the hearth. The light will enhance the color of the stonework at night.


    If you are able, posting more pictures would be very helpful to see the rest of the space and what kind of "stuff" you are working with.

  • William William on Jan 23, 2017

    I agree with mounting the TV on the wall. The fireplace is great but overpowering. I would white wash the stones to brighten it and the room. A beefy mantle mounted on corbels would look great.

  • Janice Janice on Jan 23, 2017

    Poor you. If you're prepared for a big job, I'd tear out the stone and put in a nice surround that does not go up the entire wall(s) in the corner. You could actually build in a cabinet over the FP for the TV. Maybe you could have the upper portion taken off if $$ is and issue but may cost more in the long run. Otherwise, if $$ is an issue, I'd simply paint out the entire stonework a neutral light colour and do the walls the same (nothing wrong with creamy white). You could then put a hefty bookcase unit between the FP and door to hold the TV or a sofa table (the taller ones) with a lamp and a basket to hold keys etc. It will also create a visual barrier to the door. Paint your walls and door a similar colour as the ceiling to deter from the curved ceiling. If you can, I'd change the door. If you're looking out at something nice, go for a full length glass with the enclosed blinds; if your vista is not good, go for a fully enclosed door, no windows, paint same as walls. Shift your sofa further away from the door and a couple of feet toward the sliding doors. Put the end table near the sliding door (with a lamp at the door and one at the sliding door, your lighting will be balanced). Looks like you have another sofa beside the lamp. If so, keep it there and put two lounge chairs where the Victorian sofa is now with a small end table between them. Get an area rug; If you're keeping the sofa maybe do a slipcover (difficult with the wood) but I'd change it to a sofa with two chairs (as above) or else do a sectional and square table . All for now.

  • Loretta Loretta on Jan 23, 2017

    I agree with taking down the stone, at the very least halfway down the wall. It just really does not work well, completely overwhelms the room. Put a mantel on it and the tv above. If leaving any stone, definitely whitewash it. If possible, just eliminate all the stone and maybe use some nice tiles around the fireplace with a mantel above, making it fit more in with the scale of the room. Then you could possibly put in some bookcases on each side, on,y to the height of the mantel, again in proper scale to help fill in with the curved-ness. If it is done correctly, the bookshelves and smaller fireplace area could make it look more like a corner area than a round one. Shorter straighter lines, if you see what I am trying to say. There really is no way around it, that stone is all just too much, even if it is whitewashed. You could try that first, but honestly I think you should try to make it a smaller scale corner type fireplace, which would work nicely as the focal point but not overwhelming the room. Wish I could draw it out for you somehow. No easy out on this one.


  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 23, 2017

    Please do not think about taking down the stone. There are other options if you specify exactly what you need to accomplish.

  • Mary Mary on Jan 24, 2017

    First find a paint the compliments the stone, with a permanent color your personal preference wont work. It would clash. If your changing the stone then wait. If you have more pictures of the lay out and the furniture you have it would help, also the amount of money you want to budget

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Jan 24, 2017

    I agree with mounting the Tv over the wall, and embrace the interesting-shape of your fireplace It gives you an interesting uniqueness, you can place your couches around your fireplace on a curve for a cozy feel

  • Sharon Sharon on Jan 24, 2017

    TV over the fireplace for sure. Area rug, you need some color. Pillows to compliment the rug if possible will help too. Move that couch to face the fireplace and TV, will make the whole space more useful.



  • Shauna Steadman Shauna Steadman on Jan 24, 2017

    You can lighten the stone with what is (I think) called a French Wash. You paint a glaze on the stone and then wipe it off and it subdues the tones in the stone. I would not, NOT take this stone away. As someone else said, there are so many options available on the web. Plus the expense of having to completely re-do the remaining wall. You do need something across the room to balance this fireplace, but can't tell what else you have to work with. Best wishes

  • Pra12376878 Pra12376878 on Jan 25, 2017

    Great idea! Thank you!

  • Rae Rae on Jan 25, 2017

    I am in agreement about possibly painting the walls with a complimentary color to go with the fireplace stone. Removing it would be an expensive challenge. A throw rug with some of the same colors whatever you may choose in front of the couch with the coffee table atop that will warm up your room a bunch If your fireplace really curves as it appears in the pics you would have a difficult time mounting a TV there and I am not sure of the height. I have recently gotten a

    TV and new stand I feel that it is a bit to high for may tastes but to each their own. Just take your time and do it right the first time and and enjoy your accomplishments. Patience and good luck.

    • Pra12376878 Pra12376878 on Jan 28, 2017

      Thank you. Yes it is curved. And we're getting an insert. I'm concerned about the heat issue from the fire and the chimney as well as the mounting problem. I have a problem looking up for to long with the lupus I've got too, but i do like the rug idea. This house is already a huge improvement from when we fist moved in. Thank you for the encouragement. šŸ˜Š

  • Marylynn Caruso Marylynn Caruso on Jan 25, 2017

    Please don't take down the stone! i would spend the money to re-paint the walls a color that works more with the color of the stone. Look closely at the stone and pick a few paint swatches of colors you see either on the light side or dark side. Paint the door and trim the same color as the wall but semi gloss finish (matte on the walls). TV over the fireplace. It will be fine with a mantle. Definitely a wood, stone or some other natural material mantle. Take down the ceiling fan and put a hanging fixture. A natural fiber rug as large as you can afford under the furniture. If its in the budget, new furniture. If you can do the work yourself you can do everything suggested here for about the same as what you would pay to have that beautiful stone removed.


    I really think the paint color on the wall and trim is the problem here. Good luck with your decision! Please send photos And let us know your decision!

    • Pra12376878 Pra12376878 on Jan 28, 2017

      Thank you for the help. We'll see what we can do little by little. We've already spent a fortune getting this place as far as it is. I agree about the stone removal could actually cause more problems anyway but i do love it probably because it's unusual. Thanks againšŸ˜Š

  • Anna Anima Mundi Anna Anima Mundi on Jan 25, 2017

    Hi there, it's an unusual space but has so much loveliness to it. If you can't modify the stone, then here are some ideas. I would paint the walls with a paint that matches one of the lighter, warm tones of the stone, and trim either slightly lighter or slightly darker, but still in the same color family so the stone colors don't appear to end so abruptly. I would buy/salvage-and-upcycle/commission a nice hutch/bookcase unit to go on the left, painted a cream like your sofa, and mount the TV in that along with books, plants, knick-knacks, etc. ... handmade pottery would be awesome, as would art objects and crafts made from lovely wood. If you could find a hutch or unit that had a bit of a curvy embellishment at the top, it would echo the curve of the fireplace and also that nice curve on the back of your sofa.


    I'd put the sofa facing toward the fireplace and TV and add a largish area rug with colors coordinating with your couch and the stone, and also that has an interesting texture. I'd buy a coffee table that was larger and a bit chunkier than your Queen Anne, and a lighter wood, maybe oak.


    I'd find tall plants or some tall, sculptural pieces of art to go on either side of the fireplace. Even some shelves with pottery or something would be good, just something to frame that fireplace. A mantle would be great if you could swing it and know a good woodworker.


    A front door with a more decorative window would be nice, and also some drapes on the sliding glass window.


    Good luck with this. I've lived in unusual houses, too, and they are a challenge :-)

    • Pra12376878 Pra12376878 on Jan 28, 2017

      Wow thank you for all the wonderful ideas! I've got a lot to think about now because as i read your description i could picture ask m all kinds of things. Thanks so much! šŸ˜Š

  • Janet Taylor Janet Taylor on Jan 26, 2017

    If this was my place, that wall would definitely have to come down, it looks dated and over powering and doesn't go with the more elegant walls with the cornice, I don't Know your budget, but it's best to do the big jobs before you decorate.



  • Loretta Loretta on Jan 26, 2017

    This is very close to what I was thinking of for your fireplace. This is from a home for sale in my area for a half a million!! Gorgeous home,but overpriced if you ask me. Anyway, at some point if you plan on staying there for a long time,this is what I would do, definitely worth the expense. you could possibly do a lot of the work yourself, just need to research it is all. The fireplace is already in, just have to take down the stone, again research it, and the rest is building it back up, though mostly you will just deconstruct to the way you want it, and decorate it from there. I hope this helps you, for the long term anyway. Lots of good short term answers on here, but for me, I want to love my fireplace, and wow I love the one in this house!!! Good luck!

    • See 1 previous
    • Loretta Loretta on Jan 29, 2017

      If you cannot do the new fireplace now, then there are lots of good ideas on here. Be sure when you paint the walls to include the floor color in your choices. I would definitely do a wish or stain on the stone, to lighten it up, then choose maybe a tan or taupe color for the walls. If you can put a mantle on the fireplace great. If not, I would definitely wash it a lighter color and put a cotton Bol wreath on it. They are gorgeous! And very natural looking. If the stone wall and fireplace is to stay for some,time, you must also change your style of furniture, it does not in any way go with the rustic natural look. You could keep the couch if you got a good fitting simple no ruffles kind of cover for it. But do that after you paint and wash the fireplace, so you can do a better job of blending the colors. We really need to see more pics of the area to help you with the balance part of decorating. That is key with decorating, both for color and style and size and placement, there needs to be the right scale and balance of colors and objects. If we only address the fireplace wall we are not really helping you that much, because it could really through the room more out of balance. That stone wall already does that itself, so we need to see what else there is to help create a balanced atmosphere in your room. Please share some 360 pics, from each of the four sides so we can help you better. There are a lot of talented people on this site and you really should make use of their generosity ! Go to Martha Stewarts website and look for the cotton wreath. You will be washing/staining that stone in a heartbeat and making one of those wreaths for it!!! I will say this much, try doing a small part of the stone with a whitewash and see what you think. Take a little white or cream colored paint, a sample in flat, dilute some of it with water to make a wash and wash a few stones with it. You can always use paint thinner to remove it if you don't like it, but you have to try it to see how it looks. Imagining only takes you so far. I make fashion jewelry and I know this part well, I have a great idea, then once I do it , maybe it seemed better in my head:(( sometimes things I am not sure of turn out fantastic! So you have to try a bit to see how it works for your space.i think you will like it though :)). Post pics of whatever steps you do as well so the talent here can help guide you along the way :)))

  • Mcgypsy9 Mcgypsy9 on Jan 26, 2017


     Mcgypsy9 Mooresville, NCJust now


    I would want know first, do you like the stone fireplace? Do you want to keep it as is or do you want to change it? Are you buying new furniture? What are your thoughts for the room?


    • Pra12376878 Pra12376878 on Jan 28, 2017

      I do like the fireplace. I'm planning on new furniture as all of my many children are grown and finally in their own. I was actually thinking southwestern native American theme.

  • Patty Patty on Jan 27, 2017

    Unless you are able to spend a lot of money to replace the stone, I would not attempt that. I think painting the wall with a color you see in the stone would make a huge difference, then I would have a mantle put on the fireplace, one that goes all the way across the width of the fireplace,

    I would then move the couch to face the fireplace and place the coffee table in front of the couch, next get a large area rug and place at the same angle as your couch and coffee table, make sure the front legs of your couch are on the rug. Then get a good throw and some throw pillows, and hang some pictures and decorate your new mantle. I would not put the tv on the mantle, #1 I think they are way too high to view with any comfort, so I would leave it where it is, besides that leaves you with a nice big mantle to decorate. Good luck, please share pictures when you are done.

    • Pra12376878 Pra12376878 on Jan 28, 2017

      Thank you very much. I do like the fireplace. It's different like me lol I'm actually planning on getting some new furniture as all of my children are finally in their own. I was actually thinking of native American south western look. I think it would compliment the fireplace. Thanks so much for the help. šŸ˜Š

  • Patty Patty on Jan 27, 2017

    One more thing I forgot to mention that door next to the tv, I would change it out for a door without a window or hang a roman shade, curtain or blinds that would help, a view into the garage is not great, even though my husband would think it is. haha.

  • Patty Patty on Jan 28, 2017

    Yes I think that would be beautiful, I love southwest decor, but you will still need to paint and plan your decor out like color and furniture placement, rugs etc.

    Some furniture stores have decorators, take a picture with you and they can help

    make decisions on furniture pieces to lamps to wall hangings, rugs you name it and in most cases they are free of charge.

  • Lindcurt Lindcurt on Jan 28, 2017

    I'm with Patty on the couch, rug and coffee table. Heavier, darker colored furniture would help to balance the fireplace. A rug with colors from the stone but very little pattern would define the sitting area. I would add two chairs, one with it's back to the window near the fireplace and the other at a 90 degree angle to it. Place a square table in the corner of the two chairs. Leave the space between the door and TV open.

    The fireplace needs a substantial mantle. Something that extends out past the fire box across the front of the fireplace. A natural wood that is at least 4 inches thick. The plank should be cut to fit with the curve of the stone but straight across the front.

    The stone is beautiful. If anything is done to it, the darker stones should be lightened with a wash. I like the grey painted walls with the natural stone. Furniture in a darker tone will substantially change the balance of the room as it is now.

  • Terry Terry on Feb 02, 2017

    Your question was how to decorate your room around your large curved stone fireplace. I agree with Patty, you need a large square coffee table, and a large area rug to tie your colors together. I would paint or stain the stone a off white color to soften it, then you are able to use colors that would clash with it as it is now. Good luck, I hope you end up with the room of your dreams!

  • Julie M. Julie M. on Feb 02, 2017

    You said you like southwest decor. How bout hiring someone to stucco that fireplace and paint the stucco in white. Build a southwest style around that.

  • Julie M. Julie M. on Feb 02, 2017

    Sorry to throw so much out there, but there are so many fabulous southwest inspirations on HOUZZ

  • Mary Watters Mary Watters on Feb 03, 2017

    Hi. I had the same ugly fireplace. I painted it to match the walls. Goodbye 1978. Now I my kitchen fires.

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Feb 04, 2017

    It's beautiful. Right now I feel that it looks like you have 2 tvs I would paint room a warm shade and depending on how much light this room gets I would paint it accordingly. The hue of grey is pretty so maybe a hue of tan would work. But not an orange undertone because that will be awful. Pick a tan with cool under tone not warm. And place TV on an airy stand in metal so that you see wall and one can tell that it's 2 blended focal points as one. I hope that makes sense, the stand it's on matches the stones to much. With this set up not a good idea. Then I would get modern sofa in solid ivory color and some swivel chairs at least 2, in the color of your dreams so you can smile as you walk into room. Remember it's your space you pay mortgage not company. Then have them done in a solid or a pattern. Get rid of that coffee table that with the sofa makes it look as though this is a house a much older person around 80 yrs old. You also need side tables that don't have to be matchy matchy. Express your true self. Sorry I mean no offense I'm just stating what it looks like to me. Get a tall plant that you can put be opposite side of window but not to obstruct tv. It is a really cool room maybe even a large and I mean furniture sites on it carpet would and warmth.

  • Peggy Peggy on Feb 04, 2017

    I have had a flag stone fire place before and painted it the same color as the walls. Your fireplace is beautiful just the way it is. I would pick a warm color from the stones and paint your walls that color and ditch the grays. I am not a fan of grays, to trendy and cold color for that beautiful space. As you can afford or maybe build your own furniture.... would go with earthy tones, you have enough light in the room and rearrange your furniture. Nice accents beside the fireplace would do wonders. Have fun !!


  • Andrea Careless Andrea Careless on Feb 04, 2017

    I think you should paint over it. For me it just shouts out noisily, and I find it rather unattractive. Make the room nice and airy, as in the links Julie M. posted. It's just my opinion, and everyone sees beauty differently.

  • Ili Ili on Feb 05, 2017

    Maybe move couch, to open up lvrm, pick a shade of fireplace stone and paint walls...flowers and plants are welcoming, so a nice rug, big enough so furniture will seat on it, at least partially...spray paint fireplace black metal in a warmer tone...eventually ...lol...buy a tv that can be mounted in the wall??? play with ideas..if they don't work for you....try something else...

  • Jos3456843 Jos3456843 on Feb 07, 2017

    Trufant, MI


    The orangish color of the fireplace needs to be toned down , I think. Perhaps a white wash made of watered down white paint brushed over the stones. A couple of plants, some color in throw pillows, etc. and the couch moved in a direct line from the fireplace center. I do like the wall color as is.

  • Audrey Audrey on Feb 18, 2017

    I would paint the fireplace stone white, and add lots of color with pillows and a rug.

  • Judy Steffen Judy Steffen on Feb 19, 2017

    Since your furniture is so formal, paint the walls a beige tone -- choose color from the stones in the fireplace. If you paint the fireplace, you can never go back. Check out pinterest -- choose formal and rustic living rooms and glean ideas from the photos. I love rustic and modern so have found pinterest offers many ideas and shows a great mixture of styles blending well together. A darker brown fur throw on the sofa; perhaps amber colored large bottles on the hearth - - one round, one tall (these are popular right now and available at Home Goods, Marshalls, Ross, etal), basket of wood on hearth; cozy pillows on sofa are some ideas.

  • Larraine Lesemann Larraine Lesemann on Mar 02, 2017

    I would paint the stone fireplace white and darken the grey painted walls a couple of shades, also adding bright accessories, like red or lime green.

  • Kim21015324 Kim21015324 on Mar 03, 2017

    I'd hiring hubby/buddy to build a deep mahogany wood frame plus mantel!!!!

  • Carol Peck Carol Peck on Mar 04, 2017

    The stone itself is beautiful. It's just too huge. The greatness (size) of the stone makes your fire place look teeny. It doesn't balance. I know it's probably not what you want to hear, but if you can, I would have a large part of it removed from the sides, maybe having the rock go straight up and not out so far, and add some wood around the insert and a mantle like suggested above. A mantle will break up the "huge" effect. If that's the best and only place for your TV, you could have it mounted on the wall....or here's a thought...lots of TV's are mounted above fire places. I'm assuming there's a dining area or kitchen to the left in your picture....but you could move the couch to where it would be facing your TV and open up your area at the same time. Throw rugs add to the coziness. If you love your furniture and aren't planning on changing it, (and you are thinking of painting walls) pick a color from your furniture...you can always change the wall color but you can't change the brick. Painted rock is just wrong. That will affect your resale value tremendously if you paint the rock. Search Pinterest for ideas that you love. Good luck!

  • Lisa Lisa on Mar 05, 2017

    The fireplace is dwarfed by the large stone wall ( which is beautiful by the way just a tad overpowering). Perhaps a mantle over the fireplace. I realize that you are dealing with a curved stone wall so you would need to have it custom made. But then you could place art above the fireplace to break up that large expanse of stone or on either side of the fireplace to break it up. Or if you dont like art (not sure what style you like) you could installed some metal art against the stone directly to break it up. I would also get some leafy green plants to punch on the color on it. The room could use some color depending on waht you like. I would also mount that tv on a wall somewhere and get if off the floor if you can.

    • Teresa Teresa on Mar 08, 2017

      I love color of the stone! I wish I had the fireplace that was original to my house but in 97 they remodeled and took it out and put a staircase in before we bought it in 2005. And I also wish there was a way to draw on yur picture to show you what I would do with adding a mantel. Since it curved also have the mantel freely on the back next to the fireplace wall using a rough cut log or stone not touching the wall it self. Put some flowers on either side and maybe a wagon on one side of the hearth. Maybe put a small desk in between the door and fireplace and take old drawers and fix them up and make shadow boxes fix them 1 lower and then 1 higher alternating say 4 of them and fill them with whatever. On one side of the hearth you could stack wooden milk crates. I would put the tv above but I think you have to have special insulation between the tv and hearth, to protect the tv from the heat. Not sure about that but do remember them having a show about it on "This Old House".

  • Laura Laura on Mar 05, 2017

    Gosh I love your fireplace. I'd frame it with really wide oak that echoes your floor, on the right. place an oak support on both ends of the hearth and build a mantle all the way across to the other side. Then build an entire wall of shelving in oak, leaving an opening large enough to handle at least a 55 inch tv In middle. The height should be at least the height of the highest point of the stone wall. This will balance the room and can be made either formal or rustic depending on mantle and supports.