Help to lighten area

Question

We have a beautiful stone wall with a pellet stove insert. The room is large and has a bow window seat. I'd like decorating ideas to lighten up the area, but do not want to paint the stone as I've had some suggest.

Lemor Sidis · Answer

I think some light colored throw pillows and blankets on the couch would lighten the room. Also you can try painting the TV stand white.

Patti · Answer

Add a mirror, or large painting in the dark area, uplight and add greenery maybe sconces on both sides of wall. On the painted wall facing the window another mirror will reflect the light. You could put a large folding screen white in color in the dark corner tall so it lifts the eye

Flowerscapes Garden Design & Landscaping · Answer

The chair looks too dark and bulky when that close to the rock wall. Lighten it up with throw blankets and pillows. You may also push the ottoman to another place. If its a recliner, keep it closed when not in use. Beautiful wall!

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

How about more lamps, lights, sconces or inset lights in the ceiling? As long as that wall stays dark, and dark leather furniture... so will the room.

Jeanette S · Answer

You have a plant so add some up lighting. Get another plant for the other side of the FP and add more up lights. Easy solutions...all you need is a plug-in socket and a couple of lights you can pick up at a reasonable price. That low voltage LED lights can be left on all the time. Lights on in a house adds to security andy ou don't have to walk in to a dark room.

BeazerBea · Answer

O.K. - HEAR YOU DO NOT WISH TO PAINT THE STONE, HOWEVER IF YOU ARE TO PUT SOME WHITE, FLAT PAINT 25% PAINT, MIXED WITH HOT WATER IN A SPRAY BOTTLE- MIX IT UP, AND SPRAY THE STONE AT THE SAME DISTANCE, AND IT WILL LIGHTEN IT ALL UP -WITH OUR THE ACTUAL PAINT- DO A SMALL SECTION AND LET THE LIGHT ON IT- SEE HOW IT LOOKS - IF YOU DO NOT LIKE IT YOU CAN ALWAYS JUST WIPE OFF.

Z · Answer

I don't blame you for not wanting to cover up your stone wall. Have you thought about adding a painted mantel to match the wood trim? That could lighten up the wall and add a display area for your decorative items without covering hardly any of the stonework.

117135 · Answer

i would defiantly add a mantle. You can paint it in a white or off white and give it the distressed look with a few layers to give it the rustic feel of the stone wall. Add a large mirror or picture above the mantel to fill the large space. Is it possible to move the TV to another area or section of that room? You have all these large heavy pieces on that side of the room with a major focal feature wall which is distracting. It is hard to determine layout without seeing the entire room. You could also maybe add small white shelves on both sides of the stone wall(painted to match the mantle.).

Cheryl Royster · Answer

I would change the grout color in between the stones. If it was a light gray it would pop the stones and lighten the room at the same time.

Vicki Menton · Answer

You could add  some shelving  with a built in look around the  wall on the end where the tv  is.   Can  the room be flipped and place your  sofa on the wall where the tv  sits?   Maybe painting your tv  stand  or wall  mount the tv.  A  mantle would be lovely our some larger art over the fireplace.   also a small table and chairs in the corner  to the left off the stove would be a great area to

Jim L · Answer

There is so much 'brown' in the room that I feel like I am trapped in a 'brownie'! Pain the walls a medium gray, swap the rug for one with a red background. Ditch the white curtains and get some with red, gray and taupe. Move the TV to the hearth and dump the TV table. Use lots of table lamps...one where anyone would be sitting so that if they want to read in that spot, they will have light. Add the mantle and hang a large painting over it and use a 'portrait light' to enhance it. This can be a very nice and comfortable room. Good luck!

169756 · Answer

Boy, lots of good suggestions.  I have to go with Jim L above the most, I think.  A large painting with light colors and portrait light would do wonders.  Might consider a couple of mirrors on either side to add some reflective light also.  I see the actual fireplace insert area on the right.  If possible, perhaps the TV could be used in front of it instead of on a stand?  Good luck.  I'll be waiting to see some results.

Nina Jordan-Smith · Answer

Painting the small inset area where wood goes a light color, add a mantel and/or a light picture on the stone wall. Lightening the grout was a wonderful idea...making the stones stand out will make the stone wall look more like a design element instead of just a dark wall. I also think painting the wall with a color would also brighten the room. White and off white walls tend to make dark furniture look darker...I know, I have a dark leather sofa too. Good luck, you have beautiful furniture and the stone wall is gorgeous....lots of potential.

Mary-Jo Jensen-Schramm · Answer

LOVE the stone! I wouldn't even think about painting it! I would install can lights, or track lighting if cans aren't a possibility. The large space is dwarfing the two pictures you have hanging, hang a larger picture for some balance. I think a mantle in a light color (white or ivory) would brighten up the wall tremendously. Possibly painting your TV stand a light/bright color or mounting it on the wall would lighten up the space by eliminating a piece of dark furniture. Good luck!

Jessica C · Answer

I would slip cover the furniture in white. I like the idea of adding track lights above the fireplace. I would look for inspiration in the Pottery Barn catalogues, they show lots of stone fireplaces and they always look great.

Deedee · Answer

Large white/cream colored mantel open shelving on the right side so the fire place is more balanced add a mirror and some nice buffet lamps or lighted sconces

Susan Neslony Candy · Answer

I would probably do a mantle as well, white. Then a large mirror with white frame as well. Must be at least 3 or 4 inches wide, then open bookshelves painted white as well on both sides. So the stone shows through on the back side. I think if you put bright pillows and throws and more lighting it should help a ton with out having to paint the stone. Also an accent color you like. That can be any color you like as long as it's not dark. Happy decorating!

Susan Neslony Candy · Answer

Something like this but larger scale on the mantle. http://pinterest.com/pin/185984659583800477/

Jill Klein · Answer

I totally agree with Mary-Jo!!

Leona G · Answer

I would diffidently add a fireplace and some kind of recess lighting to high light things on the wall. A large bright painting over the fireplace would lighten that area and instead of the vase you have in the wood bin I would put a large brass bowl, pot or some other shape. The reflective surfface of the brass will give reflected light for that dark space. You could also get a bright colored screen to put in the wood box. I would use brass candle sticks on the mantel also.
The plant stand in the corner could be painted nice gray and a lighter pot for the plant would also lighten that corner.
Good luck

Bev · Answer

I had a dark heavy stone wall around my fireplace and I painted the grout a lighter grey and it looks a lot better. I would suggest you try that. I had to try several small paint brushes to reach all the small places. I eventually painted the stone.

Jan Brooks · Answer

I would hang several small but brightly colored oil paintings and install some small spot lights that could be angled to shine on the paintings and shine some on the stone wall.

Judy H · Answer

First off, IF the stone can be washed and lightened, do it. 
 Your furniture is pretty dark. Throw a white sheet over some of it and see if you agree. Then consider some slipcovers, light/bright pillows or some throws over the backs of the sofa which are very light tan, cream or your pop of color.

I also think that a track light on the stone wall side of the beam to highlight the stone --three lights minimum--would help.Lowes/Home Depot has one with 5 lights--go for it. I don't see a whole lot in the way of table lamps. That can help, too. Your window treatments aren't all that heavy but the wicker stuff covers a lot of the windows when open.

Get some blinds which condense into almost nothing when not in use--and in a LIGHT color. I adore my bottom up/top down blinds (never cheap, sad to say). Try to get the windows to feel as wide open as you can. Use more solid curtains to pull only at night for privacy. IF privacy isn't necessary, get rid of all of it! 
 I love your rug--I have the same one. It is muted. Pull out a bright color from the muted one in the rug and use some pops of color around the room--art as suggested. A small decorative shelf with a bright vase (bright yellow or maroon red from the rug, for example). Or go with one BIG bright art canvas on the wall to the left of the stone. I see big art sitting on the floor--maybe it's OK. The small ones on the stone wall are too small. Big room = go big or go home. OR group ALL your art together in a collage. Paint the frames all the same color to unify them.

IF the plants aren't real ones and are 'tired' toss/donate. The shelf they are on is also dark. IF staying, paint it a light color. To some extent there is simply a lot of small, dark stuff around and that is dragging your room down. 
 I see a dark brown hassock as a coffee table. Try one in a light color, a pop of color painted one or a glass one with a shiny base--pick a metallic color (light, of course!). Like the hassock, get a bright plastic tray or two and sit on top. Back to yellow, red or shiny something.

That's my 2 cents. I'd love to have your room!!!

Lori Harris · Answer

This is what it looks like at night with the lights on. The sectional can't be positioned any other way. The TV is going to be hung (eventually). I don't want to block the window. I'm making new cushions for the seat.

Lisa@ Sweet Tea N' Salty Air · Answer

Beautiful stone wall , I wouldn't paint it. It's all about lighting. I would take a trip to your local home center and pick out some colorful glass pendent lights and put a few in each corner hanging different heights. You would be adding some color and some soft lighting if that's not for you I would put some track lighting the length of the stonewall. It's beautiful already so what ever you do will be fine.

Mary Davin · Answer

How about installing a single long wooden shelf across the entire wall (like a mantel) on which to place lighter shades of vases, candles, floral arrangements or other collectibles. For a more dramatic effect, to brighten up and enhance the texture of the stones use strategically placed ceiling trak lights aimed at the stone wall. Up lights placed at floor level to shine upward onto the stone wall may add interest as well. Experiment.

Gail Salminen · Answer

@Lori Harris what a great looking room, looks quite bright in your night pics. Lots of great suggestions in the above posts. You might consider painting the walls in a lighter shade found in the stone so the contrast is not so striking. Lighten up the room with accessories - fun to shop the sale sections for things that will brighten the room just takes time. I think adding colour with accessories will also lighten the room by adding interesting atmosphere. I find it takes me a few years to accessorise a room economically. Throws and pillow and area rugs are great ways to do this. Take your time and do update us with pics. Thanks for posting.

Ozzys Girl · Answer

We just re stoned our brick fireplace with our wood burning stove and painted a lighter brighter color it took years off the house and I`m painting all the trim in house bright white well looks bright but its not. I took our mantel and beat the tar out of it and painted it with different colors and sanded and washed it. Made a huge difference. The stone we used id called Air Stone and we glued over our brick looks like the real deal. And we added a track light that made a huge improvement. 
I would add a mantel add track lights you can move them to focus on the mantel and art work. And slip cover the furniture. If you wantme to I can email you some of our pics my email is Jodyshandmadesoap@gmail.com

Karon Nelson Roberts · Answer

Christmas Lights. better yet, the rope lights--people use around campers. Just string acoss top of wall at ceiling. Good luck and post updates please

Tegma · Answer

Are you going for the rustic look? If so, I think I'd do something with your wood end table and tv table. Perhaps they would work, painted.... Also, I think I'd try running a mantle all the way across the wall if you don't want bookcases there to block the stone. Then, hang a large painting over the fireplace, the same width as the fireplace and with plenty of height. You could add smaller pictures, along with some rustic décor along the rest of the mantle. Perhaps the wood furniture done in a rust orange would work.... and use a matching color throw on the sofa. Add some pillows in a western design, pulling the rust color into that. With such a large sofa, I think you need large pictures on the walls for a dramatic effect. Over the sofa, you could have a big rustic piece rather than a picture.... maybe a huge clock done in a rustic décor. Decide on 3 colors you want in the room.... perhaps a rust, blue, and yellow, even a touch of red, too. Not knowing what other colors you have in the house, it's difficult to suggest colors, but perhaps this will give you some ideas.

Help to lighten area

Suggested Project Book

10 Things To Do Before You Start Spring Cleaning (To Make It A Breeze)

Other

More

Help to lighten area

Suggested Project Book