Living room suggestions?

Hi Trish, your home and decor is already quite pleasing. As you mentioned, you're thinking of having pictures around your TV (either side and above). This could work well if you'd surround the TV with various size prints in black frames; then I'd remove the ladder decor item and replace it with a few different height plants between the pictures and the china cabinet in the dining room. Would there be another good location for the ladder shelving?

I love the idea of a gallery wall around a TV. You can make it as simple or unique as you'd like. Here are some ideas for visuals. https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/tv-wall-ideas-36739457

the one book shelf you have makes the wall seem off balance- either put in another book shelf or just remove the other one and do a gallery wall on each side of the TV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl7Hrs5ULSw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjt13C1zwDw

Hi! Can your sectional be reconfigured so the shorter section faces the window? Then you would be able to enjoy the window and have a bit of separation between the tv area and the dining room. Had you considered mounting the tv? I started mounting our flat screen TVs a few years ago as a safety precaution for our pets and granddaughter and I am so glad I did. You will then have a surface below the tv where you can place decorative items and/or photos. Just a couple of thoughts!

The particular pieces of furniture and their arrangement give a very imbalanced look to the room. The sofa is heavy (weight and thickness ) compared with the thin lamp legs, and narrow struts of the shelving unit.

I would also say that the console which the TV is sitting on is too small for the TV. It gives a feeling that the top of the console is very crowded and that the TV is going to fall off.

I would suggest mounting the TV on the wall, which would help to not only fill in the blank wall space, but to give more weight to that side of the room.

Beauty about is that picture ledges is don't have to put pictures on it. I have one under a large mirror and hubby cut out letters that spell my screen name. Those are on the picture ledge now but I like to change that out often and not once have I put pictures on the ledge. Go figure right?

Smaller furniture would make the area seem bigger and be more in scale size wise. Need some pops of color.

I got rid of my mini blinds a few years ago. They also date the room.

Pick an accent color and run with that. Bringing in that color via the throw pillows would add interest.

A throw or area rug under the couch and extending to the chairs would help define this area also.

Generally what you're responding to is scale and proportion. You could try moving things around but adding in some texture will help. A gallery wall might lend to a visually cluttered look. Either focus on the furniture or focus on the perimeter walls for a balanced look.

Hi Trish: I think that the ladder is in the wrong place. I would move it to where the lamp is. The lamp is what is causing a balance issue. I would also wall mount the TV which would give you a place to put some pictures or knick knacks on the credenza. Maybe a pop of color with some different curtains. Ikea has some really nice curtains, and not expensive.

COLOR! Love your pieces you have selected but everything is shades of brown. I love pops of color. You don't have to paint the walls to accomplish this.

I would start with adding more color to the room, curtains, throw pillows, rug under the coffee table, dog, (oops, was seeing if you were reading the answers)! No I would not color up your dog.

Yes, you are right, the room is off balance, The comfortable, plush couch expresses creature comfort and you have that until it comes to the TV wall. You need plush colorful fillers. The tv wall and furnishings need to complete and complement the furniture. You could do this with lush contemporary tapestry, pictures, artistic wall hangings, so many options. And yes, the tv table is too small for it.

Best to you.

I moved the ladder bookshelf to the other side of the tv like someone suggested, not sure if that helps with the balance at all.

Hello a longer tv display stand might be more attractive. A large plant to the left of the tv might help alternatively.

Hi Trish,

Colour on the walls - Window Ledges - Coloured Rug - Colourful Picture. Hope that helps

A rug to ground the room under the coffee table.

Something diamond shape or similar to the left of the television if you don't go with a gallery wall around the tv.

The space leading to the dining room, hang a tall slender sign like "HOME" or "WELCOME" or a floral print. Kirkland's has a nice selection and runs on sale regularly.

I would get an identical bookshelf for both sides of the tv. In the awkward space between the living and dining room a great big plant or tree would help the transition. :)

Trish, why don't you brainstorm your ideas on Apricot? They provide 1:1 consultation with home decor influencers! Hope this helps!

I'd get a really large artificial/real tree plant for the space between the fireplace and the window to add some colour and visual interest. I think there is a clash between styles and scale. The floor lamp is modern with the spindly legs as is the coffee table and bookcase whereas your dining suite and occasional chair appear traditional. They are also out of scale with your large sectional, dining room buffet/hutch. I'd lose them and check out the local thrift shops for items more suitable. Perhaps you could get a longer console type table for the TV or a type of modified entertainment centre to help with scale. A couple of good sized, colourful pictures hung one above the other for that space between dining room and TV would work. The room would get a boost with an injection of colour through toss cushions, art work.

I think the room actually looks really nice! The wall with the TV is just a bit empty and could use a little more decor to make it look more cozy and to flow it better with the rest of the room. We did some simple bookshelves around our TV that I just love (we got them at IKEA): https://www.curlycraftymom.com/2017/01/tips-on-how-to-decorate-bookshelves.html

Maybe do a gallery wall around the tv

I don't like the lonely arm chair on the other side of the coffee table, is that the dog's chair?

Pick an accent color and work it into your sofa accent pillows, lamps, area rug, and matts surrounding your wall pictures. I like the idea of making a gallery wall with the picture matts in your accent color. You could even paint that wall an accent color.

Decorating your living room can be so much fun! You can always find affordable living room ideas for your space. What I like to do is put a plant and a picture. It makes the whole space look better. You can always try to add decorative items like candles on the coffee table, a rug, and plants if you want to make your living room greener. I think a tall plant or a lamp looks very good and cute on spaces you don’t want to leave empty or looking cringe.