How to make my living room/dining room more cozy & more of a wow?

Question

Feel there is something not right! Maybe the furniture placement, color of walls, drapes?
Cannot afford to buy new furniture.... Any suggestions? Thank-you

Linda McCreedy Farrokhzadian · Answer

First of all, your furniture is lovely....no need to replace, and I have to say I love the color scheme. The only thing I might to is add more window interest. How about moving the rods higher and use lots of billowy fabric that puddles on the floor. You don't have to make an expensive investment, look for those bolts of fabric at Wal-Mart or such that they mark down. Think out of the box...use sheets. Love your home.

Christy bellinger · Answer

I have a few suggestions, I think arug under the coffee table and dining room table, and maybe a few other scatter rugs would definitely warm up the space. As far as paint, have you thought about using an off white, I say that because I have an ivory color on my wall that not only helps open the space, but warms it too, just my opinion. I think beige would work too, but it's absolutely your choice, no one can really tell you what would work for you. I hope maybe I've helped some.

Lagree Wyndham · Answer

I think your room looks great, but I would add area rugs to living room and dining room.  It would help define the space, make it more intimate.  You have great style!

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Decorating is truly personal style,however to add warmth to your rooms area rugs are definitely the way to go.I would start there and see if you are happier with the room.

B. Enne · Answer

Hi great room, and love the sunny colour.  I agree with what the others said. The only thing I would add, is that you have light furniture on one side and  dark on the other, so IMO, things need to balance out.  I would use dark brown rods on both windows, and maybe incorporate some dark brown and cream tones in area rugs for both rooms.  I would paint  the sticks in the vase, and the frames for the artwork  a natural dark wood colour.  I would also have longer curtains hung higher on both windows, that coordinate with each other.  I think this would anchor the room.

Leesa · Answer

Hello, I would make a few changes such as paint color. Personally I am not a big fan of the color, I would go with a more warm neutral color, then add some throw pillows that are not too busy but would bring more interest into the room. I do agree that some area rugs would make the room even more cozy. Your paintings are hung a little too high, paintings should be eye length, I think if you bring them down it would make a difference. I would also make the wall facing the sofa a focal point in the room, consider some hanging shelves, since you have no surface to work with. I would add some accessories on the shelves. Finally I would scale down on the plants in the room. Hope this was helpful.

Debi53 · Answer

Every one has given you great suggestions and I particularly think Leesa is right on with her suggestions. I think a couple of basic issues are that you have too many shiny surfaces: floors, coffee table top, glass & mirror shelves and that you have too many leggy surfaces: dining chairs & table, planters, coffee table, etc. I think you need more texture along with a more neutral paint color. Add rugs. Remove most of the plant stands and replace with some distressed chests. Add slip covers to your dining chairs. Replace you coffee table with an old trunk or something similar. Add books (even inside your glass front cabinets. Add chunky distressed candlesticks and pretty woven baskets. I'm going to suggest this even though I think you will say no when you first read it: Since your room seems to be filled with light; if you repaint your walls a lighter neutral consider painting the ceiling over your dining area, along with the wall space that goes from that ceiling to the higher ceiling a pretty contrasting color. Even if you only go a couple of shades darker of the new wall color, it will add so much coziness to your dining area. Best of luck.

Dagmar's Home · Answer

I'd update the whole dining room set with white chalk paint, and repaint the room in white as well.

Barbara Eble- · Answer

all the weight of the rooms is on the left there needs to be more symmetry.  areas rugs will anchor each area and define each space. maybe try the chair to the right of the window and mass all the planters like a divider.

Janet Dulin · Answer

I like the warm color and feel maybe a rug to help anchor everything.  Break up the shiny color of the room and add warmth.  It is a very nice room.

Terri · Answer

Add area rugs. They anchor spaces. Give each room their own personality.

Linda Gall · Answer

Move tall cabinet opposit of couch wall to balance. Place lager print over sofa.. Place tall plant from stairs and other plants  where large white pot is. Paint a darker  color on white pots . Place a carpet big enough to ground upholstery pieces in a medium color

Judy · Answer

Pull the couch off the wall, put it where the chair is and the chair where the couch is, that will give the room separation from the dining room and pull the furniture a little closer together for a more cozy feel.  Put large piece that is the corner directly across from the chair on the opposite wall.   Remove all drapes to let more light in and place large green plants on each side of living room windows.  Just a thought, oh yes, rugs as  well...At least under coffee table.  On the dining room, pull 2 chairs away from the table and place those against the wall.  It's too crowded with all 6 chairs when not in use.

Candice · Answer

My suggestion is use large area rugs with some large graphic or splash of color to warm up your home. Also your walls could use more artwork and pieces of interest mixed in, such as a bust or statues on sconces. You could put your sofa and chairs across from each other to balance your sitting area.  It's more inviting and opened.

Connie · Answer

The layout isn't bad at all.  It needs a rug to ground it all. Bring your cushion along when rug shopping.  I would change the art on the wall to match the rug.

Joy Peters Kurtz · Answer

another idea for the walls.  lower your art.  especially with high ceilings, otherwise it's just floating in space.  you could use a larger piece, or a grouping.

Terri · Answer

No need to $$$$' a lot try the Christmas tree store. Stores like Homegoods, TJMaxx and marshals  also online garage sales and eBay.   You can find some bargains in these places. Even lowes and Home Depot have clearance :)))

Johnchip · Answer

I like your stuff. I think you need to repaint those walls all one nice color, the change from one room into the ceiling of the other is disturbing and the colors are all  a bit ''dried out food' looking, it needs to be fresher and brighter, maybe warmer.  Art work with a bit more of a pop of color to it and at eye level.  Would love to see a bold designer rug that had movement to it and again a pop of color. An 'Art' standard of design, composition and balance is you should find a triangle of three spots of a primary color, red, blue or yellow in a painting, an outfit, a garden or a room.

Lisa House · Answer

I agree with a lot what has already been said...walls need painted one continuous neutral color...possibly a light gray with a blue, not black or brown undertone. Drapery needs to be changed to something lighter in color and weight...I would use white. Then rugs!! Rugs will bring everything together, you don't have to push the sofa against the wall...try adding a sofa table.   Enjoy the process!

Deanna Nassar · Answer

Paint walls lighter color like celery green or dove grey.  Put more family photos instead of whatever that is over the sofa and bring them down off the ceiling.  Floor needs a couple of rugs in a contrasting color that would match drapes.   Wall sconces in dining room in that dark corner to brighten up or does the china cabinet have lights?  The large white pot and it's companion box have to go or maybe paint them Chinese Red or Black lacquer and put a green plant in the large pot instead of the sticks.  Add some white shears to the windows.  The first pic looks like a designer gone astray instead of a family lives here.

Lori · Answer

Your home is awesome.  I don't have time to read all the comments so forgive me for repeating.   Those floors are like jewelry, wow.  I think two area rugs is all you need thick soft and big.  Your stuff is warm and cozy already, just the rugs.

Country Design Home · Answer

This is such an amazing space with those floors and the architecture! But, what I instantly see when I look at the photos is large dark green plants and that one pink pillow that are a stark contrast to all the beige and gold in the room. If you do the 'squint test', then they appear as dark green spikes throughout the space and take over the room . If you are going for a soft, neutral palette, which you appear to be doing with the colors you have chosen, then I would scale back the plants and remove the pillow. What I would do is find an area rug that would define the living area-soft blues or greens or even grays would work here- and base my accent colors from that.  Also, that picture over the sofa is too small for that space- I would replace that with a larger picture-also featuring your accent colors-or go with a large mirror to reflect the light from the window.  The other issue, when looking from living room into dining room, is the dark wood table and chairs and china cupboard that contrast with the light furnishings of the living area. Other than replacing or painting it, the option is to add more dark wood to the living area- frames, tables, etc,  to balance and connect the two spaces, but that will change the overall look of the space as well, providing more contrast in the living area. Lots of options!

How to make my living room/dining room more cozy & more of a wow?

Suggested Project Book

Add More Pantry Space With These Brilliant Hacks