Today I am starting my “Design Dilemma Solved” series. Amy contacted me and said this:
Basically it’s (my living room) so neutral that it needs color (rug, paint, something!) If you have any budget minded ideas I would love to hear them! This room is open to our entire first floor including kitchen and dining area, so the paint would have to be somewhat neutral – but this room is already a sea of neutral!
Here’s how Amy’s room looks now.
Amy left things very open ended but mentioned she liked when rooms look like they’ve evolved over time rather than been store bought in all one weekend. So without too much knowledge of Amy’s style, here’s what I suggest to help her (and you) add some color into the space.
1. Go GRAY! Gray is ABSOLUTELY my favorite neutral! Gray can go warm or cool depending on its undertones, so it can work for any space. I suggest Amy paint the walls with a lighter gray color like this one below. Sherwin Williams’ Mindful Gray is one of my favorites.
2. Find your focal point and make it shine!! Amy has a built in focal point with the fireplace/tv nook. This is a GREAT place to add color and/or pattern because there is a natural place for it to stop. For example, inside the nook I suggest hanging wallpaper or fabric on the wall. You could also paint a pattern for a cheap solution. I would also highlight the fireplace by painting either the wall above it or the mantel itself a dark dramatic gray color. These two things will serve to create a focal point that commands attention and adds a ton of personality to the room.
A random fabric I found (not sure of name).
3. Color and texture go hand in hand. Windows and floors are a great place to bring these two elements in. I love using inexpensive woven blinds to bring in that warm wood color and texture. Rugs are a must in any space, EVEN IF you already have carpet. Rugs not only serve to bring in color and texture, they define the space. This rug from IKEA would work wonders for this room.
4. Add green! Bringing some sort of life into a room (i.e.- plants) is ALWAYS a good idea. It gives any space a fresh feeling. For this room, you could place a collection of glass vases on the fireplace mantel with a few budding branches for a simple but stunning look.
Photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy.
And when you put all these tips to work your space, it will become a place you love to spend time in. Here’s a design board to help you see how all the elements will come together.
So, there you have it, Ms. Amy. And since I’ve given you all these great tips on how to improve your space, we would love to see pictures when you put some of them to use!! 🙂
Anyone else with a design dilemma? Send them this way!!!
PS- Since this series is new, I am open to hearing ways to improve it. Did you find this helpful? Should I do something different? Let me know what you think!
Great ideas! I need your help!:)
Kara – LOVED this post. Right away I was thinking OUR living room is too neutral, what great, attainable ideas to spice it up! Thank you!
Great post and I love the items that you chose–especially that print!
Keep the series coming, I love it 🙂
This helped so much. I have a large neutral living space also with a bright colorful rug. I always leaned toward buying a more neutral rug. This helped me see bright rugs are allowed in large neutral spaces.
Love this new series!
Love the new series! Hope that Amy actually does this and sends after pics!
Glad everyone is enjoying the new series! Many more posts to come! Here’s to hoping Amy sends us some after pics!
Wow! This is a great addition to the blog! MORE MORE MORE!!!!!
I love how you spice it up and this post had made me change my mind on gray :D. Thanks for sharing!
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