(Part 2) Best products from r/HomeDecorating

I couldn’t find if you mentioned what your budget was, but assuming north of $2,000 if replacing sofa, tv cabinet, and coffee table. I’ve included links to some of my favorite pieces below that are very reasonably priced - I think these are on the lower end of the price spectrum for decent quality.

Layout:

In a smaller, less formal living room, I actually don’t mind a tv above the fireplace because it usually lends to a better seating arrangement. That said, since you’ve mentioned you don’t want your tv above the mantle, I’ll offer an alternative:

• three person sofa in front of window
  
  
• leave TV where it is, mount on wall above new console.
  
  
• I think two upholstered swivel chairs would look good - one to the right of the sofa and one to the right of the console. By flanking the mantle on the far side of the room you’ll add some dimension/definition to the space and highlight the fireplace as a focal point.
  
  
• Alternatively, I think a swivel or upholstered chair on either side of the tv console would look good, but the aforementioned layout lends to better tv viewing.
  
  
• I would add a large rectangular coffee table directly in front of the sofa aligned to the middle of the fireplace.
  
  
• the built ins are a good idea, but a pair of etageres (open bookshelves) may be far more cost effective and will achieve a similar look.
  
  Colors/Fabrics:
  
  I’m making some broad assumptions based on your statements and choice of Sea Salt as your wall color, so I apologize if this isn’t what you’re looking for.
  
  
• Sofa: I would stick to a neutral for your sofa. This will be your biggest purchase and you want something that will go with different schemes down the road if you decide you want to mix it up. I love a creamy linen or cotton fabric.
  
  Rhoden Sofa
  https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/breakwater-bay-rhoden-sofa-w001205908.html
  
  
• Chairs; I’m partial to neutral cream color scheme for all my furniture because it gives you more flexibility to add colors with accents, but if you feel inclined, your accent chairs are a good place to add color/texture. I would get two that match each other (but not the couch).
  
  Sabine Swivel Armchair
  https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/bernhardt-sabine-swivel-armchair-bht4869.html
  
  Lucas Swivel Armchair
  https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/rosecliff-heights-lucas-swivel-armchair-w000229739.html
  
  
• Rug: something neutral, like a sisal or jute, will add texture but not too much distraction. If you really want a pattern, I would scour eBay for an Oushak that has muted tones that mimic the other colors you want in the space. I would go with as large of a size as your room allows (minimum 9x12, 10x14 if your space wlll allow), such that you have about 12” between the rug and the wall.
  
  Curtains: unless they’re custom made, I think patterned/colorful curtains are more often than not the #1 that gives a home goods or target purchase away. I would stick to a neutral. I have the amazon ones linked below in oyster - they have weighted bottoms and look just as high quality as anything at PB or RH. Also - I would get a more substantial rod in black or weathered wood. Target has a great knockoff that looks like wood but is actually metal for $20-$30. Get 96” curtains and hang them about an inch below your moulding/ceiling.
  
  BOCH-LN1855-96 Faux Linen Blackout Curtain, Oyster, 50 x 96 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078JLSG5V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-.oDCb7QH6VSB
  
  Pillows: this is where you should add your color. Instead of going to home goods or target, shop around on Etsy for custom made. PetajaFiberWorks has done some great work for me and I love their fabric selection. Very reasonably priced too. They’re around the same price as big box stores and you can get much higher quality fabrics/patterns. I think a blue or sea foam scheme would look great and would bring out the sea salt in the walls.
  
  https://etsy.me/1ASCzsL
  
  Other:
  
  TV Console: I love a weathered, light wood finish, I would find something that looks more like a dresser or a buffet - just be mindful that you have adeuqtE space for your TV equipment.
  
  Drummond 4 Drawer Sideboard
  https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/rosecliff-heights-drummond-4-drawer-sideboard-rclf2854.html
  
  End Tables: I think two round end tables would balance the squareness of the room/sofa. Again, I like a like weathered wood finish, but your call.
  
  Mantle/art: A big rectangular or round mirror would look great above the fireplace. You could leave the mantle bare or put some matching vases with greenery on either side to add height/flank the mirror.
  
  Lamps: I think a creamy, ivory colored ceramic lamp with white or natural linen shades would look great here. Or perhaps a blue and white chinoiserie lamp.
  
  https://etsy.me/2Veo0jU
  
  Bloomfield 22" Table Lamp
  https://www.jossandmain.com/lighting/pdp/bloomfield-22-table-lamp-bl8070.html
  
  

BOOKS!! Ideally, hardcover.

It doesn't have to be the only thing there, but I think shelves like that look best with a decent number of books.

There are a couple of ways to easily and fairly cheaply fill your bookshelves.

If you have kids under age 10, there sets of Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and Boxcar Children books that run about $20 for 5 books. That's a reasonable price and if you have kids, someone will probably read them eventually.

The Strand Bookstore offers a couple of ways to buy a bunch of secondhand books for cheap without having to go through the stacks yourself. There's Books by the foot which offers bargain hardcovers for $15/ft and bargain hardcover fiction for $35/ft.

A lot of etsy and ebay sellers offer bulk books.

And (obviously) you could always go to bookstores yourself.

Your shelves look to narrow for bins, but you could fit magazine files. A row of them can look very nice, if you have a use for them.

Considering your overall color scheme, I would focus on lighter natural colored items. The purple pitcher is hard to see on the shelf and would probably work better elsewhere. I'd change the photos you have now into lighter, slighter bigger, maybe matted frames so they stand out. All the same frame might work best (and you could buy one or two extras for future use)

Possibilities: Chestnut magazine file, Off-white Fjalla magazine file, Puffin in Bloom collection, Barnes and Noble Collectible Editions, Barnes and Noble Classic Hardcovers, Anne of Green Gables set, Christmas Classic set, Nancy Drew Starter Set, Hardy Boys Starter Set, Ivory Mosaic frame, Copper frame, Darjeeling Carved Frame, Raised-Interior Frame, Small Volcanic Ash Vase, Spirit Stem Vase, Brass Duck Bookends, Brass Duck sculpture, Brass Swan Family, Brass Apple Paperweight, MCM plate, Lenox Vase, Lenox Bud Vase, Dragonfly Trinket Box, Florentine Box, Set of 2 Florentine Boxes, Hull Moon Basket, Brass Cricket Box, Pair of Shawnee Vases.

Omg thank you so much! This black couch can be limiting, but since you can't change too much, I'd lean into it with a warm red rug like this one or something really basic like this one. Something in white can really brighten up a room. I also love a jute woven/cowhide look but that's if you really want to go southwest boho.

Some choice pillow combos can really help brighten up a room, too! I've seen these a lot lately and almost considered purchasing too.

What I really recommend is getting on Pinterest and doing some research on what works with the vibe you want and what you have. Example: "black couch boho living room" etc. if that's what you're going for. Then you can pick the image that really gets it and recreate it from there!

I like the consistency of matching lamps, but I'm not sure if either of the tripod lamps would be too large for that spot. I also like the green lamp in general, but yeah, maybe a more dramatic table lamp would fit well there. This might be too modern looking with the homey/comfy vibe you've got going, but it's also kind of a showpiece in it's own right. Or - you could continue to tripod style and just find a mini version, like one of these. I really like the nautical/spotlight ones, but it might be too bold for the space.

I really like the room in general, btw - it's functional, cozy, but stylish. Not pretentious and not too "put together" (which is a good thing, IMO) and I love all the wood accents and organized clutter (like with the picture frames on the bookcase).

I'm really glad you linked the links and ideas. That art is a good example of how three pieces, presented well (framed, matted, good alignment/spacing) can really add to a room. And those storage cubes you can get at Walmart or Target (or your local equivalent) for cheap too.

> Also, you mentioned a coffee table but you linked something that Amazon says is a bench, I guess you just repurposed it instead?

Eh, bench style. Officially it is called the Nelson Platform Bench. It has been around for 70 years, but you wouldn't know it because it's just the kind of design that never goes out of style. Like Wayfarer sunglasses. That one link I posted is basically the same design, just with different legs.

While I'm on it, those Eiffel side chairs I linked to are almost as old, designed by Ray and Charles Eames, who are pretty famous in the mid-century modern style. Some models cost a pretty penny, but you can do a lot cheaper. You said you already had eating chairs, so maybe not these right away.

It sounds like a storage ottoman that can pull up to the couch may be more what you're after. Something like this or this?

This and this or this are other coffee table ideas with more storage. Apologies if Amazon does not ship to your area.

OP, Look in your clothes closet and linen closet for colors you think might work, fold the jacket or towel into the shape of the pillow you want, and compare color combinations. If you plan to add a rug, choose the rug first. Usually a rug, or woven mat, ties together all the seating in a conversational grouping.

It's hard to choose a color, only seeing the floor and chair and wall. The rest of the room affects how that chair looks. You might want to choose a color that is already in use in the room.

That chair is really really cool, i love it. But the green pea color doesn't particularly appeal to me, at least as it appears on my tablet. I''d like to see how the chair ties in with the look in the rest of the room. If the color isn't ideal, it would be a pretty simple solution to buy or make a washable slip cover for the chair or find a seamstress that will do it reasonably.

You could just use a strip of material which is a partial cover from top to bottom, a strip of the green would show on each side, the effect would be similar to the first linked photo. The second link is to a washable slip cover, you might find one like it that fits. They are inexpensive, and you can find a seamstress to easily modify it to fit perfectly,mif needed. Please post an update so we can see what you decided to do. Please, does anyone ever do that on these decor subs? Think of all the karma!

http://www.thecarolinacabinstore.com/hickory-rocking-chair-with-upholstered-seat-and-back.html

https://www.amazon.com/Argstar-Slipcovers-Spandex-Protector-Designed/dp/B07JLLBY2V

Get some curtains

Maybe reconsider the chalk board wall in the bedroom. It's not a huge space and the black wall could make things a little darker/more cramped. Or maybe just do a portion of it. Also think it might clash with the light wood of the storage unit.

You could get some of those plants that are in pots but kind of hang down a bit for the top area you have if you weren't going to use it for storage. Like these Plants make a space feel more welcome.

Get interesting bedding since it's the focus point of the room. I assume you're a guy from your username so it doesn't have to be anything too extravagant, just some well made bedding maybe in a rich color. Could add an interesting blanket at the end of the bed- assuming you like lotr, this one is kind of cool


Could get a bookcase for the wall the picture is leaning against- lots of ways to decorate those plus storage.

A long shoe storage bench on the right. They normally come 4 ft. long to 5 ft. long, with lots of storage cubbies and a cushion on top.

On the side with the thermostat.. a couple of large pieces of artwork. On the other side create a gallery wall with all same color frames in different sizes.. see link for inspiration: Gallery Wall

A tall plant or coat rack in the far corner.. see link: Coat Rack/Umbrella Stand

So I will be buying this table from a friend, without the chairs as I am not a fan of them, It will be in my Apt which has very light walls, in front of a 3 window semi circular area, I'll take a photo when I get home. Been thinking of what chairs to pair with it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MPBRRKV/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Or

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075XXXMF6/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_7?smid=A2V0WPR7OKZLKC&psc=1

Or

Whatever... I just do not like the clear plastic ones. I am attempting to go for a more mature living room with a touch of midcentury modern. Bottom line is I'm clueless.