apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

What about some bright accent colors?
You could do orange or fuschia curtains, pillows, etc.
Maybe paint the coffee table white, and lower the art on the walls. It's hung too high.

1.) Get rid of those blinds. Put up spanking white or brightly-colored curtains.

2.) Get at least one more lamp, preferably two.

3.) Brighter pillows and a throw.

You could buy or make slipcovers for the upholstered furniture, or have some made.

Aside from that, maybe some nice window treatments and some plants/flowers to make the place a little cozier?

Now that I look at this some more, maybe mounting the TV on the wall and getting rid of that dark TV stand might lighten things up (though you'd have to find another place to store the stuff underneath).

Actually, maybe painting just the wall behind the tv a DARKER color would make the tv and the stand pop out more.

Plenty of people have wood furniture on wooden floors, so I really don't think that's your problem. If I were in your shoes, I'd add a lot more lighting and maybe some brightly-colored art and/or white throw pillows for the couch.

I would consider painting or replacing that heavy TV console. that the TV make for one large, dark mass. Additionally some white paint on the midcentury bench would lighten things up too.

Options for the floor that would give you some texture and color without hampering accessibility could include very low-profile floor coverings like the Chilewich Rugs http://www.shopgrounded.com/chilewich-neutral-stripe-rug-p/chi-fmns.htm?source=shopstyle&Click=1291 It's a somewhat pricey option, but should be virtually indestructible.

The table next to the chair seems a bit large/high for the space. Consider replacing it. It also looks like you could use some more lighting in the space. Either another table lamp next to the sofa or a nice floor lamp http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=440&f=4657 would give you some more light in the space.

More lighting would certainly help, as would getting rid of those blinds.

BTW - Just because a rug is on the floor won't mean that the place isn't wheelchair accessible. I'd consider some low-pile options such as Terra or Home Team FLOR carpet squares - or a natural Coir rug to help offset the huge amounts of dark wood you have going on.

I know you can't have a rug, but could you put a couple of Flor tiles under the coffee table? They wouldn't extend too far beyond the table and would definitely lighten up the wood on wood..or you could paint the coffee table. I agree with the other suggestions--long and light curtains would help and a floor lamp, maybe an arc one, beside the couch would look great. I think your furniture looks great!

It seems to me the big problem is the there is too much contrast between the dark wood floors and the brightly colored cool walls. The yellow on the walls is a cool toned yellow. Can you introduce a bridge color as an accent? I think this will balance out the contrast but also make the room seem more layered. It won't be such a big transition from bright wall to dark floor.
Looking at your photos, I like the parachment color of the botanical print. Maybe add bilowy curtains in that color or get a different coffee table in a birch wood?

I agree with insanity_pepper. I would suggest replacing the TV stand. The black sucks the energy out of that area.

P.S. I think you need a bigger piece of art behind the couch, or several smaller pieces that together take up more of the wall.

I agree with most of the previous comments. You need a few more lamps. Lighting makes a huge difference. Also, some bright accent colors will definitely help. All of your furniture is dark and muted. The wall color is too neutral to do anything for the room, so bring in bright colors through textiles like throw pillows and curtains. Another idea is to place a mirror opposite the window so that it reflects natural light into the space and makes the room feel much larger. And maybe replace the artwork above the sofa to make that the focal point of the room.

Love the couch!

More lighting sources! Overhead lighting just doesn't cut it. More lamps. Get rid of the blinds and put up bright white curtains, preferably medium sheers to let lots of light in the room. Cost plus has some very inexpensive ones. I'd consider replacing the coffee table with two smaller tables, lighter tables. It would open up the space a bit. Even something really simple like 2 white LACK side tables or 2 of those FROSTA stools. I like the coffee table, maybe you cold use it as a bench somewhere else in the apartment. But there is something a little drab about it against the floor.

I agree with the comments about the textiles. One thing I noticed about your apartment is a lack of pattern (with the exception of the white-on-white or cream chair). I think pillows for the couch in bright colors would really be great. Plus some sheer curtains for the window. JC Penny has ridiculously cheap sheers and they sell a huge variety of lengths. I got 108-inch sheer panels for $8 / each.

I assume that it is probably not an option to wall-mount your TV because you're a renter. So I would do one of two things: (1) go with previous commenters' suggestions for a smaller, lighter-colored coffee table. I downsized my coffee table (also dark wood) and it made a huge difference. OR (2) Paint your TV stand a bright color that would tie in with the textiles you add. Or both.

I just repainted my apartment which was exactly the same colour as yours is now - light beigey/yellow. I don't know why exactly, but the coloured dragged the whole space down. It felt kind of dingy even though it was a light colour. I ended up painting my space a light grey and the difference was DRAMATIC. Without changing anything else I completely changed the feel of the whole apartment. I really think you should consider a paint change to something less yellow based.

I think the color of the walls, though a light and usually cheerful color, is really going against what you see this space being. I think a nice grey or light blue would go a long way.

Maybe a bright patterned runner under the TV on top of the stand?

Agree with all of the comments as above, while "yellow" is a typically bright colour, in a beige form it is really a drag.

Two suggestions. Paint the cieling a really crisp white, but in some more lighting to reflect off the cieling and the walls. A multi directional track light would even suffice to do this.

The tone of the couch is beautiful and works well with the timber floors but definitely spice it up with some bright white curtains and some accent cushions to contrast rather than blend in.

The tv unit.. well its a tv unit.. and if function is its main purpose i would change that LAST. Even just painting it the same colour as your walls will help lift the space and make it seem part of the room rather than a big black electronics storing life sucking box! hah would love to see what you come up with in another post!

I use a manual wheelchair...have for a long time and for me not all carpeting has been a problem. I don't know if it's you who is using a wheelchair (in which case you probably don't need my advice :) ) or you have a friend in a wheelchair but here are a few suggestions.....

I think rooms need rugs to ground them and I have not found all rugs to be a problem. For example low pile rugs under just the coffee table or larger ones which can be anchored under the front of the couch and then go just under the coffee table work fine. In face since I often transfer out of my wheelchair to sit on regular furniture I find a carpeted surface in front of the couch to be important for safety...adds a little traction for my feet while transferring.

Some carpet styles I have found to be most comfortable to live with are:
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3597371

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3557433

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3604641

Good prices at world market and Pier1 for these types of rugs....there have been lots of good suggestions so far (curtains, lower hanging art and getting rid of the heavy TV cabinet) You have got good bones and I have no doubt will get it spruced up and wheelchair accessible too. Good Luck

Yellow and green is a bad combination. Try painting the walls white or a gentle, clear shade of green.

It's dark because there's not enough light. Take care of that first and then see how you feel.

If you still feel like it's too heavy in there, try reversible solutions first, like new art on the walls (I agree with others about brighter/punchier art, and a larger piece or several small pieces over the couch), bright pillows for the couch, some pretty curtains, etc. Make sure the center (not the top or bottom) of your art is roughly 57" from the floor (eye level).

But if reversibility isn't an issue, paint the walls white. That'll help make it feel airy, rather than cozy, which is what that buttery color does. You could also paint the all-wood furniture (like the coffee table), but I wouldn't paint the wood parts of a wood-and-fabric piece. If you're willing to put in the effort, you could sand and refinish/restain the wood pieces so they're not so dark.

Personally, I don't think this is too much wood, but I like wood. But I will agree with the people above who said a little color under the coffee table or painting it would help. Its current color is so similar to the floor it just blends together...and it should be an accent piece.

I'd suggest getting some art work up on the walls. Get rid of the shutters and put some sheers up. A nice area rug with some color should liven things up as well...

Super cute couch-pillow combo. I would add to everyone's excellent suggestions that your chair clashes a bit with the couch, it's so formal, and might lend itself better to a dark room, moreso than your other furniture, which is a little more contemporary looking. Not that there's anything wrong with mixing furniture, but this chair looks out of place. If you can't replace the tv stand, consider painting it and the mirror out in white (if it's laminate furniture, be sure to use a high-adhesive primer first, to make sure the paint doesn't peel or chip) that should help brighten it up.

Oh, and I totally agree on the floor tiles.

I think some curtains in a pattern (not a solid color) would make all the difference. It's not that the room isn't bright, it's that it's mostly solid colors, which is translating as boring.

uplighting! your room is painted a bright cheery color. your furniture is also bright. From the pic, it seems you have insufficient lighting.

It's the exact same thing at my mother's house. the sun sets and the formerly cheery place turns into a cave.

oh, and upon a 2nd look, you also need accessories and personal touches. The furniture looks like it's just sitting there, instead of being in a cohesive room.... Replace the horizontal blinds with sheers and curtains (maybe green to match the couch?), art, vases... stuff you like that represents your interests and personality.

I think you should paint all the walls, trim and doors a nice soft white. Go satin paint on walls and ceiling and semi gloss on trim and doors. That yellow is chalky and drab.

The sofa would pop more with white walls, can you move that sofa just a bit so its not tucked into the corner. Get rid of the blinds and add clean white linen drapes. Get rid or the side table or paint it white and move it into a corner to hold a lamp.

Get rid or that TV unit. Get something white with doors nothing appealing about seeing all that stuff. Get a big gold gold framed mirror for above the sofa to reflect light into the space.

Maybe a acrylic or glass coffee table will lighten the space and a lower round table next to the chair. Add some art and don't hang it so high. Then pick a color to accessorize with blue/green, gold/yellow.

Agreed on the lighting, more lamps are needed and uplighting would help.

The drapery with a pattern might not be a bad idea just make sure it has a white background.

Good luck and post back.

many good suggestions above!

i agree with Erin--my first thought was a cooler color for the walls, like a blue or a gray.

more artwork and more light would definitely help, and i also would consider wall-mounted lighting or even a sleek chandelier, to draw the eye upward.

I wanted to add this, you could do something like this with the chair, I print would be nice and accent pillow..also look at the low pile in this nice natural rug-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44713708@N00/3278728763/

I would suggest mounting the tv on the wall, and painting your entertainment center a bright color. I feel like with the black tv on the black entertainment center on the dark wood floors, the room is just being weighed down. Window coverings are a must, even if you have to keep the blinds, having curtains is a blessing!

If the ceiling is white, you can really lighten things up (literally and figuratively) with lights pointed at the ceiling. The light bounces back into the room in a diffused manner, so it's never harsh. Torchieres are the obvious choice, but in college I used clamp-on lamps. Put them high enough so they don't shine into your eyes.

ooo, I think a warm orangey red color on the walls would be nice. I can't handle that shade of yellow. I think like others have said, that might be the biggest issue.

I had too much dark wood (dining table on dark floor) so I found a great inexpensive sisal rug from ikea which #1 really made the table stand out and also helped brighten the room.

Here is a link is here http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30025400

Your furniture is cute!

My suggestions:

-- You need better artwork on the wall. That parchment is cute but the wall is too big for it, and it looks unfinished. Try putting up a few things (maybe 3 in a line) with bright colors and black frames.

-- The white chair is lovely but fades away into the light paint when placed in contrast to the dark wood floor. I'd suggest slip-covering or re-upholstering in a bright, patterned color. Something to make it stand out.

-- Totally agree on the TV stand...paint it something lighter. I'd suggest something bright and jewel-toned.

-- If you feel like painting your walls, you might want to consider something different from yellow. The yellow doesn't go well with the green couch, plus it really bounces off all the (yellow-undertoned) wood. I feel like a light blue-green would work well here.

I would hate for you to paint the furniture and then regret it later when and if you move. So if the furniture is long term, don't paint it.

For the couch, add a bright colored throw and a few throw pillows. Get a table runner for the coffee table and give it some nice bright centerpiece even if it's just a small bowl with beads - LOL. Open the blinds and maybe even leave them pulled up with some nice white sheers. White will be your best friend in this space.

To be honest, if you can paint, do it - the yellow is actually making it darker since it blends with the wood. A nice crisp white might be good here.

Thanks for all the great tips and ideas! I definitely agree that I need more lighting, but unfortunately there is no overhead light and the room only has two outlets, so the only place I can have a lamp is where you see in the picture. The couch is right next to a doorway so the floor lamp is out too. I love the flor tile idea (why didn't I think of that?!) and the white drapes and colorful artwork as well. The tv stand is a dark espresso color and I think I will paint it white and the inside of the shelves a blue color :)

do not give up on the lighting-with a few other changes it will make all the difference! you need a couple sources, and preferably a couple of types.

you could always use a pendant light (non-hardwired of course) in the center of the ceiling . even just a small grouping some cheap ricepaper lanterns or a couple of ikea ones http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10175810> with inexpensive colored shades above or in the corner above the couch would at least give you some lighting balance.

use those little clips http://www.summitsource.com/philips-sja9133w-telephone-cable-wire-nailin-clips-20-pack-universal-modular-telephone-cable-clips-wire-fasteners-baseboard-moulding-wall-mount-holder-part-sja9133w-p-7454.html> for cable wires to corral the wires on the ceiling and down the wall to wherever you can get power.