apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I agree, change the paint color and go with a flatter finish since the walls are uneven. You could do a really nice light pale robin's egg blue on the walls and then the white table would work better. I think it would also balance out the warmth of the brown.
I really like the entertainment center but if it seems to busy for you, I would put some baskets in the cubbies and just keep a few open for pictures. Ikea has some that fit perfectly.

I would also add shelves (like the Lack shelves from ikea) to that main wall with the mirror on it to balance out the heaviness of the entertainment center. Good Luck!

I agree with a lighter color on the walls in a flat finish. Also, I'd discard the entertainment center and hang the the television on the wall. My daughter when she was a toddler tried climbing our entertainment center and the television came crashing down. Mind you, my husband and I were both there. Thankfully she didn't get hurt but our t.v. was destroyed.
I think the shelves, as described by AndreaU, would be an excellent idea to place books allowing you to make more seating space. And lastly, for the lil ones some floor cushions. Good luck!

Hi Jawaria - I, too, agree that painting the walls a lighter color would be much better. I think going with a cooler, as opposed to a warmer color, would balance out all the warm tones in the room. I agree the robin's egg blue would be great. I think I would do some rearranging also. Since you have a flat panel TV, you could mount it to the wall, where the mirror is now, and maybe purchase a lowboy to sit underneath. Or you could even sit the TV on the lowboy, however, it would be protected from little hands up on the wall. I, too have 2 kids :)
Then you could move the sofa and other seating to face your new TV wall, which would open up the window area some. If you wanted some floor to ceiling curtains, Ikea has some fantastic ones - I would think you would want patterned curtains to give the room some life. Then you could get the white or Ikea coffee table you like. I would also repurpose your current TV center as a book shelf/storage unit and maybe use it as a room divider? It's a nice to be used like that. You might also get a couple of pillows that are patterned and brightly colored to add color to the room. I would also take down the shelves between the 2 windows and purchase a modern art piece from Ikea to hang there.

Just some ideas. Good luck!!

What initially strikes me about this space is that it seems like a really adult-focused room, making it inherently less child-proofed than it could be: if there's little for kids to do, then they'll get into the adult things.

My approach -- keeping in mind that the space is for 0-5 year-olds -- would be to increase the safety and entertainment factors in this room.

I'd go for a very uncluttered room where nearly everything is touchable by children and where it's easy for them to know where to put things away. For instance, I'd remove the nesting tables, lamp, and table items, as well as the floor lamp, and consider wall-mounted or track lighting. I might remove the glass door from the entertainment center and put baskets in those spaces for kids books and toys. I'd get some sort of simple toy storage item (even if it's a dark wood bench or a dark low bookcase with baskets) for toys so that kids feel like the space is theirs too. In other words, I'd try to make the space softer and more fun, but designed in such a way that the kids stuff can be put away easily when it's time to use the space for other purposes.

As for colors, I'd try to accommodate rather than fight against the kids' stuff. For example, what if you painted the wall a very light color -- very light blue or green, and then accessorized the room with some of the bright blues and greens that show up in the children's chairs -- some bright funky throw pillows or throws, and perhaps a modern styled rug?

As for a coffee table, what about an ottoman or two that can store toys, but double as tables (by using trays on them) when adults use the space? Crate and Barrel has some where the lid of the storage ottoman flips over to reveal an inset tray for drinks and snacks.

What's great about this room is the sofa! My 2 year old would love to climb and slide on it. I bet your kids and their friends do too.

Also, you probably have already thought of this, but I'd definitely secure that entertainment center to the wall. Kids can be curious climbers and it would be disastrous if it tipped.

Good luck!

Hi Jawaria,

I agree with the color suggestion from AndreaU. Robin's egg blue would look lovely, but make sure to stay away from glossy finishes. The ikea coffee table you were thinking of would look great, but I think you might want to rethink your choice of side table (it's edges look sharp!)

I would suggest rearranging the room to improve the flow of the space. Right now you have the sofa blocking the windows. I would put it in the corner next to the doorway with the entertainment center on the wall opposite. Then if you want to add more seating you could add arm chairs in front of the windows (patterned prints are great for disguising juice spills, and Ikea has some fun options) and still have space for that adorable kids furniture (I love those bright colors!)

I can't wait to see how the room turns out!

Definitely lighter wall color, maybe grab some bright throw pillows for the couch too. Is this room going to be more of a 'play room' when the kids come over? I would suggest getting a coffee table with some storage so some toys could be put away in them.
I agree the wall with the mirror needs something to draw the eye up. I know that they are TOTALLY cliche right now. but you have kids, I would consider some chalk board paint. Maybe just like a chair runner along that one wall, and the top half a brighter color to draw the eye up and maybe a shelf with some stools under it that can act as a art table for the kids, with a few floating shelves higher-up to hold art supplies.

Oops. I forgot to add - if you do purchase a lowboy, you could get one with doors to put all of your electronics in, which would keep them out of sight from little eyes and fingers. Also, having kids, I have learned that less is better. Try to store small/fragile pieces on higher shelves. You coudl also purchase plug/outlet covers from Babies 'R Us or someplace like that.

Ok, that's it. I'm done! Good lick!

AndreaU's idea for wall color/finish is great!

I don't mind the entertainment center either, but I think that finding some containers for the bottom row of cubes would clean it up a lot and make it the nicer you're looking for. Something clean and white would help to tie in the white coffee table as well. I'm nutty for lots of white lately, so I'd probably paint the whole entertainment center white, but that's a LOT of work with all those cubes!

Do you need to add adult sized seating or could it be kid sized? If you did the walls in a blue like AndreaU described, these Ikea stools come in blue and might be fun. Theyr'e also small so wouldn't take up too much space.

I will add that you seem to be losing space between the entertainment center and the corner and the sectional and the corner. Since the room is small and the pieces are large, be sure to push them all the way against the corners. I find floor length curtains to be awkward with radiators. I would remove the curtains, the hardware, the existing blinds, and anything else cluttering up the windows and install simple, semi-sheer white blinds or shades that fit inside the window surrounds (if you feel you need anything at all in the windows). Regarding the mirror, try creating an arrangement of several mirrors in silvery frames to reflect light. Finally, do you really need the area rug on top of the wall-to-wall? Because it is dark and creating more visual clutter. And remember to use flat paint, which minimizes the imperfections in old plaster walls.

I would definitely go with a lighter wall color cause the furnishings are so dark. Maybe consider moving the tv to a wall mount in between the windows, moving the sofa to the opposite wall and, as suggested above, get ottomans with storage. They make great tables, seats or footrests. Multipurpose is always good. With the tv on the window wall you could add small chairs similar to the ikea tullsta or a modern version of slipper chairs. Also look at Sunbrella fabrics for slipcovers. Indoor/outdoor, virtually indestructible and so childproof.

- Indoor/outdoor fabrics for durability
- Patterned fabrics for motion and hiding inevitable spots and stains
- Slipcovers for protecting the furniture but still being kid-friendly (also allows updating a look for less)
- As elizinphilly suggested, some ottomans for storage. Covered in soft upholstery (to minimize bangs and bruises from toddlers inevitably running into them).
- For a practical splurge, embroider the kids' names on some of that fabric (pillows or the ottomans or something)

I'm all about fabric today!

I second the Robin's Egg blue paint color. However, if she chooses a flat finish the walls will be much harder to clean. I recommend an eggshell finish. It's not as shiny as semi-gloss but it is just as washable.

I think a grey-blue shade would look great. Also, I would suggest that any large wall units, such as the current entertainment centre, be built in to the wall or at least anchored so as to ensure the safety of little ones playing near (or trying to climb) it.

It would look great if you had wall shelves, i.e. Ikea lack shelves, on the walls and then underneath them on the floor you could have some cube seating or a long cushioned bench that can be pulled out when needed. Floor space is probably key in your living room, so the more you can get up off the floor the better. Also, perhaps the TV could be mounted to the wall in the corner. This would open up the room visually, be better for traffic flow, and give the kids a much larger space to play in without heavy furniture being in their way. Good luck!

the leather couch is childproof and child friendly, check one.
entertainment center gotta go (adult or child will get the glooms from looking at that). who needs a coffee table when there are great looking childrens' play/craft tables that'll work just fine for coffee when the kids are in bed? and I love little chairs. still. I never outgrew that. the room can look adult cool if you find vintage childrens' school pieces. I don't recall loving pastels as a child, strong colors yes. and those colors will play great with the wonderful couch. low shelving for books, and trunks for games (kids love to dig, adults love to put away) and hang interesting pictures. what I'm saying is mix the adult in with kid stuff, kids love a little sophistication, and what adult doesn't need some kid stuff. everybody happy and busy doing their thing all at the same time. Hamster, fish, turtle, bird would be enjoyed and enjoy being here too. oh yeah, add radiator cover. melt crayons on it in winter.

Some of those crescent-shaped foam seats that kids can rock on while they watch TV would be nice. Little kids need to move their large muscles. Ikea has them I think.

Moveable kid-sized cubes and stools are also nice for them. (I guess this is a family room, since a lot of electronic media is not all that age-appropriate for the little ones).

I think natural wood is nicer for them than dark wood, but I suppose dark colors can be accommodated and made to look less gloomy. You can have some decorative shells and stones and driftwood, for example, for a more natural look. Children's artwork would also add some cheerfulness as would a large, traditional oval rag rug made of many colors, such as they sell in LL Bean.

Pastels vs. brights? I think a few bright primary colors look very nice against a pastel background, or a neutral one. But avoid over stimulation, so that kid's own imaginations have room to expand.

Thankyou everyone for all the lovely suggestions! I am definitely repainting and i do love the idea of a lighter blue. i might go with an eggshell finish as opposed to flat since it'll be easier to clean up. I am restricted in attaching shelving or a tv on the walls since it is a rental.
Now with the lovely arrangent of the room... We will try them and i am hoping we figure something out! I am def. getting baskets for the entertainment center. Ikea has these built in doors and drawers in white...what do u guys suggest? should i go with those for the entertainment center? The entertainment center is attached to the wall so it is safe in that sense.
This room is shared equally by adults, children and our many overnight guests. So i definitely love the idea of adding a few of kid sized pieces to it!
Also Would it make sense if i moved the mirror to the wall between the windows, behind the sofa and added some black and white pics of the kids on the wall where the mirror exists?
Thanks and please keep the comments coming!

Oh and someone asked about the area rug...it's hiding the stains a previous tenants dogs left...yes we did steam clean it!

I bought this rug at Ikea and found that it has been great with my daughter.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60039165

Her toys are all over it, but they feel "contained" within the chaos. The colors work well with the neutrals in the room (sofa / walls) and the colors of her toys so they feel less "messy", and they also stay mostly within the parameters of the rug because it's such a distinct area. For $250 bucks it's been a great, happy piece that also looks nice and welcoming when company is over and the toys are put away.
I don't have a great pic at work of the living room, but you can see it the background here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36263456@N08/3468950778/in/photostream/

targets itso storage line has some fabric bins (the large size) which fit the expedit PERFECTLY! we have the black/brown expedit shelves in our living room too and got some of the large white bins for the lower half to house toys, magazines, etc... they really brighten up the expedit and look much more finished... then the upper shelves are filled with some books/decorations/pictures that we dont want our 18mth to get a hold of!

and they're on sale now for 8.99 each! cheap!

http://www.target.com/Fabric-Storage-Bin-Khaki-Large/dp/B0015E4HCW/sr=1-15/qid=1240512062/ref=sr_1_15/178-7170884-7276825?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3Aitso%20large%20bin&page=1

i also like the idea of a lighter paint color... light blue or green would brighten things up... along with white curtains and a lighter rug and a few throw pillows and the space would look great!

we went with a storage ottoman to use as a coffee table for more storage and because its softer for our baby... but i like the round imfors too... and i think white would look nice.. and the round shape would work well with the sectional.

I totally agree, the wall color isn't doing it at all, in fact, it's rather hideous in my estimation and what you have is much too much brown going on and very little other colors to go with it.

However, I'd suggest you use an eggshell finish for the walls, it'll still hide the uneveness of the walls but give a touch of a sheen and I do think Robin's egg blue or similar kind of blue would indeed be nice. If you didn't want to do the whole room in that color, paint the walls a nice white and use the blue as an accent wall.

Looking at the layout of the room as it is now, I'd leave the TV unit and the sofa where it is for 2 reasons. There is a doorway to the unit's left (as seen in the photo) and thus it's an entrance/exit to the room and I think the only egress you have to other parts of the house so that is a source of foot traffic and if you placed the media unit or anything else besides the TV on that side wall where leading to the door, people would have to dodge around it and you have a radiator in the corner opposite the door, not good for electronics if they are too close. I'd then put a chair in the corner where the radiator is at an angle so it too can see the TV.

As for the Expidit system itself, I'd make sure it's secured well to the wall and I'd put baskets and yes, IKEA makes wicker or plastic baskets that are designed for the media unit and place the toys in the lower baskets and hide the rest in other baskets and leave some open to display photos, books etc and teach your child not to climb on it and hopefully the others don't do so and as already been pointed out, get an ottoman or two that can also serve as additional storage and some even come w/ an inset tray on the lid's bottom side.

If additional storage needed, get a lack shelf or a 2x4 Expidit bookcase, lay it on it's side and add additional baskets for the kids toys and the surface can be used to display kid friendly items on it and add artwork, the mirror and such to the walls for interest.

The important thing here is the foot traffic into and out of the room. I get the feeling this room is not all that large so a large coffee table might not be the best thing for that particular space.

There are a number of great suggestions about turning the space into a more child-friendly area.

In our living room, we too have a fairly indestructible sectional. We've gotten rid of floor and table lamps, as well as decorative items such as vases (a real hazard).

I would replace your entertainment unit with something more kid-friendly, and more open (it really dominates the room, and is quite dark).

Our solution was to go with IKEA's BESTA -- we got 4 low drawers units in white to go along the wall instead of an entertainment unit (8 drawers total). The tv, dvd, etc. take up 1 section of 2 drawers, but the rest belong to the kids. Their toys get stashed in the drawers, out of sight, and the top is the ideal height and fantastic length for a play surface. We even display cool kids toys on top -- lovely wooden toys from PLAN or VILAC, etc.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/12150?pageNumber=0

I second Philip's suggestion to find mini chairs. One popular one is a vintage Cosco booster seat

http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/highchairs-boosters/vintage-cosco-booster-seat-044285

-- I swear I saw an entry in the smallest coolest with 2 of them combined with a coffee table! (forget which entry).

As for a colour, I would also suggest something cool... a pale greyish lilac. Looks great with bright red (so many kid'stoys are red!), and would lift up the colours that you have.

Tra Benjamin Moore's Purple Lace, Lilly Lavender or Beach Plum.