apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

This might be weird - but if you put the couch in front of the windows and put some colorful curtains up, then the couch and walls being the same color wouldn't be such a huge deal. In fact, the curtains could be hung on either side of the windows just below ceiling height - extending to the floor - and transform that wall in much the same way a paint job would. Even if the couch doesn't fit over there (I see a possible front door?) hanging curtains will still help the room feel less creamy.

On the cheap, you can drape textiles (suzani, quilt, ikat, kelim, paisley shawl, whatever) over the cushions if you want to make the couch more distinct from the wall.

Can I offer an unsolicited piece of advice, though? That tall dark knick-knack shelf in the corner is throwing off your room. You'd be much better off grouping the white pottery on a table, and perhaps your putting photos on a wall or narrow shelf somewhere.

Cute place, though, and CUTE dog! Congrats.

If you really want color on the walls. Fabric on the wall is an option. Use liquid fabric starch as your "glue". Basically you soak the material in the fabric softner and adher the material to the walls much like wallpaper. To remove, you wet the "paper", remove and wipe down the walls.

I think the shelf is the only thing breaking up the beige walls. keep it.

I second hanging fabric panels. Or you can buy a nice colorful wall decal. You can pick a distinctive color to break up the beige wall/couch, and you can remove it if you move.

I think something from the Ilan Dei series at blik would work: http://www.whatisblik.com/ilandei.html

Or you can go to the homepage and search for something else: http://www.whatisblik.com/walldecals.html

I'm surprised this wasn't already suggested but slipcover? Not difficult to find one but I would highly recommend a 2 or 3 piece to get a more tailored fit to your couch. Whatever you do, don't buy a cheap one. Make sure the fabric isn't shear or easily snagged. E-bay is always a good source!
If you don't want to go that route the cheapest option would definitely be fabric panels. However, I would be afraid of adhering them to the wall if your landlord isn't even okay with painting. My solution to this will require a bit of craftiness...
Buy stretched canvas in multiple panels or even one large piece that would balance the space above the couch. Buy fabric to cover these. If you want to save even more money you can always find cheap, terrible/old artwork and repurpose the canvas. When you move if you decide you don't want to take these pieces with you sell them to poor art students in your city. They'd be grateful to get large, stretched, cheap canvas.
Final option, Ikea sells hardware for fabric panels that can be attached to the ceiling. Typically they're used as curtains or room dividers but it would work as a stationary solution behind the sofa as well.

The couch color is actually working for you here, don't change it. This is a narrow space and the couch takes up less visual space this way. Besides, it's a nice color. It looks soft and inviting.

Fluff your pillows and fold your throw over the arm neatly. It looks like a wet towel thrown on your sofa. Your accent pillows look great. Match a carpet to them, blues, browns.

For curtains, you just need to frame the windows. I recommend West Elm, floor to ceiling. They have inexpensive linen panels that look wonderful. White would be bright and cheery, while matching your blinds as well.

I would add a quilt to the wall behind the couch. A quilt need not be vintage or grandma-ish but can be very bold and graphic.

I agree with removing the vertical thin shelf. It is crowding the French door or cabinet that is next to it. It would be cool to see something hung from the ceiling in that corner, s mobile or even a hanging plant.

Curtains you can usually find anywhere, just make sure they are floor to ceiling, if possible. Ikea has panel curtains, although I am no sure how long they are, but check Target and Bed, Bath and Beyond as well. They tend to be inexpensive. I would go for a slightly darker color, more along the lines of an espresso for the windows as well.

For the rug, something patterned, check the Zig Zag rug at West Elm or similar styles, in the brown/falx combo, or even the Alhambra rug. You may have a spend a bit more on a quality rug, but Target has good rugs too available online you might want to check out. If you have a little more to spend, check out the Martha Stewart rugs, such as this http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Martha-Stewart-Astronomy-Hydra-Rug-79-x-99/4026775/product.html that will add some color to the space.

Leave the sofa alone, and do a wall of framed photos behind the sofa, you can use wallpaper prints in the same color family inside the frames, family photos, or favorite vintage magazine covers, these will add some color to the room. (If using a colored rug, use colors in the rug for your photos or pictures). Find pillows in similar colors, etsy is a good place for pillows and wall art. For a cheaper option, find old picture books that you can repurpose the pages as art.

Leave the shelf for books, group the white pottery on the table with the white lamp. Possibly cover the books for a more uniform look on the shelf. Add a couple of throws and your room should look like new!

I think Home body's idea (first reply) is brilliant if it's possible. I also think it would make your long narrow room look wider, which would be a good thing.

I like homebody's suggestion a lot. I think you should think about getting rid of the shelf, at least. The room seems somewhat crowded with the big chair and couch.

Or if you're bent on keeping the room in the same arrangement, slipcover the couch (perhaps white). That seems like the path of least resistance. And perhaps you could edit out a couple of those throw pillows. The sofa is already so squashy and soft that they seem unnecessary and make it look heavier.

I agree w/ Homebody -
- and move the shelf unit out of that corner. It looks cheap & cluttered, and when you get draperies it will compete with the vertical impression of the windows. Get some end tables and table lamps with black shades and place some of your photos on the tables.

Perhaps if you laid it on it's side, put some baskets/boxes inside and put some cushions on top and used it as a window seat it would make more sense?

You could look for the widest possible bamboo blind, remove the hardware and hang it behind the sofa. A couple I know did this using a very dark bamboo blind. They purchased a simple molding and stained it to match, hung it at ceiling height and put their antique mahogany sofa in front of it. They added some vivid pillows on the sofa and it was pretty stunning.

I agree about the shelf unit. It just doesn't seem to fit the space well. It seems to unbalance the window badly. I also like the idea of moving the sofa in front of the window. It's worth trying to see if it works. Sometimes it makes the windows look blocked but it can also create a wonderful backdrop to the seating.

I also agree with Home Body - some curtains would act as a nice backdrop to your cream couch. I wouldn't go too heavy or dark with the material, though.

In my last apartment, our couch was in front of a set of three windows and it was the perfect and only fit. It was nice and inviting looking.

I also agree about moving or getting rid of that black bulky shelf... it doesn't seem to fit in that area and is breaking up the flow of the room in a bad way.

I really like bepsf's window seat idea! Can you move the leather chair to the other side of the room so that the two wouldn't be competing? Although looking again, you'd have to make sure the window seat wouldn't be competing with the couch itself. Complicated stuff!

It seems like the sofa in front of the window would be too long for that wall and you would not be able to use the closet in the corner. I don't think you should get rid of the shelf...laying it down in front of the window, using the lower portion for books and a cushion on top could work...and move the chair like LizzardtheBlizzard suggests!
Repurpose the furniture you have if possible...and if you are creative, you can use what you have to make yourself a room you are proud of!

How about vinyl wall decals? Colorful and removable when you move out (or wanna switch out the designs). They've got some pretty nifty ones now...

It would be almost insane to change couches - try a slipcover?

I think it looks fabulous. Would you consider some different coloured covers on your pillows?