Good lighting always helps any room.

1. Get rid of any dark pillows on that sofa and replace them with a brighter/lighter color.
2. Replace rug with a complementary lighter color.
3. Paint walls a warmer color if possible.
4. Remove extra chair and replace with smaller-scaled, not clunky furniture. Even an Ikea Poang chair would be better.
5. Get a smaller coffee table, perhaps a light wood color or glass and metal.

That sofa is too large for that wall, so move it if possible.

I don't know what the behind the camara area looks like, but could you rearrange the room so that the sofa's back is to the window? And then move the chair away from the bar? I agree with pretty much everything first5times said.

The stark white coffee table is jarring against the warmer tones in the room. I think, in general, the white things (walls, blinds, coffee table) are what's making the room seem cold. Some art work, and maybe some curtains or wooden blinds instead of the white blinds would do the trick.

Also, I don't think you necessarily need to get new chairs. Maybe just separate the ottoman from the couch, and toss a kilim over it. That would create a third seating option and de-bulk the couch.

first5times has given you very sound advice. To it I would add:

You've got a lot of white going on with the blinds and the table. If you're attached to the table, I'd add a runner or some fabric on top to tone it down and unify pillows, rug, etc.

Get some simple art to add some warmth, maybe prints from Etsy.

I'd ditch the blinds in favor of some inexpensive curtains. West Elm always has some on sale that are basic color blocks.

I also vote for a smaller coffee table. That one doesn't really go with that couch. Is that an ottoman pushed against the window? You might want to use that as a coffee table instead, with a small, colorful tray on top to brighten it up.

I think it´s not very useful to advice getting a different rug and a coffee table, since they are new. Is it possible to move the rug and the coffee table from the sofa a bit? It´s too "crowded" like this. I too would suggest some brighter pillows, maybe something in the blue/white family, but also red (as it complements blue very well) or some black and white graphic ones. I would add curtains instead of those blinds, if that´s possible, solid color, but a nice texture. I would put something bold and pop-arty above the sofa, like a poster. Only one bigger piece, nothing too complicated.

First5times has made great suggestions. Is the chaise sectional removeable? It makes that corner feel heavy and over crowded.

I'd add that choosing a lighter color palette would help. I don't think your room needs to be warmer. It needs to be brighter. The dark colors are visual black holes (they suck all the light out of the room). You have what looks like dark orange, dark brown, dark beige, dark blue, ivory, and white. If you must keep the dark brown, then lighten up everything else.

The dark pillows and dark rug need to go -- and are the least expensive to replace. A smaller table would help, especially if you can't remove the extension on the couch. If you can't afford to replace the coffee table, then that couch corner and table will continue to be too tight -- the table needs to pulled way out. Maybe simply pulling the table out and removing the arm chair is the way to go until your budget will allow you to get a smaller table.

Brown and white are great (a little warmer than black and white). What color would you use for some splash and brightness? Periwinkle? yellow? orange? turquoise? High contrast with more white and bright colors (not matching/blending) will make the space feel bigger and open.

Choosing a stark white laminate and metal table isn't doing that room any favors. Just get rid of it, and chalk the expense up to experience.

I agree that the sofa needs to go somewhere else - that wall is clearly too small for it...
...and your room needs several end tables and large-scaled table lamps distributed liberally around the room. If you can choose lamps that have black shades that are lined with gold paper, the effect of the resulting indirect light will be very sophisticated and warm.

If you choose metal finishes for the room (lamps/tables/accessories/picture frames/candleholders) think Brass and Goldtones rather than Silver.

Also - nothing says warm and cozy like faux fur. Get a large pillow and a throw and toss it on the sofa for those cold wintry nights.

That rocker needs to be replaced...or moved to another area if you're attached to it. It makes the living room look too crowded, and looks as if you can barely get to the couch.

You should definitely get pillow covers for your pillows to brighten the couch up (which is lovely, by the way). Preferably lighter colored covers. Everything is so dark, and you need something to balance out the white coffee table.

You should also put some decor on the coffee table. It looks too bare!

Move the sofa 90° if it's possible
Put flashy pillow on it
change the curtains on the window
2 little armchairs or footstool
a clear rug/carpet

I'd add lots of soft lighting (overhead, wall, floorlamp, taple lamp on that bar...). Get lighter pillows and throws for the sofa, it really looks heavy. Moving the ottoman gives the new table better space so it doesn't look so overwhelming in the room. Put some nice home accessories on the table (magazines, little vases, a bowl...). A few pieces of art on the wall, nothing big, maybe 3 small prints. Generally try to lighten things up and break up the big bulky items by adding smaller items.
http://www.notyourgoddess.blogspot.com/

Well, I will be the one to say what everyone else is thinking, but is too polite to say: throw everything out and start again. All of your pieces, ALL of them, are oversized, uncoordinated, and, to put it mildly, kinda ugly. And don't get me started on the beige carpeting and vertical blinds... I realize you may not have much control over carpeting and blinds, and I do realize that you may be attached to some pieces (for reasons I certainly do not understand), but ultimately only you can make the choice of whether to make a clean break with this ugliness, or whether to continue to live in frustration over the room's lack of style. If I were you, rather than throwing good money after bad trying to salvage this mess, I would put everything on craigslist and start over with the key words in mind: smaller, brighter, colorful, coordinating.

Im not a big fan of the chairs personally, but like the couch and understand why you are attached.

The first thing I would do is get a piece of coordinating artwork, or a mirror and hang it over the sofa.

Also the rug or pillows need to be changed... probably easier to change the colors on the pillows to match the rug.

The blinds are awful, but if changing them isnt an option, maybe hang curtains over them.

I have a feeling this room is a bit better in person. Flash photography is making look even more stark/unappealing. I agree with much of the above. Here's what I would do. Sell the chair and coffee table on craigslist. Buy paint in a warm, medium cocoa shade. Turn the sofa so it faces the window (if space behind will allow). If that ottoman separates from the sofa, use it as a coffee table/seating when needed. Place a slim floor lamp at one end of the sofa and a small end table with lamp in the corner next to the window. Replace blinds with drapes and extend them to the corner on the right. Remove all the pillows from the sofa and replace with a couple small lighter-hued ones. Take your time finding a great piece of art. Good luck!

hejiranyc --

I wanted to say that too - Chunky Brown and Taupe Microfiber sofas and Geometric rugs are going to scream "Early 21st Century" the way Yellow and Orange brocade floral sofas scream "Early 1970's"

Besides the other suggestions....How about curtains?

If you can't replace the blinds, you run a curtain along the whole wall on a cable. A slightly lighter shade of the blue in the rug, maybe with some brown in it, OR a beige background with blue and/or brown design might look nice.

Ooh, I thought that sofa had a chaise. If it's an ottoman, move that to the other side (where the chair is now) and put a lighter colored throw on it. Your coffee table is still way too large for both the space and the size of your sofa. I know it's not practical to replace everything, especially since it all seems to look quite new, but you will need to make some sacrifices to make this a warmer little nook. Sell some things on Craigslist and search for new-to-you items.

And removing the blinds and adding curtains will definitely soften the look. Make sure they're not heavy velvet...a light linen would look nice.

I think there have already been a number of good suggestions as to what you can do. IMO, the two simplest and easiest suggestions are to remove either the coffee table or remove the chair. IMO, the coffee table is too large and clashes with everything else given the lighting of the posted photo (it may not clash as much under different lighting conditions). If you can live without the coffee table, its absence may help the room to work. Or, you can remove the chair and move the coffee table away from the sofa and improve the flow of space in the room.

In terms of adding 'personality' - as has already been observed, three major pieces (sofa, rug and table) are 'generic' in appearance. If this is the personality that you seek to convey, then remove the chair. If the chair is more symbolic of your personality, then you may want to remove or change some of the more 'generic' features. Personally, I think the sofa, rug and chair can work together, but some of the accent pillows and coffee table are detracting from the look.

Despite all of the advice above, I think it is most important to do what makes you happy and what is functional for the way that you live.

Agree with getting new curtains (ikea panels?) and a smaller coffee table that is either dark or wood, and round/oval so that the small space is easier to walk around.

But my very first impulse was to paint the wall behind the sofa a dark red - and the little piece of corner wall next to the windows too. Go with the coziness! Art would be good too, but it's hard to find things you love on a moment's notice (and you should only buy art you love!), so a large horizontal mirror would be nice and could easily be placed elsewhere in the future should you find the perfect piece of art.

OK, I'm going to assume you need to keep what you have, and work from there, including the white walls. If that's not true, smaller scale items chosen to work together is the way to go.

I am having a hard time seeing the colors in this photo. If I see what I think I see, I'd choose a color from the rug to be your primary accent color, and pick one in the medium color range. (Maybe a denim blue -- I think there is one there!) Use that color to recover two cushions for the sofa, maybe one for the chair, and for curtains. You need desperately to bring a mid-range to dark color up the wall to the ceiling (or close) and curtains are the way to do that. (You could buy three panels and use the third as fabric for the pillows.)

I would also get some white in there to go with the table, assuming you keep it. Maybe a white sofa throw.

The table itself kind of glares -- maybe you could tone it down some with fabric or gift wrap under the glass top (not too busy) and with some books or bowls or baskets -- or even placemats -- on the shelf under the table top. (Make less white visible.) Coordinate the colors for these things with the rug and each other.

I like the idea of two smaller chairs, and if the ottoman is separate, I'd move it to the other end of the coffee table both to hide more of the white and to make another seat that is more accessible. (Not too close to the sofa -- it needs to stand separately.) (If it's an attached unit, move the table out further away from it. 18 inches is ideal.) Your existing chair is fighting with the table -- neither is classic enough in form to hold up against the other.

A floor lamp in the corner behind the sofa or else a pendant over the table might be nice. If you pick a white shade it will help distribute the white from the table throughout the space, making it fit better.

Art over the sofa would look great. I'd suggest 2 or three items in identical frames in a row, but you could do a gallery grouping of more items or one big piece or any of a number of arrangements. Make whatever you hang work as one rectangular unit, though. Meaning the items should be hung sort of close together and filling a rectangular area with something in each corner of the rectangle.

Add something fairly large and flat (like a contemporary serving tray or a basket for magazines) on top of the table with maybe a low vase of flowers, and it might be great!

Since you've spent time purchasing these items, I say add to what you have. New lighting and new furniture arrangement will do a lot for the space as will getting some pretty light pillows and some light drapes or curtains. I think some smaller chairs would work as well.

nix the blinds asap... youwill have a much nicer space. then add some warm curtains. it will change the place completely.

The table, while nice, is completely at odds with the 'cozy' feel of the nook. As mentioned, replace the orange pillows with something cool coloured (if possible, to match the rug in colour) and see if you can modify the table with paint or wallpaper or whatever.

Curtains will give you some warmth and focal point to the room! I like your sofa and the coffee table! Get some fun large art for the wall above the sofa to bring out the colors in the rug. I love the rug! Maybe you could find some round pillows for the sofa to echo the rug dots...

I would change out those vertical blinds right off...if you can,that is...and cover that window with curtains (sheer if the view is nice and you don't need privacy there). Think about whether or not you feel committed to that cute little rug in that space, and then chose a paint color accordingly.
Personally, I would use that rug someplace else and get a brighter one, since the sofa is so dark. Most colors obviously will work well with the brown sofa. About the sofa pillows, I would either replace or recover them with a fabric that is bright, high contrast to the dark sofa. Maybe the chair would be happier in another room...it seems a bit dated and not comfortable in that setting. Maybe a small chair with a side table and lamp, as it needs to be warmed up with light.
Artwork on the wall goes without saying.

The couch is nice and toasty looking-but everything is so darn overscale...get rid of the ottoman and the big chair-the coffee table is simple, but doesn't do anything for the space(colour-wise)-since you just bought it and obviously like it, could you paint it out in an espresso-ish brown?? I would move the couch in front of the window and replace the blinds with curtain panels.(extend the rod so that so that the panels "frame" the window when open) The place to go "big" is with your artwork-look for something with a dark frame...
good luck-and have fun with it :)

*put up curtains. i know some apts make you keep those things. if so, just put curtains over them. try linen.
*you need more sources of light. bigtime.
*find some art you really love.

I don't think any of your pieces are ugly! and I don't think everyone would agree that they're all awful at all. They're just not cooperating together in your room. Lots of great ideas here, but don't scrap it all and start over. (talk about demoralizing advice!). Use what you have, move things around, and be prepared to make a few changes and possibly do a little shopping. :-)

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for the constructive criticism and advice. While scrapping the whole thing and starting over is not really feasible for me right now, I will take what you have said, work with what I have, carefully shop for new pieces and definitely add curtains. Hopefully, when the room is finished I can do a before/after post.

Thanks again,
Nana

hey Nana-

I think that you have a good start, but there are just too many ideas going on in here. I would say that the space can work with just a little editing- I would probably move the rug to another place. I think it adds too much darkness to the area, and the color doesn't really go with the white table. Then I would replace the couch pillows with white ones, and definitely cover or replace the blinds with light linen curtains. Maybe an accent color? I think blinds add harshness to any room. Then I would paint the walls, hard to say what without seeing the room in natural light. I also agree that the ottoman is also taking up too much space. keep editing and moving things around, and focus on a simple color palette :)

I have those exact same blinds, and probably window size, in my apartment. I HATE THEM! Sometimes I play the blinds like a harp but that's all they're good for.

IMO, the coffee table does not work with your other furniture.

I think any changes you make listed above will greatly improve what you have now.

Having nothing better to do, I played a little bit with your photo in Photoshop. Here's how I would redecorate and cozy up your room:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33142866@N08/3083863003/sizes/o/

- paint the accent wall(s) orange (or some other warm color picked up from your golden pillows)
- paint the coffee table black, and put a dark reddish paper/cloth underneath the glass
- buy new see-through whitish or beige curtains and non-transparent dark red ones (the dark red color of the curtains and the coffe table cloth could be the same cloth and picked to echo some of the darker warm colors in your golden pillows)
- make (or buy) two pillow cases made from linen to match the cover of the large chair
- hang some art above sofa (the painting is by Dan Lafferty - GOLDEN MORNING, found on etsy.com), best in warm red/orange tones, with a simple broad black frame to match the coffee table.
- a flokati rug

I hope this helps you to visualise it and think further of the best arrangement for you :)

that is damn good "advice" lol!

nice photoshop mockup.

i think moving things off the walls will be hugely helpful

Amazing how the photoshop redo makes everything work together so nicely...brilliant!