What about a cornice board, with or without fabric? It won't interfere with the operation of the blinds or add clutter, but could offer a chance to add some texture and color to the room. I do think you have room for curtains/drapes (with cornice or valence) in the bay window, if you want them. It would draw more attention to an area that seems overlooked right now.

As for furniture, I think your arrangement in the living area is nice, but I'm not a huge fan of the small-scale items by the bay window. They aren't big enough to hold their own and are clearly overwhelmed by the size of the windows. A taller console table or an upholstered bench would be a better match.

I like the clean, uncluttered look as it is. And if the curtains aren't functional, I would definitely look for other ways of injecting color and texture that don't interfere with function. For instance, layer a flokati rug over the carpet or add a woven colored pillow or two.

I had a similar look and issue in my condo (which we very recently sold, sorry no pictures). I did very fitted/tailored valances in a geometric pattern and hung them high above the window. The valances had two pinch pleats, and the tailored look kept the simplicity in check with the white shutters, while the fabric added a little warmth to the look. I think the three valances took me only 2 hours to make, with less than $30 in fabric and materials.

I like the look of curtains, even if they're never drawn closed. it's a nice way to add color and texture. Hang your curtain rod extra wide so you can gather the fabric on either side without blocking the view/light.

I think you have a great opportunity in the bay window area to add a reading nook or a second seating/conversation area. It needs larger scale furniture, maybe a low bookcase under the window and an arm chair that's more in scale with the sectional.

Absolutely YES. Make sure you contrast with a nice color. You won't regret it. It'll look great.

opps - hit 'submit' too soon.

For curtains, how about sheers in the bay, just to soften the corners and further delinate that area. I like the idea of a cornice or valance for the main area though. Or possibly some decorative side curtains hung "high and wide" so that they don't interfer with the operation of the shutters?

I love the shutters w/no curtains, especially the flat wall. The white woodwork contrasted with the wall color is beautiful.

I also think you could do more w/the bay window area. How about an intimate conversation area w/two comfy chairs upholstered in a color? Add a round table w/lamp and enough room for drinks and such.

I like the shutters. Brainstorm about other ways to bring the eye up in that area- perhaps display some post cards above the window? Its a very formal and tidy room, it needs a little loosening up.

I love how the room is so light and airy and bright. Curtains would change that, so I'd leave the windows as is. As for the furniture, it's hard to tell much about the room dimensions from these photos, but I'd probably flip the sectional so that one side goes against the window wall, and the other faces the green painting and the bay windows. Right now, I feel like the sectional is cutting the room in half for no good reason. And I agree, you need something cozy in the bay, like a bench or two comfy chairs.

You have a gorgeous room, and several nice pieces of art and furniture -- it'll be hard to go wrong no matter what you do.

In the bay window area, I think a lovely desk with a streamlined computer would look great. It would fit the scale of the space better, and would add a lot more functionality than a random chair outside of the actual conversation area would.

I agree with the above comments. I just wanted to say that I absolutely *adore* that green painting. It both grabs your attention and adds a calming not. Wonderful effect. (Makes me want to break out the paints...)

I'd love to know what that paint color is.

put a bench under the bay window with colorful pillows. i think the clean shutters look great on their own though.

Nice room!

The shutters in the couch area look great without covering. You could use a larger chair just under the window and perhaps upholster it with color or pattern. Then the chair you are using now could join its twin under the bay window with a small round "dining" table between for bulk--good for a writing table, bar for entertaining, etc. Some curtains there would add a little texture and color and also tone down the light a bit.

hmm...

put the credenza under the window
mount the green painting
move the arm chair to the bay windowlet
hang curtain rod across the window corner to corner (you don't need to cover the window, just accent it with curtains)

move the armchairs out of the room and put a bench in the bay windowlet with a cushion the same fabric as the curtains

No.

That is... don't hang curtains over the shutters; hang them to the side. Add them for a vertical shot of color and/or pattern that visually heightens the room and brings in softness, but don't make them functional. Hang them so that they will not interfere with the shutter operation. You can also spend a lot less by having fewer, narrower curtains. Adding curtains would make it look more finished. Be careful with valances, because they can easily look dated.

As for the room layout, I think the scale of your chairs is too small to balance well with the sectional and the size of the room. The bay window needs to become its own area: either a reading nook, conversation spot or desk area. You could put a chaise there, or a pair of chairs, or a small writing desk. I'm not sure about the overall plan of the room, but you could definitely try turning your sectional 90º to open up the room as Creative License suggests.

Also, I really love your artwork and credenza.

I wouldnt hang draperies - but I would hang the artwork.

I'd also bring your small chairs into your main seating area, and acquire a pair of larger armchairs to create a second seating area in the bay window around a round central end table.

Thanks for the input! Here's a little more information about the room, and what furniture we have coming (more can be added, so the sky's the limit as far as re-arranging the space)...

My living room dilema

I wouldn't add curtains, no: those shutters are perfect all on their own. I have white horizontal wooden blinds on my windows, and the light-and-shadow-play is enough visual interest for me. I did make my bay window into a cushioned window seat, and added a couple of big plants, so curtains would just be a distraction...
Cushions and a rug, that's the way to go!

I also like the idea of adding curtains to the sides of the windows. The bay window seems to be screaming for attention. The area looks like what used to be a formal dining room before the wall was taken down, which makes it harder to integrate into the living room. The suggestion for large upholstered chairs is a good one. I love the color of the walls, very calming.

I love the shutters without drapes.

I would use plants to add interest and color. Get a couple large plants that are compatible with your light (go to a really good plant store so you can get appropriate advice on keeping them/it alive).

We recommend curtains (as you might imagine!). Seriously, they'll add depth to your room, as well as opportunity for another splash of color.

As for the area at the bay window, it almost looks like a small dining space, doesn't it? If you don't need it for dining, perhaps it would function as a work area, with small desk and chair, and perhaps one or two corresponding slipper chairs.

No, no a thousand times NO!
p.s. love your home!

The room is coming together beautifully! I'd say try other things first before doing the curtains. The shutters look pretty and clean-lined and I think it'd be annoying to have curtains interfering w/ how they open/close. For the bay windows, I like the idea of an upholstered bench, then add some punchy throw pillows to add color and texture there. For the area opposite the sectional, try hanging your beautiful green painting up on the wall, which will lift the eye and make that area feel more filled out, I think. Also add a more colorful throw pillow to that chair by the window. You might also think about swapping out the lamp on the small side table w/ a chrome arc lamp instead, which again could help move the eye up and therefore integrate the windows in better. I love curtains and have them all over my house, but I think I'd try other things here first.

I think curtains might compete too much with the green painting, but I would add something tall and textural to the right of the window for balance. Maybe a large, arching plant.

that green painting does wonders. if you put curtains, let them compliment it in some way

OF COURSE!! yes, and from the ceiling all the way to the floor.

No, you don't need curtains, and it seems they'd be impractical. The shutters make for a simple, classic look.

A nubbly pillow on the small chair would add texture to that side of the room.

And no offense but your art collection, while full of nice pieces, is rather featureless and samey. Consider adding some more detailed works to increase the interest.

Curtains for color? Maybe, but I think you are asking the wrong question entirely. Adding colorful curtains to a room that is all neutral or white as this one is (ceiling, wall, floor, sectional) would look off.

Here's what I'd do: start with the floor, always the floor. The carpet is boring (and white highly impractical - looks dirty already in the pictures.) You say you want to add color to the room - why not start there? I'm not suggesting colorful wall to wall - but if it is wood floorboards under that carpet, by all means liberate them and use area rugs with color. If it is concrete, so you need wall to wall, install some thick carpet with texture, in a neutral, but with varied and darker colors in it, and texture, like those rugs that look like they are knit. Or, if plywood, you could lay something else over it as a backdrop to area rugs, like cork, bamboo, etc.

Next, consider the next largest fabric item, the couch. First, ask yourself if you want a couch in there, as you could use just chairs. If you want a couch, why a white one devoid of color? People have this idea that a couch should be white or beige, with tiny bits of color only in throw pillows, and what they end up with is a white box devoid of color. And, it isn't even a white box, but a dingy, dirty box, as the white or beige couch is as impractical to keep from looking dirty as a white rug. A colorful couch, especially in a pattern involving more than one color, rather than a solid color, will not show dirt nearly as much. (The neutral couch is a hard look to pull off well, as it takes a densely layered room with lots of character to look good.)

Next, decide where to place the couch. You say you want to look out windows. Which way do you sit on the couch - or do you also lie or sit on it to read or chat? I ask because if you do, you can also see out windows from over the back or side arm of the couch when seated sideways. I tend to place my couches looking into the room, but with sight lines to windows to the back or sides.

Your sectional, besides sucking the room of color by being white, is also sucking all the life out of the room, as it sits there in the middle and impedes all flow in all directions in the room. I'd try placing it along that paneled wall, where it isn't in the center of the room. But the couch I'd place there would not be a sectional. This room is not right for a sectional. Across from the couch, put a comfortable chair, angled to face toward the bay window. Just one-you want to leave room to flow into the other part of the room. Or, if the room is wide enough, place across from the couch a daybed or chaise style piece-a sofa without the back basically, a studio sofa, as this will be accessible for sitting on from either side, and will not break up the room into two separate areas, but will join the two areas into one.

Alternately, try the couch across from the bay, with its back to the tiled hallway. If you put a sofa there, there will be room to enter the living room from the entry area in front of the credenza.

Your two big wall spaces need to be furnished. The ones where the credenza is now could use a taller bookcase, if you read, or to display photos or whatever if you have photos or whatever. A secretary-style deak also makes a nice taller piece in a living room. As does an upright piano if you play, or plan to give lessons to the little one. This area could also store children's books or toys in taller cabinets on that wall-and the area in front of the credenza would make a nice play area. Or place lower cabinets with artwork above.

If you put the couch facing the bay, put tall bookcases against the paneled wall. You could get ideas about furniture placement from looking at home magazines, or even the Ikea catalogue. But as to what the pieces are, you need to decide what functions you will want to do in this room, and no one can tell you that. A desk or narrow table would also look good along that wall. Put a chair next to the sofa, angled toward the wall and bay window. Add cabinets somewhere for music components and speakers.

Your windows seem rather high off the ground. So no chair will look good in front of them. They are calling out for case pieces or tables about the height of the windows. So yes, move the credenza in front of the rectangular window. Put a table-like piece of some sort in front of the bay - like a small round, square or rectangular table, with chairs on either side. They can be upholstered chairs or not- either way, they can be part of the seating area with the couch. Pick the table and chairs to fit what you will do there- be it play games, read, write, serve coffee, etc. Don't pick them just to look a certain way-nothing looks worse than a table and chairs that clearly are never used.

Whether I'd add curtains would depend on a number of things, including what funiture you have in front of the windows, and the style of the room. I wouldn't do it to add color -- I prefer curtains the blend in with the wall color, or neutral in color. But first decide whether you need curtains for their primary purpose, which is to block light- do you need to block more light than the shutters block? Yes, if you hang them, you hang them at the sides, (to the floor only, not shorter), and they won't block use of your shutters. You can hang decorative panels just at the sides, or if you need to block out light, ones that draw across the window (you open the curtains fully to get at the shutters). If you have furniture blocking where the curtains will hang to the floor, don't hang curtains. Skip valances and cornices in any event -your bare woodwork looks way better than they could ever look. Also, the style of your furnishings will also determine whether your room cries out for curtains- a clean, mimimalist style will not, a period style will. Your current furnishings call out for curtains. But you aren't keeping that sectional and those miniature items in there, are you?

Hope you find some ideas in there....

Thanks for the additional info Katie! I don't think you need curtains but I would hang the artwork like others suggested and add some height to the room. The corner by the credenza is begging for a tall plant.

In the other room where you're built in media console is - you should paint it to match the trim. It would look sooo much better.

I think hanging long panels (that don't need to close, therefore less fabric needed) just to the sides of the windows is very appropriate in this instance. They would add color and verticality to the space, since most of your furnishings are modern, neutral, low and horizontal. Beatiful space!

Yes, painting that media center, and taking out all but the lower cabinets on it, is on the to do list already. As is doing something about the fire place, which has a green stain on it. As for the art, I'll hang it when I finish the piece that's planned for the living room. I need to see how it turns out before I commit to what paintings go where. I've also got some pieces coming from other people, so the walls will soon be more than just storage for my own work. :)

Thanks for all the suggestions! I appreciate it.

Nope no curtains. Your room is great.

No curtains. Beautiful room.