I would go with a bold multi-colored rug. Solid color curtains and some fun pillows in various patterns.

With a black sofa you can pretty much do anything.

There's nothing that says an orange rug has to be bold. After all, you think the room is boring. Perhaps a little "bold" is what you need? Toning down the orange (think rust, not day-glo) will help. Tie the colors together with art and curtains. I'd avoid the blue and stick to the red/orange/yellow color family. Contrasting colors (blue and orange) will increase drama, whereas like colors will bring it all together.

http://theoldpostroadblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/decorating-with-peppermint.html

Hi Nancy - Boy I envy your empty pallet. I would start with the rug as it could and should be the next most expensive thing in the room. A pattern or design would be good unless you like to vaccum often. Then you could pick out colors from it for the walls and for pillows, window treatments... With all that sunlight coming the room will look fantastic. If you don't go with too much dark /light variety the room will be calmer and seem larger. Consider hanging your plants ( at least the one on the left) Maybe build a shelf or get a cabinet for under the window and make it fit the whole window so the space flows. What fun for you to be making these choices. Good luck and let us see how it turns out.

Oops, scratch the above link - try this one instead! (note the orange rug)

http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=80991&currentPage=0&index=0&relatedPhotoId=

I think you can skew the orange a little bit. I really love the pairing of a light, periwinkle blue with a cantaloupe or salmon color (maybe softened a bit). Or if that won't do, what about a nice rusty, russet red-orange with navy and accents of light grey or light blue? You could do the lighter color for the walls, with the orange and/or navy on the pillows or rug. I think you can make all the colors work together. I think you need a third color to tie them together. Something like these three:

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6244-naval/

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6477-tidewater/

http://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW6346-fame-orange/

Or some variation therein.

Well I kind of have the same problem you do. I am in the process of getting things together in my new apartment.

A room goes from feeling empty and bland to comfortable and put together very easily once you put things on the walls. Definitely put some curtains up, and some art on the walls. A bright rug would also be nice, but you will notice a huge difference just with a few easy additions.

The plants are nice though...that reminds me I need to get some greenery

I would paint the walls white, it would make it look taller. you have great windows with great black insides.. Get a bigger more textural rug, still in the white/cream family.. or something like a softer jute. I would play up texture in everything (throws/pillows) to make the black leather not stick out so much. Get a new modern floor lamp.. something fun like: http://www.designpublic.com/blu-dot-stilt-floor-lamp?___SID=U and then bring color in, in a giant artwork over the sofa.. something with bright orange, etc in it. i'm thinking like a vintage movie poster or something. someday upgrade to a real wood coffee table and less ikea.. something like this would be nice http://www.westelm.com/products/patchwork-coffee-table-g762/?pkey=ccoffee-side-tables&cm_src=coffee-side-tables||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-

I think using a glass table might be more appropriate, it would make the room feel larger. Maybe this one http://www.midcentury-furniture.com/p-3147-isamu-noguchi-coffee-table-with-light-walnut-base.aspx

I agree that you need to repaint - bluish/light grey and orange really won't go with that wall colour. However I wouldn't do white, as I think your beautiful white window frames will disappear if you do. I NEVER normally fall into this camp, but since you say it is one of your favourite colours maybe you would consider painting the walls (gulp) pale grey.

I really like orange too, but I think it is a difficult colour to bring in in large amounts. I would actually suggest a multi-coloured rug (larger than your current one) that will "break the colour barrier" for you. Then recover those bland looking cushions in different coloured covers. It sounds terrible, but I'm a big fan of (very temporarily) wrapping existing cushions in something I already own to get a sense of what colour would work - I'm literally talking about teatowels, shirts, scarves, dresses. It can give you loads of ideas and save you from major mistakes before you spend a lot of money.

I also think some artwork would bring colour in very well.

I just am finising up painting my basement. I have some black furniture too...I wanted a warm color, but I wanted something that would work with black. I eneded up settling on Sherwin Williams' Sticks and Stones. I absolutely LOVE IT. It's this awesome color where I have a hard time deciding if it's grey or if it's brown. Very pretty. I think added an accent wall in this coral color (Sherwin Williams' Lei Flower). The Sticks and Stones added a lot of depth to the room (without making it look cave-like) and the Lei Flower really made it pop. I think your room would look awesome with a combo like that....

Benjamin Moore Ozark Shadows is my absolute favorite paint color... it's the perfect not too dark not too light... and its very deep and transformative... blue/green warm/cool depending on the light. http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/ozarkshadows

I think you should find something dramatic as inspiratin like this Limited Edition Tron Chair: http://designwire.interiordesign.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/comp1.jpg and then subdue it a little bit. Make your pops of color your smallest investments in case you tire of them... Bright orange pillows from CB2 or West Elm should set you back 20-30$
http://www.westelm.com/products/ikat-diamond-pillow-cover-t341/?pkey=e%7Cpillow%7C86%7Cbest%7C0%7C3%7C24%7C%7C15&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

As for an area rug try this one... http://www.westelm.com/products/ombre-dye-rug-midnight-t357/?pkey=e%7Cdye%7C12%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C8&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-

Be careful with Orange and Black... If anything add a fur throw in a neutral color over the sofa, then place the pillows there.

Nancy, that's a really nice room. Lots of suggestions already so I will just say have fun with it.

Very light grey to make the trim pop and as a perfect base for navy and burnt orange accents. I would try to avoid getting accessories that are orange and accessories that are blue. The sofa is so boxy and I think blocks of color would be the wrong way to go. I would instead try to find fabric that combines blues and oranges and make pillows out of them. I would find airy curtains that have either a blue and white or orange and white pattern. And as others mentioned go for a rug with a print.

Do a google image search for "fabric orange and blue" and another for "rugs orange and blue" and you will find lots of inspiration.

i'd definitely add a color rug! or just a rug in a dark tone but with a nice design. a few throw pillows/throw blankets, and some art on the walls would be a great place to start with color. then you can move on to curtains, etc.

maybe add a funky hand-painted end table!

first thing I was thinking , long colorful curtains and artwork above the couch.

I'm with zrossiter. Keep it simple-- selecting bold curtains and then hanging them high and wide will instantly add major interest to your living room. AT had a great post on this just a couple days ago:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/simple-solid-curtains-set-the-stage-180451

You have no curtains on the window, or art on the wall. Add both and you will see what a difference it makes.

This post from YoungHouseLove a few days ago has fabric that includes all of your fav colors mentioned above. Could make some really great graphic curtains and then the rest of the items you bring in could be pops of color from the fabric (that's what they're planning to use it for).
http://www.younghouselove.com/2012/11/coming-home-to-knobs-frosting/

This rug, http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=20659470&parentid=A_RUGPILCUR, in blue or orange could be a colorful addition to those drapes.

I probably wouldn't invest in an orange rug, only because they can be pricey. I try to stay neutral on big ticket items and bring color in with fabrics, etc., but that's just me. An orange rug could also be amazing--I remember a really cool one from Ikea a few years back that was round or something, but I'm not sure they make it anymore. This one from Urban Outfitters could be a good high-impact option, but I would pair it with more subtle curtains: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=23060031&parentid=A_RUGPILCUR

I would paint the walls white, add a nice long and heavy grey curtain.. and a bold artwork above the lounge, I think a glass framed poster would also do.

Can you also fit a chair?? GRANT FEATHERSTON CONTOUR LOUNGE CHAIR in Orange would be just perfect!!

=) ENJOY

Get some bright curtains and some artwork, and a colorful rug that fits the sofa and table. I like the IKEA Lappljung because the square shape and size will draw attention to your room but won't make your sofa stand out. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40227902/

Light grey and a fairly bright accent orange go great together... I say as I look at the AT color scheme...

I haven't had a chance to read the other replies but I'd suggest trying a grey-ish blue paint on the walls and then find a fabric that has some orange and toehr colours in it for the curtains. Then find a rug that compliments the curtains (whether that's colourful or a nuetral witha bold pattern). If you'd like to add in more orange then get some pillow for your couch and some artwork that has orange in them. Make Sure your rug is appropriately sized though (the one you have is at least 2 sizes to small. Find something that will go under your coffee table and under your coach. It should be slightly wider than your couch as well). And don't forget to hang your drapes high :)

The key change you need to make first is to change the wall color from that craft-paper beige. An ivory of slightly creamy off-white will help set-off the colors you want to feature better -- I love Donald Kaufman Color's DKC-51. It will make your wood furniture seem less dull than the current paint scheme does.

Next, invest in a beautiful, classic rug. The sort of rug that will stand the test of time. These rugs do not come cheap -- they are investment pieces -- but they make your home. They add complexity and depth and interest in a way that few other things can.
Get as large a rug as possible for the greatest impact in pulling the room together. Here are a few possibilities... I think that either of the bottom two rugs on the left or the bottom rug on the right would work; look for similar oriental rugs:

http://www.paradiseorientalrugs.com/

Or, if you prefer modern, this is already a classic:

http://www.therugcompany.com/others/gb/collections/contemporary-hand-knotted-designer-rugs/swirl.html

Change out your coffee table -- either get an upholstered pouff or footstool that you can use to set trays on, or a larger, more interesting coffee table (an oval Saarinen coffee table or an oval Eames coffee table?), or dispense with the coffee table, and use side tables instead.

As for curtains, curtains hung just under the ceiling will make your space feel larger and more airy; they will need to be custom-made and may be pricey, even with reasonably-priced fabric. But they will make the room feel more comfortable.

And if you have room for a chair, I was going to suggest a Grant Featherston Contour Lounge (with footstool) as well!! I agree, it would be perfect!

Good luck!

I have exactly the same problem, same layout! These are all great suggestions, and I'm wondering if I might also enlist some help from the crowd.

I have white walls that I can't paint (I rent) and the standard (blah) beige carpet. I have a very large rug over the carpet that I love, but it's also beige with some muted blue undertones. I also have very white plantation shutters on all the windows that look strange with panels hung over them. So, I feel like I'm stuck in a white box. I'd love to find some bright, large-scale artwork to liven the place up -- can people recommend some good sources?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

My flat warming party was a bunch of my best friends coming over with a dart and their own glass (don't judge me!) and we spent the afternoon popping balloons filled with paint onto a mega-size canvas. Remember the scene from The Princess Diaries? My set-up is a little like yours, and we hung the canvas above the sofa.

ill take the sofa off your hands ;) and even trade you for a painting..

@doodlebug - if you can't find a piece of art that you love in your price range you could take inspiration from the piece and create your own on a canvas from a craft store. Or altenatively if you can find some fabric that you love make a simple wood frame and wrap the fabric around it (staple on the back) and hang the fabric for a spash of colour and art.

here's a couple of examples of fabric as art

http://cuphalffull-sf.blogspot.ca/2012/09/epiphany-fabric-as-art.html

- or frame the fabric instead of just wrapping the fabric

Hi Nancy!

I think there is a way to tastefully incorporate elements that both you and your husband like. In terms of the color palette, I think a light gray on the wall behind the couch and around the windows would look nice. The third wall (the one with TV against it) I would turn into an accent wall -- either with a somewhat darker gray color or an interesting dark gray wallpaper. Your windows and your radiator are white, so, for the sake of uniformity, I would paint the base molding white as well.

Now, given that I am suggesting a lot of contrast with gray walls, white molding, and a black leather couch, you could have a lot of fun with the remaining design elements. This is especially true if you decide to forgo the suggestion about textured/patterned wallpaper. For example, I think you could incorporate orange in the casing of the throw pillows. Also, I am a huge fan of textured rugs, and there you could play with color (and shape -- a round rug would be a nice balance to the strong lines of the sofa) as well. Orange will do wonders to warm up the space.

I also see that you have couple of plants in your living area, which I l love. Keep them! It gives an organic feel to the room.

Hope this helps, and let us know what you decide to do!

Have you considered adding chairs facing the sofa? In addition to adding color, they'd make the room more inviting. Right now, the room is only about watching TV. It's not set up for conversation or lounging. That might be why the room feels incomplete to you.

Curtains and art would also add colors, as others have mentioned. But the "bones" of the room are good. You're off to a good start.

@doodlebug.. I would love to see pics of your place, why don't you post a question so everyone can see.. =)

1) Consider installing a full wall MIRROR, i.e., a mirrored wall.

For some reason I don't see the use of mirrors that much on this site. A mirrored wall may sound really drastic - until you see one. I have a small room that has one wall fully mirrored. It makes the whole room look so much bigger, brighter and so forth. I have been to many other apartments that, too, have fully mirrored walls (seems quite popular where I live) and it never fails.

2) The window wall looks very bare now. It seems like it needs some window treatments. I would also consider decorating with something on the top above the window all along from the left wall to the right wall to try to widen visually the room.

3) Since the room is relatively small, I think a rug that has either large texturing or large patterns can make the space look bigger. Small-patterned rug is likely to make the space look smaller.

4) More plants can help, too. How about finding some large fiddle-leaf fig?

I'd paint the walls a burnt orange and do a a grey solid or grey/orange/blue (any coordinating combination) patterned rug. I'd just go for it. Bold is better than boring. You can always repaint. Pillows and curtains are more opportunities to introduce color, pattern, and texture. Have fun!

Look at the tee shirt in this post and use it as inspiration. It has your colors - and more.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/10-stores-to-shop-for-hostess-gifts-180593

I could see black and white striped throw pillows, with an orange and grey one thrown in. Or make a large painting using different sized stripes in the colors shown. Steal a pattern somewhere and use tape to get the stripes straight. Or maybe striped curtain in black and white.

You could paint the walls tee shirt grey, maybe with a bit of blue in it. Orange could be a rich red orange, a bright persimmon, a coral - whatever you like.

I can see a lot of crisp cottons and canvas with this. If you know someone with a sewing machine, pillows, etc. could be made.

I don't think you are anywhere ready to invest real money in a rug. I don't know how much Flor rug tiles cost, but that's one option. A cotton or jute rug is another.

As far as things on the walls - take your time. Go flea market hunting. Orange was big in the late '60s - maybe there is something around to collect. To dishes in the same color as the shirt, turned into a plate display, which would add roundness to an otherwise square room.

None of this needs to be expensive or permanent. My first apartment had pale green wall the wall - with some very cheap odds and ends, I made it come alive. You can too.

Good luck!

Get some inspiration from these
http://www.flor.com/faux-hide-orange.html
http://www.flor.com/ins-outs-black.html
http://www.flor.com/mod-macrame-harissa.html
http://www.flor.com/hither-yon-orange.html
http://www.flor.com/cambium-geranium.html
http://www.flor.com/a-tisket-a-tasket-cinnamon.html
http://www.flor.com/cut-flowers-geranium.html

The room is too neutral neutered. In any case, hang a pendent lite or a chandelier on a dimmer! The room is also bottom heavy, with nothing on walls etc. to bring the eye up. Get a large /oversized patterned area rug to use as nearly wall-to-wall. Add luxe shades; perhaps roman shades on the windows and also fullt height drapes for at least 2 layers of window treatment. Art on walls from a huge poster to a careful grouping of pics etc. as it suits you and the room's style. If possible, add not-to-ornate crown molding!

Re: not being read to invest money in a real rug --

Estate sales and auctions are GREAT places to find amazing oriental rugs,much less expensive than from rug dealers. It can be a fun project, and involves getting to know rugs, but ultimately can be much more satisfying and interesting than buying something readily available off a store shelf.

I don't think paint is necessary, as some suggested. But putting something on the walls is, and it's easily changeable/reversible. Start with art.

If theres a Home Goods store in your area they have some very nice rugs fairly cheap.

A pretty room! I'd like to see a big ol abstract painting above the couch. I'm thinking golden yellows and orange. With a little bit of nerve and house paint, you could easily make it in an afternoon.

hi nancy
I haven't read all of the replies, so unsure whether this has already been suggested. I would suggest a rug on the floor, paint on the walls and temporary wall paper - Tempaper (found at www.tempaperdesigns.com) for one of the walls, like an accent wall. Tempaper is great - think of contact paper for your walls. they have some great designs and can really help you jazz up your space. Its pretty easy to install too - just you, your patience and a straight edge to balance out any bubbles in the paper once it goes on the wall. There are lots of ideas on their website, but this would be a fun way to add color and excitement to your room!
Take your time and Have fun!
Roslyn