apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

definitely bigger rug!

and i definitely second maxwell's thoughts!

A warmer color on the walls would do wonders for this room...

I agree that a bigger rug is the way to go. I would go 8x10. I always worried that rugs would shrink a room, but they tend to do the opposite. They define the space better so it looks more pulled together. It also creates a sense of warmth and pulls you into the room.

Choose a color you love and then pick accessories that build off that color. Curtains, throw pillows, art, etc.

Would you consider a new coffee table that doesn't match the entertainment center so perfectly?

I am curious about where one would put two more seating postions. I, too, suffer from movie theater syndrome and could use a few pointers.

i would go for the 8x10, smaller sizes will be skimpy and break the room up making it look smaller. Go for a lighter color, or a natural sisal.
if anything is making the room seem smaller it's the narrow bookcase between the windows and the small coffee table.However if the walls were painted a darker neutral and the widow shades were close in color the bookcase would blend and the room will seem bigger Maxwell mentioned additional seating, also consider replacing the coffee table with a large square coffe table or upholstered ottoman.

Bigger rug -- then some drapes or other colorful window treatment.

I'd say if you want a rug, definitely nothing smaller than 8x10. Otherwise, I'd go with no rug at all, and get the color in other ways. My own inclination would be to cover the couch in a different color and fabric. If that's not the way you want to go, can you find some pillows that pop more than the current gold ones? Maybe deep orange or rust? I second the suggestion of changing the coffee table. At the moment it just blends into the floor. I'd also be inclined to paint, but have no color suggestions there. Maybe paint the bookcase the same color as the wall? I'm also itching to do something with the entertainment unit, but I don't know what. Anyway, definitely, 8x10 rug or no rug at all.

Jay here.
Thanks to AT and to you ALL -- please keep the comments coming. And if you have any ideas for window treatments, curtains, etc., I'd love to hear them.
Thanks.

i'm with the 8 x 10 crowd, go for the bigger rug.
is it possible to find another spot for the bookcase between the windows? it makes that area seem cluttered. if you are able to re-locate it then you could go in for some really nice curtains/some sort of window treatment rather than just the white blinds. they are a bit too sterile. also try some colorful pillows.

Hey guys, This guy had the guts to ask about his rug, and you are all over him about the room. Hey, we can't all be Phyllis. He has a good start. Do invest in a 8 x 10 rug that you really like with all the colors you like. Then turn it sideways and basically carpet that side of the room. You will be surprized what that will do for a room. It will well define the living room and make it look larger.

Jay, well if you want help with your room...ok. Consider moving the tall bookcase away from the windows. Put up one long rod over both windows and treat them as one. (To cover windows cheaply, get on eBay and look for swags in the colors you like. They are generally 5 feet wide and 18 feet long. Think of them as cheap fabric.) I like the tall bookcase. Can it go opposite the windows? Or beside the sofa at the end of the new large rug. Or opposite a door or entry. Once you get your one set of draperies in place, and pulled back, you may want to use that wall space for a painting, or a piece of art. Make that spot the focal point of the room.

I agree with moving the bookcase and treating the windows as one. Change the current blinds for bamboo-type blinds, and then add some nice panels overtop.
You could try replacing the halogen floor lamp with one of the tripod lamps that are so nice, like this one: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_12/602-1737378-7472648?%5Fencoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0007TXORK

i would also suggest that you avoid a rug design full of straight or perpendicular lines, as your apartment is full of those already. I'd add more plants - and I think this rug would look nice with more plants: http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_5/602-1737378-7472648?%5Fencoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0007YFJ1Y
there's also a decent selection of rugs at ikea.

definitely bigger Jay.

keep the rug color(s) on the muted side; let the texture/patterns define the rug.

remember: texture is the new black ! (or something like that....)

Okay-I disagree on the neutral rug. The room is neutral. It needs a color palate, and the classic way to get one is with a rug. Jay, be brave and get a beautiful colorful rug that makes your heart sing. Then follow the colors of your rug in the draperies and pillows. Remember, you can have a good rug for your whole life, so this rug could eventually be your bedroom rug, for example. If you rather start smaller, find a painting to hang between the windows, with the colors you like.

I also disagree on the blinds. Leave them white. WHY? Because you have no reason to call attention to them. Use the draperies and rug and painting and art for the colors. Think of everything else as the frame. I'd use a white wooden rod and hardware so it will diappear into the wall as well.

You want to get rid of your coffee table as soon as possible. Sorry. You asked. Consider a chest or ottoman. My choice would be a small round birdcase table that you can see through, or a nest of tiny tables that be opened as needed.

If you empty your bookcase to move it, consider painting it as well. It will look much richer painted. Trust me. Consider a flat black. Every room should have something black.

Definitely a larger rug. I am so envious that you are in the position to rug shop since I keep seeing such lovely ones on various design blogs like decor8 and designsponge.
I disagree with the previous post that suggested that you recover the sofa, I think your sofa is a nice neutral, I would bring in color with a rug/art/window treatment... perhaps you could play off the colors of that little hexagonal table next to the entertainment unit? (it is the only piece in the room that stands out as unique).

Usually there are four colors in a room. Two primary and two secondary. That is why is it so hard to find a rug or painting with four compatable colors that you really like, or a piece of art that you really like. Once you find your color palatte, be sure to only buys things that YOU really like. DO NOT BUY THINGS BECAUSE THEY WILL LOOK GOOD IN THE ROOM. Be true to your color palatte and to yourself, and you can't go wrong. You will surround yourself with your favorite things, which is what decorating should be all about, in my opinion. That's why good design is timeless.

I know this sounds crazy, but, how about pull the sofa just a little bit away from the wall? And go for a good neutral rug 5x8 or bigger. Perhaps an armless, low chair added in (i got a cool one off ebay for 50 bucks) and this room may pull together and feel much warmer, cozier.

Just some thoughts...

A rug is definitely a great idea. Rather than worry about choosing from conventional sizes, check out flor tiles (www.interfaceflor.com). they have good solid color carpet tiles as well as patterns, they are easy to install and move, and you can pick them back up to clean them whenever they get dirty. I have them covering about half of my bedroom and I love the idea that I won't have to worry about whether they fit in my nex apartment - I can adjust the size accordingly.

Diane

Gah. Palette. Palette!

A large rug will make the space look larger because it'll be visually a single, unified area rather than a vast parquet emptiness sprinkled with furniture.

If you're looking for general decorating advice, paint the walls roughly the same color as your wood tone and use blinds in a related tone. As it is, the eye links all the wood, and the next thing you know, that bookshelf between the windows is coming straight at you. Making the shelves blend with the walls will settle them right down, leaving the sofa to co-star with whatever you choose as a rug.

If you like the sofa color, then it and two accent colors need to appear in your rug pattern. The accent colors reappear on your accent pillows and a couple other places throughout the room.

A little secret I am loathe to share....but here goes.

I became addicted to buying area rugs in the recent past... on EBAY, no less.

Go to "search"....enter "antique rugs" and be amazed.

Just double check the shipping costs. I have 6 area rugs on my hardwood floors in the dining/living rooms. Laid side by side, I've since been told this is a European approach.

I love it...and it was cheap!

I have a big, beautiful area rug for sale. It's a good quality machine made, 100% wool, rug with a very traditional design (and more color)... I can email you pics if you like. No stains, no odors, and has just been sent to the cleaners.

Palate is your 'taste' - Palette is a range of colors, palatte is nothing.

I second Wende's idea of painting the walls a color that will blend with the wood tone, and blinds that will be the same medium brown.
I disagree with Decor Team (who can't even spell Palette - so I don't know where they get their design expertise) about painting the shelf black. Just leave it. Also, I think there is nothing wrong with your couch or coffee table. I would bring color in with the rug, some draperies and some pillows. and maybe some art. Oh, and more plants. Did I say plants earlier? yeah, plants.

● The coffee table. As mentioned above, a larger, square-ish coffee table would definitly fill up some blank space which seems to be something you're concerned about. Color/tint I would leave up to you depending on what way you want to go.

● The blinds I think are fine. As "Team Decor" mentioned above, you're not trying to draw attention to them or make them a focal piece. If you are looking for a mix however, I think wooden blinds in a similar tint to your floor would like awesome and definitly liven up a white wall.

● The rug. I'll disagree with the common here and oppose the 8x10. You've got a clean, good-looking floor and I think it'd be a shame to cover it up with a rug. However, I don't think they should be bare either. Maybe find something slightly larger then the table I mentioned but definitly have it fluffy to get some nice texture in there.

● Additional seating would be great if you can squeeze it in. Could you provide some shots of another angle if possible?

Hope this helps you out a bit. I'm no designer so feel free to take some and leave some. Love to hear some opposition on my thoughts since I'm basically doing the same thing in my home.

I think "palatte" is defined as a colleague you go to starbucks with but don't see socially.

I like the idea of a larger fluffy rug, in a warm color.

Sorry! And I majored in French. No excuses.

Thanks AGAIN to all. Keep going! This is great...I am open to all suggestions beyond the rug, as well !
Jay

Jay - you'll have to show us the 'after' pictures, whenever you make the changes.

Try using a round rug instead of a rectangle or square rug. The roundness will definitely add some contrast and interest to the room.

Judging from the picture, I think 5x8 would be the perfect rug size. If not, base it on the length of your sofa and the width, that space between the sofa and the entertainment unit. I have a similar living room layout. I placed a 5x8 rug with a modern design (don't overdo with the abstract though) and with colors that are lighter/muted than the wood floor. Interestingly, it made the living room BIGGER!

Definitely, a bigger rug... 9x12. Warm that room up a bit!! Creamy color or light beige with off-white semi sheer curtains at the windows and some colorful art accents.

The plant stand at the corner of the entertainment center looks like a great piece for color inspiration. For the window treatments you could consider cloth tie up shades, I've used them over existing blinds to give added privacy. I wouldn't paint the coffee table. Find a nice mantel scarf to drape across it, or a bench cushion to tie on top and use for a foot rest. You really won't need to paint the walls if you punch this space up with color. I've been stuck in sterile white military quarters for 4 years and my house went from pale colors to a crayon box. You have beautiful floors I would agree with the 5x8 rug, to let some of the floor show. If you have another place to store some of the books use your bookshelf to show off small accessories. Place some of your books horizontal and some vertical, play with it a bit. It will make the shelf more of a focal point.