apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

How about a shade of gray? I personally would go for a light shade but gray would give it a good contrast.

Why don't you decide what color you want your next couch to be, then buy a slipcover for now, then decide on the wall color? Because it seems like you don't really want this couch for very long. You don't want to repaint the wall when you get the new couch.

nooooo not green, especially not a dark green. that's sooo 90's. it will seem very country if you do that. (unless that's what you want)
I'd pick a color that has some of that cranberry-red in it, try a grey like benjamin moores' smoked oyster 2109-40, or feather down OC-6.
I think you will achieve a nicer-looking and calmer environment if you use colors that are on the same side of the color wheel.

$300 will buy you a nice used couch from craigslist - do you really need two? why keep couches you hate?

i second the gray idea. i just painted my loft benj. moore gray cloud (with trim in eclipse) and it looks terrific. very soft, but more soothing (in my view) than white. i think it would look terrific against your burgundy couches. it also has the benefit of (a) not being beige and (b) being neutral enough that, when and if you decide to change your couch, you'll have options.

i actually agree with your original thought that green might make the place look a little too christmas-y.

If you have wood floors, I'd suggest you consider a very rich saffron. I'd emphasize the rich jewel undertones of the sofas with warm strong walls-- would also complement what looks like your dark wood framed mirror. The greeny-blue throw pillows would be refreshing bursts of cool. I'd stay away from cool colors on the walls, because the sofas already have a slightly institutional/ waiting-room feeling about them, and cool walls would only increase that, I think.

i'd be careful about used couches from craigslist. most are probably fine, but i've been hearing enough bedbug nightmare stories to scare me away from used upholstery for a while...

While you can certainly design an attractive room around these couches, my advice is to not do it. I've done that with chairs I didn't love and it wasn't possible to love the room, even though others complimented it. Follow lori's advice. (Maybe even throw cotton spreads over them until they are gone.)

No offense, but those sofas look pretty grungy. Defintely cover them with slipcovers or even tuck in some fabric--then determine a color that you'd like for the walls.

If covering them is just not possible, the pale gray paint idea, with crisp white trim seems like a good idea.

Saffron?
Periwinkle?

I agree with Lori and Debre. These couches are a big part of the living room. If you hate them, don't design the room around their current color. Think about what colors you want to use in your home and what colors you want your future furniture to be. If it isn't in your budget right now to get new furniture, try slipcovers in the color you think you would eventually like to try. That solves two problems - you don't have to decorate around a burgundy you don't like AND you get to see if you like having a white, blue, red, black, grey, brown or whatever other color couch you want to try.

Taupe-and paint the table black

I would say cover the couches as well- but slip covers can look so sloppy.

I agree with the grey idea. If you want something more subtle I say go for a nice neutral lighttone grey with the crisp high gloss moldings....if you want something a bit more edgy? the pale grey on most of the walls- and a super rich charcoal on one wall- with a huge beautiful peice of art that will tone with the rest of your belongings.

I did this in a bedroom a few years back and always got compliments on it.....

Whatever you decide keep in mind that any colour lighter than your sofa will make it stand out. As well, if it is burgandy, a green will do the same as green is the complementary to red.

That said, I have a dark brown living room--I chose it specifically to "hide" a green sofa. The room "works" the colour does what it is supposed to do--but I persoanlly find it depressing. (The room faces North as well with lots of ceder bushes in front of the "picture window")

So, be careful. You can "hide" your sofa--but will you like a room coordinated around something you hate?

My new favorite paint colour is Misty Air by Benjamin Moore. I don’t know how to describe it without underselling (don’t even bother trying to judge it by the Benjamin Moore website - it is too subtle). It is a very light “off white” but has distinct undertone of green. It is one of those colours that while painting, it looks almost beige. Once the room is finished however, it is outstanding… bright in the daytime but fuller and darker at night. I suggest this colour because it will go well those sofas but it will also allow to move to an entirely different colour of upholstery when you can.

a really peachy kinda fragonard flesh tone. sexy.

Thanks guys! There were so many great ideas! I just checked out craigslist... great site, thanks for the tip. Here's the gameplan, I think I'm gonna paint the living room one of those gorgeous neutrals you guys suggested, and then watch for a couch that I REALLY like! :-) It's time for those suckers to go. THANKS AGAIN!!! :-)

I have light ceramic tile floors and a chocalot couch. Any ideas for paint colors?