San Francisco Bay Area - Help making a gloomy room bright

by Jen

Help making a gloomy room bright

Hi! I am having a real Dilemma with my living room: it is too dark and gloomy. I had a vision for it but because of a tight budget I had to compromise on a few things. We just bought the house.

Now there is too much black furniture and the walls are too dark to accommodate them. I was thinking an accent color could lighten the room up a bit. But what color? Repainting the walls isn't an option. Neither is new furniture.

Below is a picture just to give you an idea of the look. Except now we have black end tables and coffee table until we can afford to buy new ones. Also have silver lamps with grey shades until we can buy new. If this makes a difference the floor plan is open and you can see into the dinning room from the living room which is a dark yellow I guess.

Thanks for your help!!

**I just realized this picture makes the walls look much lighter then they really are. They are actually a dark bluish grey. Wish I had a better picture.

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Tres McKinney Design Please post more images of the room, amps and side tables so we can give you more informed advice. My initial thought is to go with a black, white and silver scheme since you can not afford at this time to make big changes. Add one other color (red yellow or orange as an accent). A lacquered coffee table in white or a color would add some zip to the room or a glass top table with brushed chrome base. You can get color impact from a large framed print on one of the larger walls. The furniture floor plan needs work but we can't tell from the picture where other walls are etc.

3 months ago · Like

Naomi Frash Bring the couch away from the wall, the coffe table will go perfect in front of either the couch or chairs. Also are you able to place a chair on the other side of the couch (so you have a chair opposite each other)? Then the end tables can go one on each side of the chairs or the couch.

3 months ago · Like

Cathy Welman_Nolan My lounge is very similar - not much natural light, greyish walls that the landlord won't let us paint, grey floor tile and black furniture. My solution was to introduce colour with throws and cushions. My colour of choice is bright green, and I've brought this in in various tints and hues, with golds and wheat-y shades in the background. Wall art and a large potted palm also add interest. If green isn't your thing, teal could work wonderfully with the blue tint in your wall paint. Tangerine is also a hot option and, in my, opinion, would pick up with your wooden floor for a wonderful warm glow. I would definitely go with a mix of patterns and designs to beak up the solid furniture and tie in the beautiful patterned rug. I think that a coffee table, as suggested by Tres McKinney Design, would add a lot to the room. Have fun!

3 months ago · Like

jansgirl Any more pictures? You need a new furniture layout--and lamps!!

3 months ago · Like

Darzy More pictures are really needed. But, I must say I love the rug and wall color. I think you just need accent pillows and great lamps. It would be best if you could arrange the rug lenghtwise with the sofa an separate the chairs somehow. More pictures for best advice is needed.

3 months ago · Like ·

onthefence I agree with Darzy on all points (gee I say that a LOT!) I think the black coffee table sounds like a good fit with your rug.

Possibly too some brightly colored artwork or a silver-toned framed mirror on the wall over the 2 chairs? Check out Marshalls or Ross for either of those things - perhaps Target as well. You might not find the perfect fit at the perfect price on your first try - but great looking bargains can be found!

Congratulations on your new home!

3 months ago · Like ·