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decoenthusiaste White and paint the interiors an accent color.

Chambers I think you should do the cases dark to visually absorb the agressive pattern on the sofas. Look at lots and lots of beautifully arranged shelves on Houzz and elsewhere and consider what makes those shelves work...just don't clutter them up with a ton of family snaps. Only do bookcases if you have...books...and some nice accessories. If you don't have lots of books, maybe a console or long chest of drawers with a large-scale painting over it would work.

Then...tone down those sofas! Put some large and small pillows on them in plain fabrics. And I'm someone who loves using pattern on pattern, but these are very strong. Add a wonderful coffee table that people can put their feet on (the sofas seem casual so I'm assuming you want a casual room). A warm pine table, with a shelf for all the accumulated things that will follow you into this room, or a grand-scale ottoman in a faux antique leather. You need task lighting beside the sofas for reading or doing hand-work...I'd consider brass or antique brass pharmacy lights so you see and experience the light rather than the source of the light. Maybe some large trunk-type baskets on the wall flanking the (fireplace?) for storing blankets and other things.

on the window, think about plantation shutters all along that wall, or even small Asian ricepaper screens (these would work if you don't need to continually adjust the light at the windows); these could stand, folded in a "W" pattern on the shelf and you could likely get them at Pier One or similar.

Good luck pulling it together!

newbie Thanks for taking the time to give me so many great suggestions!

newbie Personally I love all things white but the rest of the votes have been for dark. I really don't love the couches so helping them out would be lovely. I did see a nice blue sectional the other day, but I'm not sure if the budget is ready :)
This is exciting

Kaplan Architects, AIA I agree with Chambers on this. Anything to tone down the couches is a good approach.

Chambers I, too, like the fresh, white look, but those couches need to be tamed! And darker wood behind them will do that. If you could afford to reupholster the sofas maybe you could lighten them up and visually calm them, but that isn't inexpensive and if they're not the very best quality it wouldn't be worth it. Another thought is to purchase light-colored pillows and maybe have a light-colored throw over the back of each...and if you can, perhaps a lighter rug over the wall-to-wall. Then you might have the lighter look you like and the white bookcases would work. I have a feeling you can do this!!

newbie They are a hand-me-down from my mother-in-law.... sigh.

newbie I'm trying to attach an image of a green sofa that is also available. Would it be better?

William Carosella Depending on the style, a travel-trunk style coffee table might also be a pleasant addition, and could help go with the wood of the little end table you've got there. Then it could be a little easier to plan the shelves, as you could establish a stronger theme for the central furniture to work off of.

newbie I forgot to say that we have 100s of books and not so much on the interesting and beautiful to fill the bookcases with.

newbie Thank you!

newbie Here's the other walls of the room, one is of the old colors but shows the stairs and wall of windows at the end of the room.
I also have this couch. Should I use it instead? Neither is quite right I'm afraid.

decoenthusiaste Either couch can be slipcovered.

Chambers The plain sofas would be less vibrant in the room and you could open yourself up to adding color then, with pillows or a couple of small chairs that can be moved around. Regarding the "100s of books"...there is nothing more beautiful that a wall of books in my humble opinion. They add visual texture, color, pattern...and they let the world know you're not spending your life sitting in front of one screen or another. Books hone your imagination because they don't show you everything, you have to imagine what characters or settings look like, which is likely why you're enjoying the decorating process...you're engaging your imagination. I THINK I've attached a photo of one wall of a library addition I designed and decorated for a client in South Carolina...books, books, books...nothing better!

carolins I do agree with Chambers... nothing more beautiful than a wall of books. Although... 'nothing'... ;-) Still, I'd use the green sofa's as the pattern on the other ones will fight terribly with the books.
You could use throws and cushions to 'brighten' them. Or indeed slipcovers, as decoenthusiaste suggested, would be a solution.

You mentioned that you love white and don't really like either of the sofas. So I'm guessing you'll one day replace them with sofas that you really like. In which case: ignore the sofas and go for the bookcases you really like :-)

lessismoore http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Sure-Fit-Ebony-Stretch-Honeycomb-Sofa-Slipcover/6468140/product.html.
This slipcover is shown on sofas quite similar in shape as what you have now. Lot's of choices out there.
Just check the reviews for fit and wear ...
I see you have an "accent wall" surrounding fireplace and another color on stair's walls?
What color is the one on the stairs?

newbie The stair photo is a "before" shot. Except for the fireplace wall, all walls are now CableKnit by Benjamin Moore.

newbie You are all amazing! Thanks so much for taking the time to help me. My inner decorator hasn't had much practice and is therefor fairly insecure :)

inabunker The first thing that screamed at me was the sofas. They need to be toned down, maybe slipcovered. That way you can go any direction you want.

Elif Memisoglu I bought the ikea lack floating shelves (10 1/4 x 43 1/4) and had my handyman use stronger hardware for installation. The ikea description says Max. load 11-33 lbs but that's with their hardware. With proper hardware each shelf holds approx 200 lbs. This has been my second apartment and they are holding up well with even medical books. Good luck!

groveraxle Personally, I love slouchy slipcovers in a casual family room. They give it a worn, lived-in look that is just downright comfortable.

groveraxle And here are two Ikea walls, Expedit and Billy:

newbie Love the pictures! Thank you!