Redoing the lounge - where would you start?

Buffybee

Same here, January 06 it all kicks off.
I’m not sure it was the best idea, because trying to arrange tradesmen to come in and do things in the run up to Christmas has been a nightmare.

I’ve always got an idea which colours I’m going to use, so I normally start with wall colour, which I did this time, then the sofa, light fittings, new radiators, I’m still not 100% decided in the curtains and blinds.

I hardly ever feel I’ve made a mistake, so I’m confident it’s going to look stunning!

Now this I know about! One of the few things I know about!
Decide the style
Look at magazines and cut out things you like.
Decide what colours you like
Use neutrals for the big items and add colour in small touches then you can change things without much expense.
Carpet slightly darker than walls grounds scheme
Sofas are large things and don’t dominate if the are the same colour as carpet
I like plain walls because I add interest with pictures
Mirrors are magic and can reflect the garden
Find an object you adore like a cushion and then pull colours out of that to repeat around the room.
Don’t be afraid to mix patterns
Use texture
Good luck!

Well, thank you all for your input.

As I said, we have chosen the sofas - we are very daring and having an Ercol corner sifa and then 2 small arm chairs. We found a curtain fabric we like in John Lewis which has solidified our choice of palette.

I have been sending photos to DD3 who hasn't said weve got it wrong yet!!

kitty we have a corner sofa, (now very car damaged ) as it was the best option to suit the shape and space of our sitting room, very good for sprawling!

CAT damaged, we have definitely not had any vehicles inside the house!

I assumed you meant dinky cars phoenix

I could possibly help you having been in the film business, set dresser for years then years as an interior decorator but now retired. I can however point you in directions and help with discounts in most areas. Drop me a line or a question if I can help, good luck. I just enjoy helping people and still enjoy going to trade fairs and keeping up to date.

I would ask DD3 for advice and ideas.

Always always start with the carpet.
It is far easier to match the paint/wallpaper colour, curtains etc to the colour of the carpet, than the other way round.

There are 2 wonderful websites for interior design ideas and also gardens. They are HOUZZ and HOUSE BEAUTIFUL. Hundreds and hundreds of ideas on there. I could spend hours looking at the photos.

We're doing the same thing and decided to start with the sofa's as they will be the most expensive part we can choose the colour then match the carpet another big expense, we will then go for a plain colour on the walls, curtains, lights etc can easily be bought afterward to add fininshing touches

Get Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen in for a full Gothic or Rococco(sp?) makeover

I always start with a colour scheme as this makes buying bigger items so much easier. I would go neutral colour for carpet, sofas and walls and bring in the colour in the cushions curtains and bits and bobs

Dear Kitty.
I would like you to ask yourself 3 questions before you even start to have a make over of your sitting room
1. Are you doing this because your daughter says that your current lounge needs to be changed.
2. Are you comfortable with what you have or are you thinking of changing it anyway?
3. Is this what you really wish to do or is it a distraction?²
If the answer is yes to all three then I would have a sit down and rethink.
Non of my business of course but I have observed people over the years doing just this only to regret it afterwards.
Hope that this is food for thought and may help with decisions.

Ive always started with the sofas...because once brought you’ve got them for at least 20 years ( well that’s how long we keep em) ... always a neutral colour ...and go from there. Curtains next and scatter cushions all fall into place ....enjoy yourself!

CaroleAnne

To answer your questions

1 No, we are not doing it because DD says so - why would we do that!

2 No, the sofas are due to be recovered as they were last done 15 tears ago

3 Baffled by this - a distraction from what?

It is our Gokden Wedding anniversary in 2020 and we have debated going on a big expensive holiday but we like being at home (despite the roof) so decided that we would do this.

I think we are old enough to be able to decide to update our lounge but definitely not too old.

If we get it wrong we can do it all over again- eeeekkk!!

HettyMaud I love Houzz too, and Pinterest, lots more, plus registered for emails from various websites, eg Trouva, Rose and Grey, Not on the High St.
I also treated myself to two mag subs Country Living and Elke Decoration.

I'm hopeless myself but try to take inspiration.

Kittylester I'm excited for you. A lovely idea as I believe our living environment really matters. I love being at home

I would start with a colour scheme and broadly the style you are looking for. Glad top help especially with the shopping!!!

A lovely new project for the new year for you! How about looking for inspiration from Pinterest - try 'lounge styling' to kickstart a search.

Sofas first. A couple of tips I was given..
Sofas on display tend to be in the colour that suits the design the best (not always but usually)
Use colours the way they are in nature - lighter colours at the top, darker colours lower.
And a preference from me - arrange the seating so that when visitors are seated the TV isn't the focal point of the room.
Enjoy. Very envious. ?

I agree with your reasoning kitty. We enjoy being at home so we made it as comfortable and as attractive as possible.

Keep flooring and sofas as neutral as possible as they are big spends. Eventual changes can be made with cushions, curtains and wall colours up the road if you want another change.

Agreed look at magazines, websites like Pinterest for ideas. We did our whole sitting room a couple of years back and wanted to use some mid century modern pieces to go with the period of the house. Ercol has some lovely contemporary sofas and are ( mostly) made in the U.K., but be careful which range you choose as some ranges they have just sold the design and they are made in China. I bought an Ercol studio couch which was designed in 1949, but are still made in the U.K. to order. I love it. I also got an original 1960s Ercol coffee table and pebble tables from EBay which blend in brilliantly. Had the original oak floors stripped and a funky rug. It has transformed the room. I loved doing it - Have fun!

We did lounge and dining room together this year oh the work but worth it. Have always had mahogany furniture but went much lighter and even painted some much loved pieces. I love our new look so different. Whatever you do hope you love your new look as much as we do ours.