Most of my furniture is going to be dark brown. How will I make the room look lighter?

Question

For my living room, I plan to buy a cherry entertainment center, a cherry desk, and a dark brown leather couch with a matching loveseat. I'm positive that I want all of those peices of furniture. How will I keep the room from looking too dark?

I also plan to get a sage green recliner, green curtains, and maybe a green rug.

Answer 1

I would rethink the dark brown leather couch,
especially with a matching love seat.Maybe a
different color would work better. I like the choice
of sage green for a recliner and curtains. I'd make the rug
more of a pattern with green, a little brown and a third color--
red , burgundy or cobalt blue. Paint the walls a light color with some light in it--like the color of cream, butter or french vanilla ice cream. Add a couple of pillows and a few accents in the third color.

Answer 2

In order for the room not to be too dark, you're going to have to paint the walls a light neutral color. I would suggest a light khaki, its one of those colors that never fail. If you top it off with a bright white crown molding it would definitely counter the dark pieces in the room. Keep all of your trim white, this is an absolute must. Also, if you have low ceilings do not paint it anything other than white.

As a budding interior designer, I think I would probably steer you away from the two seater sofa (loveseat is the improper name). Instead, I would have you purchase two of the same sage green recliners or 2 complimentary club chairs in sage green or a nice yellow.

I would purchase one a new lighting fixture or go have some recessed lighting installed strategically around the room. You can purchase these at Lowes relatively cheap. I think there is a box of 6 for under 50 bucks.
Another good idea would be to bring in some glass for your occasional tables. In order for everything to flow I think you're going to have to go with a cherry based wood, but incorporating glass is going to help keep the room open.

For your windows, I have two excellent suggestions. I dont know if your are familiar with Waverly, but they make some of most beautiful and reasonably priced fabric. The first I would recommend is called Soho Stripe in Spa and the second is Capulet Stripe in Spa. I think that the capulet stripe would work the absolute best and by chance you dont like the spa, it comes in a completely neutral form that would go great with your room.

Basically, just keep the rest of the pallette neutral - khakis, whites, creams, sages, light yellows, golds, etc.

Happy decorating!

Answer 3

Very light walls & ceilings. Plenty of light fittings. Take curtains back beyond the windows to admit the maximum light. Oatmeal or similar carpet.

But I am confused as to why, if you want a light room, you chose those dark colours for furniture. Keep the leather couch, the main feature of the room, and try to compromise with the rest with a lighter, but complimentary colour.

Answer 4

What color/material is the floor?
If you are already positive about these colors, I would paint the walls a light, warm color such as ivory, pale gold, warm caramel, or peach.
Then add the green rug with sage, a little dark brown, and the wall color. The couch and chair could have pillows in the sage, wall color, or combo of those.
Make sure the shades or blinds under the curtains are ivory or the wall color.

Answer 5

Paint the walls a lighter color. You can also use better lighting to brighten up the room. Accessories such as art and pillows help to brighten up the darker colors as well. Make sure that you are allowing enough natural light in as well through the windows.

As far as the rug goes, you could consider a lighter shade, or something with lighter tones in it that can add character and brighten things up a little.

Answer 6

Emma, so far that sounds great.
I would add some white to the room in throw pillows, candles, accent pieces. Maybe add a white border to the curtains, or put white sheers between the green panels.

Answer 7

Paint the walls

Answer 8

yeah paint the walls a nice light colour like beige or white thoose two colours would go well with your furniture as well.

Answer 9

give lighter color to the wall..if u ready then flooring too..

or atleast windows curtain...
then furnitures.... more lighting ,allowing sun light in.

Answer 10

chose your accent pieces with lighter colors and experiment with painted walls.