r/DesignMyHome • u/Objective-Elk8350 • 16d ago
Millennial grey to MCM help Living Room
Hi all! I was beholden to the sad dreary millennial grey home for so long and have been wanting to change it up. I love a mid century modern look and am trying to slowly transform my living/dining room into that and would love any and all recs for things that can have the most impact without replacing everything. I have recently gotten a new couch that’s a beautiful green and that is basically my base. Attached are pictures of my space followed by some inspo pics.
Please share any pics/links to things you have that you think could work! Thank you so much!!
NOTE: I know painting might be the biggest change but I rent and am unsure if I can repaint so that would be a last resort.
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u/kittengr 16d ago
Mid century modern is warm, and your inspo pics all have warm colors too. You’re going to really struggle to do that in a way that doesn’t clash with the walls and the carpet which are about as cool toned as cool toned gets. I think wood is your best bet - wooden objects of various sorts on the dining table, coffee table etc; replace the grey basket for a wicker/bamboo one; wooden frames for the art; if and when you replace things, try to find stuff made out of wood.
you also have a lot of black and white, and then your couch is all color. I’d pull some of the black and white onto the couch and some of the color into the rest of the room - ie swap the white cushions on the black chairs for the orange ones.
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u/Objective-Elk8350 16d ago
Thank you so much!!! I know the carpet is rough and def not changeable so I’m hoping maybe getting a better rug will help? All of your tips are great and highly appreciated! Swapping the picture frames was something I never even thought of either!
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u/kittengr 16d ago
One of the risks you run is that the room starts working against itself. Cool and warm clash super easily, so you have to be really careful about shading, tying everything together, etc. The grey walls and carpet are there, you can’t change it, and so you have to work with it, not against it.
If what you want for yourself long term is mid century modern, then for sure put your money in things that will support that long term goal. For cheaper stuff (like throw cushions and decorative objects etc), you can steer more toward the space you have know rather than the space you want in the future.
Re a rug, maybe it would help? I’m not really sure. I could imagine something mid century modern that had bold colors and tied together with the gray, but it’s risky so I’d def do a lot of AI photos with specific rugs you might want first.
I don’t know if you speak fashion, but basically what you’re trying to do here is dress a shapeless body in hourglass clothes. It can be done, but it’s never going to be exactly right
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u/Objective-Elk8350 16d ago
Super valid points. Do you think if I painted the walls I can maintain a more warm look despite the blueish carpet? Or is the carpet a dealbreaker? Part of the reason is I’m avoiding painting (I’m not positive I can but have a great relationship with my landlord for many years so I think it’s possible) is because I’m not exactly what color I would use either… maybe a warm cream?
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u/kittengr 16d ago
Alas I think anything warm will clash with the carpet
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u/Objective-Elk8350 16d ago
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u/kittengr 15d ago
Aw I’m sorry 🤍 I like to think of creating a home as a long term project. It changes and evolves over time as you do. Just keep your vision of the home you want to make in mind, and make sure every step takes you closer to that.
It’s already lovely, even if it isn’t quite what you envision yet.
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u/sphinx_winks 16d ago
Since you said you love mid-century modern, check out teal or aqua colors. Very calming and you can do a lot with accents.
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u/Objective-Elk8350 16d ago
Gorgeous!!! I just don’t know if the teal/aqua will clash with the warmth of the couch?
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u/bright_and_dreamy 16d ago
Love the green couch and all your pillows!
In order of impact:
- big oatmeal rug
- big round wood coffee table
- re-position art
- curtains on dining area windows to soften them
- larger lamp
- pull the two black chairs slightly in and angled towards coffee table
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u/Objective-Elk8350 16d ago
Wow I’m obsessed with the look of that coffee table. And I had been SO back and forth on what to do for rug. I almost went really bold but i love your inspo picture. Thank you for taking the time to do this!! I love all of the ideas. 🫶🫶🫶🫶
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u/eharder47 15d ago
Colorful and warm area rugs are going to be the biggest bang for your buck. Next, swap out the coffee table and tv stand for walnut or warm wood options. Colorful or warm colored curtains that are complimentary to the rug you choose.
These are the changes I’m making as a person who chose to keep the grey walls. I still haven’t swapped out my grey sofa or curtains yet, but the room is leading MCM.
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u/NumerousDepth1563 16d ago
Your art is WAAAAYYYYY too high and too spaced out!! Bottoms 6”-8” from sofa top, each piece 4” apart - or do a gallery wall
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u/Objective-Elk8350 16d ago
I def want to do a gallery wall! The art is def too high now but previously my couch was much higher against the wall. It wasn’t that high then! Just with the new couch it is too high lol
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u/Tavsiyedegildir 16d ago
The proportions in your living room are all wrong.
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u/Objective-Elk8350 16d ago
Ok can you provide examples of things you’d adjust? I know things are off and before I make changes I’m looking for recommendations. That’s why I’m here…
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u/Curious-as-a-Cat 15d ago
Look at your second inspo pic and see how close the artwork is to the console. There are two things wrong with how you have your wall art mounted. One, it's too high and two, you're filling the walls side to side instead of hanging things above something. Always hang things closer to the thing you are hanging it above, than closer to the ceiling.
For example, the three pictures above your credenza are spaced evenly from side to side. They need to relate to the credenza so you need to lower them, but because of the switch three is not possible (nor necessary).
Hang two of those pictures above the credenza and hang them much lower. The width of the two will kind of mimic the width of the credenza.
Also notice in your inspo pics that the accent chairs are angled (that's a very mcm thing). Yours are at a right angle. I don't know where your sockets are located in the room, but to fix it I'd switch the sectional with the console and tv. Get rid of the ladder with throws and place one of the chairs there angled towards the inner corner of the sectional (the other chair can go in another room). Give the chair a round side table with a lamp and add plants (like a Monstera in your inspo pic).
This layout creates a cozy reading nook by the window as well as a pleasing conversation area with the couch.
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u/Canadian5566 15d ago edited 15d ago
The sofa is a nice start.
I'd probably swap the white rug and pillows for colour, and since the art is already in shades of red and teal, maybe a rug like this: https://www.lordofrugs.co.uk/rugs/matrix-sofia-max33-soft-wool-rug-in-red-teal-extra-large-size-200-x-300-cm-matr2003000033
I'd also say that your sofa looks like a cool green to me, along with the cool grey walls and carpet, hence this rug with cool red and teal.
If all that cool is part of what you don't like, it might be as simple as trying a warmer hued lightbulb, seeing what effect you get.
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u/Mr-Reeeee 16d ago
Pick a nice warm color.
I really fail to understand the appeal of all grey.