Hi everyone, we have moved in! We didn't manage to paint before we moved and think we will go for a staged approach - above the wood panels first in a warm white then decide on the panels. I'm having a bit of trouble working out what kind of sofa to buy and how at arrange the lounge. All furniture except coffee table temporary in photos and would love some ideas!

You need light and bright. Being rented is tough. First change out the drapes with to the floor length. Cream with a horizontal stripe of brown to match or furniture. This will 1. get rid of the horrid things hanging there 2. pull the initial visual to that wall instead of the floor. Tall and high colors ( mango, aqua, yellow) decorations on your mantel with shorter cream and brown items. Then a large square table in the middle, painted distressed cream, with high color items setting on it. DIY project or Ikea. Green is the number one calming color, just don't let it put you to sleep. :)

Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate your help. I think we are on the same track. The rugs I have brought home have fought with the terracotta colour plus the busyness of the small tiles. I did come across this picture on Houzz, which I think looks good. What do you think? It would need some of that burnt orange from the chair upholstery as well as the aubergine to tie in but I liked the dark border line, it matched with the grout.

Hi Lashford, A couple of thoughts for you to ponder. The artwork over the bed is not centralised so is out of sorts. Either two items placed evenly on either side or one wider item centrally located would work better, even if the bed is not on that wall. Would you consider putting the bed on the window wall so you look out the ranch sliders rather than at the wardrobe and ensuite doors? That way also if you want to make a feature wall behind the bed it will be rectangular rather than to a high ridge line. This re positioning does not lead to any extra walking around the bed as you currently walk in the door and all around the bed to the far side of it. Ideally I prefer not to see the bed in front of you when you walk in the room but I'd prefer to face the view than face the services. For a feature wall behind the bed, I think there are all sorts of options. Wallpaper is certainly an easy option but I think many people chicken out and don't choose something amazing enough. It is a small item so go brave. The one suggested by Pottsy99 is certainly a bold one and there are plenty to chose from. I am always aware of not making the bedroom too feminine as it is a shared space and both partners need to feel like they have ownership of it. Your curtains are also very neutral. You could 'bold them up' a bit too and tie them in with the colour theme you chose. I'm also a fan of making curtains longer hanging them from the ceiling to the floor. They look better when drawn closed. Blue will work well with the existing timber and grey carpet and you can add a small amount of a bolder colour like gold/amber or orange or even fuschia. Or you could work in a full grey scheme with a spot of colour. Paint on a feature wall still works but also timber battens painted in with the wall are popular at present and take a bit of time and effort but has impact. You could also do it in the rimu or macrocarpa to fit in with the existing timber and work it in with the window. Some images for you to ponder but not limited to these ideas. Cheers, Christine.