How to Decorate Long narrow Living room?

THE SOLUTION

Designer Rose Ramseur uses warmer paint colors and a space-defining area rug to make the long, narrow room feel cozy and intimate. She also increases the amount of seating and storage to add comfort and function.

(Julius Goyanko/for The Washington Post)
(The Washington Post)

Ramseur’s Suggestions

Choose a warm gray, such as Benjamin Moore’s Shale, to act as a neutral backdrop for color accents. A dark accent wall, in Poolhouse by Sherwin-Williams, makes the room feel cozier. A large mirror adds interest at that end of the room. The area rug helps to break up the floor space in this long room. It also adds texture and anchors the seating group. Rethink what can be used as wall art. Three-dimensional brass sea urchins over the sofa are a cost-effective alternative to prints. A large sideboard on the back wall provides more storage and a place to set food for gatherings. Consider re-covering the chairs in blue fabric for texture and color. New rattan chairs also add texture. A coffee table with a glass top and thin metal frame maintains an open visual line to the back wall.

SPLURGE & Save

Splurge: Berkeley media cabinet in walnut ($1, 799, roomandboard.com). (roomandboard.com)
Save: Conrad sideboard ($899, homedecorators.com). (homedecorators.com)
Splurge: Art deco Capiz mosaic mirror ($497, zincdoor.com). (zincdoor.com)
Save: Margutta mirror in antique gold ($294, homedecorators.com). (homedecorators.com)

SHOPPING GUIDE

Furniture: Madagascar dining chairs with canvas natural fabric ($524, zincdoor.com); Martini side table in antique brass (9, westelm.com); Kumberlin end table (2, wayfair.com); Leona coffee table (9, potterybarn.com).

Accessories: Samson navy indoor/outdoor rug ($1, 655 for 10-by-14-foot rug, dashandalbert.annieselke.com); petite swing-arm candlestick buffet lamp in vintage brass with metal shade ($309, restorationhardware.com); sea urchin ornamental wall decor ($15 for a set of three, target.com); Beverly apple green lamp ($363, zincdoor.com); large glass house terrarium ($30, worldmarket.com); Joelle 18-by-18-inch pillow cover in olive ($29) and Brock cotton 18-by-18-inch throw pillow in indigo ($35), both from wayfair.com.