Lower Level family room/den- How do we make it comfortable and cozy yet functional?

12 years ago

Need help. I had once suggested to my husband that we put a desk behind the couch...and move the couch forward. Opposite the couch is a tv. I will attach a floorplan once I can find one. The problem is I now don't know if I want a desk behind the couch and he's now run with the idea. Headed over to ikea and saw a whole set up that he now wants to do. But that wall is our focal wall and I want us to try and make it look better. And also make the room functional. It's my husband and son's "man cave"/family room/tv room and its also a walkout to the backyard. BUT I need to make sure whatever happens in that room is stylish. I'm so stuck. We need an area rug to define the space. I also want to get a good colour theme going n there. I'm thinking of paiting two of the walls a deeper grayish brown.but also don't want to have the brown leather sofa get lost in it all. I NEED MAJOR HELP!!!

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Comments (7)

Nixx
Original Author
12 years ago
Please note its all one space we didn't put that divider wall between the "den" and "family room"
Chris Paulk
12 years ago
See the attached image. You need something to add height and fill on the back wall. A colorful fun rug would make a huge difference and adding a coffee table will make the space seem more intimate.
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Nixx
Original Author
12 years ago
Hey Chris thank for the great design advice. I'd like to definitely implement those ideas. Do you think putting a desk behind the couch is silly ? My main worry is the room looking too much like an office space. I want it to still have that den feel and I want it cozy. I'd also like to paint the back wall a different colour. Right now the room is painted BM revere pewter.
ej610
12 years ago
Do you need a desk in that room, and do you want to put it behind the sofa so you can still see the TV? If so, then behind the sofa is a great idea. It doesn't need to be large, you could use a thin console table. If you don't need to see the TV, then a desk would work in place of the ottoman on the right side wall.
Chris Paulk
12 years ago
If you have the space, look for a desk that is more "table-ish" and subtle. These are pretty nice and not "industrial looking. (Target & Pier One have some decent options as well).

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/desks/paterson-black-desk/s148400

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/desks/spotlight-ebony-48%22-desk/s235507

You can also add a wall unit that has a desk built in that has a nice space for a laptop or small computer. This would help to fill the wall space.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/desks/sloane-espresso-18%22-leaning-bookcase-with-2-desks/s315338
Chris Paulk
12 years ago
Here's another view of the wall unit with some things on it.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/bookcases-towers/sloane-espresso-18%22-leaning-bookcase-with-two-desks/f47211
and one of the desks.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/desks/spotlight-ebony-48%22-desk/s235507?rv=Furniture%3aLiving+Room+Furniture%3aBookcases++Towers%3aSloane+Espresso+18%22+Leaning+Bookcase+with+Two+Desks+Family+Page
Nixx
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
We have a desk that looks like the one in the first picture. But would it look okay to put it on the back wall. I just feel like that is the first thing you see when you enter the room that back wall is a real focal wall. I was thinking of painting that wall a darker colour and seeing how it looks with desk behind the couch. I know we need a area rug but still need to find one both my husband and I will like.