Need help with furniture layout and room makeover for split foyer living room!

11 years ago

Thanks to all for my foyer entry suggestions! Now I am onto the living room. I've attached 3 pics from 3 angles. Will be painting ceiling white and walls will be Gray Matters by Sherwin Williams (taupey gray - lighter than what I have). I also have a narrow table that I can put behind the sofa or in front of the window and am looking for a round coffee table to refurnish. I'm looking for more warmth and welcome - love the Pottery Barn style but not on that budget :). I would love ideas for window treatments and layout, but will take an ideas at this point. Thanks so much!

Featured Answer

PRO

Project Guru

11 years ago

Only one of your pictures is coming up so the info we have is limited. I like that you are starting with neutral pieces that lend themselves to being updated with accent pieces, accessories, window treatments, etc. The room is not giving off a lot of clues as to the colors that you enjoy to surround yourself with: do you like fall colors, prefer jewel tones, pastels? I like the idea of putting the couch in from of the window with a sofa table behind. That should allow for the tv unit to be placed on the dividing wall shown here but will require maybe a pair of small chairs and a large coffee table to face the lounge chair already in the space.I would not re-use the rug you have here: it is too small and will seem even more so in the other direction. Look into Wold Market for well made lined window panels at a great price: consider getting them extra long and hanging your rod as high and wide as possible to maximize the visual impression of the window. They only have a few color schemes, so starting there may get you started on accent colors. Check garage sales for large coffee tables: consider spray painting 2 garage sale finds and using them side by side for a larger result. Garage sales are also great for finding chairs: there are a lot of online tutorials for simple upholstering that make a redo affordable. Finally taht back wall will need a focal point. Are you planning to keep the desk and chair in the living room/ If so, a larger desk, maybe flanked by a couple of tall bookcases would work well: re-painted bookcases, attached to the wall and trimmed for a built-in look, with a butcher block cantilevered work surface in between would be relatively cheap and very functional. You could even have enough space there for 2 work spaces. Zuo Modern makes lucite chairs that are very inexpensive and almost disappear visually- a fun option with your other choices. Above the work space maybe a large sun mirror or other statement wall art would give a great focal point to the wall: consider painting it a shade or 2 darker than the rest for added drama.

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Comments (8)

TanCalGal
11 years ago
What is this room used for? Is there a TV that is watched from the sofa or chairs? Do you need privacy at the window? Does the desk need to stay in that location?
pcmom1
11 years ago
Only one picture came up. I will make a guess that the large recliner is faced towards the tv? Really need more pictures to work off of, but here goes. I'd like to see you create two zones in this room.

Can tv be placed on the wall where the recliner is backing up to? I would bring sofa over to face tv with the rug in front. You of course need a piece for a coffee table. I would put the recliner where the desk now is, and would love that whole back wall where black sofa now sits, to hold a large bookcase/desk.
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PRO
3 Day Blinds
11 years ago
Hi isufan89,

What a great space to work with! Some colorful drapes could really help bring your room to life with a little kick. Check out our different fabrics here: http://bit.ly/13LPhNr

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Happy Decorating,
3 Day Blinds
isufan89
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks so much for all of the great responses! The room is our lived in living room :) We watch TV there and use the computer. Other than a wall unit of shelves, etc (those are kind of pricey), what can I do with the wall and space where the couch currently is when I move it in front of the window? If the walls are a grey with taupe influence, what colors would you recommend with the oak woodwork/gray paint? I'm open to changing colors, but don't like anything too trendy. I've attempted to add the other images as well. Thanks again!
pcmom1
11 years ago
I recommend you start shopping furniture consignment stores and craigslist for a couple sets of shelves. They often have very nice furniture at the fraction of the price (many things in my home found at consignment!). You could put a large shelf on each side with a desk in between (and art above desk). Let the owners know what you are shopping for, leave a phone number, and make the rounds often as good things go fast!
PRO
It's a Beautiful World!
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Once you are done with rearranging furniture, try to rearrange your wall art as well. When smaller art pieces are scattered around the room the space looks more cluttered. Best of luck updating your room!... Raisa
pcmom1
11 years ago
Project Guru gave you some really good pointers, especially about starting out with the window treatments. I would like you to also to be sure the panels are wide enough for the windows. This may mean (if you don't make them yourself) that you do multiple sets per window. And extra panels or ones that coordinate can give you material for some throw pillows, etc.