Dark living room & layout questions! :(

12 years ago

Just moved into a new place. We have beautiful original tray ceilings but unfortunately no overhead lights wired in. I have a small lamp on the mantle for right now but am thinking about doing a couple things (looking for reinforcement or opposition here). First thought is to put a small entry table next to the door and a lamp on that. The other thought is to pull the couch out a bit and build a long table behind the couch for some lamps there (or both?). Questions for the forum: build the sofa table? Would shelves above the sofa table be too heavy? Are the towers adjacent to the tv console too much? And finally....are the 2 chairs in front of the fireplace too much?
Appreciate the help!

Featured Answer

Lainie D'Eon

12 years ago

All 4 windows should have the same curtains!. Would add more Roman shades.

Fireplace wall looks too busy. Remove the tree.

The colors need to be more balanced in the room. Now you have all light colors on the entry & fireplace wall & all dark colors on the sectional & TV wall.

I think that the sectional is too large for the room. Is the sectional too long for that wall? It seems to be protruding into the doorway. Can't quite tell because the pic is so dark. If you keep it you could add some light colored patterned pillows on it.

A sofa table behind sectional would certainly allow you to have some light on that side of the room.. would not add shelves above it. But maybe with 2 lamps & a large picture between them.

The 2 towers don't do anything for that wall. Just try removing them & placing the tree to the right of the TV & center them both on that wall.

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Comments (7)

enilyhintz
12 years ago
I think the layout is fine. If you need more light, I like the idea of the long table behind the couch. Plus, adding a lighter paint would help a lot.
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Lainie D'Eon
12 years ago
Maybe some pillows for the sectional that would have green with some cream to complement the 2 chairs by the fireplace.
pjdanluck
Original Author
12 years ago
Yes, the sectional is a bit too big. For now can't really do anything about it :(.
Thanks for all the advice! I'll try building the sofa table with the lamps.
vjs12
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I would remove the curtains and put wood blinds only. Put the white chairs closer to the corner of the fireplace. Add end tables with lamps for that area or put a floor lamp next to each chair if there isn't room. Pull the couch out some and put a sofa table behind it with 2 tall buffet lamps. Add colorfull pillows on couch and chairs.
PRO
Michelle Scott for Ethan Allen - Laguna Niguel, CA
12 years ago
You can also add wall sconces, if you want to add light without adding a table. Some lighter pillows on the sofa will help lighten the space, as well.
Lainie D'Eon
12 years ago
@pjdanluck....please show us some pictures of you updates when you do them. Is it possible to access your attic area to install a ceiling light?