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Help! I'm driving myself crazy and need your advice

11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I'm having a hard time figuring out the best thing to place in the space between my sofa and my wall (where the cardboard boxes are currently). I originally had the sofa up against the wall, but thought it looked better once I pulled it out 12 inches. Now there's just some dead space there. I tried putting a sofa table behind it, but unless I go the custom route, the tables are just too short lengthwise and look weird. I plan on hanging some art, but not sure if the space will look strange. I was thinking perhaps leaning a floor mirror on the left side (kind of overlapping with the end table), but also not sure how it will look. Ideas? Thoughts?

FYI- I also attached a pic of all my furniture (some of what's in the picture is temporary, like the lamp)

Comments (35)

  • PRO
    11 years ago
    Why not get an arc lamp with a marble base that actually serves as a small end table and puts light over the coffee table and would suit your space.
    User thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    I love your creative thinking with the mirror, however in this application no one wants to see what's going on behind the sofa. I would suggest meeting the wall half way, not up against the wall but approximately 4'-6" off the wall. Once you hang your art on the wall and accessorize it will all come together.
    User thanked VARA Design
  • 11 years ago
    Patricia- Thanks for the suggestion. I was actually thinking of getting an arc lamp, but not sure if it will overwhelm the space. I will definitely look into it.
  • 11 years ago
    Vara Design- Thanks for your feedback. So you think that the space will not look weird if I leave it open only 6 inches? I'd like to find some way to hide wires behind the couch. What do you think about a potted plant directly behind the end table?
  • 11 years ago
    You could get a very narrow table designed for spaces just like this -- sometimes they have a magazine rack or something underneath...
    User thanked acm
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    oops, one of those didn't load... anyway, they range from 9-12 inches wide, so it would be easy to get one in there, to hold a drink or computer or lamp or, in the case of the flip-up lid, maybe your remotes. all good possibilities.
    User thanked acm
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    Hi...I'm thinking if you move the end table and table lamp to the other side of the sofa, that would fill up that dead corner and make the space feel more open. Put the sofa against the wall with some cool artwork over it (not hung too high). Since you have a lot of gray and white, very bright artwork would look great and be a wonderful focal point. I would skip the leaning mirror idea. Can you include a few wider shots of the area?
    User thanked User
  • 11 years ago
    Hi. I don't think you need anything behind it, and I do think that art will look just fine there. Are you planning art for the wall on the right? I think it would be a good idea. Or see below.*

    What could look gorgeous is three or four soft uplights on the wall behind the sofa.

    * By the way, if that standing lamp is the one in your beautiful concept board, I'd bring it out to where the base can be seen. Could you try to place in front of the protruding half of the wall, towards the sofa?
    User thanked Rina
  • 11 years ago
    Acm- thanks so much for your input! I was actually talking about the space between the sofa and the back wall (where the boxes are). Sorry, should've been more clear.
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    Hi Inside Story Designs- Thanks! Here are some wider shots. I moved the sofa out from the wall because I felt it looked better in relation to the TV. When it was against the wall, it looked like there was too much space in the middle of the room. I've attached some more images of the room (please excuse the mess and dog toys- we just moved) Also, the white bookcase behind the couch was another idea...looks terrible, so ignore that :)
  • 11 years ago
    Rina- Thanks! Yes, I will have art on the right wall as well. I guess I will have to put the art up to determine if that area looks awkward..just feels strange to have random empty space that is not filled. I've always had my couch up against a wall.
  • 11 years ago
    Teresa, I really love the room, the basics are just so good. I agree that the sofa (with rug) needs to be closer to the TV. Yes, I'd say just move the sofa to its IDEAL position from that point of view (don't compromise for now), hang your art, and live with it for a while. I think that not only will you eventually see (when you stop worrying about it) whether you need something there or not, but you will probably see what it should be if you do. In the meanwhile, enjoy the suggestions.
    User thanked Rina
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    Hi again...have you ever thought of putting the TV against the wall and putting the sofa where the TV is with a table behind it or even a sofa height cabinet that you put deco objects on plus add storage...so it becomes a room divider? Not sure if it will fit from the pictures I see though
    User thanked User
  • 11 years ago
    Hi, Teresa! Nice furniture! Not sure I understand your comment- excuse the dog toys since you just moved in? We have been in our current house for over ten years, and the dogs STILL have not learned to pick up and put away their toys!
    User thanked flopsycat1
  • 11 years ago
    Rina- thank you so much. I think that might be what I have to do, but I'm impatient by nature and just want everything done NOW lol :)
  • 11 years ago
    Inside Story Designs- I did think about doing that, but I think I will lose a lot of space that way because the TV will take up the whole wall, and nothing will look good next to it.
  • 11 years ago
    flopsycat1- LOL...that is so true.
  • 11 years ago
    jh77 thanks for the suggestion!
  • 11 years ago
    I think the TV is on the wrong wall. You have a traffic pattern right in front of it, plus it looks like it half obscures the window. I'd like to see other shots of the space, but I think the TV goes on the current sofa wall (with nothing next to it; let it have the whole wall), and the seating goes in front of it and to the side with walk space behind to get to the windows and fabulous view.

    Depending on the rest of the space, the table and chairs may belong in the corner by the windows. Art goes on the wall where the TV currently is.
    User thanked groveraxle
  • 11 years ago
    Also looks like the TV hangs over the ends of the console, which means you need a longer console or a smaller TV.
    User thanked groveraxle
  • 11 years ago
    Groveraxle- I thought about putting the couch on the other end and actually configured it with a room planner, but things will fit strangely and the room will be very heavy on one end and not so much on the other unfortunately :( Thanks for your input though- very much appreciated.
  • 11 years ago
    That's too bad that you feel you can't move the sofa to the other side where you would get light and views in your seating area. A long console and your TV on the current sofa wall looks as if it would fit perfectly. If you put lamps and perhaps a standing piece of art on a longer console, that might balance out the room.
    User thanked housegal200
  • 11 years ago
    Housegal200- Yeah, I would love to put the couch there. However, given the layout of my space, i have to put a dining table next to where the TV stand is. If I move the couch over, it will cover even more of the window, and there will be no space for any side tables.
  • 11 years ago
    Got it. Then the narrow self behind the couch is a great idea. Put a lamp, mirror, or art above it, and you will have some depth on that side of the room.
    User thanked housegal200
  • 11 years ago
    thanks! I think that's what I'm going to have to do :)
  • PRO
    11 years ago
    In regards to your question about cords, it depends on where your outlet is located. I've known many designers that will affix cords to run along furnishings to hide them, such as the bottom of the sofa.
    User thanked VARA Design
  • 11 years ago
    Vara Design- I was just looking into that!
  • 11 years ago
    I love your coffee table. Can you share where you got it? Thx:)
  • 11 years ago
    lucious111 I got it at crate and barrel! It's the Cliff Coffee Table.
  • 11 years ago
    Can you turn the bookcase on it's side and use that? Or I suggest a floating shelf. They have bigger ones at Ikea. Good luck, nice space! :)
  • 11 years ago
    I agree with those who said to flip the layout. Looks like the tv currently juts out past a corner in the wall. Maybe if you sent more photos of other angles and room dimensions some other creative ideas would come to the group.
    User thanked wsea
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    does your white bookcase not fit into the niche to the right of the sofa? if it does, it may look good there and bring the couch out a little to the left???

    OR put the sofa so that it faces the window coming out from that left wall....bookcase in niche and tv to the right of it on the wall that juts out slightly.
    User thanked mpoulsom
  • 11 years ago
    Just an idea for ya. :) Good luck.
    Ridge Home · More Info
  • 11 years ago
    Have you considered using the window side as the living area.
    The wall space opposite the window would fir yr TV (is there wall space?)
    Contemporary Family Room · More Info
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