Need Advice on Family room redesign

11 years ago

I need help to redesign my family room to be more modern and lively and also to add a flat TV in the corner or above chimney

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PRO

Thos. Baker

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Hi barghout -- in answer to your questions about a fireplace -- a surround is simply a piece of wood that goes around the fireplace to create different design aesthetics. Once you select a style of surround you like, a professional will help you with measurements and installation. I would choose one with a nice mantle, but not too big or bulky. You can cover the stone or do a wider surround and allow the stone to remain exposed. If you keep it exposed, I would recommend painting the stone a color that complements the color scheme in the room -- in your case, perhaps beige.

As far as a TV over the fireplace -- a lot of people love to put their TV's there to save space, but I don't recommend it for a couple of reasons: 1) it's hard on the eyes and the neck to look up at a TV in that position. The TV is meant to be viewed at eye level; and, 2) the space above a fireplace is prettier if it's accented by art.

Molding and a drop ceiling would be lovely in this room. Good choice. As far as furniture style and layout -- what do you think of the style of the furniture in the first photo I posted? It's a mix of traditional/transitional styles. Go back up to the photos posted above and tell us which, if any, has the "look or style" of furniture you envision for your room.

As far as room layout -- I would put the TV in the corner where your love seat is currently. Is that the corner you're thinking of? I would bring the sofa in (away from the wall/pass thru) toward, centered and facing the fireplace. The space between the sofa and the wall would then become the traffic pattern for utilizing the pass thru from the kitchen, as well as walking between the hall and the adjoining opening on the other side to the kitchen.

I would put a love seat or a large overstuffed chair or two sitting chairs with backs to the sliding glass door facing the television. The type of seating depends on how many other people live with you or how many people you entertain on a regular basis. I'd add an area rug centered between the sofa, chairs and fireplace and a large coffee table to create a cozy grouping in front of the fireplace with a view of the TV.

If you choose to put the TV above the fireplace, you can put more seating on the other side of the coffee table facing the love seat/chairs in a U-shaped configuration. Or, you could put sofas facing each other. The configuration depends on where you decide to put the TV.

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker

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Comments (18)

Randa Barghout
Original Author
11 years ago
Family room plan is attached
PRO
Thos. Baker
11 years ago
How much of a change do you want to make to your family room? Do you want to repaint the walls? Do you want to change the art, area rug and accents? Are you thinking of buying new furniture or do you just want to change your furniture around?

If you'd like to keep your current furniture, I'll start the ball rolling by suggesting a new area rug. It looks like the sofa and chairs are a cream/pale taupe fabric -- is that correct? Here's a couple of area rugs -- do any of these designs appeal to you?

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker
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PRO
TRANSform Design Studio
11 years ago
I would definitely update artwork, perhaps make a few compositions rather than single pieces of art everywhere, change wall color and rug. I would definitely re-think your furniture arrangement as the coffe table is sort of floating in the center of the space, not being part of the seating. Also, the single sconce has got to go or you need to add another one for symmetry and balance. Chandelier can be more interesting and adding drapes and contrasting pillows will break up the space instead of everything looking monotone beige.
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Randa Barghout
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks Christi and Transform, please note that I want to change everything, paint, furniture, rug, art, etc. everything
PRO
Thos. Baker
11 years ago
Hi barghout -- okay! Take a look at these photos. Is there anything you like about them or about one in particular? If so, tell us what you like: which color schemes, furniture styles, art, accents? Hopefully, this will help us all get started with ideas!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker
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PRO
Thos. Baker
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
A couple more...

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker
PRO
TRANSform Design Studio
11 years ago
There are lots of styles you can go with as well as color schemes and furniture layouts. How do you use the space or would like to use it? Is it a sitting room, reading room, family game room? What kind of activities take place? What is the orientation of the room, is it facing south, north, west, or east? Does it get plenty of natural light, because this will effect the colors you choose. do you have views out the windows?
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PRO
TRANSform Design Studio
11 years ago
Here are some more inspiration images
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Randa Barghout
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Christi, I loved the first picture since I like natural colors for walls and furniture and then we can add bright colors with cushions, single seats, art, etc.
Randa Barghout
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Transform, the room is to be used as a sitting room and to watch TV, it has a patio door on one side (usually it has sun light in the morning) and the next wall is open to the kitchen and the third wall has an exist to a hallway and the fourth wall has the chimney
flyergrace
11 years ago
Hi TRANSform Design Studio. In the room with the lavender drapes (with the white sofa-green accents) there is a gold cocktail table. Do you know where I could buy that table?
PRO
Thos. Baker
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Hi barghout -- Glad you liked one of the photos! It appears you have nice wood floors, is that right? You don't want to change those! A beautiful area rug is all that's needed.

So, let's pretend your room is empty. All the furniture is gone and we're choosing a new color for the walls. How about the wall color in the first photo? Is this a color you'd enjoy living with? If so, I think it's a lovely color, but I would go a shade lighter, such as Benjamin Moore's Balboa Mist (top left photo) or a color with subtle gray hues, such as Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray (top right photo).

Let's look at some of the other elements in the room. Are you interested in wainscoting or special molding? I like the white wainscoting in the photo. It gives the room a light, fresh backdrop against the wall color and other neutral foundations.

How about the fireplace surround in the first photo? How do you feel about adding that to yours? I would recommend it -- in white. There are many styles to choose from and it will make a big difference to the aesthetics of your room. Your fireplace looks to be in great condition, but I would paint it and add a new door, as well. Something simple in black.

Let us know your thoughts on these changes!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker
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Randa Barghout
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Christi, you are right, I like the wood floor and what I need to do is only to polish it after I finish renovating the room.

I agree with you re the wall color, lighter shade is better and I like the one you suggested the Benjamin Moore's Balboa Mist. Also I am thinking of adding a molding or kind of false ceiling for hidden lights since I don’t like visible or overhead lights especially when I watch TV.

Re the fireplace, do you mean that I need to cover the stone around with white wood? I was thinking if I can reduce the height of the stones and place a TV over so I won’t lose the corner for the TV, what do you think? And of course I agree with you I need to replace the fireplace door.

Appreciate if you can also provide me with furniture style and layout.

Thanks
Randa Barghout
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Christi, Thanks for all your recommendations, all make sense, I love the idea about moving the furniture to be centered in front of the fireplace and the TV in the corner where the love seat is placed but what do you think if I placed the TV on the other side where the single seater is in now?

Re furniture style, I love to have it kind of traditional and modern mixed together, I like the sofas in the first (beige and flowery) and fifth (white and yellow) pictures posted above along with a big wood table.
PRO
Thos. Baker
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Hi barghout, if you prefer the TV on the other side, that's not a problem. Just switch the configuration of the side chairs or love seat. Instead of backing to the sliding door, they would back to the hall/entry instead.

You can use either photo for color and style inspiration, but a good place to start would be shopping for your new sofa and chairs and finding something you love. Then go from there!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker
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Randa Barghout
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you a lot Christi for all the ideas you gave me, First I will start shopping for new sofa and chairs, I will keep you posted.
PRO
Thos. Baker
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
You're most welcome barghout. I'll keep an eye out for photos of the new sofa and chairs that you fall in love with and we'll all go from there! Looking forward to sharing in your creative journey!

Christi, on behalf of Thos. Baker
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