I'd consider built-in book shelves on either side of the opening and above it.

Here is an ideabook that might help in your situation.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/ideas-for-awkward-living-room-areas-stsetivw-vs~928644

Hi,
Well done!
I'd also add bookcases to the back wall on either side of the doorway. They don't all need to be filled with books. The back of the bookcases can be painted in an accent colour, or mirrored. I'd only do the mirror if the shelves are more for accessories with a few books here and there. Your light switch will be accessible....just don't stack books in front of it. Displaying books and items is an art.Look at magazines for ideas. Place books vertically, horizontally, and don't be afraid to sit something on top of the horizontal books.
I really like the table and bench in front of the window. Since the sofa virtually blocks it, I'd suggest switching the sofa and the chairs so that you can see through the chairs and appreciate that lovely vignette.
RE the coffee table:I'd rather see a larger round, less shiny and not white coffee table , centred on the fireplace. That one looks a bit small.
Also, I'd pull the sofa and chairs back a bit from the fireplace. You have the space.

OOPS! I forgot to add that it looks as if you have space opposite the firepace for a great wall unit, armoire, large piece of art or grouping of several rectangular pieces of art.

Such a pretty space! I would move the coffee table between the two chairs. Find a treasure or two to place on top to break up the glossiness of the table. It's a really beautiful table. Then place a larger table or tufted ottoman in front of the couch. A large tray on top of a fabric ottoman gives you a place to set a beverage down. Hanging two prints vertically on either side of the end wall sounds perfect to me! I like the idea of the bookcases flanking the opening, too, but worry about it competing with all the doors around, which I LOVE by the way!

I agree with Carolyn, but I think you need a bigger coffe table, or another same one ! Congrats, your room is beautiful !

I absolutely love what you have done with your room! Very pretty!

It may or may not be possible depending on wiring etc, but I think it would look great with 2 beautiful sconces on either side of the door surrounded by rectangular moldings the same height as the door and painted in the same light color. I would paint the inside of the moldings a darker shade of your wall color, or cover them with wallpaper. I wouldn't mount the sconces too high, just above the halfway point of the door.

I'm thinking of something of this style:
These would also tie in with the crystal lamp you have on the desk on the opposite end of the room.

I also love the idea of using the space to install built in bookcases. The photos that Manon posted look amazing.

Oh and I would definitely move the coffee table between the 2 armchairs. I think it would look fantastic with a vase of calla lilies on it. And a nice big comfy ottoman for the middle of the room.

Good luck!

In looking at your room pictures again, I wonder if a shorter rug might help. If the rug didn't extend so far beyond your chairs on one end and beyond your sofa on the other end, then more of your hardwood floor would show on both ends, making those areas appear to be hallways, which is actually the purpose they are serving.

I love your tasteful room and double sets of French doors, but to be honest I would leave the wall areas in question unadorned. Your bookcase already looks like an afterthought used to prop open your door and you have a pleasant sightline into the adjoining sitting room. The uncluttered simplicity of your room is a big part of its appeal.

Nice room - like the bookcase suggestion. I was distracted by all the colorful stuff in the room behind the French doors! Can that be adjusted? Would you consider sheer door panels to block that view? Country Curtains has some very pretty, simple or complex embroidered ones you could check out. Another option is vinyl window film - can be very nice if properly chosen for your style and installed correctly.

Try angling your sofa with coffee table closer to it - a side table between the chair also adds flair and makes a setting - Mom always told me to create settings for chit-chat within a room - of course the units all form a whole when entertaining a larger group. That back corner space looks perfect for a beautiful plant with eye-catching planter.

It has great potential but the room seems off-centre and somewhat plain-looking now.. I would have the sofa face the fireplace with the sofa table behind it with a lamp and other item of interest , even a woven runner. I totally agree that the coffee table needs to be bigger and rectangular in front of the sofa and next to the fireplace ..the chairs can be on either side. The wall with the painting would look great with a hutch/glassed cupboard. I love the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf idea also. How about some greenery above the hutch or a more colourful rug? Not so keen on the present artwork.

I personally think your Bistro would look lovely in the other room passed the french doors.Your living room could use a little bit more color on walls that could work with color on wall in Bistro room passed french doors.The painting above the fireplace is wonderful,move over to where flat screen wall is.Then center flatscreen above fire place and you could work with accents in it picture. The couch could use a white canvas sofa cover, & your chairs,Desk bench
to match.Use picture above fireplace for adding accent colors.Shelve could be used in Bistro room for Tea sets/coffee pieces/greenery(plants)..The white trim is beautiful.. Definitively put the round coffee table imbetween the two chairs.. A Airy feel of walking thru the living room would give the appearance of, tranquility or fung sua.Their are Profession carpet cleaners who do dye carpet a well if your loving the carpet then You can dye it to the color of your choice..Good luck. For wall colors: Baby blue & Sandy beach color for Bistro room

Hi, I think the chairs are lovely across from the sofa. What if you square the chairs rather than angling them in...put them straight facing the sofa, and add a console table behind them with a lamp or two. You can place some books, or other smaller art piece on the table along with the lamp(s). That tidies up the seating area nicely, and solves the back of the chairs issue! Good luck! :)

I agree that part of the appeal of the room is it's simplicity. I think that adding bookcases to this end would needlessly clutter it. Since it's driving you crazy, though, I would do what someone else suggested: 2 large prints on either side. I think large botanicals or educational posters would look sharp - something graphic, whatever it is. You probably have room in the one corner for a reading chair, too, if that's something that appeals to you. If you really like the idea of shelves, though, I would not do books but rather a collection of something: pottery in your colors or all white, something interesting (old cameras?) or whatever says "you". I also agree with others that the table is too small for a coffee table and should be moved between the chairs. A large ottoman (I would do a print to pull your subtle colors together) would look very nice - I think a table, especially a dark one, would be too jolting. If you think you need to further ground the seating area, you could layer an area rug on top of the neutral rug. I think you just need to layer some more accessories into the room to make it feel complete :-)

Have you thought about a floor lamp or a floor vase?The first would have the added benefit of providing an additional light source to give the room the desired mood. The latter will provide some green or natural accent that I am missing in your living room.

The room is rectangular and the way the furniture is placed creates parallel lines. Move the armchairs on each side of the fireplace and the couch in front of the fireplace. You can use the coffee table even as a side table or put it in front of the couch. Smaller rug. The room needs some plants. See how it works.

I would add corner shelves on each side of the doorway painted white. This will solve the dilema of the door opening into the space. Place art objects on the shelves as well as books. I believe this would balance out the nice table and bench on the other side of the room. Have you considered placing the sofa facing the fireplace with the chairs flanking the fireplace? This would allow the bench from your table by the windows to be pulled in to provide more seating when needed. It would also eliminate so many "hallways". The coffee table and the clear acrylic tables don't seem to fit with the rest of your decor. I would put a large rectangular table or ottoman in front of the sofa. A large painting would look very nice on the long wall....adding a bit of texture and color to the room.

Hi Jessrose
the sofa needs to face the fireplace, then put chairs parallel to fireplace, one on each side, and you will probably need to get a rectangular cocktail table or 2 small cube tables...Since we dont have dimensions, I can't tell if they table under the window would fit as a sofa back table or not, but if so that could be divine. You may also be able to use that striped bench as the cocktail table if you add a tray to the top, or a couple stacks of hardcover books. good luck!

I know that doesn't really answer your question about the empty space, but I would just do built in bookshelves and leave some space for a path to walk in front...

So many good suggestions. I think built-ins might fight the opened French door for both physical space and visual attention, therefore I like Caolyn Albert-Kincl's idea of 2 stacked art pieces on each side of the doorway. Be sure either the art, matting or framing provides sufficient color and/or contrast that they'll take up space visually.

I agree with someone's suggestion to swap the position of the sofa and the chairs. That will balance the weight of the darker pieces (sofa, console table and striped bench) across your room. I also think I'd like the chairs squared rather than angled with a more substantial table between them than your clear nesting tables. Their position between light neutral chairs in front a light neutral wall is part of the reason that end of the room looks empty.

I think a low wooden bowl or tray would add some interest to your coffee table, but a larger wood table might add some wight to the room as well.

Love your French doors. Love your room. It's only going to get better and better.

I'd suggest moving the setee to face the fireplace, put the arm chairs either side of the fireplace, Install some low level lighting, and if you are a book person put shelves either side of the opening

Contemporary Bookcases Cabinets And Computer Armoires design by Modern Dose

3 stacked black framed black and white photos or modern artwork on either side of the doors would look fantastic also, such as in this bedroom which is a similar color scheme to your room.

I think you have done a great job so far, I would just put pictures up but not to many if you put to much stuff in you living room it will look cluttered.

I love what you have done until I get up to the pc of art on the left facing wall. I would love to have pictures of that side of the room. As for the end of the room your are addressing, I would very definitely do built-ins on either side and over the opening. It is a great place to display whatever you wish.

I love what you have done until I get up to the pc of art on the left facing wall. I would love to have pictures of that side of the room. As for the end of the room your are addressing, I would very definitely do built-ins on either side and over the opening. It is a great place to display whatever you wish.

We host an online gallery and I think I have an artist with a few pieces that would go amazing in your space. Let us know what you think of the work from Cath Evans. Everything we do is made to measure and can be printed on a number of papers, canvas, mounted on plexi, and custom framed. Hope you enjoy!

http://bit.ly/Cath_Evans_Collection

so many great suggestions, I agree about the current cool table between the chairs and a tufted ottoman with a tray centered on the fireplace. Have you considered an upright piano in that back corner? do you want one? something small but pretty............just a thought.

Matching pieces like the ones flanking this FP would work well. Keep the height below the electrical switch and add art above each of them.

The table with the bench under it looks like a reading-study area, which is nice. Along with this, you might place the round white table in the left corner by the end door and put a large, interesting-looking lamp in the center. Then, add a small chair to complete the appearance of a reading nook. Otherwise, I would agree with other posters and opt for matching bookshelves on each side of the door. You have a really beautiful room!

Old posting.