Please help me design my living/sitting room!

13 years ago

This is my main floor living / sitting room. It measures about 14 ft W by 17 ft L. I have lived here for about half a year and I am really struggling with furniture arrangement in this room. I have a standard sized couch and love seat and have yet to purchase anything else until I decide on a layout. I have been thinking of putting the tv above the fireplace to create more room. Any thoughts or ideas on furniture arrangements or decorating ideas? I am willing to purchase additional furniture Thanks!

PS. Please keep in mind that all of the items in this living room are literally the 'left overs' from what I do not have in other rooms. Alot of the things don't fit and/or match.

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Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

Hi Maisie, You have a lovely space that just needs a little help. Here's what I would do:
1. Remove the built-ins flanking fireplace.
2. Move TV to a nice large entertainment center on wall where 3 seat sofa is currently located.
3. Move the 3 seat sofa to a position away from any wall, and facing the fireplace.
4. Sell the loveseat and buy 2 chairs to go in front of the window, facing TV, with that nice round table between them.
5. Buy a large rectangular glass top (or other) coffee table.
6. Acquire a new larger rug. You need some color which could come in the rug or elsewhere.
7. Acquire a colorful piece of art for over fireplace. Your fireplace mantel is too high for a TV which is why I've indicated it should go elsewhere.
8. Simplify the drapery treatment by removing the swags, if possible. If not, just replace it. Shutters would be nice.
9. Lower the piece of art to right of window. Middle of it should be at about 66" above floor.
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID

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Comments (13)

Melissa Cee
13 years ago
Hi M! - Just a few questions. What feel are you going for in this room. What would you like the fuction of the room to be? How would you describe your personal style/are there any themes that you love? ... and last but not least, is there actually space BEHIND the fireplace? It appears so in these pictures and appears that you have a piece of furniture behind it.
User
13 years ago
It would be great to have a built in for the TV on either side of the fireplace. I would pull the sofa away from the wall and center it in front of the fireplace and maybe put the other one in front of the window. I'm not a fan of sofa/loveseat sets. I would prefer to see some upholstered chairs. When you pull the sofa away from the wall, it would be nice to have a console behind the sofa. It may be that the style sofa you've chosen is not the ideal style for the room (meaning the arms are quite high and big and puffy and so take up a lot of "space" including visual space). Also, I would make sure to have a place to put some lamps and drinks beside the seating. It just makes it more functional/comfortable. I hope that helped. It's a nice room.
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User
13 years ago
Also, if it's in the budget, try to get a larger area rug.
maisiekl
Original Author
13 years ago
Melissa, there is not space behind the fireplace, the side shelfs are 'built in' to the wall/fire place... I have been thinking about keeping it in the color range of tans, black and red as the accent. I dont really have a personal style... I just am not into the old grandma look ;) haha if you know what i mean.
dcer
13 years ago
I would take down those frilly curtains you have on that large window. Them seem ornamental, and make the room heavier visually, and darker.Then I would purchase an attractive corner cabinet for your TV. I agree with pulling the sofa away from the wall and putting a console behind it, with two table lamps on it. I would also get a larger area rug to warm up the room, and add a few lamps to lighten up the space. Get rid of your fake flowers, and replace them with something either alive or more realistic;) good luck!
dsnguru1
13 years ago
Could you take out the built ins? The scale is too small for the mass of the fireplace. I love the look if closed storage below and shelves above. As katsesler mentioned I also would put tv next to instead of over the fireplace. Also agree with larger carpet.

Window treatment is very dark and heavy, also feels very traditional. Try taking the swags off and keeping just the panels.

To create a better conversational grouping, try the sofa centered and facing the fireplace, the love seat in front of the window, tv on the left of the fireplace. Because the sofa will project past the entry into the room, place a console or cabinet behind.

The wall behind where the sofa is now could look great as an art wall, almost incorporating the thermostat into the grouping. Could have photos, art, metal sculpture and candle sconces, keeping things close to wall as this is now a passage way.

Wish I was there, I love to move furniture around!
inkwitch
13 years ago
Agree with everything Carolyn said with the addition of get rid of those dark curtains and find a window treatment that makes that window alcove and unique windows more effective.
PRO
Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design
13 years ago
I second the above and agree with the window treatment change - your existing is to overpowering and eyes go back there repeatedly -
hihi2412
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I would put TV on the wall where couch is (opposite wall of window) and in the "window" wall side I would put corner sofa (one side on window wall and other side where the love seat is).
steffie
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
some awesome comments, agreed get rid of the flanking and especially the curtains which makes it look dated and dark! Its a beauuuutiful window which you're hiding behind the curtains, it should almost be a centerpiece along with the beautiful fireplace. I wouldnt put any art above the fireplace, it would ruin it for me.
tob123
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I don not like the curtains...They block nice windows too much .I would like to replace with
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or have drapes only from side windows
tob123
13 years ago
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