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ellahans_gw

Living Room Decorating Help, Sofa / Sectional advice needed! Pic

12 years ago

Hello! I am longtime lurker and first time poster.

Here are multiple photos of my almost-complete living room. I am awaiting delivery of a leather armchair and a 36" square coffee table. I am also having shelves built into the media niche on Monday - but that is neither here nor there!

The real issue is the sectional. I got a great deal by purchasing the floor model. However, I now think I should have gone with a sofa and loveseat instead. It would have cost a little more, but perhaps it would have been worth it. I think the store will take this sectional back as long as I custom order a more expensive relacement.

This sectional is smallish (98" X 110"), slightly greenish, and it's not as comfy and inviting looking as I would like this space to be. (I do plan to change out the throw pillow covers if I keep it.)

Does this sectional not look quite right, or is this just a bad case of buyer's remorse? Would a sofa and loveseat fill out the space better?

If you vote for the sofa / loveseat: color, style and placement suggestions are welcome.

The room is 18.5' X 15.5'. It serves as a family room and living room for a family of 4. We have no other communal space (other than the kitchen). So we watch TV, play, read, and entertain all in this space.

Sigh. Thanks so much in advance. And sorry so long!

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Comments (22)

  • 12 years ago

    I really like the sectional, as well as your floors and rug. I'm confused about the cabinet behind the sectional as it looks like you cannot get to it to open it. But we have a sectional and love having one. With yours, I love the neutral color and I think that you will enjoy the different options for seating. It's so scary to get new furniture and doubt your decision. I do it all the time. But with this one, I think you did well. However, having said that, if you really dislike it, get it out now. It's your space and you don't want to be sorry later.

  • 12 years ago

    Your home is very nice.

    I think the sectional is too small for a family setting. You have more room in that space than you are using with that.

    I would not go with a couch and loveseat, though. I would rather see you do a larger couch, and then a pair of comfy chairs, which will give you the same seating as a loveseat, but more versatility in the room arrangement.

    I would be happy to try and suggest arrangements, but we don't have a picture of the wall opposite the wall with the painting, so no idea how the space could be used. Could you add a couple of pix of that side of the room?

  • 12 years ago

    I like it, but agree that you could use pieces that are bigger.
    But, if you keep this one, why not pull it out from the wall? It doesn't have to be tucked in to the corner.
    I would than get a large club chair for the corner. You also need a coffee table.
    I agree with moving the cabinet. It is distracting in that spot.
    If you choose to exchange, I would get an over sized couch and two club chairs.

  • 12 years ago

    I like the sectional and I think it works well in the space. I agree about the hutch being locked in. If you want to fill the space a little better, just move the sectional away from the wall. There's still space to add a club chair or two to round out the seating area.

  • 12 years ago

    I agree with Les on this one. A sofa and 2 chairs would give you much more comfortable individual seating and would offer more versatility in terms of the arrangement. Where is the tv going?

  • PRO
    12 years ago

    I like the sectional too. Not a big fan of sofa/love seats in general. In our family that would only comfortably seat 2 or 3. We're a lounging family. DH always lays down!
    We had a large sofa, a pair of club chairs, and another chair and ottoman in our family room. Loved the look and it was nice when "entertaining", but we fought over the sofa at tv time. We love the new U-shaped sectional.

  • 12 years ago

    Everyone - thank you so much for your helpful responses. It's quite scary posting for the first time, especially since this is my first time purchasing "real" furniture!

    As requested, here are some additional photos of the room. I've also included a photo of the reclining chair I have on order. The media niche is getting custom shelves next week. It's the only place for the TV to go.

    The armiore can also go in the entryway, but it looks too large there. Anywhere else and it's blocking a window.

    Thank you again. It is good to hear that the sectional may work. I do look forward to more advice.

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  • 12 years ago

    I like the sectional alot. I also agree with angc that while a sofa and chairs may look nice, I prefer to stretch out on a sofa. The chairs would probably not get much use in my house.

  • 12 years ago

    P.S. Perhaps the answer is keeping the sectional, and using two club chairs instead of the single reclining chair??

  • 12 years ago

    Have you tried flipping the sectional (which I love in your room) so that the back is toward the window, facing the entry? Pulled out from the wall a bit, it would release the armoire from being so closed in and the chair could or chairs could face the window, angled toward the tv/fireplace. I personally would try the armoire where that little chest is in the entry, if it can be far enough from the door to not block people's paths. Or maybe could it go in your dining room?

  • 12 years ago

    I like the sectional a lot, but I think the room would work much better with a sofa. You've got room for at least four chairs and maybe a bench along the window wall.

    With the sectional it looks to me like people basically have their backs to the fireplace. With a sofa and chairs, you can widen the expanse of your arrangement, to make the fireplace seem more included.

    Swivel chairs would allow people to face either the tv or the sofa.

  • 12 years ago

    Another vote for flipping the sectional so it sits under the windows -- then add the recliner.

    Play with location of the area rug -- so that it sits under the front legs of the sectional ...

    Consider adding a large coffee table or ottoman in the center ....

  • 12 years ago

    Thanks for the helpful comments!! I flipped the sectional. Below are new photos - please ignore the current placement of the area rug! It's VERY hard to move so I will place it prefectly once I have settled on the sectional.

    Now the shorter side of the sectional is against the wall (it is 98' X 110'). Does that look OK? In this scenario there is probably only room for one club chair, not two.

    I added a floorlamp that I already own, behind the corner of the sectional. The height of the floorlamp is adjustable. I placed the console table against the back of the sectional.

    I have purchased a 36" square coffee table (reclaimed wood like the side table). It arrives in 2-4 weeks.

    So what do you think? Also- so sorry if any of the photos appear upside down.

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  • 12 years ago

    I prefer the sectional the way you had it originally. What if you got 2 sofas in place of the sectional and maybe 1 chair.

  • 12 years ago

    Funny, I couldn't tell there was a short side, thought they were symmetrical. I actually prefer this as it doesn't look so crowded into the stairway. But whichever way you decide, I think it needs to stand away from the wall (the picture wall). Try moving it out a foot or so and centering the part on the wall under the picture (move it further from the windows). It doesn't have to be at the edge of the room. It will probably easier to be able to decide when you get your table and decide if you are going to use the recliner. I'd think you could put two club chairs facing the windows (if the armoire finds a new home) and if they swivel, they could be used for tv watching, too.

  • 12 years ago

    I will def. move the sectional away from the wall. I would love to use simply a sofa and chairs but I do need more "lounging" space for my family, as this is our everyday room. Still not 100% decided on whether to keep this or get the sofa and loveseat - but I can't thank you all enough for your help here. You are all pros!

  • 12 years ago

    I like the sectional in there. Off topic but I love your rug - want to share where you found it?

  • 12 years ago

    Personally I wouldn't do a love seat. Too much wasted space as typically only 1 person will sit on it for the most part. Don't rule out comfy club chairs as not loungeable - I have 2 leather one's that the family tends to 'hunker down' in and put their feet on the coffee table. Mine are also quite small scale which I like.

    I like your sectional and I like it flipped as you've done. In case you already posted about it though, I wonder how much space is now between the back of the sofa and the windows? Is it wasted space? Could you do something like use a narrow console/ desk (spot for kids to color, homework etc.) and have it do double duty? That would look really pretty w/ floor length curtains on the windows and be practical.

    I also like the fact that the armoire' now appears to be an incorporated part of the room and gives your room individual character. I like it.

  • 12 years ago

    I really like the sectional. I think the shape is fabulous and it really works color-wise in the room. That said, you do have a spacious room. I think you could keep the sectional and either add two arm chairs (not just one) or perhaps a small sofa or loveseat or chaise in addition to the sectional.

    Would you mind sharing the manufacturer of the sectional? I really like it. Thanks.

  • 12 years ago

    I like the sectional a lot actually - where did you find it? :)

    If you have multiple teenagers or lots of guests often I guess it may not be enough seating but if it suits your lifestyle I'd keep it because I like rooms to feel bigger and airier.

  • 12 years ago

    Your room reminds me a lot of the living room from the blog Young House Love. I really like the sectional and its new position. I agree with pulling it away from the wall a bit and I would center it on the art work and put a long console table between it and the wall. Put those two lamps on the console on either side of the art work.
    I also like FoxesPad suggestion of a little desk or space under the window behind the other leg of the sectional.
    And where they have a chaise in the YHL living room, I'd put one, preferably two, club chairs. Either angled or facing straight at the windows.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Young House Love Living Room

  • 12 years ago

    I am more than happy to share where this stuff came from and am extremely flattered. The rug is the "Brice" rug from Pottery Barn, 9 X 12. The sectional is made by Jonathan Louis. It is called "Knobhill" and the fabric is called Basil Flannel. I got it at a local furniture store but I saw somewhere that Jonathan Louis furniture might be available at Macy's. The website has a dealer locator: http://jonathanlouis.net/.

    One armchair is coming this evening. I am going to arrange it all again and post another photo. This is immensely helpful and I am just sorry that I can't try every suggestion! Have a spare small desk in the garage, and will try whatever else I can get my patient DH to do.

    To make things more complicated, I found out that I can order another piece for the sectional. Since I bought the floor model I didn't think of it before. It will seamlessly extend the longer side another 28". That side will def. have to go against the wall (as in the first photos), but the room will be filled out a little more. Yet another option! I think I have decided against exchanging for a sofa/loveseat.

    One more question: when moving the sofa away from the wall, how far should it be? Just enough to balance things, or enough for an acutal person to pass through?

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