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Big ol room needs help!

11 years ago
50's ranch style house with a big family room that needs some help. The configuration needs to stay the same (I've tried it every way and it just won't work any other way with that big sectional) but the chairs could change. My husband is building the console and it's not finished yet so it will look much nicer. The chrome chair doesn't match but I'd love to keep the other and recover it? Does the shape match? What would go with it? Any advice on types of chairs, and especially wall decor for the wall with the tv? Also, end table(s) coffee table shapes? Thank you!

Comments (75)

  • 11 years ago
    Sorry it's so hard to get good pics because the room is so long. Maybe this will help. Room dimensions: 14 x 21, behemoth sectional: 9.5 x 7(d). Currently 7+ feet of wall between tv console and doorway. We configured it this way because, I don't know, right angles? I'm not very good at decorating, obviously :) It really doesn't work any other way because it's just so big. I tried it last week where I put the couch on the wall where the tv was and it just left so little room to maneuver.
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I have had horse and buggy picture - love that. Fill me in please - what's the 7 feet about? If you need extra seating I wondered about tv wall for chrome chair - lumbar pillow using art color [Or buy an Ikea cover for it, and lumbar pillow to smoothe it]?

  • 11 years ago
    Hope these pics are a little better. This is with the couch pulled off the side wall (chaise side). If I pull it off the back wall it still kinda cuts the doorway off and there isn't room for two chairs those sizes (though I don't know that I need two chairs?). Thanks everyone for all your tips!
  • 11 years ago
    And if I could remember to attach the pics.
  • PRO
    11 years ago

    the balance is much better. . you also need ot take down the painting over the lounge side of the couch. then i would just keep the metal chair in here with an end table. we need to fill the space to the right of the tv....

    Emily O'Dell thanked User
  • 11 years ago

    Love to see you try putting the 7' chaise portion on the wall by the slider, so the sectional faces the door at the end, leaving 5' of walk space on the TV side of it. Then move the credenza and TV to the wall where you have the large art, and put the chairs on the current TV side of the rug. This willl allow for a sofa table behind the sectional.


  • PRO
    11 years ago

    flipping the room is the best option i think.


  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    My fancy technique is to cover an item with my hand...when I left chrome lamp and legs in view [covering the other chair, sorry] it looked more 'together'.

  • 11 years ago
    Well I tried to flip the room (at least the couch to see how it would work) and while I do like the feel there is only room for one small chair in the corner and no extra seating. Since this room provides the main cut through to the back of the house and also the largest entertaining space, I don't think it's going to work. The walk through space would be obstructed by an additional chair and I'm not sure a bench would work? I know now that different furniture (not a sectional) would be best in this room but just don't have the resources to switch things up that drastically right now. We don't plan to live here forever! Thank you all for your tips and advice and I'd love any input on how to decorate the wall and empty space where the TV currently is
  • 11 years ago
    And the mobile app isn't letting me attach a pic
  • 11 years ago

    Please excuse the mess and the halfway built console!


  • PRO
    11 years ago

    nice try! when you put the couch back, take down the painting on the wall by the hallway. It doesnt work with the square collage wall, and tv

    Emily O'Dell thanked User
  • 11 years ago
    I put the wooden chair in the corner by the TV and it feels good there. I'll move the painting when I find something to replace it
  • 11 years ago
    I love the idea of keeping grandmothers pic, but you could still keep it in the same room if you just move it away from the vignette you have going. Better yet, there may be a place in your bedroom where you can value it. The contemporary wall unit Flair showed looked nice. Or how about a metal sculpture? The room is improving. Following this with interest as the huge sectionals seem to be a recurring problem. I have one, too, unfortunately :(
    Emily O'Dell thanked Moxiemom
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Would it be too much to have an upholstered bench on the wall to the right of the tv and have a painting or mirror or shelf above it? It's such a large, wasted and empty space but I'm not sure what to do with it.

  • PRO
    11 years ago

    yes, you need two chairs first, not a bench on the wall lol.

  • 11 years ago
    I know, I know. I'm saving up for the chairs that I want but in the meantime I may come across a bench! Just wondering if that would be a piece to look for...in addition to all the other things.
  • 11 years ago
    I just saw these and wondered if this style would match? Two of these to replace the chrome and wooden chair?
  • 11 years ago
    And in place of the oil painting and to fill in the blank wall I thought of printing a couple of photos real big. Something like this maybe? I could do two larger vertical shots to flank the tv or just focus on the large blank wall. Also considering doing a collage of different pieces in that blank space but wondered if that would be too much since I have the collage over the couch.
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Your hunch seems right. :) ... about one collage is enough.

    If mine, I'd consider adding the color first in a throw, etc....

    Marley Orange Throw · More Info

  • 11 years ago

    Just noticed a bright blue front door? Are there other colors you're considering for chair- from rug even a cool tone? Is couch dark brown or another?

  • 11 years ago
    @everdebz the blue door in the kitchen probably won't stay that color (it needs replacing). The couch is kind of a Chestnut color and I'm open to color options. I have young kids and so light colors that would show stains are kinda out. The idea of bringing a throw or some fabric in to try out colors is smart, thanks!
  • 11 years ago

    Emily, those orange chairs you just posted are great. If the price is right and they're comfy, I'd snag 'em right away.


    Question: how are you going to arrange the room? Sectional in the corner as originally shown, or with back to the kitchen? And it you move the sectional, will you also move the TV to the wall with Grandma's picture?

  • 11 years ago
    @groveraxle I tried to flip the couch but it's just too dang big. Felt really awkward and crowded so it will be set up as is but with two matching chairs in place of the wooden and chrome. At this moment I have the wooden one to the left of the TV and it's actually nice. Looking for a place for the oil painting and thinking of printing one of the photos I posted above to put in its place.
  • 11 years ago
    Love couch pulled out of corner but photo wall will have to be shifted towards patio doors. Will Chrome light fit in corner along chaise as suggested before? Then decide where art will fit. Love splash of orange chairs but only if you love orange. You will be living with them for long time. Since funds are limited, gotta feed those dogs and send those kiddies to college, think coloured accessories, pillows and throws are less expensive way to go. No bench won't work beside TV. Like plant idea better. Need to see pic of Chrome chair beside TV.
  • 11 years ago
    Sorry missed photo of Chrome chair beside TV. Does it not block walk through path?
  • 11 years ago
    I guess I should decide if I want two matching chairs that sit side by side on the end of the rug or if I want two that are on either side of the room. It's hard to get a good pic to show the size of the wall to the right of the TV but it's a big space to fill. I had originally had the large canvas attached in that space but moved it to the dining room. The blue chair was given to me but I don't love it. Things are just here until I find some direction. If I bring the canvas back in this room I could put the oil painting over the couch into the dining room where it would better match.
  • 11 years ago
    Here's the painting that was in that space. Just not really sure it goes. May be the wrong size too.
  • 11 years ago

    It draws attention - not sure where you meant to put it - to let you know I have questions about scale too, so I began my ideabook called 'scale' cause designers [who know the rules] posted rooms that broke the rules. Not everything has to look perfect... ya think? I like it. It's wow - do you like it where you propped it?

  • 11 years ago
    @everdebz, I'm going to go look at that! I always have questions with scale. I would hang it but don't want to put in a nail until I figure out what the height should be (higher than the TV? Same level?)
  • PRO
    11 years ago

    i freakin love it but im not sure it goes here. the room seems more rustic/modern. and i worry it competes with the oil painting and the wall O' pictures.

    ideas:

    a book case

    floating shelves or boxes even . I saw a diy using old dresser draws ...

    large clock

    a tall plant on the other side for balance and art on the wall

    Emily O'Dell thanked User
  • 11 years ago

    I think of all those "ridiculously" large mirrors I see sometimes/ resting on the wall, and so why is art any different [course it has color/pattern] really??

    Emily O'Dell thanked everdebz
  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Looking neat and comfy... :) and fun too.

  • 11 years ago

    Honestly, Emily, groveraxle has nailed it. Hang the art so that the centre of the painting is at eye level. Unless you are 6ft 6 that usually works and no it should not be level with the TV definitely higher. Yes art can be leaned against the wall but I don't recommend it in a traffic area or home with young children and dogs.

  • 11 years ago
    Yay some progress! Thanks everyone!
  • PRO
    11 years ago

    yes he did i take it all back lol

  • 11 years ago
    Well I went to get the chairs and they were gone
  • 11 years ago
    Weird-I just typed a longer post and it cut it all off. I was asking what type of frame I should get for the print so that it doesn't clash with the gold framed block prints to the left. Thanks!
  • 11 years ago

    Just me, but with so many frames, I'd consider a store making it somehow onto a canvas frame...?

  • 11 years ago

    Frame doesn't have to match, and the only thing that would clash would be some gaudy rococo thing. Any modern frame in metal or wood will do.

  • 11 years ago
    So something like this is ok?
  • 11 years ago

    I'd go more modern on the frame. That one is pretty rustic.

  • 10 years ago
    Finally getting somewhere! I kinda went a little crazy with the frames but I like it. Trying to decide if I should carry the frames over the tv or stop at the edge. One day I'll refinish and recover the wooden chair-maybe in a coordinating bolder color? I found these grey chairs instead of the salmon ones and even though the construction isn't of the highest quality, they'll survive two kids for a few years. Thanks everyone for all your help, this has been so fun!
  • 10 years ago

    Fun to see too.

    3rd photo - I wonder what it'd look like with a step-down on the right side / exchanging the 2 at top right?

    or just less...

  • 10 years ago

    Beautiful. The gray chairs are cute. Throw an orange or blue lumbar pillow on each one and you won't even notice the chairs aren't orange. The only other thing I'd do is paint that funky green table to better match the blue in the big art. It would be great to bring that color to that side of the room.


    I can tell you had fun doing this because the whole room itself is fun!

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    yes! this looks awesome! nice work! like grover said paint that cute little side table, and a few pillows...... *hand clapping. I also think the corner looks great as is i wouldnt add more pictures until you have more to ad...maybe it can grow a little more but not too much.

  • 9 years ago
    Not sure if this will connect to anyone, but it's been over a year and I'm ready to change the paint color (as someone previously suggested). It's too creamy and just makes the room dingy. I think someone suggested different colored bulbs (we have recessed lighting and a light fixture in the middle that doesn't give off a ton of light). I was considering swapping out the bulbs first to see if that helps, but I think I may need just a brighter white. Does anyone have suggestions for a cooler white tone that doesn't feel like an asylum? It's an East facing home and there's only the sliding doors to bring light. Thanks!
  • 9 years ago

    Hi, Emily. This showed up in my feed and should show up for others who've commented before. It's really hard to do colors on a monitor and I am not the color guru so I won't be able to give you names, but it looks like your current paint has a green undertone. I'd aim for something warmer. Here's SW popular gray:

    SW 6071 Popular Gray · More Info

  • 9 years ago
    Thanks! Yeah, it's so hard to tell color over a screen. I'm wanting a white and think I'll just test a few I like-was just trying to tap the resources to see what whites people like haha. There are so many!