Space planning help for huge open living room area

11 years ago

Our living room is very open and spacious, however, we don't know how to deal with this huge open space between the piano and the open counter kitchen bar (imagine xmas tree isn't there)! The TV/entertainment center is off to the side - forcing the us to box the area w/ couches and leave some DEAD SPACE in the very center of the room...
is our couch arrangement off? how can we take advantage of this empty space? i feel like even placing barstools along the "bar" area (xmas tree locale) would look awkward...

P.S. please mind the mess and the ugly couch colors... besides that any input is welcome!!

thank you -from a new houzz user!

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

11 years ago

Yes, your couch arrangement is off, but your pics are so dark I can't see much of the space. Center the rug in front of the FP, not off to the side. Get another wing chair and set the pair of them at an angle in front of the window with a round side table and lamp between them. I can't see the piano area well enough to suggest anything. It certainly looks to be jammed up against the FP and that's not good for the health of the piano. Why don't you post more pics here once you have the tree down so we can see the space and make better suggestions?

Comments (10)

feeny
11 years ago
Here's a Houzz ideabook that might be helpful:
https://www.houzz.com/magazine/good-spaces-mastering-the-open-floor-plan-stsetivw-vs~1174159
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houssaon
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I would get a much larger rug; at least three times the size you have now. I would center the rug in the space. Then I'd move the sofa so it is directly across from the fireplace.

On the right side of the sofa, I would put one chair somewhat in the position you have now and on the other side of the sofa in front of the window, two chairs with a table and lamp between them. If you can move the piano to the half wall behind the sofa, you can add another chair with a table and lamp in the space.

A variation of this layout would work: https://www.houzz.com/photos/2012-fall-parade-home-traditional-family-room-minneapolis-phvw-vp~1407064
2dogssashatess
11 years ago
i agree rug too small. IMHO opinion you need new curtains as I think they look dated and too fussy. I would take all those small photos off your mantlepiece as it looks cluttered and unattractive. if you use the fire place I do not think it would be good for the piano to be exposed to the heat so may need to move it. Even if ok heat wise. looks crammed to have the piano there
Sue Dennis
11 years ago
Is there any way you could get a bigger couch? Sectional maybe? Also rug seems too small for area. With a larger sectional couch possibly you could use chair in piano area maybe with another chair and small side table, creating sort of a music room
patty526
11 years ago
I don't know why so many people have a problem with putting ANYTHING in front of a window...move the piano in front of the window, get a larger rug ( Tuesday morning, on the cheap) and front and center the sofa in front of fireplace. While you're at TM, check out a console table for behind the sofa. Move the small chair between the piano and the sofa, and get a large tufted ottoman for feet, food, fun and games. A great space...please don't be afraid of blocking the windows..,it's a better place all around for the piano.
decoenthusiaste
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I'd keep the piano on an interior wall - maybe in another room. They don't do well on outside walls or in line with doors or windows that allow drafts.
patty526
11 years ago
I don't think that front window opens?
Elizabeth Yu
Original Author
11 years ago
thanks everyone - these comments are very helpful. I completely agree with the need for the larger rug and the frumpiness of the curtains. Great idea to move the piano - prob to another room. However, I am still unsure about the idea of placing the larger couch/future sectional in front of the fireplace because then it will make it difficult to watch TV. I will take more pics tomorrow in natural light, and hopefully, with the xmas tree no longer there.
houssaon
11 years ago
You could layout the furniture on an angle to better see the TV. See attached.