Traffic flow new home-help

11 years ago

I am looking for help with traffic flow and furniture arrangement. I am moving into this house in mid-July and we are military and I'm way over my weight allowance! Needless to say, I need to dump about 5k pounds of furniture and want to know what pieces I should keep or sell based on the size of family room and the traffic flow. I am attaching a few pics of the traffic flow through the family room and I would like to know how the furniture should be arranged best. I have two options, a large sectional or a sofa and love seat and two high wing back chairs...either way I think I'm looking for an "L" shape configuration for viewing the t.v. But I can't figure out if traffic should flow "through" the sitting area or all around. This room is 13.5x16' with an opening on all four walls (to patio/pool, to kitchen, to foyer/front door, and doorway to master bed room hall).

I appreciate any and all comments!!! Thank you!

Featured Answer

Val
Original Author

11 years ago

Maggiefoss, thank you for taking the time to consider and comment on my dilemma!
You are correct in that the master bed will be in the master bedroom against longest wall in the bedroom, not the master den, therefore will be at an acceptable distance from the tv and not sharing a wall.
I agree that if the sectional doesn't work in the family room I may consider moving it. I've been scaling the rumpus room to see if I can get the sectional upstairs for the kids, they would really like that! What a funny word-"rumpus". I had to google it! I've heard of game room and play room and media room!
I realize moving requires me to dump furniture every two years-but we've been in the A.F. for almost 20 and I have acquired nice, not so cheap replaceable pieces. My problem for finding great deals! I am hoping to make most of the big purchases work and rid myself of the pieces I'm not so attached too ;-). I just want it to look nice, work for us and flow well. "We" will be retiring in less than 3 years and then I can have a "place" of my own for a while.
Thank you again!

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Comments (14)

Val
Original Author
11 years ago
Here are a couple of pics showing the space.
Val
Original Author
11 years ago
Anyone??
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User
11 years ago
Contact a local designer.
Kendra Harris
11 years ago
Defiantly the last one. I don't like tv' against bedroom walls and the last one has the best, easiest flow to each exit.
holly98
11 years ago
How many will be living in the house? If not many, don't use a sectional since it seems to suck up all the space. And they do weigh a lot. I'd go with a smaller sofa or two love seats facing each other

Also think about the size of each piece. There are many sofas and chairs out there that are not overstuffed to the gills. Other seating options include stools or floor cushions that can easily be moved. That would be good if you have little ones. Go smaller if you can.
Val
Original Author
11 years ago
Sophie Wheeler, thank you for your insightful comment; glad you took the effort to comment-I'll get right on that!
Considering the usual polite and informative opinions, I'm disappointed that's the best opinion offered!
I am however, really interested in how the traffic flow pattern will work best-around or through the sitting area.
Thanks again.
Bridgette
11 years ago
I think the tv should go against the bedroom den wall. This arrangement would give you more possibilities for furniture placement.
Val
Original Author
11 years ago
Kendra Harris, I appreciate your comment! I did not even think about the tv being placed on the master bdr wall and the possible inconvenience! Thank you for pointing that out. The only issue I find with the last layout is the traffic flow between the tv and the seating area. I just wonder if that's the best solution? I would like there to be an easy flow and a welcoming view from the main entry/front door/ foyer.
Bridgette
11 years ago
couch and loveseat or chairs. I find sectionals limit furniture placement choices sometimes. The flow would be easier without that big furniture item only allowing for one specific pathway.
Miranda Rose
11 years ago
What about making your family room the dining room and the living dining/area a living/family area?
Val
Original Author
11 years ago
Mrsbjsimon, Thank you, I think after drawing out many layouts, the best location may be the master bdr wall. The exception, as Kendra Harris pointed out, it may be a slight annoyance in the master bdr den.
As far as deciding on the furniture to keep/sell, I agree with you that the sectional doesn't allow a lot of play, and I may be better off with arranging the sofa/love seat/chairs more easily than the sectional.
I really hate selling furniture before every move-then to realize that piece would have worked and have to go and buy a new piece! The joys of a military family!!! :-).
Thank you again!
Martha Foss
11 years ago
I actually think that design 2 has the most possibilities for integrating furniture placement and not creating a traffic flow issue in front of the tv. If the larger part of the bedroom farthest from the TV is where the bed is placed than the tv may not be an issue on that wall. I would keep my most expensive piece of furniture (one that would be the most expensive to replace) and then ditch the furniture that can be replaced less expensively from sites like craigs list, or Costco etc. If the sectional doesn't work in the family room. it looks like you have a rumpus room upstairs. Could it go there??
Val
Original Author
11 years ago
Miranda Rose, I've considered switching the two rooms usage, however, the family room is the most open room(well, as open as a small home can offer :-). )-whereas if I switch I'll have to create two sitting areas, dividing the family/dining room into two separate sitting areas due to the length of the two rooms.
It's a possibility, I would just have to purchase more side chairs-I don't mind doing so, but my husband would request I wait until after the move! :/).
Thank you!!!