Need help for my den

11 years ago

I'm trying to figure out how to best use and decorate this space. I feel like it's awkward because the biggest blank wall is right where there is traffic flow, so I don't know what furniture will work best in there. Right now, I think it will be used as an extra sitting/hanging out area; that is a fireplace in the picture and it's to the right of a door that goes onto our patio. I also wish it was more connected to the living room which is on the other side of the wall on the right.

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Susan Davis

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Choices choices choices! Lovely room.

You could open up the room by removing the wall or if it is load bearing just make a very wide opening and make two rooms into one. I would get an estimate certainly from two or three contractors.

Or you can incorporate it as an office. Place a desk on the window wall with art work above it. Put a comfy lounge chair with its back to the door by the fireplace. Place narrow tall bookshelving on long wall with possibly a TV hung on the wall in middle of storage for game playing for kids? Put a pair of benches in front of fireplace to sit on while gaming. That is if you game. If not room can still have all those items and be used by anyone. Nice to have an office in home.

Woodland · More Info

I think this picture could be a direction you could move in for the room. I know it is traditional but the elements can be translated into any design mode; french country, modern, MCM, etc.

Bookshelves not too deep and painted an accent color would not impede walking thru the room.

Roman shades to keep things light

A strong print on a comfy chair

Leather ottoman for contrast but it could be leather chair and a print ottoman

Geometric rug to tie it all together. And I like the TV over the fireplace. Saves space and allows the room to be an info room or gaming room.

The vertical siding on the fireplace wall adds texture and interest too! Easily done. But if you whitewash the fireplace you will lighten the room up and still have a rough casual texture for the room. The dark brick to me just scream what was the 'in' way to do fireplaces when the house was built. If it were built today then the fireplace would be a stacked white stone with sparkles or large smooth tiles!

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Comments (11)

stevew2518
11 years ago
I would like to see a photo from the other direction and know which way your patio door opens before offering any suggestions.

Best wishes!
Katie Chow
Original Author
11 years ago
Here is the room from a different angle so you can see the patio door. Thanks!
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stevew2518
11 years ago
I would do 4 chairs around a small coffee table.
I guessed the size of your room to be 11x13 and allowed 3' walkways (in grey). The grid squares are 1'. The 4 chairs do not need to be matching, although they could be. I would use floor to ceiling drapes on the window. The wall opposite the fire place could be a gallery wall.

In this photo, matching chairs are used.
Traditional Soft Blue Living Room · More Info

This photo uses more chairs with a mix and match look. I actually think it's a more comfortable look.
Garden House · More Info

The gallery wall might be something like this.
My Houzz: Casual Elegance in a California Beach Home · More Info

I hope this helps you!
Katie Chow thanked stevew2518
Susan Davis
11 years ago
Lovely ideas; but you will need minimum 18 inches between chairs and each side of ottoman so it might be more spread out and will allow walking thru room.
Katie Chow
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you both for your wonderful ideas! It is so helpful to hear feedback from people who have a knack for design :)
linlac
11 years ago
Another way you could go is two love seats facing each other beside fireplace. This will create two pathways along large wall and out to patio. I like the idea of the oversized coffee table between. If you have enough room you could use a narrow console table across the big wall combined with a large piece of art or a large mirror that reflects the fireplace.
linlac
11 years ago
You could also do the above using your chairs in place of one of the love seats.
Miranda Rose
11 years ago
I would lay it out like this only opposite sides. Then I would lay down a natural fiber rug, get a nice acrylic coffee table, sofa, and a little drinks table for in between the two chairs.
stevew2518
11 years ago
The problem I have with a loveseat set up is that nothing can be centered on anything because of the room layout. There just isn't enough room if walkways are allowed unless the measurements I used are at least 2 feet short in the length of the room.
Susan Davis
11 years ago
What do you want in the room?

If you have an idea then explore it with tape on the floor to see what furniture will fit and allow to walk thru the room comfortably.

Looking at your room it seem small to me thus my suggestion on one lounge chair, desk area on one wall and narrow shelving across the long wall so that you can walk thru the room......or ust knock out the wall; it isn't all that expensive and you have a Great Room feel to your home!