Living Room layout challenge

10 years ago

I just updated my dining room and want to update the living room, as well. I plan on replacing most of the furniture and the rug. I would like to keep the buffet, but everything else can go. I'm trying to figure out the best way to lay out the furniture in this small room with openings on all walls. I want to lighten everything up. I'm including my dining room before and after update in the pics to help with the design. The rooms are connected by a large opening in the wall. Thanks for your help!

before

Dining room · More Info

after:

Dining room · More Info

I'm going to paint the front door white and lighten up the buffet.

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

inspiration room, love the ottoman and the soft neutral tones

Atherton Estate · More Info

Featured Answer

gtcircus

10 years ago

Can you post a floor plan. If you are handy, the black cabinet with the small doors that are multicolored could be painted silver and mirror attached to the small doors for an update. I would go with a comfy sofa and keep two small club chairs on either side. Then use occasional chairs as pull ups. Loose the wood coffee table - you need something more transparent and the problem with ottomans is they take up too much room and you can't set food on it.

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Comments (19)

gtcircus
10 years ago
First, nice job on the dining room. It look tastefully updated. My comment on the living room is simply the furniture is way too large for the space. The chair that is pictured is meant for a McMansion and you have a tasteful house. So I would loose the mega monstrosity furniture and look for furniture in scale to the room. What color palette are you wanting in the living room??
H C thanked gtcircus
User
10 years ago
After you lighten the buffet, I would add a mirror over it and change the lamps or at least the lamp shades to not blend in with the wall.
H C thanked User
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H C
Original Author
10 years ago
Ha ha! Light beige/taupe/grey tones. I will be painting the black fireplace doors a nickel color.
H C
Original Author
10 years ago
I had a big heavy tuscan-like mirror over it and just took it down, I want to add a smaller more contemporary mirror, probably round sunburst or something. And yes, I hate the lamps, they will be going. I've painted them twice, I give up.
gtcircus
10 years ago
You could try to spray paint them either silver or gold and put black larger shades on them. The shades are way too small for the lamp. But I get wanting something new and more appropriate to your new style. Another option is to paint them a color with new larger shades.
H C thanked gtcircus
gtcircus
10 years ago
Here are some furniture options from One Kings Lane.
H C thanked gtcircus
gtcircus
10 years ago
Some neutral living room ideas
H C thanked gtcircus
izeve
10 years ago
HC, if you are getting new furniture, I think you should go with a sofa and a couple of chairs. Right now, I think you have a bit too much furniture in the room. You could keep the existing sofa (change the pillows) and get rid of the loveseat, the chair and the coffee table, and just get two chairs and an ottoman instead.

Paint on the walls stays, right? Have you decided on an accent color for this room? Do you want to use the the green from the dining room?
H C
Original Author
10 years ago
Room Dimensions
H C
Original Author
10 years ago
I want to get rid of the sofa and the love seat. Tired of all the messy pillows. The set is at least 15 years old. The paint is staying. Accent color can be the green from the dining room, but I'm not opposed to adding another accent color. I worry about blocking the opening to the dining room, but maybe if the sofa is smaller it will work.
H C
Original Author
10 years ago
Found an inspiration piece. I think I can work this color in with the dining room. Replacing the black piece below.
H C
Original Author
10 years ago
With this piece.
H C
Original Author
10 years ago
Starting to scale down the furniture.
decoenthusiaste
10 years ago
Keep your buffet on the wall opposite the fireplace to serve as a visual counter balance to it. Get a new and large piece of art to hang 5" above the buffet and get rid of the skinny buffet lamps. They're OK in a dining room with a chandelier, but you need real lamps, or just one big one, here in the living room. Your coffee table looks similar in size and style to the inspiration piece. Consider a DIY makeover and upholstery for it if you want to focus the budget on a new 3-seat sofa and a pair of chairs.
H C
Original Author
10 years ago
Found a cool floor planner (called floorplanner). Layout thoughts? Not sure about blocking the dining room opening. I'm considering adding some overhead lighting (high hats) to bring more light into the room.
H C
Original Author
10 years ago
another version 3d

original 3d, I don't like the way the sofa blocks the opening to the dining room
PRO
Lumar Interiors
10 years ago
This design might help!

Richmond Hill, Ontario 'Refresh' project · More Info
H C thanked Lumar Interiors
H C
Original Author
10 years ago
Lumar - Are you saying that I should only have one sofa and two chairs?

like this?