Open living room - need layout ideas for couch and TV

10 years ago

I recently moved into a new place, but I'm still getting settled and need to buy a couch. We're looking to get an L shaped sectional to give enough space for both of us to lounge, but we want to keep the openness of the room.

The most obvious thing is to put the TV above the fireplace and lay the room out much like it was staged (pictured below). The room is currently empty.

The problem I'm having is that it seems like the TV would be way too high over the large fireplace. What do you think? Any other configurations that might make sense? If there was an L, what corner would it go in?

Featured Answer

teamaltese

10 years ago

Put the tv where the plant is, to the right of the fireplace. Mount it to an extendable arm, so you can move it out and angle it when in use. I know it's close to the kitchen, but that's really the only place I can see. If you can find the same or similar kitchen cabinets and countertop, you can build your console to look like it extends from the kitchen, and that area won't look so out of place.

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Comments (8)

shirlpp
10 years ago
Choose carefully when purchasing a sectional. There are many posts on Houzz, where the poster is having issues, because of the size of the sectional. If you still want the sectional, I think the style with the chaise attached would be best, as they are smaller in size.

Yes, it looks like the TV would be too high and your neck would suffer. If you are going to put the TV over the fireplace, I would not put a sofa directly across from it for viewing. I'd probably put 2 sofas on the sides that would be across from one another.
Rawketgrl
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Not being able to see the walls on either side of the fireplace makes it hard to offer alternative solutions. Please post the measurements of the room as well.
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lefty47
10 years ago
HI -- If there is room on one side of the fireplace for the TV that would be best . If hung on an articulating bracket then the TV can turn and adjust for viewing . Don't get a sectional .... it limits you . You could have two modern chaise lounges or one arm sofas , a left and a right , set perpendicular to the fireplace /TV wall . Better would be a 3 seat sofa with ottomans that match and then a pair of swivel arm chairs . If you work with a furniture store that has an in house interior designer - then your choices can be tried out in the space before you buy . It is buying on approval . Or hire an interior designer to help get the best choices for the room.
Jon Wu
Original Author
10 years ago
Here's a few more angles. I can grab measurements later but hopefully this gives more perspective.

Definitely leaning towards a sectional with the chaise on the right (if you're sitting on it) maybe facing the fireplace. We're considering removing the mantle to put the TV a little lower. It would be weird to face the other way since there's an entryway there too.
shirlpp
10 years ago
If your are going to put the TV over the fireplace, as you've said, it needs to be lowered.

The picture below is an arrangement with the 2 sofas across from one another.
Greenbrae, CA · More Info

Another layout, with sofas perpendicular to one another.
Jacob Residence · More Info
djstegman
10 years ago
Seems like you are losing a lot of the room behind the sofa, so I would opt for shirlpp's two sofa or loveseat solution. Is there any chance a nice big TV could be hung on the OPPOSITE side of the room directly across from the fireplace, where the large painting currently hangs? With the right tech solutions the cable box and other equipment do not have to be next to or under the TV. Seems like you would gain back some floor space that is probably just a traffic path right now.
Jon Wu
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the ideas everybody. I ended up opting to put the TV above the fireplace, but was able to solve the viewing angle problem with this awesome mount I just found: https://www.mantelmount.com/. Now we can pull the TV down to eye level when we're watching, but put it back up otherwise. The mantel also blocks a little of the rising heat from the TV so that helps too. Ultimately, putting the TV to the side, was too weird of a focal point when we considered that we really would usually be watching TV and also surround sound speaker placement.