Turn the sofa to face the fireplace. Make the fireplace and Windows on side the focal point with colorful artwork on the mantle. Add pillows on sofa to bring colors out of artwork

Get a large rug to anchor the room, then build off of the colors in the rug. It is far easier to work on window treatments and room accessories than it is to later get a rug that works with accessories.

I do not really want to turn the sofa

We have a large (9ft) opening into the kitchen and by turning the sofa you block this flow.

Also the tv is mounted on the wall opposite the couch

i'd replace the single grey chair with a pair of chairs in a print that is grounded in your grey but brings another color in to work with. can you ditch one part of your sectional?

nnigrt

Thank you for the advice but getting rid of that chair is not an option. It was just purchased (and it was not cheap).

Out of curiosity, you suggest getting 2 chairs- where would you put the other?

In front of the french doors?

I agree with battmom4. A patterned colorful rug is a great idea to infuse color in the room. Then you can accessorize by pulling colors from the rug, add coffee & end tables, art, lamps, pillows. I agree that you do not need to move the sofa

I like the idea as well and I too also feel that that is the way to go. Start with a nice area rug to ground the furniture and go from there- I just struggle with this.

What type of pattern/color would look nice? Suggestions of wall art and placement, type of coffee table and any other accents is what I am looking for advice on.

I am pretty much limited with the furniture layout as this IS the furniture I need to work with. There is no replacing it as it is only 3 month old.

flanking the tv, yes. i cannot tell which door of the french doors is the one that opens first though.

otherwise, i'd put them either side of the fireplace, and reduce your sectional a bit.

i understand: the chair and sectional are new, and arent going anywhere. i'm just saying how i would do it.

but still. i'd play with this on graph paper (virtual or not).

Candles on the mantle, art on the walls, a rug and a large coffee table in front of the sofa. A sideboard or console table under the TV.

What is your favorite color? Favorite sport or activity? Do you like skiing? A pair of skis mounted over the fireplace would look cool. Do you like chess or games? A game table in the corner where the chair is now would give the room personality. Do you like horses? Horse motif art is easy to find.

kr, one last thing to always remember. sometimes despite our best efforts we end up with the 'wrong thing'. going forward, if its just not working consider populating another space with some grey sectional bitz, if all else fails. no one ever gets it all right, every time.

A statement panting would look great on your wall! Check out my site www.sarahphelps.ca for all my paintings...I also do custom work. Here are a few ideas...

I agree with the above suggestion. A Peter Lik style of wall art would help keep a contemporary feel to the room. The key is the 9:16 aspect ratio. I took a pic of the beach last week, and cropped it to illustrate:

Sorry but I have to agree with the first commenter....love the couch but I would really consider turning it to face the fireplace and mount the TV above the FP. The way it is positioned makes it look bulky and stuck in the one corner. Add colourful throw cushions, art and a complimentary shag like rug. You also need a large coffee table to which will match the size of the couch..

I would not turn the sectional. I would pull the chair in a bit closer to the fireplace. Then I'd also work on creating some kind of view out the French doors.

You need art and a rug. You seem to have gravitated toward red accents, so let me see what I can find. This is already a pretty room. Just needs the finishing touches.

When I'm setting up a living room I like to try to think of it as a place where people will sit and talk. Sure, you may be using it to watch TV or relax more often than not, but it just makes a space feel cozy when its not set up solely with the whole room pointing towards a far off television.

That being said, I love this room and I LOVE that sectional. If turning it and mounting your TV on that fire place is not an option.. I would try to pull the whole room in closer to the center. Grab a large area rug with some funky colors and pull that chair in closer to the sectional. Add a coffee table, and some wall art above the mantle. Rooms where people create two major focal points are hard to make work.

Also, if that lights not new I think this room would look great with a larger, darker chandelier.

I love the room as well, and wouldn't change anything. All it needs is a rug, preferably one with pops of color which you can pull out for accessories. And find a large artwork for over the sofa which coordinates with the rug colors.

first of all, your room is great size. I found this on houzz site and have this as my dream living room. hope this helps get you there. rugs, a bigger chandlier and curtains might help liven the room. with some side tables and center table.

What a lovely room. I think the tv is well placed. To me the room feels unbalanced and needs something substantial under the tv. You seem almost on a track to a monochrome palette. What about an abstract carpet with a range of grays and touches of gold to bring in the tones of your floor? Then black, white and gray patterned and gold pillows. Black lamp shades and brass lamps. I agree the coffee table needs to be large to work for the sectional but a glass top wouldn't add weight to that side of the room. You could also add a cool footstool in front of the chair (move the chair out closer to the tv) A floor lamp and side table to create a reading nook. You have great taste and all the basics are there. One last comment, don't go with too small a rug, it also needs to to add balance to the other architecture in the room.

Hi GroverAxle- thanks for your advice.

I have in fact NOT gravitated towards red. Those were just 2 old throw blankets I had from our old house that I am using until we "pick a color" for the room.

I am very open to suggestions!

Oops! I also thought red was your color. Here are a few new suggestions:

TV over fireplace isn't a really great idea. Uncomfortable for viewing and heat (if you use the fireplace) is bad for TV

BeverlyFLADeziner- I REALLY like your suggestion and wish that I could. That would be ideal!

Unfortunately, the way the sectional is designed they are not "individual pieces" the long section is made up of 2 small armless loveseats- they did not have the option of a single seat.

Here is a picture of one section removed.

I wonder if this is the better option, but it does not leave a lot of seating for the room and I feel it looks a bit "lost" in the space

Its much better like that! It feels like its floating now, but the right rug and tables will anchor it and make it so much better. Bring the chair in too!

Some looks for you:

As founder of the Just Say No to Sectionals society, I have to say yours doesn't bother me. I do think it looks better smaller, but if you need the seating, I think the larger version works as well.

I worked with red before I got the message that those were random throws, but red looks good here, so if you like it, run with it. I checked your ideabooks and it looks like you like earthy natural colors, so we can do that if you're color-phobic. (BTW, I am so glad you chose this sectional instead of that puffy brown thing you saved.)

Thank you Groveraxle!! I really appreciate the the help. The pictures are SO helpful, especially because I am a very visual person. I have an extremely hard time visualizing things..

I am so torn as to keep the couch large or shrink it down.

I feel small the area is cramped. Not much room in front of couch for coffee table/ottoman

But on the other hand I feel like the larger size is really forced into the space.

The smaller size looks a lot better and while the sofa may seem cramped, it opens up the room. But if you use the whole thing so everyone can pile on and lounge together, keep it large. Maybe try out the small version for a few days to see what you think. And remember, it's a first world problem. ;-)

You have such a beautiful room as your canvas, great natural light, wood floors, a stunning fireplace and neutral walls and furniture.

1) I concur with anchoring the room with a great area rug... don't go too small!

2) You need a stunning pendant light to fill the space. Think layers of light here. One big beautiful pendant that gives general light, and then task lighting.. a reading lamp or floor lamps to give lighting closer to you or picture lights to highlight the art that you pick out, then go with accent lights either wall sconces or table lamps that add a bit of sparkle. You have great daylight so make sure you have great evening light too to make your space inviting after the sun goes down.

3) Don't be afraid to turn the sectional...the fireplace is your biggest asset of the room.. embrace it. You can always rearrange the furniture if you feel it isn't working for you. You could even use a sofa table behind the sofa.

4) You have great light... bring in some indoor plants with great planters. People are drawn to life...people, animals and plants.

5) Bring in a console under the TV. Like BeverlyFLADeziner stated

6) Go for texture! Think of rattans and wood here. They are neutrals but warm the space and add some dimension. Keep your palette to no more that 3 types of wood at the most.

Have fun with your beautiful space!

I agree that a slim console or bookcase under the TV would help that side of the room. Once you settle on a rug, that would be the next thing to do. I suspect a black stained piece would be best to balance with the TV and fireplace.

kr997 I do like the smaller sectional you assembled, ......................however if you put the the 2 seat armless section across the entrance, it allows you to push the sectional further away from the room entrance which I think is very acceptable.

I think the smaller sectional looks infinitely better. Anchored with a rug, and with seating opposite, it allows for flow and doesn't look shoe-horned into the space. My last two houses have had similarly-shaped family rooms, and running a loooong piece down the side just creates a bowling-alley effect.

oh i had no idea one of those inside pieces could be taken out. the extra space allows something else to happen in the room, not just The Grey Sectional Show starring The Grey Sectional.

I agree with your reasons for not turning the couch and for keeping the sectional large and think you can make it work that way. I second the options above about a colorful area rug, art, and accessories. The right coffee table and side table for the chair can pull in the color and the transitional that yo like. Yellow looks great with grey and adds the contrast to make it pop. Blue is also another good color to work with the yellow and grey and don't be afraid to go with a bit of a brighter blue versus muted. For fireplace art, suggest you consider something vertical to highlight the fireplace and ceiling height. It is a great looking room and I think you will end up loving the sectional. Don't doubt your gut for buying it.

Gorgeous room! I would get a large oversized rug and pick a colour from the rug that would be your accent colour. Have that accent colour in some beautiful curtains around your windows and add pillows and throws of the same colour. Because the room is fairly large you could get a bigger light fixture.

There are actually 2 of those fixtures in the room, 2nd one is not seen in pics due to its proximity to the doorway.

Thank you

Bonjour,

I've got ideas for your wall with a large canvas art :

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So many great ideas here!!

I love love love your space! I love the details, your colour choice, the light and the focal stone. I agree, the sectional works better at the smaller size but if you need it larger, then the other way works as well. Functionality first! Decide on the size that you want to keep the sofa at first before you invest in a piece (ie: accent table / ottoman) for the middle so you can determine the size you need.

I love that your style is transitional because it will work so well with what is already going on.

I would not do drapes unless you commit to long rods so that when pushed back, the entire window and trim is visible.

You need a large carpet (really big) to ground your room. You can opt for a colourful print or go with a neutral white or tan.

I think your colour pallet should springboard from the fireplace stone. The darkest grey has a distinct teal undertone, so run with it! I love the idea of incorporating soft smokey teals, tan, grey and even the odd darker tone for contrast. I would love to see some charcoal interjected in the artwork or accents around the room, but you could also opt for a really deep navy as your anchor. I think continuing the use of texture could work well with the odd rattan vase but I would still add some sparkle with a mirror that reflects light and/or your beautiful fireplace.

HTH! Good luck!

Keep your eye open for a large oriental, persian or ikat pattern rug. Go to a designer rug store to look. They will usually have two or three delivered to your home to be tried with the the furniture you have.

This should be the piece that will anchor the space. It can have an all over design with many colors so you can build from many different items. Then after choosing this get back to us with some photos to work from there.

I agree with BeverlyFLADizner. Her second layout is spot on-VERT well balanced! This way you have the seating you need and the space needed to enter the room. If you add a console table to the back of sofa facing kitchen focus will be that and fireplace when out of room and both fireplace and television.

About color, you have a beautiful neutral room here! Stick with it. I would consider something architectural on the wall and/or a mirror. For color I would use colored throws, pillows and a vase and/or flower on console table. This allows you to change color through the seasons and/or as your tastes change. If you like the neutral add more off white and pattern the pillows and textures