Awkward, Long Living Room - Help!

Heather Miller

10 years ago

My husband and me are completely remodeling our 1960s home ourselves (so excuse the mess

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Kim Godfrey

10 years ago

My husband and I have the exact same situation in our 1950s ranch house, so I feel your pain! Ours has a long living/dining room, with the front door opening directly into the living room, so the center of the rooms must be kept open to traffic, and this gives the feeling of a trailer or cargo container! I was able to turn my large desk so that one end is against the wall, making the room feel wider. I plan to have hubby build a large archway to the dining room end, and add ceiling interest with a shallow tray design to break up the long expanse, which I hope will provide a similar effect. Best of luck with your project!

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Comments (6)

Heather Miller
Original Author
10 years ago
I'm not sure why the description cut off. Here's the gust: Looking for recommendations on how to make this space "flow." Open to recommendations for where to put living space, dining space, and/or sitting space. Main window is 20" from floor while other two are 32". Leaving the one wall of wood paneling and adding new dry wall, crown, and base board for all others. Help!
daliartfan
10 years ago
Maybe a couple of open shelving units would divide the room. Look on this site under room dividers. Then you would have a couple of extra "walls. I think it would help to get advice from a pro because your room is complicated. It is a nice, large space!
visualizemaven
10 years ago
It would help us to help you if you sent a floor plan - you can just do a simple sketch but plz give us measurements as well. Show us where the kitchen is.

What is on the other side of the interior wall? What is on the outside: a patio? The back or front yard?
Jane Slaton
10 years ago
I would use a circular dining table to help to break up the rectangle of the room. Please don't line up the sofas opposite each other on the walls, this adds emphasis to the long lines of the room. If you are going to be replacing the sofas I would go for a sofa and two chairs. West Elm has some nice sofas that are not so bulky that would make the space feel wider. I would get a larger rug to use in the living area to define a larger space for living and break up the length of the room. It is difficult to suggest layouts with out the dimensions. Will you want a TV in this space? What other storage or functions do you need to address for the area (desk - toys - electronics- storage - books ?) Is this the main entrance to the house and do you want a defined entry?
Heather Miller
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you all! I will do a sketch of the dimensions ASAP tomorrow :)