Does anyone have any ideas?

I like the sofa table, do you think it would block the path to the slider? What material for the table? I'm so over wood unless it's light

It will not block the path to the slider as long as it is a narrow table. Here are some suggestions from Houzz:

I wouldn't use glass with young kids.

That back wall area is what continues to kill me. That mirror will be going over the couch and is being refurbished. The reason why I wasn't going to do a picture collage is that I'm doing that in the hallway. I wish there was something I could do for the kids back there without it looking too messy. We have such a tiny house I'm trying to maximize space.

I forgot about the young children when I posted those tables! I was just trying to find tables that were under $500. and were not made out of wood.

Here are a couple of ideas for children's spaces in the living room. I found them the other day when helping someone else.

I had a wooden table and chairs for my kids when they were young and they loved it! I also had a kid's sized rocking chair.

Lucite is light weight.

Could you move the bookcases to that blank wall and maybe have a game-size table and chairs. A spot for you and the children to play games, color, etc. It might balance out the room.

The were there originally and perhaps I should move them back. The only problem is that they are too small for that wall. Do I separate them and put a game table in the middle? I'm not sure what you mean by a game table area, but it might be a cute idea if I could find the right thing.

do not forget the restore it store and charity thrift for hardgoods and art work, including frames off other work! can you refinish the bookshelves so they are lighter? you could also do wooden new to you table or console table and paint them?

Least expensive sheers on the market.

Length: 98 "
Width: 110 "
Weight: 14 oz
Area: 75.35 sq feet
Package quantity: 2 pack = $5


tables etc.you can whitewash the wicker and paint the feet?



if you are a little into diy? lowe's carries table circles and legs, make an ottoman or table out of it, paint stain any way you wish.

Thank you so much! I love DIY or rather DIT (which means Do It Themselves). I'm not good at it. love the ideas about the wicker. The lamps are great too.

What would you like to use that space for? A kids space? It seems like you already have kids stuff there. Are you looking to keep that and just create more of a finished space for them?

That is just back there temporarily unless I can figure out how to make it work with my colors. So I'm definitely looking to create a space back there of some kind. It's such an odd layout

Havingfun - I like the pictures but I'm trying to stay away from getting too "themey" does that make sense? I want the coastal feel with the light and airy colors and some coastal pieces but also want to keep it eclectic with other styles thrown in. Does that make sense? I found pillows today that I love that I want. I love Ikat. I just need to find coordinating pattern ones for it. Do you like?

Low ( single level) white shelves w rattan baskets against the back wall could contain the kids activitiy supplies, and, if they are old enough, they can help you decorate by drawing/painting pictures of sea creatures for the wall above. You might back these with stained parchment or intersperse them with driftwood, fishnet or odd bits to create a feature that defines their area within your scheme.

While you save for new furniture, it may be simplest to stick to a black and white version of beach decor: look for nautical stripes, old photography, basketry, worn metals and wood. Burlap could be fixed to the backs of your bookcases to lighten things on the fireplace wall. Muslin or drop cloth make relaxed drapes ( youtube videos are out there to help), and used items, as suggested above, can provide patina to your look.

I was image hunting during your last post. The pillows are pretty. If the back wall idea seems too themed, a simpler approach is a set of 6 white shelves, stacked three and three on that wall, over a console. This should give you enough furniture to balance that side wall, and a way to draw additional colour through the area - interspersed with a lot of white. The addition of a sofa table opposite will define the kids area beyond and also help to hide it, by narrowing the focus so the eye moves toward the room's center, instead.

Do a feature wall with some pastel colored paint and use tape to create a design with lines. These features are seen on the DIY channel as well as the HGTV channel. The net also has some featured living rooms done by experts on those two channels. They are also on Facebook. You really should think about bringing out the fireplace. It is almost unnoticeable with all the white. Just my 2¢.

Get rid of that big eyesore of a couch

Can you paint the bookcases the same colour as your wall? That would remove the somewhat dark impression of the fireplace wall. I think a combination of beige, white and perhaps light and bright shades of blue might help give your room a more beachy vibe. Also, you could add tables or other furniture that have more than one function: little pieces like stools your kids can move about and use in playing and storing their toys if you intend to use the space for a family room.

That looks like a huge room. I do not understand why you have your sectional pushed over to one side. Have you tried another arrangement that would allow you to take the tv down from over the fireplace. Perhaps it could go on the small window wall or wall opposite on a nice tv stand instead. A friend of mine has just furnished her home from thrift stores and Craig's list on a very low budget. Lots of fun doing it also

all things in ikat blue and lime:

well not ikat, but definitely blue and lime

not ikat but it incorporate many colors.

I know u said you are eventually replacing the sectional. When that time comes, you can try different furniture arrangements but try to find appropriate scaled pieces. It looks like a couch and either one or two chairs would allow the best furniture placement and may even get the tv out from over the fireplace. The chairs or couch can float out beyond the confines of that space more into the open wide walkway. This will help alleviate the gap and empty space feeling in the back part of the room.

If that sounds like something you are willing to do, you should hold off on a sofa table or any large furniture pieces.

If u don't need those black bookshelves, you can paint and repurpose them for the back wall or just sell them on Craigslist and pick up something else for the back wall. I don't think they are doing much next to the fireplace and seems like they are closing off the room.

Heres a nice IKEA Hack. It uses a countertop for the desk top. You can do two of those lined up to fill as much space as you need (may need to add extra bases for support).

I like this idea and I'm not going to buy a coffee table now for the exact reason you said.

You think I can pull the couch back? Really? I do feel like that space is so tight with so much room. Ideally I would love the couch on the back wall so people can talk from the kitchen but it's WAY too far away from the TV and it would be weird. What do you mean about floating the couch?

If u get a new couch, it doesn't have to be against the wall. It could be floating, partially into the open space not confined by the wall it currently lines up with.

Or the chairs can float into that space.

Ah so when I get the new couch. Not now right?

You can try pulling it back a foot or two and see how it works.

Hi Mary - the couch is indeed an eye sore which I mentioned. I can't afford to change it now so trying to make the best of it.

I think the bookshelves should be white. I think I'm going to IKEA to get the affordable Billy ones and do something with the back

If u want seating near kitchen and don't need the homework area, you can do a smaller seating area by the back wall. Long couch against wall, two small ottomans or chairs on either side

cara, do not let the couch upset you so much. in reality the couch is just the background for your lovely pillows. it is a utilitarian item. i bet when you get a new one, once you have the rug throws pillows and people on it? it is not gonna make a big difference.

I think your TV room is fine as is, for now. Regarding all the open space in the walkway, think about how you want to use it. Maybe it's best to leave it open as a play space for the kids? Or a large shelving unit with storage against the wall where toys and things could be kept. If the kids are older, you could put a narrow table or desks against the wall for studying or projects. Or don't fill it with anything for awhile, so you have the chance to live there awhile and see what type of spaces you need - just appreciate having the clear space with your nice view to the backyard! And congrats on your new home.

If you have a Home Goods store near you, they have great light colored tables and great lamps. I love your pillows!

Can the sectional be scaled down and adjusted by removing the center piece? It might help in scaling down the size and allowing the couch to float better in the center.

I wish it could but it can't If I take off the Chaise part there is a big metal piece sticking out. Can't wait to get a new couch! lol

Check out vinyl plank flooring. It's very inexpensive, easy to lay down, looks and feels like wood and is super kid and pet friendly. I have it in laundry, both bathrooms, and my sewing room is next. I wish I would have used it in my whole house

Show us any changes & progress so we can help. You have many good ideas here.

Happy lag - I went shopping today and didn't have any luck. I'm going to Hone Goods tomorrow and will show you what I purchased. Also I have someone coming to refurbish a mirror and will have some pics on Tuesday. Stay tuned.....

I would try to have Engineered Hardwood floors installed. Floor & Decor has a few nice selections of distressed driftwood choices for your "coastal" look. You can build on the upholstery and accessories over time. With young children, an Engineered Wood floor will make the design impact you are looking for. Vinyl Plank Flooring is also and option.

An accent paint Wall in Benjamin Moore

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/seagrove

would be nice for your coastal look.

Lots of awesome advise in this thread! I think that you can get the look you are wanting with the existing couch and nice white walls. Here are some designs from Houzz that have great elements and similar items to your room.

To create a more coastal feel, i would suggest the bookcases be a lighter color, I love the color of the one that 111ideahound suggested. Paired with your textured baskets and a few decorative accents, it would look fantastic. Muted blue and cream colored throw pillows on the sectional would help to brighten it up, and bring in the colors to provide a coastal feel.

For the windows, I would suggest woven wood shades. These will play off the texture of the baskets and are a favorite for beachy/coastal decor. These shades provide privacy, and help to give the room a soft glow of sunlight when they are lowered and covering the entire window.

http://www.selectblinds.com/bamboo-blinds.html

Good luck! I hope this helped.