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lisa_debi

Our Living Room Needs Design Help!

10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago

Hi everyone. So far we have gotten our sectional, coffee table and rug. We've redone the floors and walls upon moving in but the fireplace is original. After setting the area up we can't help but feel like something is off... Thinking it's the fireplace. Any advice on what we should do with it? Open to painting, staining changing the tile to make it more cohesive.

Our condo is open concept- so for perspective, here are the cabinets which we are also open to changing the color of:

Any other advice on what to put on either side of the fireplace, end tables and the placement/style of another chair is also welcomed!!! We are design newbies :)

Comments (23)

  • 10 years ago

    I'm not exactly the most helpful with design so forgive me, but I have to ask - what's the name of the couch?! I love it! Thank you and I hope someone helps you.

    Lisa Debi thanked george8981
  • 10 years ago

    The TV perched on top of the fireplace is not a good look. Assuming the fireplace stays and that is the best location for the TV, I think it would help if the fireplace was flanked by low cabinets (built in or free-standing) to create more of a presence.

  • 10 years ago
    Coffee table needs to be taller, lighter and bigger.
  • 10 years ago

    george8981- Thanks. The style is called Montclair from Crate and Barrel. Very comfy!

    BeverlyFLADeziner- Thanksf or the visual. We were considering white but not sure if we should then do our kitchen cabinets white.

    izeve- We are going to wall mount the TV right above the the fire place. Sorry, should've mentioned that. I was considering getting tall leaning bookshelves to go on either side.

    okramar- We haven't thrown out the box in case we might return it.. Any suggestions for coffee table designs?

    Thanks guys!

  • 10 years ago
    No ladder style bookcases, please, unless you want your room to look like a dorm room. Low solid bookcases or closed cabinets would work. Basically you want to achieve a built in look. Painting the fireplace as suggested by Beverly will help. It doesn't need to match the kitchen.
  • 10 years ago

    Anything hung above a fireplace will make things look unbalanced unless it fits within the footprint of the firebox below it. Your TV is dwarfing the FP and firebox, so it will never look good above it. As mentioned before, your coffee table is too low and small to fit in or be useful. It should arrive at the same level as your sofa seat and sit no more than 18" from the sofa to be reached for putting down drinks, etc. Personally, I think you'd be better off with a pair of "C" end tables instead. I think your rug looks a bit skimpy. You want a generous look and when the sofa is barely perched on it the rug feels like it is left over from another design project.



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  • 10 years ago

    that looks like one of those portable or after thought fireplaces. is it electric? meaning no chimney, or flue... I would remove it entirely to be honest if that is the case. or at least see if you can reframe it with a wall of builtins or built in look. will the tv fit to the left of the fireplace?

  • 10 years ago

  • 10 years ago

    @downbytheriver, I can't believe you suggested one of those fireplace/TV console combos. Those are even more abominable than ladder shelves and sticks in vases.


    I do agree if the fireplace is one of those portable ones, you'd do better to lose it entirely and just put a long console on that wall to hold the TV. The TV over the fireplace at that distance from the sofa is too high for comfortable viewing.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    I'm on board with everyone asking if the fireplace can be removed, and then put in a nice console in it's place. I saw the first picture that you posted and said 'what is wrong', then I scrolled to the second and saw the fireplace and said 'there it is'.

  • 10 years ago

    Bigger rug, TV on easel to right of fireplace, chair to left, taller coffee table, art over mantel:


  • 10 years ago

    I would remove the fireplace. It looks portable. If it's not portable then get someone to redo it and give it more presence with a spot for the tv


  • 10 years ago

  • 10 years ago


    We actually bought two pieces of furniture( an eames lounge chair and arco lamp replicas) from mhd & love it they are well built for a replica.not to mention their prices. We are hoping to come back here sooner or later.

  • 10 years ago

    @grover, i'm not>> i'm simply stating, or was trying to show a refacing or different concept of what they already have.......I am not a fan either.

  • 10 years ago

    Thanks so much for all of the advice everyone. Unfortunately, it's not an option for us to remove the fireplace at this point. We are going to paint it white and get a bigger version of the rug. As well as get an armchair to put to the left of the fireplace facing the sofa as grover suggested. I've also ordered a taller, lighter version of the carved table and a matching end table to put on the chaise side. Still need to figure out what to put the right of the fireplace.Thanks again everyone.

  • 10 years ago

    Plant :)

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Love grover's suggestion. It's the most functional use of space!

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    A new wider mantel and surround would help if the TV must go over the fireplace.

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  • 10 years ago

    the tv goes to the right on the right, like Grover said.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Here is an image from our portfolio that might help with your dilemma. Notice how the fireplace is white?

    Michelle Yorke Interior Design Press · More Info

  • PRO
    9 years ago


    Living Room Collection by Manhattan Home Design · More Info

    The [Triangular Glass table[(https://www.houzz.com/products/noguchi-coffee-table-prvw-vr~32113805?lid=6226235) is a modernist design for coffee table and gives a classy sleek and spacious look to the space, recommend you to try one of them.