Help Needed! Awkward mid-century ranch living area

9 years ago

Hi everyone! My husband, dog and I live in a 1250 square foot 1956 ranch with a layout that's been extremely challenging to decorate to our liking. We moved in a year ago and it was a flip, so everything is new-the paint, windows, patio, carpet, tile flooring. But it doesn't flow. We are on a very tight budget, so we can't replace the carpet or tile floor, but i need some ideas on furniture, what to do about the patio cornice box (it has a strip of ambient lighting behind it so my husband wants to keep it unfortunately). I've attached pics of our living area. More pics to follow of connected dining room, and the terrible galley kitchen-laundry space.

Featured Answer

glschisler

9 years ago

Paint the light box the same color as the wall. Shorten the drapes. Get two smaller occasional Chairs to replace the large chair.

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Comments (6)

Elizabeth
9 years ago
Can you post some pix of the fireplace (I assume that's what is on the wall opposite the front door)?

It seems like the chair that faces away from the TV should be moved to the wall, creating an "L" shaped seating area facing both the TV and the (what I assume is the) fireplace. Having no door on the closet next to the front door and a glass tv stand adds to visual clutter. More pix would be helpful.
chiflipper
9 years ago
The cornice board should stay. It is constructed such that the drapes can be drawn all the way to the right of the patio door. (A proper rod for this is a one-way draw, left to right, spanning the length of the board.) You need to add more drapery panels and mount them higher under the board. If you want to lessen the visual impact of the board paint it the same color as the walls.
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Mira Glick
Original Author
9 years ago
I thought i had attached this pic of the fireplace but guess it didn't upload. Here it is...
jck910
9 years ago
A picture of the FP wall would help. I agree the curtains should all draw to the right. If you cannot afford a traverse rod & drapery right now, sew the panels together to make one large panel (total width should be 1 1/2 times the width of the slider) & paint the cornice the wall color. lamps & tables are too small. End table should be the height of the arm of the sofa. Home Goods & TJ Maxx have lots of tables & lamps priced inexpensively.
jck910
9 years ago
Just saw FP picture. Very pretty. This may be a room that the TV is best over FP especially because it is low. If not art needs to be lowered so top is same height as sconces. Too many small objects on mantle. Just because a home is small doesn't mean furniture & accessories should be small.