Help with furniture location/selection for long weird living room
I'm struggling with furniture selection and placement in my living room. Right now we have a sofa and armchair but find we don't have enough seating when we have company and half the sofa doesn't get much use since it's an awkward spot to sit and comfortably see the TV (mounted above fireplace). The images below show 1. how the room is laid out now (the exception being the Ikea shelving unit has been replaced with the Ikea Hemnes 8 drawer dresser). 2. an image showing the other angle of the room (taken when we purchased the house) 3. the rough dimensions of the room.
A few challenges we experience with this room:
1. It's pretty narrow, the fireplace is HUGE and not centered to the room or the long set of windows along the front of the house, and the living room is both a room and a hallway between the front door/stairs to the dining room/kitchen.
2. the fireplace is HUGE and not centered to the room or the long set of windows along the front of the house, and the living room is both a room and a hallway between the front door/stairs to the dining room/kitchen.
3. the living room is both a room and essentially a hallway between the front door/stairs and the dining room/kitchen.
I'm trying to figure out the best furniture for this space that will maximize seating while also making the best use of the room- right now it seems that the space on the west side of the room is sort of a dead zone
Comments (29)
everdebz
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agobatson_cassie
5 years agoGood questions, yes the sofa currently sits directly in front of the windows- the sofa is 79" long (here's another pic). The windows and the sofa are not centered to the tv- essentially the windows are centered in the room but the tv/fireplace are not.
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Please help with weird living room built in & color ideas
Comments (13)I don't think painting out the baseboards and other wood-tones is the key. The paint color definitely needs to change. It is too peachy to my eye. I would go with a true neutral color for the walls or something that is slightly on the cool side. Since it looks like you don't get a ton of light in there, a lighter, cleaner color will help make the room feel lighter, brighter, and fresher. Maybe Moonlight White by Benjamin Moore (BM) http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/moonlightwhite or BM Cloud Nine http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/moonlightwhite In the built-ins, are the black panels speaker fabric or something? I'm tempted to say either just get a whole new built-in system on that wall or drywall over the whole thing and buy a TV stand/entertainment unit. You're not going to be able to use the built-in as it was intended because the television nook is simply not the right dimensions for current TVs. I find having the television up as high as you have it now very undesirable, and it just doesn't look good. The doors on either side of the tv nook just don't do anything for the space. It is all choppy. An appropriately-sized rug in a colorful pattern that plays nicely with your brown couch is something to look into. It will warm up the space and make it feel cozier. It will also provide visual interest and give you inspiration to work off of for decorating the rest of the space. The rug should be large enough that all furniture in the conversation cluster have at least their front legs on it. When you choose accessories, choose only pieces that you love that are large scale and fit the style and colors in the room. A bunch of little things usually do not add up to something great when it comes to accessorizing in living spaces -- unless you truly know what you're doing. Window treatments: I say, go with the same treatment on all windows. I am a big fan of getting floor-length panels that are either a similar color to the wall or are a true accent color that is found in your new rug. Hang them on the outer edges on either side of each window on a fabulous rod. Don't hesitate to do this to the french doors. If you need to control light, consider adding grass shades (provide great texture and pick up the brown) or nice fabric roman shades to the inner portion of each window. I agree with much of what decoenthusiaste wrote. The space is very chopped up. I would do what you can to mitigate the choppiness. It will be easier to decorate that way....See MoreHow to arrange furniture in a narrow/long living room
Comments (47)(1) Do NOTHING yet. I know that you want to be done, but it is so much easier to wait vs. buy incorrectly and then have to deal with the errors. I'd live with the space and see how you want it to function. Use what you have right now, and that will give you a better sense of what works/does not without spending one dime. (2) When you do shop, scale is going to be supremely important. As you noticed, the chair in the corner doesn't work. It's not because "a" chair doesn't work, but THAT chair does not. It is too big and clunky (great for a lot of purposes) . . .you need a smaller scale chair for sure, if you are going to put a chair there eventually. (3) Leave the fireplace as-is. It's a classic look. IF you want to change it (eventually), consider proceeding slowly. There is a product called Dyebrick http://www.dyebrick.com/ that stains your brick and/or mortar without affecting the actual properties of the brick like paint does. It's a good way to make a change without a huge commitment and without veering too far from the character of the FP. (4) The house is going to talk to you. Houses do that, you know! Be prepared to listen. Before you go all glass tile/chevron/whatever trendy look is going at the moment, DO NOT force your house to look like everyone else's. People are programmed to say things like: granite tile counters, stainless steel, open concept, yawn, yawn, yawn. So boring. It is FINE to copy, but if you're going to copy, copy from the best-- rooms that have true artistic form and spirit, and not the latest rage in Blogland. Your house has absolutely beautiful features, which is probably why you feel in love with it . . .let them guide you....See MoreTV outlet is at a weird location in living room
Comments (1)You might call the cable company and have them move the outlets to the desired location or discuss your problem and the cable company may have other suggestions....See MoreFurniture ideas for a long narrow living room/dining room.
Comments (14)Hi! This is a great idea to install a bench in your living room. "Joie de Vivre" can answer your need! The Wayfarer Modern Wheelbench gently rolls to your favorite seating areas in and around your home. You can enjoy your mug or cup of tea, while sitting on your bench. Thanks to especially large armrests, you can relax your arm in an ideal position and set your drinks on it with no need to stretch out to the floor. To have more information about the product, do not hesitate to visit our Houzz page "Joie de Vivre"...See Morebatson_cassie
5 years agoHere's some added detail to the floor plan. Totally not to scale but I don't think, based on the layout, that the tv can go anywhere besides above the fireplace
everdebz
5 years agoeverdebz
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agobatson_cassie
5 years agoeverdebz
5 years agoleelee
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoThe tall white shelf looks a little cramped in the corner by the window. You might think about adding 4 hairpin legs and turning it on it's side to go under the window. That would make it look more like a console and less like shelf.
PROFlo Mangan
5 years agobatson_cassie
5 years agoThanks leelee! That shelf is actually gone an replaced with a dresser we use for misc storage and as a buffet when we entertain. Here's an updated picture now that I had a chance to sort of clean my house today!
Flo, thank you and I'm so excited to see your idea!
- PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years agoIn a long space, it is usually best to create two seating areas so I have come up with this idea. I move the TV (which you might resist, but hang with me here)! I put a console under the high window on the end away from the fireplace. You can put your sofa across the space (using your measurements) and put a small table on the window end. A lamp on that table would be nice. I put two "swivel" chairs 28x28 either side of TV, so essentially 4 can watch TV easily. I put a sofa table behind the sofa so you can have a lamp there as well. Then in the "fireplace" area created a cozy seating area with a chaise lounge, the chair from your living are (blue) and you can have two small tables to set a cup of coffee, etc. Either side of the fireplace (don't have good feel for the space) you could place either bookcases or half round matching tables with lamps. This arrangement provides seating for 6 people easity and you probably could use the ottoman for another seat. There is ample "walking room -- need 3' wide for that) from the front door, through in front of the fireplace and on into the dining room. I have guessed at window sizes and placement and the size of the opening to the dining room, but I think I am probably pretty close. I also put a floor lamp in the far right corner down by the TV for evening light while watching TV. This would be a very interesting and inviting arrangement IF you can be convinced to move the TV. :) We don't like TVs over fireplaces for many reasons.
batson_cassie · More Info batson_cassie
5 years agoleelee
5 years agobatson_ : ) still the same scenario with the shelves/dresser. Needs to be centered with the window--not jammed into the corner to interfere with the drapes.
- PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago batson_cassie
5 years agoleelee
5 years agobatson_cassie
5 years agoI actually really hate it centered but snapped a shot for you. I did take your suggestion and move it a little away from the window as well so the curtain has a bit more breathing room.
Ps- I know my art needs to be lowered and/or hung ;)
- PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago batson_cassie
5 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years agoHere is another option. I reversed things and changed it up a bit for you. I also added two chairs and kept chaise and other items. The two chairs I added are near fireplace area. I would use compact chairs like "campaign" chairs or simple ones to take up less visual and actual space. This arrangement would seat from 7-9 people depending on how much they like each other! lol I also added a TV!! I kept the one over the fireplace and added one on the other end. Everyone is happy! This would be kind of cool too.
TV, two swivel chairs and a chaise on the far end; sofa and two smaller scale chairs on the fireplace end. Along with small tables, lamps, etc. Here is a "campaign" chair. This type chair also folds up and could be stashed away if desired. They are leather and quite comfy.
Rev. 2 · More InfoAbove layout came out really dark for some reason. If you can't see it, let me know and I'll repost it.
Authentic Models Rhoorkie Campaign Chair · More Info
batson_cassie
5 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago everdebz
5 years agobatson_cassie
5 years ago
groveraxle
5 years agobatson_cassie
5 years agogroveraxle
5 years ago
April C
5 years ago
groveraxle