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
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agobatson_cassie
4 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.
Related Discussions
Great living room - but need help with space/furniture selection and placement.
Comments (14)Thank you for providing the dems.. You are right you have a long ,narrow room. It is because of this I still feel the space lends itself to two spaces. You let us know you don't like the idea of dividing the room, but at the same time the L - Shaped couch formation has intrigue. There is no question that no matter what you decide you need more furniture and end tables, lamps, pillows, art work to fill the room. If you don't like putting the couch in the center of the space ( roughly) then I would go back to the suggestion of possible window seats under your large window, creating extra seating and geometric shape to the room. You mention the couch is getting a new cover - what are you thinking? Remember have three colors to make your color pallet, make sure they go together and start pulling items together. Although I am sticking with my org. idea to give the room two spaces. You are getting great advice from prof. designer's and they are all on the same page with dividing the space to make it more intimate, so it does not feel like the furniture is floating in a huge space. The furniture is your anchor, like the L formation, or the creation of a window seat /w storage by either side of your big window- or all the way across the window. Is there a space you want that you don't have, example - a lovely place to sit and write letters, pay bills, or sit and read, knit, that is just for you? I just wanted to get you thinking outside the box ,as far as what a living room can provide. for its homeowners. A second rug is a must, this may be the item that gets you thinking on how to use the space closer to the bookshelves. ultimately have fun. Have a friend be a sounding board for some ideas, take pics with your phone, while you are out and about of furniture that you are drawn to. I mean in shops, not peoples homes, unless you are super close. flip through catalogs tare out the things you like. I would love to be in your shoes....See MorePlease 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 MoreHelp with furniture and tv placement in long and narrow living room
Comments (6)decoenthusiaste I just sketched this idea out on my plan and it works beautifully! Instead of a sectional, I used two couches (in case we use our existing love seat and couch). The regular size couch parallel with the wall, with an end table at the right side of it. The love seat perpendicular to the wall, and a sofa table behind it. An end table at the wall, connecting the couches; making the table the corner of the couches. We have a large rectangular coffee table and I put that in front of the longer couch. I put two swivel chairs in on either side of the tv and a table underneath the tv. I was trying to center everything with the 9' window, but I see I don't have to do that. This works well and should give this room a cozy feel I've been trying to accomplish. I LOVE the bench idea beneath the large window. It will be easier to sit and enjoy the view instead of sitting on a big couch and craning the body to look out over the back of the couch to look out the window. I'm curious to what kind and what size bench you think would work well with a 9' window. Thank you!!...See MoreLong, narrow living room furniture HELP!
Comments (9)Or how about this? I used a sectional and a cute chair from westelm for size. Not saying that this is the furniture you should buy, just gives you an idea of how those sizes would work in your room. Shopped for a media console at Ikea. Put two of them in, the long horizontal line will make it seem wider. Not sure were the opening in the wall starts and how large it is, had to guess there, but this gives you an idea I hope: http://www.westelm.com/products/henry-3-piece-l-shaped-sectional-h062/?pkey=csectionals&cm_src=sectionals||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_- http://www.westelm.com/products/wrh-book-nook-arm-chair-solids-h941/?pkey=cliving-room-chairs&cm_src=living-room-chairs||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_- http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10269125/#/10265146...See Morebatson_cassie
4 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
4 years agoeverdebz
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agobatson_cassie
4 years agoeverdebz
4 years agoleelee
4 years agolast modified: 4 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
4 years agobatson_cassie
4 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
4 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
4 years agoleelee
4 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
4 years ago batson_cassie
4 years agoleelee
4 years agobatson_cassie
4 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
4 years ago batson_cassie
4 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
4 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
4 years ago- PRO
Flo Mangan
4 years ago everdebz
4 years agobatson_cassie
4 years ago
groveraxle
4 years agobatson_cassie
4 years agogroveraxle
4 years ago
April C
3 years ago
groveraxle