Living Room Redo

9 years ago

Hi all! I need suggestions for furniture and furniture placement in my living room. Please see the attached photos. We recently repainted, added lighting and refinished the floors. We also stripped all the chestnut wood trim around the windows and the baseboard - a labor of love!! It had been painted white by the previous owner. Some relevant info:

1. The living room is 12x25. The space between the fireplace and the opposite wall is narrower, about 8 feet.

2. You'll see my 'models' in the photos! Not sure if you can read their signs, but the tall guy is standing where I thought of putting the TV, possibly on a corner stand. The little guy is standing where I'd like to put our digital piano.

3. We are an active family of four - kids ages 11 and 8. Our living room is where we hang out and watch TV, but it's also where we entertain. The space should be inviting and casual, but not toooo casual.

4. The other photo I've posted is a closeup of a rug that will plan to hang on the wall between fireplace and the windows - where the TV stand will be. It will fill up most of the wall.

5. There are lots of challenges in this room. We've got the stairs, the fireplace, and two openings - the smaller one leads to a den, the double-wide goes to our foyer and dining room.

6. We don't want a sectional.

So...I'm trying to figure out a) furniture options (couch? love seat? chairs?) and b.) placement of the furniture. Would love to hear everyone's ideas. Please let me know if you need further info. Thanks!

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Comments (10)

decoenthusiaste
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
One three seat sofa and two chairs are the most versatile. Loveseats are the bane of good arranging, so nix that. Since the TV will be at the foot of the stairs, the sofa should go on the wall opposite the FP/TV wall. If possible get a sofa that is 75% of the wall's width and hang art above it that is no wider than 75% of the sofa's width. In front of the windows opposite the stairs end, I'd add a family game/snack/homework table. It can be nice for entertaining when set up as a bar or buffet, or poker/card table. The digital piano will probably fit there as well. Why aren't you planning to use the rug on the floor? If it is wider than the sofa you get, it should work. You can pull it under the front 1/3 of the sofa and leave 12-15" of open floor in front of the hearth. Hopefully there is a foot of it to expose at each end of the sofa. Use some painter's tape on the floor to measure out the sofa, and then put the rug down so we can see if it will work for you.
eveuchan
9 years ago
How about tv across from fireplace? Then sofa and two chairs or another sofa facing each other. Love the rug!
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decoenthusiaste
9 years ago
If an 84" sofa sits perpendicular to the fireplace, you'll have approximately 30" of space to circulate around either end. You could push a sofa closer to the FP, but then the room may start to feel heavy on the one side. Not sure there would be room for a counter balancing piece of casegoods opposite the FP. I think your first step is to measure the wall opposite the FP and see how long a sofa it can accommodate.
PRO
Your Space Furniture - Custom Sofa Factory Direct!
9 years ago
I am afraid there is only room for a sofa and 2 chairs max. Here is a few Ideas on the chairs and a sofa.Either fancy chairs + plan sofa or fancy sofa + neutral chairs.

http://yourspacefurniture.com/item/1057-madeline-chair.html
PRO
Your Space Furniture - Custom Sofa Factory Direct!
9 years ago

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decoenthusiaste
9 years ago
Here's a rough idea based on what I can see...
er612
9 years ago
I agree with other commenters that a sofa and two chairs would work best in your space. I love the rug but curious as to why you're not putting it on the floor.
decoenthusiaste
9 years ago
We're all wondering about that rug, er612!
gilach
9 years ago
Thank you, thank you for the great comments! We had the rug on the floor briefly, but it's just too beautiful to walk on everyday! Plus, with two kids, a dog...you get the picture. It also felt a little small for the room. I don't have exact measurements handy, but it's definitely not 8x10.

I agree with the reco of one couch and two chairs. I'll measure the wall opposite the fireplace, but I think 84" is my best (and only) option. I'm thinking of a swivel chair, so it's easy to turn around to watch TV (on the corner unit) or face the other way.

I'm considering a leather couch, which, based on my initial buzz through the forums, will be a challenge. I don't want to spend $10K on a couch, but I don't want to end up with one that falls apart after a year or so. Any suggestions for retailers to consider? Thanks!
decoenthusiaste
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You can get real leather for $5k - check with La-Z- boy. It takes a lot of footwork to nail one down at a reasonable price though. My neighbors found theirs there, but it is more of a lounger/media sofa and is the real deal. They have options for their furniture upholstery and it isn't all bulky "man cave" style.