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kcorona

Wits End - two long walls above corner sectional and clueless

7 years ago

I really need and appreciate any help with these two long walls behind my sectional. Art on each? Mirrors? Shelves?






Comments (43)

  • 7 years ago

    Always art. Use the art you choose to inform the colors of the rug you need.


    Why a sectional in this room? Is there a TV hiding in the corner? I suspect a sofa and a couple of chairs would have been a better choice. Since the sectional still has its tags, can you return it?

  • 7 years ago

    The sectional doesn’t fit. Ditch it.


    Signs · More Info

  • 7 years ago

    Now I recall your previous post. You wanted a sectional so the whole family could pile on. I get that. Still, it puts your TV in a really awkward spot in the corner by the window and gives you two large walls to decorate.

    kcorona thanked groveraxle
  • 7 years ago

    Art. I think I recall that you like landscapes? And I tend to be of the school that holds that art is art and not furnishings, so it doesn't have to "go" with the rest of the room. But it does have to have some sort of meaning to you. And it's better if it's original. Since this is basically the family TV viewing room, you could have some enlargements made of photos of your kids, or some of their artwork.

    A mirror ONLY if it will reflect something pretty.

    Are you getting a table with a lamp for the small area at left next to the sofa?

    kcorona thanked beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
  • 7 years ago

    kcorona thanked groveraxle
  • 7 years ago

    I would probably stay away from any blue for the rug. You have some orangey-pink going on with the doors and the flooring, and the grey of the sofa is reading purple to me and doesn't seem to be playing well with the grey of the walls. Hopefully it's just my screen, But I'd try to avoid this situation entirely by choosing something in a more muted shade of green.


    kcorona thanked beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
  • 7 years ago

    Can you return this furniture? The one LONG section against the LONG wall emphasizes the LENGTH of the room instead of s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g the width.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    At the very least, rearrange the pieces to put the larger seating section on the short wall. It’s just completely wrongly proportioned as is.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    The sectional does seem too large in scale for the room. Where exactly is the TV going to be placed? In front of the window? It would have been better to have seating in front of the window in this situation and the TV on the large wall


    kcorona thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 7 years ago

    This was my previous suggestion for sectional layout with TV across from the window:

    Sometimes the OP is just gonna do what they're gonna do.

  • 7 years ago

    NO mirrors, no shelves. Art only and a rug. Actually no sectional would be a good idea, too.

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks folks - your ideas are great from moving the couch to moving the tv. Unfortunately or not, the sectional must stay. I'm trying to make the most out of the sectional situation. The husband and kids live on it to watch tv and movies. Husband wanted the sectional and its the ONLY thing he asked to have in the house.... There is a tv in the left corner - it already has the cable hook up. The rooms gets LOTS of sunlight, which I love, and the tv across from the window would get glare all day.


    The room colors do look better than what the monitor is showing them to be. I will be getting a table for left corner of sectional and an area rug with ottoman, I think.


    If there are any tricks or strategies for making the room appear less long, please tell me (can't move the couch or get rid of it...).

    THanks as always!

  • 7 years ago

    A large rug which has warm colors in it and beautiful wall art with also some warm colors, something like groveraxle showed above (except with warm colors in rug) would take a lot of attention away from the sectional and focus it elsewhere. Thank you for explaining about your husband's feelings about the sectional. If you get an ottoman please look for one with skinny legs and only the top covered so that it won't be another bulky object. Pillows in terra cotta and yellow instead of the all gray/blue ones will further take attention away from the lines of the behemoth! Vibrant colors above and on the sectional will break up the large mass and brighten the room, along with a patterned rug, and before you know it the sectional will look less prominent and you'll feel much more comfortable in this room.

    kcorona thanked ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
  • 7 years ago

    If there are any tricks or strategies for making the room appear less long, please tell me (can't move the couch or get rid of it...).

    I wouldn't worry about it. The sectional will always emphasize the length of the room. But you need/want the sectional, and as the saying goes, it is what it is. Just come to terms with it, and you'll be fine.

    I do think some good artwork, possibly movie posters in large Ikea frames, would be good and distract a bit from the furniture.


  • 7 years ago

    Thank you guys, for making me feel better / there is hope after all! Your advice is priceless!


  • 7 years ago

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    So when you sit on the sectional, the light from the window will cause people's eye pupils to close and you may get complaints that people have a hard time seeing the TV.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    How much forward-- toward doors, can the sectional be moved?

    if enough, that could visually 'square' the room off and allow bookcases/shelves/furniture on that back wall.

  • 7 years ago

    Kat Shoa, artwork is NEVER clutter.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Haha, I shouldn't be saying that, but.... I think this particular room can use a large mirror in addition to artwork. :-)

  • 7 years ago

    I might do a reclaimed wood coffee table with legs:


  • 7 years ago

    Don't forget blinds and drapes for the windows.


    I like the striped rug above. I helps to widen the room.


    Nestled tables will help too. You can pull them out when you have a crowd and want to entertain. Looks quite pretty with appetizers at different levels.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I'd start with end tables and lamps.

    kcorona thanked Anglophilia
  • 7 years ago

    You guys are fantastic. Thanks so much for the ideas!

  • 7 years ago

    Grover - do you think I need a rug with warmer colors? I was looking at orange and grey area rugs..

  • 7 years ago

    Kcorona, I never choose anything like a rug in isolation. I generally choose art first, then use it to inform my other choices. Your room below is empty, so your first decision is to decide what kind of look you want.

    Here are two photos from your living room ideabook. We could do something along these lines with blues, greens, and yellows, if you like.
    30th Street · More Info


    John Lewis Croft Living Room · More Info

  • 7 years ago

    Make sure you buy a rug from somewhere you can return it if it doesn't work for the room.

    I don't know that the room needs any more grey, and make sure that the orange works well with the floor and doors. I can definitely see a rug with some green or blue with maybe a little bit of orange or coral in it.

  • 7 years ago

    esalerugs will let you return rugs free of charge, which I've done several times. Have a look at their transitional and traditional rugs, because some sort of Oriental rug should look fabulous in your room.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    some sort of Oriental rug should look fabulous in your room.

    Yes Oriental, Persian, or tribal.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    You could 'shorten' the room by pulling the sectional forward and having a table with lamps behind the short section.

    We had a sectional in a family room and had a narrow table behind one section. There was seating there, facing the TV. Anyone who wanted to eat in the family room was expected to Sit At The Table. (Helped to keep the furniture clean.)

  • 7 years ago

    Chisue, I don't really have any room to pull the sectional forward :( It'll feel like the room on a cruise ship. Hopefully, the art and rug will help...

  • 7 years ago


    Poplars on the Epte, C.1891By Claude Monet · More Info

    The Poplars; Les Peupliers, 1891By Claude Monet · More Info

    "Banks of The Seine, Vetheuil, Masterpiece Classic 1880" Print, 16"x24" · More Info

    "Vetheuil, c.1880" Premium Thick-Wrap Canvas Wall Art, 24"x18" · More Info

    The Japanese Bridge, (The Water-Lily Pond, Water Irises) · More Info

  • 7 years ago


    A Corner of the Garden at Montgeron, 1876-7 Giclee Print by Claude Monet | the N · More Info


  • 7 years ago

    Two Monets and a Sisley with a bit of a boat theme. You may have to do some searching to find a canvas large enough for the wall across from the window.



    Red Boats, Argenteuil Giclee Print by Claude Monet | the NEW Art.com · More Info

    Flood at Port Marly Art Print by Alfred Sisley | the NEW Art.com · More Info

    Argenteuil Art Print by Claude Monet | the NEW Art.com · More Info

    22x22 moroccan pillow coussin marocain floor · More Info

    Moroccan pillows | Etsy · More Info

  • 7 years ago

    Beautiful! From what you have taught me, I could look for a rug with blue, green, and a smidge of orange??? Based on these paintings....

  • 7 years ago

    Do any of these work?

    Dakota Navy 7'10"x10'3" Rug | Pier 1 Imports · More Info


    Kayla Blue & Orange Rug | Pier 1 Imports · More Info

    Karsyn Damask Aqua 8x10 Rug | Pier 1 Imports · More Info

    Dakota Blue Rug | Pier 1 Imports · More Info

    Cecily Blue Rug | Pier 1 Imports · More Info

    Boucle Blue Rug | Pier 1 Imports · More Info

    Kayla Blue Rug | Pier 1 Imports · More Info

  • 7 years ago

    Art won’t fix a scale issue.

    Take the large middle piece in the long side, and swap it with the short middle piece in the short side. That will go a long way towards creating some balance here.

    Then worry about decor once the fundamentals are addressed.

  • 7 years ago

    IMO, the bolder rugs work best. The last three work better than the first two with this art.






    kcorona thanked groveraxle
  • 7 years ago

    Grover, which is the 2nd from the last? The blue one? It's not one of the ones I posted....thanks!

  • 7 years ago

    Beautiful - but do you think any of the Pier 1 rugs might work? I like them bc they're more in my price point AND I can return them to the store which is close by.

  • 7 years ago

    Yes, the Dakota blue and Dakota navy from Pier 1 both look good.