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meags816

Living Room/Dining area HELP!

7 years ago

We live in a small 60s ranch. Working on making it our forever home and we're ready to address the living and dining area - which is one big open space. New couches/coffee table/chair or loveseat etc. We'd like to paint the walls Repose Gray with white trim (and eventually reconfigure the windows maybe into a bay window or casements..but not yet). This is our current set up. We'd love a couch with a chaise, and I'm dreaming of a small upright piano. My husband things we can't fit one without blocking our low awning windows thereby restricting airflow - I think we can. Other option is to move the TV into the finished basement to open up more space. I'm looking for help on configuration as well as furniture suggestions...is a chaise just not going to work with our current space?




Comments (43)

  • 7 years ago

    A sofa and two recliners offer more versatility than a sofa with chaise.

  • 7 years ago

    I think you could do a sofa with chaise if it's not longer than your current sofa. I would move the sofa 3' to the left though, so the passageway is not between the two sofas, but instead on the right by the windows. Then you will need a left-facing chaise. Or look at a bisectional where the chaise can be put at either end.


    I also would not change the windows, and definitely wouldn't do a bay. The windows look to be a classic modern style; the only reason to change them would be for more energy efficient ones.


    And I have to comment on your artwork even though you didn't ask. It all needs to be lowered. Art goes 5 - 8" over the back of a sofa and in the dining room, at seated eye level.

  • 7 years ago

    Ah, I forgot you want a piano. Let me think on that one a bit.

  • 7 years ago

    Can you post the dimensions of the room? Without those, it's hard to visualize how much space is on each wall. Maybe you could fit a small chaise sofa in the same place as your current sofa...but center it more in the room. Place your piano on the wall where the loveseat/chair is now. Add a chair in the corner by the tv, angled toward the room and a sofa table behind the sofa, ground the seating area with a rug, and add pattern/color with roman shades in the windows.


    I agree, lower your artwork.

    meags816 thanked Sammie J
  • 7 years ago

    Grover is right; the piano has to be on an interior wall unless your home has superior insulation and the piano is new and has its own heat lamp inside. Forget loveseats - the bane of good seating arrangements. Two chairs are better. If you stick with chaise sofa; consider one with a reversible chaise than can flip right or left; opens up more possibilities for you.

    meags816 thanked decoenthusiaste
  • 7 years ago

    Thanks everybody! I'll swing back with dimensions later - I don't have them handy. The artwork is going - I HATE it..it's just there because I've been lazy about taking it down. But that is good to know for whatever we might put up next. Grover- thanks for the mockup - I love the idea of two chairs instead of the loveseat. I HATE the loveseat. Nobody ever sits on it! All of your suggestions are super helpful!

  • 7 years ago

    I also think about replacing the light fixture both over the front door, and dining table...suggestions? I LOVE that lamp groveraxle stuck in there. I hate the two free standing upward facing lamps.


    I'm going to take some more measurements when I get home - should the piano be centered on that middle wall?


    Would you put roman shades inside the window, or hung outside?

  • 7 years ago

    Unusual bit of pattern -

    Machine Woven Heatset Polypropylene Area Rug Abstract Beige, [Rectangle] 6'x9' · More Info

    https://www.houzz.com/products/machine-woven-contemporary-rug-by-rugsotic-carpets-beige-6x9-prvw-vr~89958810

    meags816 thanked everdebz
  • 7 years ago

    Light wool-type colors, bit of texture like basket, etc... has -

    50"x60" Caiden Chenille Fringe Decorative Throw, Beige · More Info

    https://www.houzz.com/products/50x60-caiden-chenille-fringe-decorative-throw-beige-prvw-vr~127260371

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks everdebz! The maroon is going to be painted over - the whole living room will be a lighter gray - hopefully with some darker blue accents - maybe the couch. Or a chair..

  • 7 years ago

    Hey, meags, I forgot to tell you I got rid of your torchiere lamps. Usually I tell people to donate them to starving students in the dorm.


    When you get a chance, give us the dimensions of the space and we can help you size the furniture and determine where the piano would best fit on the center wall.


    Just glanced at your ideabooks and see that you like a pretty transitional style. Gonna look at your light fixtures now.

  • 7 years ago

    You might need a new table and chairs...


  • 7 years ago
    So our living room wall where the two doors and the loveseat sit is 13 feet 4 inches between the two doors. And then about 13 feet across. The wall with the windows is about 14 feet from the far edge of the window frame near the door to the maroon wall. I wouldn’t want a couch to sit any further back then that as we lose entryway space and walking. Does that make sense? It’s a slightly odd configuration.
  • 7 years ago
    The Dining area is about 7’3” deep from the bump out to the wall and about 8’7” across to the kitchen door from the same bump out. I’m FINE with a new table!!!
  • 7 years ago

    OK, I think the dining space is too small for a rug.


  • 7 years ago
    We’d definitely need a table that has a leaf for when we have guests. Not often but sometimes my parents visit. Seating for six would be perfect. Our current table has a leaf. I should measure how large the table is...
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    This is the Anderson with leaf in from West Elm. Looks like it has benches that go with it that might be useful when you have a crowd.




  • 7 years ago
    Do you think a navy sectional would be too much in that space? Lightish grey walls...navy couch and neutral chairs? I LOVE the dining set.
  • 7 years ago
    Our current table is 65” long and 42” wide and seats six comfortably. I wonder if we could do the smaller Anderson table.
  • 7 years ago
    This is a chair at Target that I feel like fits the look in the first mockup. It’s beigey. Grey walls. Maybe a light grey couch and navy accents? Would that work together? they happen to be on sale...
  • 7 years ago

    Have you seen that chair in person? It looks more cream. You'll have to be careful about mixing cool and warm tones here. Cool gray and beige is usually not a good look. Gray and navy is a great combination. Pretty much any shades of those will work together.


    Gather all the pieces you're looking at in an ideabook just for this room. Then we can have a look at everything at once and throw out what doesn't coordinate.

  • 7 years ago

    Are you sure you got the measurements for your table and for your dining area right? A dining room that's 7’3” x 8’7” shouldn't be holding a table that 3'6" x 5'5". I suspect your dining area is bigger than you think.

  • 7 years ago

    A few gray and navy living rooms for inspiration:



    Notice these are all warm grays.

  • 7 years ago
    Yep. I measured wrong. Dining area is 9’4” across and roughly 7.5 feet deep (from the back wall to where the kitchen door begins). It’s tricky in that the dining area opens to the living area so at some point it “ends” but there’s no wall.
  • 7 years ago
    I added some furniture that I like the look of. We also have a cat and a five year old. Would it make sense to wall mount the tv or search for a new tv console arrangement?
  • 7 years ago

    It would make sense to mount the TV AFTER you get a longer console for it. Two common mistakes people make are getting a console that's too short and mounting the TV too high. TVs, like art, should be eye level.

  • 7 years ago
    I think the dining room could use the softness of a round table. The room has straight lines and angles already. Plus the round will be easier to move around. I love the photo from
    Groveraxle with the large art work and mid century round table. Perfect for that space!
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    From houzz: "One thing I love about warm grays is how they change color throughout the day. In warmer light — during sunrise and sunset — warm gray colors will appear taupe or brown. In the cooler light of dawn, midday or dusk, or in cool artificial light, the color turns a purer gray....Some homeowners are growing tired of cool gray hues or find them too cold and somber. For those folks, I’ve been recommending warm gray as an easy-to-use neutral. The best way to spot warm gray paint colors is to gather a selection of grays together and compare them. You’ll notice some veer cooler (with a blue cast) or warmer (with a hint of brown). Shown here is a sampling of warm gray paint colors. From left to right: San Francisco Fog from Kelly-Moore, Dolphin Fin from Behr, Mindful Gray from Sherwin-Williams and Cape May Cobblestone from Benjamin Moore."



  • 7 years ago

    "White and pewter is a simple, plain color scheme that allows for brighter colored furniture / Pewter is usually a background color or neutral base.....Pewter has several complementary colors, including darker blues, orange, beige, darker purples, red, dark greens and golden yellows.

    A pewter color combination with red and orange is earthy, natural, and masculine. For a more industrial feel, pair pewter with white and cream. Use white walls with pewter trim and bright colors for an energetic color scheme. For a modern look, pair pewter with brown and navy. Pewter with pale gray-blue and pink creates a more feminine color scheme."

    https://www.reference.com/beauty-fashion/color-matches-pewter-8ae4aca293ea7f8

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    With strong amber floor, that's a consideration/ imo Grover's neutrals, but amber/yellow in art, etc....is nice for more cool and calm but in lively way.

    The blue-ish art, did you like that direction? with bits of indigo blue?

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I like grover's teal chairs better - this is $400. 40 square canvas if $88, for idea:



    "The Rose" by Roderick Stevens, Giclee Repoduction Canvas Wall Art · More Info


    GDF Studio Katherine Mid-Century Modern 5 Piece Dining Set, Walnut/Mint · More Info


    [https://www.houzz.com/products/gdf-studio-5-piece-katherine-fabric-and-wood-finish-dining-set-walnut-mint-prvw-vr~90735864[(https://www.houzz.com/products/gdf-studio-5-piece-katherine-fabric-and-wood-finish-dining-set-walnut-mint-prvw-vr~90735864)

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    indigo 2 for $112.... can you use current table?

    light is $120 -

    GDF Studio Heath Fabric Dining Chairs, Indigo, Set of 2 · More Info



    Navah 6-Light Chrome Chandelier, Bulbs Included · More Info



    GDF Studio Heath Fabric Dining Chairs, Gray, Set of 2 · More Info


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  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    The light color at top, a natural-tan wood tone in ceiling light? or subtle gold!


    Ethan 6-Light Pendant/Semi-Flush Convertible, Satin Nickel/Black, Vintage G125 · More Info


    Blue Gradient Wall Decor · More Info


    [https://www.houzz.com/products/moes-home-collection-wp-1161-paintings-and-print-wall-decor-blue-white-prvw-vr~112385830[(https://www.houzz.com/products/moes-home-collection-wp-1161-paintings-and-print-wall-decor-blue-white-prvw-vr~112385830)

  • 7 years ago
    I REALLY like that wall art. The light fixture is a stretch for me but worth considering.
  • 7 years ago
    What are the rules about coffee table size relative to couch?
  • 7 years ago
    Right oriented couch in this color? I’ve taped it out on the floor. It would fit and allow room for a piano also.
  • 7 years ago

    Coffee table should be about 2/3 the length of the sofa, same height as the seat, and sit about 18" away.


    Good for you for taping the sofa out on the floor. I would have the chaise end be next to the wall (which would be called a left-facing chaise), though if you get one with a reversible chaise, it will give you more flexibility.

  • 7 years ago
    Left facing even if we plan to put a piano on that wall?
  • 7 years ago

    The chaise is described by where it is when you face the sofa. So a left-facing chaise would have the chaise on the side by the window. I think I misspoke above and said "wall" when I should have said "window." The chaise in your last post above is left-facing.

  • 7 years ago
    Gotcha. Thanks!