I forgot to mention that the distance between the edge of the coffee table and the entry is ~5 feet.

Two feet is a comfortable minimum for walkways. Have you tried taping out the chairs on the floor to see? Or using other chairs to test it out? Also, if you do a scaled drawing on graph paper, you can move your furniture around easily. Another suggestion: have you thought of putting the chairs perpendicular to the sofa rather than facing it?

Sorry, just took some photos of the room. I put one chair where I’m thinking the two chairs would be, except that I would like to add another one (identical) right next to it.

Don’t mind the guitar and amp, my hubby is in the process of working on it...

Don’t forget the chairs until you try putting both side by side with backs to shelving or one on either side of fireplace, moving the speakers in close to fireplace.

I thought you planned to place the chairs in front of the fireplace. IMO that is not enough space, however, if they were placed at an angle that might help the situation

Thank you for your comments! Currently the lone chair sits along the wall to the right of the entry, but I wanted to create more of a conversation area.

Placing the chairs on either side of entry….just like the green chair is positioned could solve the problem.

Contemporary Family Room · More Info

I think you need to take the table out from behind the couch and shift everything toward the window. Then there might be space for chairs that you can squeeze by. Otherwise, you might do better to subdivide this long room into two zones: a larger one with the couch and two chairs in a conversational arrangement, with the couch facing the fireplace (pushed closer to the window to allow easy passage), and something smaller by the shelves, whether that's a reading chair with lamp in the corner, or a small table for games, or any other function that your family would find useful. I don't see anybody really sitting in a couch whose only role is to keep an eye on the front door...

Hi acm, thanks for your comment. Yes, I will remove the shelf behind the sofa, that should give me another foot or so. As to sitting on the sofa in its present position, we do so all the time! This is where we listen to music, relax by the fireplace, play board games. We tried placing the sofa facing the fireplace, but that did not work, it closed off the two sides of the room too much. I wish the room were a bit wider, that would definitely help with furniture placement!

Thanks JudyG. I think I’ll go ahead and get the second chair and try placing them as you suggest.

Love your room and love those chairs. Move each chair toward the ends of the coffee table and angle them about 30°.

Thank you grover! That’s what I’ll try. I think once I remove the table from behind the sofa, I might have enough room even for the chairs to stand side by side.

Hi! Wanted to post an update. The second chair is here, I’m still deciding whether I want them both the same color or not (opinions?). The original seat color (chair closer to fireplace) is no longer available and would need to be special ordered...

I removed the table behind the sofa and it looks like there is enough room to walk into the room. What do you think? Thanks.

I have two minor concerns about this arrangement. First it forms a bit of a barrier to the room, and second, I never much like sitting with my back to a doorway. I would try moving the chair closest to the fireplace and setting it on the end of the coffee table so it faces the fireplace.

Thanks grover. I’ll move the chairs and post a pic. My concern is that there isn’t enough room on the sides of the coffee table...

To my eye it looks like there is enough space to comfortably pass behind the chairs.

Question: how comfortable is that style of chair? TIA

What a wonderful room! I could live with the chairs where they are, but something about the arrangement wants me to try moving things around for a better fit. Have you tried them at each end of the coffee table, facing each other? Or even against the walls flanking the door to be pulled up for games or when needed for closer conversation? Or side by side with their backs to the shelving facing the fireplace?If you did that, then having the table/shelf behind the sofa would work to move everything more toward the center of the room and give the chairs a bit more room laterally.

Thank you all for your comments! I moved the chairs more to the edges of the coffee table, and I think they look better. They can’t really go on either side of the table since there is not enough room (see one of the pics). Now there’s definitely enough space to enter the living room, and they don’t look like they’re in the way. BTW Cheryl, the chairs are really comfy! Not in the curl-with-a-book type way, but you can definitely lounge in them with a drink :)

Marta, I hope it's okay to ask,where did you get them?

I think you may have room to pull the table closer to the sofa (no more than 18" away from it is best.) That will allow the chairs to scoot closer to the table as well so they don't crowd the entry and both have access to the table top.

Maybe eliminate the table behind the sofa to give more room for the chairs. I think the chairs are important.

Cheryl - I got the second one at DWR. They’re called Paulistano chairs fyi.

Lee Baer - the table behind the sofa is already out. There is now a bit less than a foot of space between the sofa and the window sill, for air circulation. This is as much room as I’m gonna get here...

Deco, thanks for the suggestion! I’ll try moving the table a bit.

One more pic showing the chairs from the side. Interesting that on the photo you can’t really see the real colors of the chairs - one is “cognac” and the other “terracota”. I kind of like the way they’re mismatched, but wonder if it looks weird?

Color difference is not that noticeable. I'd be interested to see the mirror display over the mantel tightened up a bit. Eliminate any (especially the small ones) that stray past the edges of the firebox opening, or maybe even the black surround. They look like they're getting out of control.

I would not have noticed the chair colors were different unless you pointed it out. And there is so much lovely vibrant color in the room, it doesn't look odd at all. Really fun space - love the layered rugs and groovy accessories. Enjoy!!

Mnmamax, thank you!

Deco, that wall already is like swiss cheese due to various rearrangements of mirrors (convex like these and others) above the fireplace :0 Maybe if I take the spiky one on the far left off?

They look like they're getting out of control.

Haha. They do and I love them for it. They're like stars spilling out of the sky or something. The more I look at your mirrors, the cooler they get.

Thanks tartan! This wall used to be charcoal, then very dark velvery blue - then the mirrors really popped! I like how they reflect the room, especially in the evening...

If you want to make that a deliberate look, then get more of them so they can trickle down past the mantel on each side. I too think that should be an accent wall in black or blue.

Dark velvety blue? I can see it! Why did you change it?

Yes, tartan! I really liked it, but got a bit tired of it after a time... plus I like painting! This is the only photo I could find this morning.

What a great space! Enjoy it!

That looks fantastic!!