I have a remedy for the open sides on the bookcase. Get some wood planks to lay across for the top.

White just seems so stark to me, for some reason. I love the warmth of the wood.

I don't know.......that lil fella needs his face right up to the window right now to see outside. :)

Funny! I was just thinking the same thing! The bookshelves are open on the sides so it probably wouldn't be the best fit but something similar to this would give me some storage. And I could probably go a little bolder on the curtains I have now instead of the sheer now that the heavy loveseat isn't in front of the window.

Actually if Stephanie (so sorry) doesn't want white, my preference would be a cream.

I like that cabinet Stephanie. so sorry, I was on another dilemma.

I recommend using the same drapes in both the family room and the slider.

And I would probably do cream. I would also do cream for the floating shelves above the sofa.

Would that be too many cabinets in the room......by the fireplace and with the window? I do love the storage and think of the toys that could fit in those baskets! Cream would be a nice soft touch vs the white.

Maybe I could do a low one, more like a bench seat in front of the window?

I don't think I'd use floating shelves. It's best not to display too many small things or lots of photos. Choose the best and most current ones for accenting. Sometimes can look cluttered. If you want to make a photo collage wall above the sofa, I'd like that better. Use all the same color frames.

You could! I have seen them in entry ways and that would work right there for you. I like the height of them with the window.

I like the idea of the basket cabinet for toys, games, blankets etc.

There are benches with the baskets below. The best for both needs.

Altho you could put baskets in the bookcase cubbies too. If you wanted to save some money.

I was thinking something like the bottom left for over the sofa?

Sometimes floating shelves (narrow or not) over a sofa feel like you will hit your head ... even tho you really won't. Not sure if I'd like them there.

Is there another wall you could use the shelves?

And THAT is where your wedding picture would go! And pics of the kids.

that is a good arrangement Stephanie!

I like the arrangement in the dark yellow box that you posted (without a shelf) for over the sofa.
Or in the orange box.

I have to get to bed! Not that I am going to sleep with all these ideas swirling around in my head!!

Let me know if you are ever in Minnesota. I would have you guys come do my entire house! :)

It's late here too. I'm a night owl tho. Goodnight, I know the same happens to me. Glad to help!!!

Thanks for the invite. Let me know if you come to Los Angeles area, San Fernando Valley. We'll have a toast with lots of Italian food.

Hey........we are neighbors! I am in South Dakota and staying up late, watching the Twins in extra innings!

There no real right or wrong but if it was me I would:
Get rid of the mantle and show off the stone fascia.
Get rid of the curtains, look at white plantation shutters.
Get rid of the rug or at least replace it with a more modern one.
REALLY get rid of the side tall black shelves...the really dominate the room. Place something low and stylish.

Home run for the Twins......maybe soon now the game will be done!

We were just at a Twins game a couple weeks ago. We are only about a half hour south of Mpls. and my dad has season tickets so we go a couple times a year! I haven't even been watching the game tonight though. They have been sucking so bad lately!

I may have started the Happy Dance too early for the 13th inning! SEASON TICKETS would be a dream! We are in the Sioux Falls area. Twins and Vikings fans!!!

Whew! We did it! 3-2....in a 4 hour game. The announcer said the Mariners will be sleepless in Seattle tonight. Love it!

I'm a Vikings gal all the way! we went to Mankato for training camp a couple years ago. My hubby's sister went to college there so we went to visit her. I used to be a makeup artist for the Vikings cheerleaders. Before I had kids and got old :)

Small world..I grew up in Minnesota! Haven't been up there in awhile..How is it?!

I like the pics of the white fireplace. Change the tiles to a black trim. Accent wall and lighter colors on adjacent walls will contrast nicely. The TV is a bit close to the ceiling, but if it weren't, white crown molding would also be nice.

Our daughter and her husband went to that training camp last year and loved it! Lil Abby Jean dressed like a cheerleader when they went.

Stephanie - I was reading through your suggestions as I was thinking of posting for help in my room too. I was just thinking that you could do the same L shape - but put the couch BACK under the window and tuck the love seat next to it - exactly like now but flipflopped. Then put the TV facing the couch on the large wall. Then put a beautiful piece of artwork over the fireplace. Just thinking that it bring the TV down to a more comfortable level and free up the fireplace and art to be a focal point - not the TV.. Not sure that the loveseat will fit with the couch centered on the window but i thought I would shoot over the idea.

Thank you! I would love to get that TV down from over the fireplace. We just bought the house last fall and it came with the house which was nice, but The bad part is that it's all wired behind there for surround sound and the cable and everything is on that wall so we would have to rewire everything! I have thought about taking it down and cornering it on the right side of the fireplace.

I love how it is out of the way for the kids right now and all those finger prints! AND nice that it came with the house and was wired for it even. BONUS!

I totally agree the TV is too high. One of our future projects is to redo the fireplace to lower the mantle so the TV can come down lower. When we do that, I will definitely be replacing the tile in the fireplace and redoing in white. We have to wait a bit on that project though!

furniture looks great in that L shape!

Oh, good! You came back and noticed!

I just seen this room and just about fainted!' Though it was our living room!!! Lol right down to the ceiling fan..
Well I must say, I have the same problem going on, and my daughter has asked me to please stop buying everything in tan and brown because its so uninviting and dull, she actually went thru the room and took everything out and off the walls and said now update it!! Lol guess I need to get to painting =/

Here's our plan:
We are putting the fireplace and tv on the left wall (where your sofa is now) that wall is going to look like this in this color. 2. Where your fireplace is now, that's where we're putting a large sectional in a light bronzy taupe color in chenille fabric. A very large mirror will go there.
3. Where you're blinds are, I have dark brown 2 inch blinds, bright white trim throughout and I have dark wood floors. But where that window is, that's where the shortest part of our sectional will be and a large club chair and ottoman all facing that left wall.. Like this second picture.. Hope this helps you.. I know exactly how you feel :)

^thought not though

The style is so"out" put the couches "L " shape. one along the wall the other going across the living room like a divider, there is so much that could be done. get rid of one lamp and one end table or put one table at the end of the couch that would be in the middle of the room. put a potted plant on it and stack books, how about adding 3 or4 matching frames with family photos?How about a floor lamp. Have you ever gone to thrift shops you can find furniture there and paint it.

london.....you need to read this and you will see the furniture is already done!

Any updated photos of your space?

Sorry I'm late to the party. I would lighten the mantle and window treatments. Consider white blinds. Have you considered built in shelves ( in white) instead is the two small bookcases straddling the fireplace?

i agree that I would rearrange the furniture to take advantage of the view out of the window.

Right now, black square forms dominate. left-hand sofa: pivot it around and create L-shaped seating with both couches. remove the television from over the fireplace and mount it lower on the newly freed up wall with a slender credenza or shelf below for storage and display. Hang art over the fireplace or a mirror framed in contemporary silver or gold moulding. Then remove those tall black shelves and replace them with table height units, place matching lamps (color w soft white fabric shades) on each. If Art is over the fireplace then consider smaller vertical or square framed mirrors behind each lamp on the new tables. add pops of color with pillows on the couches.

Have you thought of replacing the one piece of art on the wall and making it more of a gallery wall with lots of pics of your family? A variety of frames would add some interest in the room! I also think the mantle needs painting....I think a darker colour if you're sticking with the black cabinets or white if you're going with teal cabinets (then white and teal accents/pillows).

Almost 3 years ago since lots of these posts..........in case there is no response.