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lizzyk33

Help with finishing awkward shaped living room

6 years ago

Hi there,

I’ve been working on our living room in our new house. It’s large with a bit of an awkward shape, and a massive bay window on one side. I’m at a point where I am sort of okay with it but I feel like it could be better - maybe more refined? I am also struggling with what to put on the large wall above the couch. A gallery wall seems too busy to me, but I haven’t come across a mirror that would be large enough and also work with the style of the room (aiming for modern Scandinavian-ish).

Advice on room tweaking and bare wall finishing is needed - thanks in advance for your ideas & help!

Comments (22)

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Make a few minor adjustments to start with.


    lizzyk33 thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 6 years ago

    Colorful art over sofa. Your room looks great!

    lizzyk33 thanked HU-161159613
  • 6 years ago

    The other option is to move couch from against to be parrell to other couch and use other pieces to create a second space by shelving

  • 6 years ago

    I agree a gallery wall would look too busy. I think you’re looking for a light wood frame mirror, maybe one with a bit of texture.

  • 6 years ago

    Claire - that was my gut instinct too, although I’m open to other ideas (I.e the art suggestion above). Probably has been finding a mirror that suits.

    Beverly - brilliant tweaking suggestions. Thank you. Going to try immediately.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    The gallery wall will be too busy, and so will the mirror because it will be reflecting all sorts of things. You already have a pretty busy area with the bookshelf. Choose a piece of art.

    The armless chair and the footstool look like they're in the way of the traffic path, and don't look like an inviting place to sit because of the location and the armlessness. I'd find another spot for them. Could your coffee table turn the other way.

    Are both your sofas the same size? Could you have them facing each other in front of the bay window and have the traffic path go around them? It would open up the window too, without having a sofa with its back to it.




  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I think the room needs a square coffee table not the rectangular one because of the couch sizes.

  • 6 years ago


    "L'Allee Des Alyscamps" Framed Canvas Giclee by Paul Gauguin, 42"x35" · More Info

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  • 6 years ago

    Pretty or interesting idk: 55"W x 28"H. Fish swim in different directions. Synthetic Canvas on Wood Stretcher / Light Blue, Cream, Gray, Beige.

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    lizzyk33 thanked everdebz
  • 6 years ago

    Thanks for all the great food for thought. I think it demonstrates the challenges of moving into a new (old) space and trying to make your previous furniture make sense in it :)

    In terms of having the sofas parallel - we originally tried that configuration but found it made the room less welcoming - I’m going to give it another go though. The couches unfortunately aren’t the same size.

    And thank you for the links to the art! Great options. While the style doesn’t necessarily fit out aesthetic I think you nailed the colours and size we should be considering.

    My first Houzz post and I’m so happy to be able to tap into all these great ideas. Thank you all.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    My experience with parallel sofas are that they may not look welcoming when you walk in the door since the seating area is not "open" to you. But when you are actually sitting in them it's much more pleasant than an L shape, and more conducive to conversation. I'd pull the sofas closer to the window to enjoy the natural light, and put the longer one right against the wall, i.e. no sofa table behind.

    lizzyk33 thanked partim
  • 6 years ago

    As to 'tapestry' no one has to use the tiny tassels... ;)

  • 6 years ago

    Room looks great. Move the couch as Beverly suggests, remove the slipper chair. Get another pouf like the first and put them side by side under the art which I would center between the shelves and the doorway.


    Art over the sofa. No mirror.

  • 6 years ago

    Alternative to a painting or mirror: wood block art feels like it could fit well in this room.

  • 6 years ago

    Another option

  • 6 years ago


    Renderings · More Info


    Renderings · More Info


    lizzyk33 thanked groveraxle
  • 6 years ago

    You guys are a bunch of geniuses. My key take aways:

    • make Beverley’s adjustment to the couches; consider the parallel option again
    • move the tripod lamp to the other side for balance
    • consider adding second identical coffee table or look for similar square one
    • lose the awkward slip chair spot and follow groveraxle’s good ideas above
    • art not mirror above the couch. One large piece, keep it simple, maybe something along the lines of these ideas:
  • 6 years ago

    If the parallel option works better, you may be able to use your existing coffee table.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I don't see anything wrong with the existing coffee table. I like it. I'd keep it.


  • 6 years ago

    I also love all you have done and can see the Scandinavian vibe. I couldn't help but notice the edge of the art in the next room. The art looks like its leaning on a console table and it looks like its colorful and fun. I think art that is a bit more playful could also work on the wall behind the couch, and maybe that's a bit more your style. Just a thought.