furniture placement in a narrow space

6 years ago

Hello everyone! I recently just bought a home and am trying to work with a small narrow living area. My last home was much larger and open so I’m trying to adjust to the new space. My area rug is an 8x10, maybe I need to go a tad smaller and have a coffee table on top of it, or get rid of one sofa, or place one across from the other? I’m working on accent pieces to put everything together but want to get a feel for the space before doing so. I’d like to best utilize the space I have without interfering with the flow of traffic. Would love to get some outside thoughts and opinions!

Featured Answer

felizlady

6 years ago

You have plenty of room for both sofas. Roll the rug up and put it aside for a while so you can try several furniture arrangements without it’s influence.
I would put the sofas opposite each other and add two comfortable upholstered chairs facing the fireplace with a small table between them. Add a coffee table between the sofas, leaving at least 2’ of walking space between the coffee table and the sofa on either side.
Once you have a furniture arrangement you like, measure the perimeter of the arrangement and buy a rug which will hold all of the furniture upon it.
I am guessing that something like 12’x15’ or 12’x18’ will hold your furniture. An alternative would be a rug wide enough to reach under the sofas to about their middle and long enough to hold the two chairs and the small table.
Adding recessed lighting will be important because only your sofas will be close enough to outlets which will allow lamps on medium-sized end tables flanking the fireplace. Remove the blinds from the windows next to the fireplace to allow whatever light is available to come into the room.

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Comments (11)

Kristina Cirrito
Original Author
6 years ago
These are other angles of the family room.
thinkdesignlive
6 years ago
Yes try the sofas opposite each other. 2 lounge chairs opposite the FP/TV would be ideal for conversation and TV watching. A rectilinear coffee table centered between the sofas would be my vote.
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Gcubed
6 years ago
What about sofas facing each other with 2 smaller swivel chairs across from TV (with a small drink table in-between). I actually think a bigger rug would work, or maybe orient the one you have the other way? Then you could have a floor lamp (or side table with lamp) next to sofa

Regardless, the way it is set up now, the arms are overlapping so that won't work.

Also consider replacing fan with a chandelier. Or keep a fan but with low profile light and add an overarching lamp. Do you have recessed lighting?
thinkdesignlive
6 years ago
I don’t think you should go any smaller with a rug.
Kristina Cirrito
Original Author
6 years ago
I just moved in so I haven’t gotten that far with the lighting, etc. It’s a west facing room with a covered patio, so this room doesn’t get a lot of natural light except through the kitchen in the afternoon, and at times it doesn’t feel enough. Recessed lighting is on my project of things! I think this room would definitely benefit from it.
Cara Lewis-Watts
6 years ago
The rug actually looks a bit undersized to me due to the size of the room. I would definitely get rid of one of the couches and get something in a different color/fabric that compliments. A couple of comfy chairs could be nice. Coffee table, end table(s) lamps, panel curtains on the windows, a tall plant and some art on the walls will help this space feel more homey.
User
6 years ago
Agreed, turn rug, and swing the right sofa around so the sofas face each other. Post photo of that and see if larger (not smaller) rug needed. Yes also to a couple chairs at new open end opposite fireplace/tv.
Kristina Cirrito
Original Author
6 years ago
The overall space of the room is roughly 384 sqft. For this type of space, is a bigger rug then an 8x10 going to suffice?
thinkdesignlive
6 years ago
Your 8x10 will work for now so don’t let that rule your layout. Get the sofas where you want them (consensus is opposite each other). Focus on finding chairs (don’t get grey - a carmel leather or linen like fabric or pattern would work), finding coffee table (wood, glass, upholstered ottoman style - glass with black metal would be my vote). Then focus on a rug. Blue tape is your friend for mapping out sizes before you buy.
thinkdesignlive
6 years ago
If there is a basement below this room consider adding floor outlets for lamps (only once you get the layout 100% solidified).