Nice space with a lot of potential!

Those are good examples Diana posted. You do not have to have bamboo shades. The first thing you need to determine is what the function of any windows coverings is. Also, drapes always feel odd with furniture pushed up against them. You could do something like below, if you don't need to close them often or you could do an inside mount (looks like you might have the room) of a simple shade). So, I have a few questions.

1) Why do you have a grid in one window and not in the other?

2) There is a lot of furniture for the size for the size of the space. Would you consider removing part of the sectional?

3) Would you consider removing the desk?

4) Can you please show photos of all 4 walls?

Thanks.

Thank you so much for your comments, I love everyone’s input. Here is another photo of the space. IGNORE THE CABLE WIRE. We have a wireless device coming. The window with grids is on the front side of house and we definitely need to be able to close that window treatment because everyone can see from the street what we are doing or watching on tv. The section is new and we are happy with the space allotment because we are going to be hosting small groups of college student regularly who don’t live nearby or neighborhood ladies that I meet with regularly. Eventually we will replace the window without grids since it is very old but not this year. My style is transitional so adding a pop of turquoise or some other bold color isn’t really my thing. Rug and artwork are also on my radar but window treatments must come first.

By the way CDR Design, I love the room photo that you sent...did you design it?

No I did not design that room, but I think it is beautiful!

Would you mind showing a photo of the corner opposite the fireplace (by the desk)? I am concerned about

1) The tv is really high

2) The furniture is, for the most part, on one side of the room. I would like to help you change that. It would mean eliminating the desk area, which seems to be serving not function.

The drapes are not going to look good behind furniture shoved up against them. Can we work on that first?

CDR, thanks for the feedback, I am attaching a floor plan that shows this is a pass through room from the garage to the kitchen via a wide opening next to the couch.

Thanks! Would you consider something like this?

There is no space to breathe in this room.

I would eliminate the overscale mantel

Drop the TV down on the brick fireplace

Change the end tables to drum table

Change the too traditional buffet lamps for floor lamps

Add a rug to define the space

Add off white drapery panels on the windows with woven wood shades for privacy.

Thank you for the feedback, I always appreciate new ideas.

Following

CDR designs, I will take a photo from the garage door and you will see why I can’t move the sectional, but thank you for the suggestion. I will take a photo later today .

Thank you . It is a challenging space.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>You aren’t kidding...a limited budget and a cross through room don’t make it any easier. I am thinking of going with floor to ceiling white grommeted drapes on a brushed nickel rod to match the drapes that are in the room next to the FR and visible when standing in the opening to the FR. It is affirming to hear that someone else thinks this is a challenging room besides me!

Yes....a long narrow room with a lot of openings and windows and a huge fireplace.

I would definitely go with the same drapes and rods as in the next room, which will make the space feel more cohesive.

Going forward, I would really think about the fireplace. Do you use the fireplace itself?

The fireplace is definitely on my to-do list, when we have more in the budget. I would like to reface it and make it into a gas fireplace. I haven’t used it in years and the brick chimney needs to be ripped out and redone...if I go with a gas FP then I won’t do brick again because 1st quote was $5,000 just for chimney work.

Since it is a challenging room for all the reasons mentioned I would rethink having a sectional in there . Could you move one part of it to another room and replace it with a chair? That would open up the room a bit

Yes.....the sectional is swallowing up the room. I would defintely remove the glass "desk". It appears to serve no function. Then, that chair could be placed by the fireplace.

That would be an easy first move that would cost you no $

I know that some folks aren’t fans of the sectional couch but it is perfect for how the room is used. I used to have a love seat and a couple of chairs and HATED IT! I had space galore but no place for everyone to hang out or stretch out...so it fits us perfectly now. The desk/counsel table can be changed; Christmas tree will go there in a couple of weeks. Here is the view from the garage door and the couch wouldn’t work in front of FP.

Thanks. You have a nice home! I am glad the sectional works for you.

Before you bring in the Christmas tree, would you mind trying moving the desk out placing the 2 chairs flanking the window. You can put a small table in between them.

When you have a group over, they can be pulled over to the sectional for more seating. Thanks.

I see simple, warm white curtains (linen) hung above the windows. Simplicity breathes. You're off to a good start...

I can definitely move the table out, would you put one of the end tables there are a different one all together CDR? I ordered white grommeted drapes today. Thanks for all your feedback everyone.

Do people sit on the hassock/coffee table? I think replacing it with a smaller, round coffee table would help open things up a bit. If you need additional seating occasionally try one of these.

I don't think those tables would work, as you are probably going to want to angle the chairs. Put the chairs there first and then lets see.

I think the lamps are too small. I'd get a couple of C tables for the ends of the sofa and a large arc lamp.

Any space you can free up will help. Agree that the ottoman is huge and taking up visual space.

So here are the chairs minus the counsel table. Sorry about the space heater but it is very cold outside. Unfortunately, I am at a stand still until the drapes come in on the 19th. I am still on the lookout for an area rug that I can afford. I will try and go shopping for some larger lamp shades for the candlestick lamps this week.

Sooooo much better!

Would you consider an accent color for this room? Maybe a touch of orange.....it would pull in the wood tones on the chairs in the kitchen.

I just happen to have some rusty orange accent chairs. I would need to pick up a couple rust color accessories, other than the dog, who is a perpetual accessory on the couch. Do you think this is better?

Here’s a side view...definitely need a new floor lamp!

Drapes and/or drapes and bamboo blinds. Place the rods about halfway between the top of the window moulding and the ceiling (or as close as you can with ready made curtains). Ikea has some nice white linen curtains at extra long lengths for a very reasonable price.

That looks great! Now for some orange pillows on the sofa.

Please:

-separate the chairs......move them farther apart.

-remove the branches.

-larger table between chairs.

-tall lamp where branches are.

Just one pillow to give you an idea. I'd remove the brown and grey pillows for sure. You could keep the branch pillows and maybe just add solid orange.

Thanks for all your advice, I will post new photos later this week after I get the drapes installed and the wireless cable connection. I have 2 small concrete containers shown on the little table but no idea what to put in them. The little rust colored dried things are certainly not doing them any favors. Any suggestions? I have no idea how to accessorize a small table other than a small picture frame.

You don't need to accessorize that table. That is for a drink when someone sits there.

I would add lumbar pillows to the chairs in the tones of the sofa.

Biggest elephant now if the fireplace and tv. What are your current plans for that?

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>I love the idea of lumbar pillows on rust chairs! Fireplace and tv are going to be an expensive redo and unfortunately I don’t have the money for it now. The wireless cable connection should be in mid next week and so that will allow me to move the cable box off of the mantle and get rid of that dreadful cord! One thing I have thought about is sanding away some of the paint and giving it more of a distressed look. (There is a brownish colored brick underneath the beige paint.). I am NOT a country farmhouse person so I am not sure if that will work for us or not. One show/designer that I really love is Windy City Rehab #windycityrehabchi on HGTV...Allison’s style is spectacular. If you saw “Rock The Block” on HGTV, she was one of the designers. Unfortunately, I am not in the income bracket of her $1,000,000+ homes

Here is a photo of a fireplace that I like from another designer that I love (Candace Olsen). I suspect this would be a big dollar renovation.

What you can do for a smaller budget now is to remove the mantle and lower the tv.

It has been a few weeks since my last post and I have changed a few things in the family room. There have been some stumbling blocks on the way. I am now waiting for my 3rd wireless cable connector. Hopefully 3rd time will be the charm, hence there is still a cable cord shown in the photos. I have replaced the lamp shades with larger ones and put up white drapes. I am hoping to do a fireplace remodel in the first quarter of next year. Now on to artwork over the couch. I was thinking of 3 large pieces rather than 1 piece, but I am open for any and all suggestions on this room.

Improving. Hi.....a few tips

-if you are using the drapes functionally (opening and closing), you need 4 more panels and a drapery wand.

-if you are using the end tables to place drinks on, they need to be taller and deeper and the candle decor should be removed.

-if you do not use the end tables for drinks, move the tables back toward the wall, so that the lamp sits back.

-pillows should be chosen after you choose the artwork. The walls look blue and I am not seeing any blue in the pillows.

I don't know what type of artwork you like or your budget, so can't suggest anything at this point.

Thanks for the input CDR; I agree about needing more drapes. I want to extend the rods and add more panels so that they don’t look so diminutive on the wall. That will have to wait until after Christmas, as my piggy bank is empty. It is hard to tell from the photos but the walls are definitely grey (to pull in the grey countertop from the kitchen). The fireplace is such a big job and I will definitely be seeking opinions when I have the money saved up to tackle it. The other thing I would like to add is an area rug. FLOR has carpet tiles, which are intriguing to me, but they aren’t cheap either. I will need an 8’ x 10’ or a 9’ x 11’ to fit under part of the couch and the ottoman and that will be $650+, so I would appreciate any input as to how these hold up. My thought is that if 1 or 2 tiles needed to be replaced that I could easily do it. This is a very high traffic room and I need to be extremely thoughtful that if I put a rug that, it needs to not show dirt or be easily cleanable or replaceable.

Flor is very durable. I would extend the rug from the sofa to the chairs. This will visually enlarge the room. You can also try ruggables.com, but I think the room is too long and narrow for a standard size,

Problem with buying half the drapes now is that you never know when they will be discontinued, so you are better off buying all of the drapes at once.

following

FLOR tiles are great. Very durable and you can switch them out if you get a spill that won't come out. They are perfect for this kind of space. Most of their tiles are about 21 inches square, so make sure it will work for the size you need. Buy some extra in case you need to replace, and don't forget to get the stickers for the back. They have frequent sales, and also have discontinued items. Send for some samples so you can really see color and texture and then you'll be ready to pull the trigger when a sale comes.