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alexandriahernandez66

Family friendly Loft needs help.

In need of help with this area. I want to make it friendly and comfortable for my family. I have a 6 and 2 year old. However, I do not want this area to include toys because they have a play room. I want to add a TV to this room with a tilting wall mount. I also think I need to add a floor lamp because of poor lighting. I am going to remove the desk and chair because its not needed.

I moved the couch around to visualize and determine the best layout for the room.


Any thoughts and idea are appreciated : )






Comments (42)

  • 6 years ago

    Looks comfy so far... would you like a coffee table that opens for storage? Floor lamp and table lamp both?

    Alexandria Hernandez thanked everdebz
  • 6 years ago

    Great idea, I was thinking about looking for a coffee table with storage so that if my kids do bring toys in this area I would have a place to put them and they will not be noticeable. I do want to add more light to this area. Should I add side tables and only add table lamps or should I do both?

    Also not sure what colors to incorporate in this room. I want to add color to the room maybe with decor or furniture. I don't want to paint the walls at this time.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    So this will be your family room? Not sure what you want from the space , definatrly not a place for a 2 yr old to play on their own. Maybe a bit more info. I see no reason to have a tilt mount for the TV you have agreat wal to be able to mount it at the perfect viewing height. Maybe a nice low TV cabinet with the TV mounted so the center of the screen is eye level when you are seated.Yes you need some sort of place to set a drink or put up your feet. For sure some lighting and probably at least solar shades on those windows to keep the glare down. Put a piece of art behind the sofa and use colors from it for some accessories like pillows , IMo this would bea great space for a home office instead of TV but without more info I have no idea.

    Alexandria Hernandez thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 6 years ago

    This room is on the second floor (considered loft area). I would like a place where my family and I can watch a movie in a comfortable area. I was thinking about using a tilting wall mount because in the third picture I moved the couch to the wall under the windows and it seemed to give me more room. However, I was just moving the couch around to visualize different options on how to set the room up. I’m taking out the desk and chair because we already have an office located on the first floor in the house. We also have a playroom that’s on the main level of the home. This area I want it to be more of a lounging area.

    Thank you for the suggestion of keeping the TV at eye level. In your opinion which wall should I place the couch? Would you move it from the wall under the window?

  • 6 years ago

    I’d try the sofa on the wall on the right. Then the TV can be mounted lower on the wall on the left.

  • 6 years ago

    I will try that, take a picture, and post it.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Not sure why that would make any difference except to put the sofa on a shorter wall. I assume you do not have a family room on the main floor . I have never wanted a TV in the same area as my bedrooms so I guess that is why I am wondering why this space for that.

  • 6 years ago

    I suggest lamps on tables flanking the couch, to facilitate reading. And an additional comfortable chair or two, set at an angle so that you can see the tv. Don’t make the mistake of an up-light floor lamp for this space.

  • 6 years ago

    @Patricia Colwell Consulting

    I do have a family room on the main level however, it is not comfortable. We never sit in this area as a family to watch a movie. I have a TV in my room and want to take it out and put it in this area because in my room its not used often. This space seems to be a wasted space in the home and seems like its just boring. I feel that if I make this area comfortable that we will use it more.

  • 6 years ago

    @ptreckel thank you for the lighting suggesting. I will not be putting a floor lamp after reading the comments. Sounds like side tables and table lamps might be my best bet.

  • 6 years ago

    Honestly I think the sofa will work better on the right. Then you can add a lounge chair right by the railing angled towards the TV. The natural traffic pattern into this room is on the left. A slim side table in the far corner with a lamp and a small round table with a floor lamp by the right of the sofa / new lounge AND either sconces on the right and left of TV or low lamps on a long low credenza under the TV will round it all out.

  • 6 years ago

    There is nothing wrong with a floor lamp. Just get the location of the sofa worked out first before you settle on any lamps.

  • 6 years ago

    @thinkdesignlive I moved the couch so now I have pictures of the couch on all 3 walls to better plan.



    What do you think?

  • 6 years ago

    Well what do you think Alexandria? How does it feel to you? How much room is there on each side of the sofa?

  • 6 years ago

    Swivel wall mounts are not attractive. Put the tv on the wall. A cabinet for toys or blankets under the tv. (Might be a great nap room or guest room). Put art above the couch. Definitely a coffee table. One with either storage inside or a shelf under for games and magazines.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    This is a good height for the TV credenza and then keep the TV mounted low right above it. Having a long storage unit with drawers or shelves would give you a place to stash toys, add a lamp, etc. Noticing the light coming in the windows in your last photo shows you may need simple roller shades inside the windows if you watch TV at that time of day.

  • 6 years ago

    @thinkdesignlive Thank you so much for all of your help.

    Ok so I just measured the room. If I leave the couch on the right side that will potentially leave me with room for one side table. The couch itself measures at 86inches W (7ft 2 in). The wall on the right 110inches W (9ft 2in). If I put the couch on the wall with the windows, I would potentially have room for 2 side tables. That wall is 142inches W (11ft 10inches). The wall on the left is 134inches W (11ft 2inches).


    I would put the TV on the wall with the windows because that would provide me with the most space as far as being able to have 2 side tables. However, I am concerned about the wall mounted on the left wall. Not sure if its going to look awkward or be uncomfortable when watching TV and sitting on the couch.


    Defiantly going to keep the TV at eye level and add a credenza. Yes light does come in through those windows.

  • 6 years ago

    @auntthelma which wall do you suggest that I place the couch?

  • 6 years ago

    In my house, per hubby’s rules, the sofa is always directly across from the tv. So, however that works best.

    Alexandria Hernandez thanked auntthelma
  • 6 years ago

    So I found a few inspirational setup. I have came to the conclusion that I will put the couch across from the TV.






  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Here are the two options you have. If you will only use a sofa and never plan to have a lounge chair there you can comfortably choose either right or left sides. If you will have a lounge chair I find the entrance to the room more welcoming if the sofa is on the right. You will need to be careful with sizing all items you plan to purchase and commit to the plan for best results. For a TV watching / kid hang out I prefer upholstered ottoman style coffee tables so you can put your feet up. Edited to add - I'd suggest a table or floor lamp by the TV on the layout on the right just like the layout on the left. Just forgot to add it in.

    Alexandria Hernandez thanked thinkdesignlive
  • 6 years ago

    How many people would usually be watching the tv together? If two or three, you could put the sofa on the left and a chair by the banister next to the tv. I personally like tables on each end of a sofa. I use them for a glass, phone, computer arched between the sofa arm and table, etc. It just depends on how you will use the room.

  • 6 years ago

    How about a storage ottoman with some color?

    https://www.target.com/p/lafayette-tufted-storage-ottoman-handy-living/-/A-79177036?preselect=78647762#lnk=sametab


    Then you can add pillows to match, along with a nice throw for cuddling up. Add a tray on top for drinks. Then a console with some storage for a few coloring books or games.

  • 6 years ago

    @thinkdesignlive thank you so much for that drawing. I defiantly have a better picture. I will be placing the TV on the left wall and couch on the right wall. Adding a lounging chair sounds like a great idea.

  • 6 years ago

    @dianabythelocks there are 4 of us, I have decided to hang the TV on the left wall and move the couch to the wall on the right. Also like the idea of adding a lounge chair to the area.

  • 6 years ago

    @katinparadise I really like your ideas. I am searching for colors now. I want to brighten up the room.

  • 6 years ago

    I like that katinparadise! Alexandria, don't be afraid to do a lounge chair that picks up from one of the colors of that ottoman should you choose to go that direction (so no beige or grey). I personally like to wait to see a patterned fabric in person before I select the other items just to make sure the tones are right.

  • 6 years ago

    So yesterday I just added a few items I had around the house that we are no longer using to help visualize how much space I have to work with. Excuse the tools we are ready to mount the TV.






  • 6 years ago

    What are your thoughts about the layout?

  • 6 years ago

    I think the layout does a good job of taking advantage of the angles in the space. Plus, you have a great wall now to add artwork over the sofa.

  • 6 years ago

    @katinparadise would type of art work? I was thinking a gallery wall however, I know there are several options to consider.

  • 6 years ago

    A gallery wall would be pretty. Do you have artwork that your kids have done that you would like to display? Since it's a family space, it would be the perfect place to do that.


  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I would flip the furniture to the opposite side; for safety's sake. Kids can climb on things and get hurt given that the railing is right there.

    Alexandria Hernandez thanked Skippack Tile & Stone
  • 6 years ago

    @katinparadise that is actually a very nice idea. Maybe we can make that an art project during this quarantine.

  • 6 years ago

    Just a word of caution about mounting the TV - do you know what will be going below it? Ideally you'd like the TV to be just 6-12" above the top of that. It looks best when it isn't mounted too high (or even worse too low and you have to rehang the bracket).

  • 6 years ago

    Center the sofa on the 134" wall with two side tables, lamps and art. Put the TV on the opposite wall. Angle your lounge chair beside the railing, facing the TV.



  • 6 years ago

    Deco have you seen the layout - that will be very awkward with the lounge chair right there by the railing and the TV will have to be angled in the corner in order for it to work with the lounge chair. I think they were in the process of hanging the TV on the long wall per above....

  • 6 years ago

    I would add a large mirror to make the space feel more open. A full length mirror would be perfect. Take a look at this one :)

    Full Length Mirror

  • 6 years ago

    I don't think TV should take up the longest wall in a space while seating gets squeezed into shorter ones. Swivel bases are made to adjust TV for everyone in the room. There's always the option putting TV on the window wall, though and floating the sofa facing it with the lounger right or left of it. This is one of those "push & shove" spaces where you just have to try all the possible arrangements before you do anything permanent.

  • 6 years ago

    following

  • 6 years ago

    Due to the sofas size it can not float in the room at all. There were photos showing it on all three walls and the pros and cons of each discussed. Repeating - The key has been the addition of the lounge chair. If that was not a part of the equation then the sofa does work better on the left.