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kimmimac64

Need design help for “open” L shaped living space

3 years ago

I am struggling to find the right furniture and layout for this L-shaped living space. I would like a dining area, living room (preferably with TV there) and den area (fireplace area). Dining room table stays but we are replacing living room and den seating within reason. I’m leaning toward putting a smaller sectional with chaise in the fireplace area and am stuck on how to configure the living and dining areas. need HELP!!!


Biggest problem is not feeling cramped walking between kitchen and living areas due to large island and seating


Living/dining room measures approximately 30’ x 12’ and den measures 16’ from wall behind fireplace to hallway door, by 12’ from slider to facing wall









Comments (12)

  • 3 years ago

    I'm with msjoan--way too much stuff, which should be relocated or rehomed somewhere else so you get down to the basics. Also you have to many small cluttery pieces--shelves, desk, bar cart, several clocks. Some elements work against each other--curtains, plain rug hiding nice golden floors.


    Den:

    --Move the juke box to the left side of the fireplace so it doesn't jut out into the room from the wall where you have it now.

    --Use the cabinet you now have on the left for your bar and some of the storage you have in it. Rehome the little bar cart. Get one vintage bar poster to replace smaller pieces.

    "Asti Cinzano (Vintage)" by Leonetto Cappiello, 12x8x0.75", 60x40x1.5" · More Info


    --Remove the grandfather clock

    --Get an area rug just for the den to define that space--a patterned one with colors from juke box.


    Mosaic 5'x8' Area Rug · More Info


    --Get two smaller proportioned leather chairs than those you have and plant them on the new rug. Choose camel leather that works with your floors, not dark brown again--something like this but in camel leather. The little table in between is fine.



    Finley Occasional Chair - Tobacco Tan · More Info

    LIVING ROOM:


    --Small sectional with a low back would work. Match, if possible, leather from chairs you get in den. This is the look to go for. (You could do navy print armchairs for fireplace area, navy camel area rugs. as shown below.) Note the modern lamp with wood base in gold tones that go with wood legs of sofa and chairs. This is how you harmonize different pieces--some element/color/style is the same.

    Cottesloe · More Info


    --Get reddish gold bamboo roman shades for sliding door. Curtains are too flimsy for that door.

    kimmimac64 thanked housegal200
  • 3 years ago

    @msjoan we actualy had the jukebox where the clock is and my husband fought and fought to move it…lol…i gave in but don't like it where it is either. Clock was his dads and we are trying to find a space for it where it is balanced and works.

    @housegal200 the areas to the side of the fireplace won’t work for the jukebox because of air vents and depth. Also not quite wide enough to open and close or it. May have to go in a different spot but that and the grandfather clock are the ONLY things my husband is passionate about staying in here somewhere

  • 3 years ago

    Remove all the art off the walls and all the small shelving units and cabinets. That makes it easier for you to see where to place your large items first. I'd try the jukebox between the dining and sectional where you currently have your gray cabinet. Then you can place your leather chairs with their backs to that wall, perpendicular to the fireplace so they look outside and that area is opened up to the rest of the space. Remove the bar cart, and put the bar items on the shelving to the left of the fireplace. All you need in that room is the 2 chairs, one end table, one lamp, and one shelving unit. Look for a smaller sectional that gives you more walkway space between the living and kitchen areas. Center your tv and console on the wall, and remove the other shelf.

    kimmimac64 thanked calidesign
  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    How many use the spaces daily? How often is the dining table used?

    Thinking remove everything from FP area and replace with 4 small chairs (possibly swivel) around a coffee table.



    swivel chair

    swivel chair



    coffee table


    kimmimac64 thanked jck910
  • 3 years ago

    I think I would ten switch the dining area with the TV area.

    kimmimac64 thanked jck910
  • 3 years ago

    @jck910 the only problem with that is the laundry room is at that end and really loud at times. I tried to put the lesser used room on that end….

    @calidesignwe are definitely looking at a smaller sectional or two pieces instead of the larger one!

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Back again, now that I know my suggestions to move juke box won't work. It is a very wonderful piece, so keep it where it is, but don't make the grandfather clock compete with it. Either move the clock to the left of the fireplace or where your desk is in the dining area. (Relocate the desk to another room or sell it on Craigslist--again you have way too many random pieces of furniture that make your space feel crowded.)


    So in the den area, move the piece you currently have next to the fireplace to the juke box wall. Turn that into your bar to the right of the juke box. Then get a large vintage posters from the fifties--bar art, music, retro images for that wall. In other words, make the juke box a centerpiece for the den, which will make your husband happy. Replace curtains with bamboo roman shades in white. Don't add any small decor items, small art, or little furniture pieces.. I think you're unhappy with the space because it lacks flow and airiness--too much stuff to look at and walk around. Here's a Houzz article about something called "negative space." This will help you part with pieces when you realize the importance of leaving some spaces open and empty. https://www.houzz.com/magazine/the-power-of-negative-space-in-interior-design-stsetivw-vs~97343035


    TV area: Remove the large chair. Get a small proportioned sectional with one side facing the window. Since you will have quite a few small art pieces that are currently scattered around the room , create a gallery wall around the TV so the screen doesn't dominate the room quite so much. Don't have any small art works or decor items anywhere else. Also, the console doesn't look centered, so make sure you center it.

    Pearl District Condo · More Info





  • PRO
    3 years ago

    It looks like the space near the fireplace might be a little too small for a sectional with a chaise. However one of these set ups might work well for you in that area:

    The Urban Tree House · More Info



    Bellevue Avenue · More Info



    kimmimac64 thanked Joy Street Design
  • 3 years ago

    Thanks for the ideas. It's a very under utilized area because the slider is where we enter and exit our home 95% of the time. The front door gets stuck and opens into a dark enclosed hallway about 3 ft wide by 10ft long and we aren’t in a place to replace/open it up right now. so im trying to make it feel more like a place youd want to sit down and maybeat every curl up with a book, a drink by the fire, etc… I’ve seen some small “sectional” pieces that are more loveseat sized with a chaise-like extension than iI thought might work, with the main seat facing the fireplace and the chaise extending along the adjacent wall…we don’t entertain alot so it’s more for family

  • 3 years ago






  • 3 years ago

    Thanks everyone for the feedback. Working on finding space or new homes for some items. Both my parents passed away in the last 3 years and some of the pieces were family pieces I’d like to hold on to but I just have no storage here..lol