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sectional not centered- help me create balance!

4 years ago

We just got a sectional and I want to put something above it to make the room feel more centered. Maybe large family prints or a gallery wall? (Also going to get a smaller round coffee table.)

Comments (31)

  • 4 years ago

    A MUCH larger rug will help to ground the sectional. I'd start with that first (make sure at least all the front legs of the sectional fit on the rug. Then, you can see how much more balance you need.


    Does the bookshelf need to stay? If not, I'd remove that, too, and move the chair at an angle nearer the tv. Then, post new pics of the room from various angles please.

  • 4 years ago

    I’ve been looking at 8x10 rugs, oriental faded prints stuck between neutral (like ivory/gray) or a cream with hints of blue or color

  • 4 years ago

    we need pictures from all sides of the room, right now I would say the sofa is very large in the room, and to resolve that I think you need to consider removing items from this room.

  • 4 years ago

    I agree, it feels very crowded currently which is why I’m needing help. I’ll remove the bookshelf. I am going to take out the large coffee table and end tables. Pretty much replacing all the furniture except the tv stand and couch.

  • 4 years ago

    if I can see a photo of looking at the sofa, and looking at the room from the other end that would really help. Pulling the sofa off the window wall by a foot or off the back wall might help too. Personally I probably would not do a rug in this room. How long is the sofa, I think you would need 9x13 if you did.

  • 4 years ago



  • 4 years ago

    Please don’t judge the clutter- new baby

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    looks like you use the coffee table for puzzles so if you use it it stays. Maybe consider getting one of those dog crates that look like furniture in the future if it has to be in this room. I really do think pulling the sofa off the back wall will help a lot. Also I would consider different curtain panels or maybe look into a sea grass blind and no curtains.

  • 4 years ago

    What if you tried a family portrait? Or Concrete art?

  • 4 years ago

    I didn’t think of sea grass blinds, I like that idea. And yes, we did get family photos taken recently. I like the idea of the dog crate furniture so it looks nicer.

  • 4 years ago

    no judgement here its a nice house!

  • 4 years ago

    Would you still go no rug? Or with the furniture removed add a larger rug with lighter colors? (I posted a couple examples above)

  • 4 years ago

    so you could take the arm chair, and end table and put it in your little entry room, then bring the floor lamp to that side. and I take it back 8x10 will be fine.

  • 4 years ago

    how big is the rug you have now, Maybe you do need larger than 8x10 to "fill the sofa area.?

  • 4 years ago

    It’s a 4x6 we used with our old furniture

  • 4 years ago



  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Here's a list of suggestions, some of which have already been mentioned. Biggest problems are that you have too many separate objects blocking the visual field and movement through the room. I'm mindful you have baby gear, so of course those stay. That's all the more reason to streamline everything else. Here goes:


    --Pull sectional forward. Voila, you're sofa is centered.


    --Good that you're getting a round coffee table. Get one up on legs to show off a new larger rug. A around nesting coffee table will make it reachable from all sides of your sofa. Also, baby will be cruising around before you know it. What fun with a sturdy, round coffee table!


    With a new round coffee table you don't need the end table or lamp.


    Pull that corner chair into the room so it's part of the conversational grouping and reachable to new coffee table.

    Drey Round Nesting Coffee Tables Set of Two · More Info

    --All those sofa pillows are messy and visually distraction. Begone! If you get a large art work at the far end, that's all you need.


    --Replace the checkerboard blanket for a throw in warm ivory or an accent color that echoes your art work.


    --Get plain curtains in a warm white or a color that matches the wall paint.


    --Will this be your main family room? If so, then get affordable long, low storage bookshelves the entire length of the TV wall with shelves/cubbies that can hold attractive wicker baskets for kiddo's toys and books. (Maybe you'll need two boocases.) That wall currently is all broken up with different sized pieces. Move your books on current bookcase to a lower bookcase and relocate or sell the tall bookcase. Add a reading lamp on a new bookcase in the corner where the chair is.


    east 2nd avenue · More Info


    Living Room Media Bookcase · More Info


    --Art wall at far end. If you want to create a gallery wall the includes the art work you have, choose smaller works in the palette of your current peice. Or get one large piece for that wall that pulls the eyes into the room--golds, grays, a bit of green/blue palette. Then do a gallery wall around a newly redesigned TV wall with long, low storage system.

    "Marine" Art, 20"x13.38" · More Info


  • 4 years ago

    Thank you so much for all the effort you put into your comment, great suggestions!

  • 4 years ago

    I suggest this coffee table; it's very versatile and actually not too big. If you do decide you want a rug, consider Ruggable which is washable and very handy for kids and dogs. Make sure you don't skimp on the size though.

    Nesnesis Modern Round Lift-top Nesting Wood Coffee Table with Rotatable Drawers, White/Natural · More Info



  • 4 years ago

    I don't think it looks off center at all, but I do agree to the advice of getting a much larger rug.

  • 4 years ago

    Go for this steamlined feeling. Note the rug size, few pillows, everything long and low. You can do a version of this with Ikea pieces:

    Los Gatos Hills Modern House · More Info



  • 4 years ago

    @deconenthusiaste: That's a fabulous, versitile, well designed coffee table. Love it.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I would NEVER pull that sectional off the wall--walking space is NECESSARY. I was thinking why do you need the extra chair, I would remove it, then pull the shelving to the same wall as the sectional so the TV stands alone on its wall. I think that would balance the room and the height mimics the window. I might consider painting them a less STARK white, something closer to your sectional's color. I assume the buffalo checks are for the dog...but they are too bold. They visually fill the room. Your current curtains will be perfect once the buffalo checks are gone and you have a larger more subdued rug.

  • 4 years ago

    The first things I notice are, the coffee table is very large for the space and makes it looks crowded. Also the throw is very dominant and also adds the illusion of it looking a bit more cramped.


    I would find a much smaller and less beefy coffee table and a throw that is less bold and does not stand out so much.


    Another thing is the rug is very small for the space. I would likely edit some items in the room to make it less cluttered.


    I think you have a lovely starting point. Those were just the things that jumped out at me.

  • 4 years ago

    Thank you, I found a beige blanket and currently trying to find a round coffee table less than 30” diameter. I found fold over linen curtains in light linen color.

  • 4 years ago

    Here’s the rug I’m considering

  • 4 years ago

    Trying to decide on a table

  • 4 years ago

    If you need storage in the table, look at the one I suggested above. Click the link to see it closed into one compact unit. You can pull out the bottom one for kids to play on and pop the top on the upper one for you to use the laptop or work a puzzle.

  • 4 years ago

    @housegal200: I post it all the time, but they seem to be running low on stock these days.

  • 4 years ago

    This one goes with color scheme, will be delivered next week. New wall decor will compliment the colors (family beach photos)