Software
Houzz Logo Print
waterloo481

cozy up my family room please

We have an l- shaped fr with a corner wood burning fireplace.
New furniture has been placed as best I could. Everything else seen will stay.
I’d like to warm it up
I need tables, lamps, wall decor, rug and fireplace pic/ mirror.
The buffet can be moved to the opposite wall.
Below

  • pics of previous corner( are frames too dark
  • pics of room as is
    Pics of style preference
    Thanks for all suggestions

Comments (57)

  • 4 years ago

    As others have suggested, a rug for the seating area (large enough so that the feet of both couches can be placed on it), bring the dining buffet over to under the window will change the balance. I see a smaller side board near the stairs, a simple floor lamp here would soften the lighting. Alternatively this piece could  go on another wall or be removed from the room altogether? That would give an opportunity to create  a reading spot with a floor standing lamp and maybe a wingback reading chair? If that is too crowding in that area,  a floor lamp could be positioned in the dining area, where the buffet was. Another lamp somewhere would be good.


    Generally I think more texture will give you the warmth you are seeking. A wall hanging the unwindowed dining area wall to add a bit more 'something' to the dining space - it could simply be a piece of material that you like, or be more textured in a wool or heavy knotted cotton.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    great ideas-I can move the buffet under window. I do have a long black mirror that I have had hung horizontally off the present placement of Buffet with the older sofa

    The small washstand-another antique was placed there to bring the railing color down,

    I have tried lamps there before but one seems to look into the top of them from above in the kitchen. Ill try a lower lamp.

    still need an idea for above the fireplace-Ill start my search for a dug


  • 4 years ago

    Can you change the orientation of the table?

  • 4 years ago

    To put the end facing window light is only above that end
    Thanks for helping me

  • 4 years ago

    Prior placement

  • 4 years ago

    Keep your chairs and get a smaller card table. Those are the two art pieces I thought might work at the fireplace.

  • 4 years ago

    could you have the sofa follow the line of the fireplace?



  • 4 years ago

    The table matches the buffet( from grandma)

    The sofa loveseat can face the fireplace putting the tv on an awkward angle though

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I have 2 dark pieces in a picture above - shall I stick to dark frames rather than the softer light brown as above? I would only have room for 1 of those between the fireplace and the window

    Suggstions for above the fireplace? another piece of art or a mirror

  • 4 years ago

    Needs area rug under seating area.

    Sharon Wettlaufer thanked hbeing
  • 4 years ago

    Once I get placement I’ll look for some kind of rug

  • 4 years ago

    These were suggested

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Something about the plantation shutters seems off. Would you consider removing them? The fireplace might benefit from a more traditional surround with a mantel. Might suggest stone for the surround as that almost always seems to cozy up a room. Might also suggest you replace at least some of the furnishing especially the dark coffee table. I seldom care for tv stands. They usually are well designed. Might suggest an armoire or even mounting the tv directly on the wall. It's a handsome room btw. Good luck!

    Sharon Wettlaufer thanked Norwood Architects
  • 4 years ago

    That looks amazing and cozy, you can now anchor it with a rug! Wow. I really like that it looks so much more intentional!

  • 4 years ago

    Norwood-to tell you the truth I can always see what's off rather than what's on. The shutters keep a lot of cold out in our extremely cold winters but I often do have them closed . Nothing really lines up . The fireplace is wood burning so we need to keep a distance between it and the TV -thus placement on that side is also tricky.. Behind that fireplace used to be a wood burning stove with brick walls. My not DIY husband did the bet he could building this on our budget


    RL Relocation -thank you. we do just open shutters often-just enjoying the daylight here for now.. I have often thought of some kind of mantel even if just flat (because of wood burning fireplace)

    I'm in search of a painting for above fireplace as I like to add red at Christmas. Is a painting better there rather than a mirror?

    I was considering lightening the wood colors to blend with the railing and the buffet/table.

  • 4 years ago

    I used to have a dark mirror up there but would prefer something lighter

  • 4 years ago




    This is the feel Id like to achieve

  • 4 years ago

    Id say go shopping and get some stuff to play around with and return what doesnt work, that stuff all looks good.

  • 4 years ago

    Saw this one today which is rather appealing

  • 4 years ago

    If you want to cozy up the space, getting a gray rug will just make it seem colder. You want to look for something in a warm tone. And patterned.


  • 4 years ago

    Focus on the rug for now. Use tape to mark out on the floor rug sizes and positioning so you know what size works. Even use an old sheet to get a feel  how changing the floor color and texture changes the room. Having the seating zoned with a rug will make the space seem different.


    Work on one thing at a time and build it up rather than going all at once. Move around the artwork you already have to see how size and color looks on the various walls. As some say, shop your home first. If you buy 'accessories' now you might find yourself crowding the space rather than warming it up. 

    Don't confuse filling the space with warming it up. Currently it has a simple elegance now the placement for the couches seems to have been worked out.

    If you feel the fire wall seems empty, maybe a simple shelf mantel will help. Not deep, nor too chunky. Enough to hold a candle or smaller standing frames. Alternatively, Ikea have picture shelves on which you can stand pictures, that don't protrude. I think you will loose some of your simple elegance if you go full fire surround.

  • 4 years ago

    Saw this one today which is rather appealing oh Kazuhiro - exactly what I need - one step at a time

    Thanks Nancy for the Color/style suggestions

  • 4 years ago

    We’ve purchased this area rug
    Next step?

  • 4 years ago

    That rug does nothing to "cozy up" your room. You need other than gray or light neutrals. They are cool (non) colors that make the overall feeling of cold, not cozy.

  • 4 years ago

    Really - and that was one expensive rug - we thought the Color’s went well with the floor and the fireplace as well as the walls- expensive mistake

  • 4 years ago

    This was suggested above

  • 4 years ago

    Suggested above

  • 4 years ago

    I really like this rug you posted among your mood boards. The color is warm and goes very nicely with your woodwork.





  • 4 years ago

    An artful display of firewood would cozy up your room.


    Platt Park Design Build · More Info


  • 4 years ago

    I love your improvements! The rug brought everything together. Here r some things that I would purchase to make it cozier: new coffee table, side tables, lamps, throw pillow fillers, and art above fireplace.
    Also, I love your card table, but I would get new chairs.

    Sharon Wettlaufer thanked kristinhallett
  • 4 years ago

    Kristina -we were thinking a round coffee table might work better in a similar color wood as the table (inherited form my grandma) in the back corner or lighter,

    Art in a warm wood tone frame? an arc lamp by the fireplace -my only option with floating furniture

    I could slip cover those chairs too

    thanks for your help - I get stuck after the basics are in

  • 4 years ago

    I was thinking of this as a side table but looking for larger to hold a lamp

  • 4 years ago

    I like your rug!  The side table is attractive, but yes larger to hold a lamp will be more useful.

  • 4 years ago

    How about an ottoman as coffee table?

  • 4 years ago

    It might not go with rug but u get the idea.

  • 4 years ago

    We do need a solid base for” drinks” lol

  • 4 years ago

    It is a good way to bring color into your room and u can use a tray for drinks. Great place to prop feet. I like these too.

  • 4 years ago

    Thanks I love to put my feet up - now to convince hubbie

  • 4 years ago

    This is in more muted colors. I have I convinced u.lol

  • 4 years ago

    I’ll have to find a size that works for both sofa and loveseat

  • 4 years ago

    I like the rug it would be a great to get color in the cushions, and add a mantel to the FP. Also maybe a throw for the couch. You could stand to pull the rug a bit more toward the FP.

  • 4 years ago

    Yes I do need Color
    I’d love a mantel - the challenge being “ what do we at the edges on the front as it angles “
    Also being a wood burning fireplace, we need to check the code and want to be safe with the rug should any sparks emerge when door is opened

  • 4 years ago

    I would start by finding a piece of art for over the mantel. that might give you some color to draw from for the rest of the space.

  • 4 years ago

    As to the mantel, I would not run it around the sides anyway, just have it over the tile. that might help the eye from noticing the angles so much.

  • 4 years ago

    Keep it narrow?

  • 4 years ago

    I found this corner fireplace setup- hmmm ?Could a coffee table like this replace what we have?
    Thoughts on a mirror up there
    I’m loving your suggestions

  • 4 years ago

    I do have a grid mirror like this

  • 4 years ago

    I think you need art not mirrors, they wont reflect anything, and the grid mirror would look odd I think. especially without a mantel. I think art can hold its own.

  • 4 years ago

    Thanks