Living Room Layout

3 years ago

Hello, first time posting. I was curious if folks had any layout suggestions for our living room. We are starting a renovation where we are updating electrical, adding AC, replacing windows, insulating, etc. And are taking the opportunity to adjust some spaces.

Our living room has always been challenging because the fireplace isn't centered across from the wall, so it makes everything feel like it's in the wrong spot. We also previously had the tv above it, which took away from the fireplace being the focal point.

We've decided to close the windows on either side of the fireplace to make it more prominent, give us privacy from neighbors, and give us a spot on the right to put our tv at a normal height. The challenge now is that we don't want our furniture to block the entries into the room.

Any suggestions?

Shot from the doorway to the right

Shot from the doorway to the left

Doorway facing the fireplace

Shot from the fireplace showing the two doorways (note: we can't close the left doorway because the front door would trap people in the stairway)

Right side of the room

Shot in the right corner showing the doorways and wall against the stairs

Built-ins that we are keeping

Room dimensions

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flynny2612
Original Author

3 years ago

@Kendrah We are replacing all of the furniture! The left side is where our son plays as his things are kept in the bottom cabinets and the right side we will be using as a tv zone.

@ptreckel We never come in through the front door or have guests come through that door. We have another entrance which we use and I would say we always come in through the left side. We are sure of having the tv on the right because there's more space for a couch. Also, the heaters are staying, they are very efficient and eventually we are replacing that entire back wall with a window or sun room, but that's a future phase of work.

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Comments (8)

coray
3 years ago
Hm…..tricky, indeed. 2 houses ago our living room was the same way, and it was not an easy space to furnish. I agree with your decision not to mount the telly above the FP again; it would definitely be annoying and too high for comfortable viewing, IMO. Are you sure you want to close up both of the windows? You can use blinds to keep the neighbors out, and if you were to keep the one left of the FP, mounting the TV on the right, with a console or something below it, it could sort of mimic the window on the other side. (Since you posted nighttime pics I obviously don’t know how much light you get in that room.) You will probably want to divide the room into 2 spaces: hanging out, TV watching (meaning sofa, chairs or a sectional, coffee table/ottoman, side table etc) by FP and more to the right side, and maybe a couple of reading chairs, small table etc, gaming area (or whatever suits you) on the side with the built-ins. I think you’ll see what you need once you get closer to the finish line. Good luck!
flynny2612 thanked coray
Kendrah
3 years ago
Do you have furniture you already own and want to use and if so, what are these pieces? How do you want to use this room? Only for TV watching or for spending time with guests, family doing other things? Will a large crowd be in there all together and if so do you want them sitting in one grouping or split up?

Looks like a major undertaking. Kudos to you for getting it done. And while I love windows, almost at all costs, I can see the benefit of closing those two up.
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ptreckel
3 years ago
So, when people enter your living room from the front door…the first thing they will see is the tv? Instead of placing it to the right of your fireplace, I would put it to the left of the fireplace, so it is in the cozy area off the kitchen entrance where you are keeping the lovely built ins. And where it can still be viewed from the entire living room. That will allow you to have a less TV-centric space as you enter your living area. As you plan your reno are you also looking into less intrusive baseboard heating elements? Can you eliminate those that are place in front of the cabinets? They are quite conspicuous.
flynny2612
Original Author
3 years ago
Here's the furniture we had previously (all hand-me down or from old places). And some of it is displaced by toys, for example the coffee table used to float by the brown couch, but a train set took its place for a bit. We also don't plan to have two couches. We just had two when we moved and put them there.
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BeverlyFLADeziner
3 years ago
All decisions are based on where you place the TV..................so where is it going?
Susan Davis
3 years ago
Excellent question.....when you place the TV, everything stems from that. In some cases the fireplace can become a secondary focal point, but this seems to be a room for TV viewing first and foremost.

My thought is to put the TV on the longest uninterrupted wall opposite the fireplace, and a sectional/ sofa with a chaise on one end for multiple seating, if it will work.

The other end of the room can be a game area with a pair of reading chairs for the bookshelves.

The fireplace becomes secondary and adds ambiance to the room?
Susan Davis
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Possible to place TV on 10'3" wall. Sofa can be opposite it either as a L SHAPE sofa to the right of the fireplace with a chaise design. Other end of room can have pair of lounge chairs and games/craft table. Fireplace would add ambiance but not be focal point.

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