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ekaterina_kachur

suggestions for living room layout

2 years ago

We are trying to come up with the best furniture layout for open concept living room. The room is the only common space in the house, so it will serve as TV room as well. We have two toddlers, so will need to incorporate some sort of toy storage and space for them to play. The front door opens into the room (first picture is the view of the space from front door). We placed our old couch temporarily, but it is too big for the space. Will be getting all new furniture, but having trouble envisioning what would be the best layout? Also not sure what to do with the space that is left between the mud closet and the back of the TV couch. Your advice is greatly appreciated!

Comments (6)

  • 2 years ago

    Would you mind clarifying your measurements. To me it looks like the tv wall is 10'-38", which I'm sure isn't correct. And is the window 105.5"?

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Do you have a dining area? I think I see one to the left of the kitchen. Assuming you have a dining space that's not in the diagram, I would place a sofa or sectional fairly far back from the TV wall--farther than you would if this were just a grown-up space, creating a play area between the sofa and the TV. Another sofa or some chairs at the window. Some upholstered ottomans that can be pushed together to be a coffee table, or pushed to the side for extrra play space. Use cheap modular items on the TV wall to build an entertainment center that has toy storage and low shelves for the kids' books.

    My memory of the toddler years is that they needed different stuff, and a different living area arrangement, every 9 months. Get a few comfy seating items you love that can go the distance, and treat everything else as semi-disposable. Ikea and Craigslist are your friends.

    The area between your sofa and your mud closet is essentially your foyer. Put a substantial console table behind the sofa to help frame a "hallway" here. Or consider desk pushed against the sofa, one with a good built-in file drawer. You can have a mail-sorting station right at the entry that helps you stay on top of paper. As the kids age, this could be swapped out for wider file drawer or bin unit where they store homework.

  • 2 years ago

    @emily - the TV wall is 10feet long, but the window I measured with the frame, so it is a little smaller without it

  • 2 years ago

    @mcarroll16 - thank you for the detailed response. Lots of great suggestions!

  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Some suggestions:


    --Keep your comfy sofa during toddler years. While it's a hulk, it looks comfortable. serves to define play and TV watching space, and keeps entryway separate. Move sofa back towards entry about 1-2'


    --Find bookshelves (or two console cabinets) the height of the sofa back that can accommodate attractive woven baskets for toys. Use some shelves for books. This will make the sofa back less imposing and give you functional storage for toys. Here's a perfect example. The photo even shows a kids' play tent off to the side.


    --Get a Ruggable comfortable rug that covers most of the space in front of the sofa so kids can play on the rug. Get a colorful round storage ottoman to use as a coffee table and more storage--coordinated with whatever rugs you get.


    13.5"H Yellow Storage Ottoman With 4 Seating · More Info

    --Have a plan for the TV wall. It's perfect for a dark accent wall so the TV doesn't dominate the room.

    Domingo Road Great Room Project · More Info


    There you go!

  • 2 years ago

    @housegal200 - thanks for the great suggestions, pictures are super helpful. Moving the couch did help make the space behind it less awkward