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sarah_szmutko

Impossible Living Room!!

10 months ago

I have struggled with this room ever since I moved into this house 3 years ago. It is a very long room, but has all kinds of obstructions that make it impossible to design! One side has steps to the kitchen, a bathroom door, and a door to the garage. The other side has a double pane sliding glass door in the middle of the length of the wall and at the end of the room there is a fireplace. I'm at a loss on how anything could work in this space and it has gone unused because of that. Please help me find a solution for this nightmare!!! 🙏 This is one puzzle that has stumped me! 😞

Comments (18)

  • PRO
    10 months ago

    To get things to fit in this small space you'll have to only consider smale scale furnishings.

    There are two possible locations for the TV. See below, but the mantle will have to be removed if you decide to mount the TV over the fireplace.





  • 10 months ago

    I think you should remove the mantel and mount the tv over the fireplace. Then you can place the sofa opposite the tv. Otherwise, you will be boxing yourself into a tiny space.

  • 10 months ago

    Please provide a detailed floor plan with all the doors and windows measured.

  • 10 months ago

    Cute kitty. I also have a calico.

  • 10 months ago

    Hi Sarah!

    A long garcionerre style room! Open floor plans can be challenging, but the narrow open room has a history called garcionerre style (translation, no muss, no fuss, bachelor heaven!) — still found in New Orleans!

    Fireplace for sitting, side wall for bar, and — very French — corner arbor for plants/easel/ art! Elements to play with, too — stairwell and gallery wall! Jealous right now, LOVE IT ! Inspo photos ahoy ….

  • 10 months ago


    Cozy Crash Landing in front of fireplace (classic arrangement, divan faces fireplace w console behind, stools optional but extra bar/entertainment seating)

  • 10 months ago

    And i have no idea how you’ve lived without one of these (me either!!!) from liz clarkson — if not drinkers, then entertainment cabinet! (Just make sure any larger piece you find has wheels which leads me to …)



  • 10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    Drinks cabinet and then opposite wall, side chair and table set — here i show cane (french morocco) and slightly more rustic table to go with garcionerre feel (if you add plants) but any will do —


  • 10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    A touch of indoor corner arbor t easel …


  • 10 months ago

    And for stair landing wall, mk envision has how tos for hanging art!


  • 10 months ago

    It’s never c’est finis in garcionerre style, you add, play, create, and have FUN! Get shopping and laissez le bontemps roulez! ❤️

  • PRO
    10 months ago
    last modified: 10 months ago

    You didn't give any dimensions but maybe something like this can work...



    How do you intend to use the space at the other end of the room? Is it intended to be a dining area?


    For more precise suggestions we need a floor plan with dimensions and showing all doors and windows as well as how you intend to use the space at the end of the room near the kitchen.

  • 10 months ago

    Try 4 small scale swivel chairs grouped around a small round ottoman -with tray for beverages.

  • PRO
    10 months ago

    Is there a possibility of stealing space from any other adjacent room? If not, could you build an addition that would give the entire room or, at least, part of it more width?

  • 10 months ago

    I like the middle floor plan. But you can back the couch out farther from the fireplace as long as there is room to get around either end to access the doors.

  • 10 months ago

    That looks great, Beverly!

  • PRO
    10 months ago

    Looks like the right door of the slider is the operational one, so don't be afraid to have furniture in front of the left door. Beverly's plan is spot on.

    I would also remove that little mantle shelf and do something a little thicker and run it all the way across the wall and have some cabinetry below it on either side.

    You can do a dining table/game table or even some super comfy chairs for a reading area or office space.

    Good luck! Be sure to post after pictures