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christine_marie9111622

living room help

4 days ago

Hi everyone

We moved into a new house and this room is perplexing me. We will need a new couch / chairs / coffee table . Only thing I’m married to is the tv over the fireplace because that’s where the hookup is.

Does anyone have ideas of

  1. alternative furniture layouts (open to any couch but would like some sort of either L shape or couch with one chaise )
  2. what to put on that big blank wall

Open to suggestions - this rooms furniture basically all need to be replaced so not married to any of it

Thank you!

Comments (32)

  • PRO
    4 days ago

    Sorry the TV can go anywhere you want it that sectional is way too big for the space but put the TV on that empty wall add some storage a bit of display and make sure the cabinet under the TV is bigger than the TV get a sofa and 2 chairs and arrange the space so you can enjoy TV watching and at least hear the crackle of the fire. No chaise if you want a place to put your feet get an ottoman

  • 4 days ago

    I agree with Patricia. I understand that’s where the hook up is and it’s the easy thing to do but investigate moving it to the other wall. Maybe the cost is not as great as you think. Honestly, it appears a little awkward over the fireplace. It seems really high. It just may be the perspective of the photo.

  • 4 days ago

    Can't see enough of the room but the TV over fireplace is not ideal. It is too high and the furniture is blocking an entrance. Even with a new sofa you will be looking up too high. Please consider moving the TV to another wall. Is this the only room for the TV?

  • 4 days ago

    I would also move tv. It will be worth it for it to be at a functional viewing height. Put it t the right of the fireplace or even on another wall. The room is long and narrow so I would for sure get rid of the sectional and go sofa and chairs route.

  • 4 days ago

    Congrats. This is your home now. Don't live with the mistakes from the builder or previous owner just because it seems easy. The TV is way too high. It doesn't make sense there.


    Give us the measurements of the room and take a picture from the other side so we can see the full room. Then we can help you figure out how to arrange a practical comfortable space with the correct furniture.


    Is the the main hangout and TV watching room in the house or do you have other rooms where you will be doing that too? Will you spend time in here not watching TV?

  • 4 days ago

    Thank you - we built it 😂 so I guess our mistake. The room is 14.5 ft by 19.5 ft (wall fireplace is on is the longer wall. This is the main hangout and we have 3 kids under 5 so pretty much only use this room for watching tv , sports etc

  • 4 days ago

    I do think it looks higher in the photo because I zoomed out to try and get a full view of the room. Here are more photos including plans

  • 4 days ago

    Plans (ignore the red circle )

  • 4 days ago

    Another photo + baby lol

  • 4 days ago

    Not zoomed in

  • 4 days ago

    The TV is far too high over the fireplace. Full in view makes it even clearer. I see there is window to the right of the fireplace. What is to the left? Could the TV go there. Sectional is way too big for Tue narrow space

  • 4 days ago

    A window on both sides of the fireplace . I’m fine with a new couch- this is a temporary from our old home. I just want a layout that makes sense

  • 4 days ago

    Another angle showing both windows

  • 4 days ago

    Okay so no other spot for tv based on layout. Definitely go sofa and chairs not sectional and pull sofa more forward so it doesn’t cut off entrances

  • 4 days ago

    Ok, thank you! So sofa facing tv , and chairs in corners by windows ? Or on the sides ?

  • 4 days ago

    I am going to leave that to the pros. If you post a plan with dimensions and just the room in question people will be able to offer more ideas.

  • 4 days ago

    I wouldreally try the tv on the back wall. it looks so tall , that you could only watch standing up.

  • 4 days ago

    A couple of comfortable wrap around swivel chairs and a love seat would work well in this room and that way, theta could goon the back wall.

  • PRO
    4 days ago

    There are some difficult dimensions that do not permit the sofa and two chairs positioned at 90 degree angles to one another.



  • 3 days ago

    Thanks everyone ! I worked with chat gpt based on some suggestions and don’t mind the below layout - thoughts ?

  • 3 days ago

    It couldn’t get the archways / windows right .. but the furniture layout I don’t mind and would be smaller than our l shape currently without blocking both entrances

  • PRO
    3 days ago

    The space will feel more balanced if you simplify the layout a bit. Start by positioning your largest piece (usually the sofa) parallel to the longest wall. Then add two lighter pieces, like accent chairs, to open the space visually.


    A larger area rug and a single statement light fixture can help unify the room. Try keeping colors cohesive and bring in texture through pillows, a throw, and maybe one wood element to warm things up.

  • 3 days ago

    The TV above the fireplace is just way TOO high for comfortable viewing and looks ridiculous up that high. Given the challenges of the room logistics, I think that the suggestion from Beverly FLADeziner would be great. I personally am not a fan of sectionals.....no one wants to be squeezed into a corner with no where to put a drink so sofa/chirs would be more functional I think.

  • 3 days ago

    I am a big fan of taping things out or using cardboard to see how it fits. Does your sectional come apart? If so separate it and see if you can place it like two sofas and move the chair over.

  • 3 days ago

    If you’re insisting on having the tv over the fireplace, change the mantel to something lower. There is no way a tv over the existing mantel will ever look right. Plain and simple - it’s just too high!

  • 3 days ago

    The OP has three children under 5 which means she has very little to claim as her own. If she wants the TV over the fireplace, let her have the TV over the fireplace! 😍

  • 3 days ago

    So much eating space and so little living space ...



  • PRO
    3 days ago
    last modified: 2 days ago

    You couldn't pay me to buy a loveseat

  • 2 days ago

    @tozmo1 thank you!!! lol. I cannot believe the comments on here - ruthless ! I haven’t sat down and watched tv outside of cocomelon in 5 years. Also - yes I am a chef so love cooking and hosting dinner parties . We have about 2800 other sqft for living including a finished basement and third floor.

    @susan49417 thank you for that suggestion it actually does come apart ! We plan to do that tonight

    While I appreciate the constructive suggestions, I think some of you need to relax or maybe think again before
    you commenting for the sake of being mean !

    I think some of you missed in my original post I said I am not married to this furniture but do want to keep the tv above the fireplace . Sorry you do not agree, I’m not going for architectural digest here . My newborn doenst sit in a loveseat and stare at my toddlers on a couch on the other end of the room. . Just want someone to help with a layout that is functional for a family of 5 with 3 babies before I spend 10k on new furniture .

    Thank you everyone who had helpful comments ! I believe we will be trying two couches to start and gasp the tv is staying where it is. I prefer symmetry and if the height makes my husband not want to watch football or my kids to turn off the tv- then perfect ! Put it on the ceiling ! 🤣

  • 2 days ago

    You bought a wonderful smile to my face! Love your warm candor:-)

  • 2 days ago

    You could always add a tv mount on the fireplace that is able to be pulled down when used in order to bring the level of the tv down so it works better for viewing (doesn't hurt your necks).


    My living room is is similar to yours in that it's 19.5' x 16'. I have one long sofa + two chairs that are a bit oversized (not like a chair and a half size - but wider + comfortable for using while watching tv. I also have another accent chair in the corner of the room next to the FP. It all fits (the TV is on the long wall with a long console underneath it - my fireplace is on the shorter wall).


    I also have a large ottoman that can be used right in front of the sofa to make a nice comfy area for a few people to sit and watch a movie (or can be placed at one of the ends in order to make a chaise configuration). It has a custom built wood table with hidden casters that rolls over the ottoman = works well as a coffee table also when needed.

  • 2 days ago

    Thanks Dani! We actually have that now! It’s called mantle mount (the one we have). I love the ottoman idea and was debating using a coffee table ottoman but tbd. Appreciate you jumping in!