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hildea09

Looking for ideas for idea to make this space cozy

6 months ago
last modified: 6 months ago

What would you do with this space? It's 23ft in length and 10.5ft across, so long and narrow-ish. It's right off of our main family room and kitchen area. The white chair will be moved, and the other furniture doesn't need to stay either. I'm thinking it would make a good reading/library area with lots of house plants. But I'm not sure how to make that happen and it still feel cozy and cohesive. I think the length is throwing me off. Open to suggestions! :)


** Edited to add: This is an addition the previous owners added for a "game room", they had their pool table and a small pub style table. It was listed as a "sunroom addition". **







Comments (18)

  • PRO
    6 months ago

    I think the room would look better with actual built in bookcases to house all the books.



  • PRO
    6 months ago
    last modified: 6 months ago

    It was meant to to be the living room and honestly the best room in the house that I can see so why nayt make it a LR with some built in bookshelves at one end with a couple of swivel chairs and do the rest like an actual LR. Where is your DR ? Seems to me the space has a lot of potential be living space with plants I do think some solar sades will be a must to allow the view and keep those frloors and any fabric from sun damage


  • 6 months ago

    Built-ins are on my wish list, @BeverlyFLADeziner!

  • 6 months ago

    I would buy two 8' x 10' area rugs, the same or complimentary in style and color.

    create a reading/conversation area on one side and a cozy coffee spot on the other.

    The entry door side would be a great spot to greet guests for coffee or cocktails.

    hildea09 thanked Lyn Nielson
  • 6 months ago
    last modified: 6 months ago

    Direct sunlight feels harsh and is not cozy to me. Light control is my issue so I would use drapes like linen sheers (to the floor) on the lower windows -- to diffuse the light and the view of the neighbor while still enjoying nature. Then you can open them if needed.

    The uppers with inset roller shades. Ours are screened at 90% to allow views of the trees while shielding from direct sun. Again, they don't need to be closed all the time.

    I think it would soften the space considerably...and adding a rug further reducing sound would add coziness.

  • 6 months ago

    I like the bookcase idea with a couple of chairs and perhaps a round table/ side table. It’s a beautiful spot to do lots of things with! E

  • 6 months ago

    Some bird feeders outside + a rug and comfy chairs would make it a great spot

  • 6 months ago

    @Lyn Nielson - That's kind of along the lines of what I was thinking. Any thoughts on furniture arrangement?

  • 6 months ago

    @Patricia Colwell Consulting - My "formal" dining room is at the front of the house, next to the living room. This area is off of our family room and kitchen dining area. When we first moved in we had it set up as a family room, but it just didn't quite work for us. I've been thinking about solar shades for more privacy and sun protection.

  • 6 months ago

    This is clearly intended to be some kind of family/living room type space but it is also a tiny bit odd as you appear to have a smaller family room space just beyond it, cut off by the bookshelves? I love light and thos screams sit and read to me but even then we have solar shades as sometimes it can be too much.

  • PRO
    hildea09 thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
  • PRO
    hildea09 thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
  • PRO
  • PRO
    6 months ago

    It matters where doorways and openings are, in the 10 x 20 whatever space,

    Do a drawing that shows those opening ! What is the length of the book case portion?

    Traffic moving through a space defines the real space.

    Some pictures of your style in other areas would also help!

    Add a drawing with ALL the dimensions noted

  • PRO
    6 months ago

    It's a large space. Large spaces don't usually go with cozy. Will suggest you at least consider using it for its original purpose - a game room. Would be a perfect place for yoga too.

  • 6 months ago
    last modified: 6 months ago

    I make a large space cozier by doing as you are thinking - splitting it up with two rugs into two furniture zones. Then I think of each zone as its own room, with its own layout. It is amazing how a vast space can become much more intimate when handled this way.

    Gil Schafer's Maine house living space is my favorite inspiration for how to make a vast space feel intimate. The use of textures and different finishes really helps too - think about not just painted walls and painted built in's but where can you add natural wood furniture pieces too, textured rugs and pillows. Use generously sized pieces of furniture too. And use a slight bit of repetition between each space so there is some relationship and continuity.

    Adding height in the middle will help too with the cozy factor - think large plants on tables in the middle of the room instead of on the edges, and lamps on tables in the middle of the room instead of just on the edges. This is becoming so much easier these days with rechargeable cordless lamps.

    Do you use the ceiling fan? If not, a voluminous light fixture in the center can help bring the height of the ceiling down and add to the coziness.


    I'd consider painting the ceiling the same color as the walls but with the pigment cut down by at least 50%. I think the open white ceiling contributes to the vastness.









    hildea09 thanked Kendrah
  • 6 months ago
    last modified: 6 months ago

    Chaise and floor lamp at the far end where you have the bookcases and small rounded back upholstered chairs in a circle closer to entrance for cocktail "lounge" (or morning coffee or afternoon tea, after dinner dessert space.) Use the low bookcase as a bar. This is a welcoming space to greet visitors right when they come in.

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