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kiyoshima

Desperately in need of help with Living room!

12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
So I was in full pregnancy mode when I convinced my husband to switch the living room with the dining room. I was so sure that it would be fantastic because I could watch my daughter from the kitchen. The dining room is smaller than our living room and I wound up feeling super cramped in there. Well needless to say I changed my mind and now the living room is in the front of the house (again).

Now I have a design Dilemma. Baltimore Row homes are notoriously long and narrow and my house is no exception. There is a (very) small vestibule that leads into the living room. The stairs run in the middle of the house so their is separation from the dining room and kitchen. I really hate the sectional that we have and we will be getting rid of it before Thanksgiving. The area rug and two chairs must stay (because they are very sentimental for my husband and my self). My daughter has a play room upstairs so this will be exclusively for adult use only (if there was a place for a few toys I wouldn't be opposed to that). I will also be using the small nook near the window for an office space.

Any suggestions about this lay out would be whole heartedly and graciously appreciated. I have attached some pictures for your review.
I'm also attaching a sketch of my space, there are some measurements , but I can upload the rest later.

Comments (52)

  • 12 years ago
    I will post more pictures as soon as I get home. And I will also make the measurements more legible as well as take new measurements.
  • 12 years ago
    Here are some more views of the room
  • 12 years ago
    and the rest
  • 12 years ago
    My goodness. You have quite the design dilemma. I am actually glad to hear that the sectional is going because you will gain some flexibility. Could you put the TV in the corner and have the new couch facing it (with the back of the couch facing the windows)? Perhaps you could set up a small desk behind the couch that could also face the TV. (Does that make sense?). Could you put the two chairs where the TV currently is /also facing the TV?
    kiyoshima thanked libratravel
  • 12 years ago
    libratravel I had not considered putting the sofa along the window wall. That could work, but I guess it would depend upon the length of the sofa. I'm hoping to buy the sofa with in the next week or so. I really abhor that sectional and I am giving it away for free. I was thinking about putting a wall mounted desk in the niche near the window. Do you think that would work?
  • 12 years ago
    i think that as long as your desk is supported, you should be alright.
    i'd be concerned about the windows, and how far off the ground they stop.

    it's possible to put the desk across the opening and still have it float, but you'll have to make sure you have enough clearance for the blinds to raise.
    kiyoshima thanked yoboseiyo
  • 12 years ago
    yoboseiyo thanks so much for the comment. To answer your concern about the blinds they sit back flush with the window. There is a build out from the to the wall of about 10 inches or so give or take. I'm not sure if I'm explaining it properly, but just suffice it to say that the blinds wouldn't interfere with a built in desk. I hate those blinds as well and will be replacing them with shutters at some point.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Kiyoshima...............I see you have already gotten a lot of good ideas. This is what I was thinking. I really love your rug. I also like the chairs and the lamp. I would keep them all. While having the TV where you have it (and where I have it) is not ideal in a perfect world, I think it is the best use of space here. I suggest a cabinet that conceals the TV when not in use. This one from Pottery Barn is only 6" deep and is nice because it is a mirror, which expands the visual space. Also, a mirror is always nice to have in the foyer. A dresser or other piece of furniture under the TV provides extra storage. As long as it is narrow (18" or so), there is plenty of room to move through the space. I am attaching some pictures to better illustrate.
    ideas · More Info

    Modern Home In The Middle Of St. John's · More Info

    Mirror Cabinet Media Solution · More Info

    Blake Down-Filled Sofa · More Info
    kiyoshima thanked Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    One more suggestion - when you buy your new sofa, I would suggest microfiber. It cleans up beautifully which is a huge concern with children
    kiyoshima thanked Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc
  • 12 years ago
    Put a small glass top desk in window area. Pier one carries. For your office. With a chair in a bright color like blue or red. Your rug is nice but very big for room. But you have to keep which is fine. Get rid of sectional and get a 7 ft sofa.more. Modern. Not overstuffed like you have. Go as color like dark gray. Get a 24" round glass coffee table . To show off rug. Put your two chairs on opposite wall place together no table. Add end table to corner where sofa and chairs are dark wood round big 24" add tall lamp in a black base and gray shade drum style. Ad desk lamp in brush nickel to desk. Over sofa a big sunburst mirror 36" hang 6-7" above top of sofa. Pillows in a print use black, gray and red. Add solid red big pillows to back of chairs. Add a bamboo shade to window. Just one long one In black. Lowes carries also Home Depot. Pillows mirrors ck TJMax for best price. Order sofa now if want for Christmas. Call goodwill they will take out sofa for you. What's in dining rm now? If painting go a Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. Instead put mirror over chairs, and get a big art piece 40x40 over sofa hang low. In bold colors. Z Galleries have nice stuff. Accessories will make your room. Find interesting things for coffee table. And beside TV like very tall pots.
    kiyoshima thanked Nancy Travisinteriors
  • 12 years ago
    Don't use that small table between chairs or lamp way too small could go in bedroom. Nothing between chairs just place together. Floor lamp could stay there for desk light.
    kiyoshima thanked Nancy Travisinteriors
  • 12 years ago
    Don't cover your top windows. Leave as is.
    kiyoshima thanked Nancy Travisinteriors
  • 12 years ago
    That is one cool floor lamp and a beautiful rug. You've recd some great ideas, can't wait to see your completed room. Congrats on your baby.
    kiyoshima thanked RosemaryR
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Oh my goodness!! Thank you everyone for all of the wonderful suggestions. Also a big thank you to Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc! I love your ideas especially the mirrored cabinet for the TV. I showed my husband this thread and he was so thrilled with all of the suggestions. I hope to post something soon once I get rid of the current sectional. If anyone has any other suggestions I would love to hear those as well.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Kiyoshima.....please keep us posted. Lots of potential there!
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    So it looks like we may buy our sofa this week! We want to go with ikea because we can remove the covers and wash them. Here are the two I was thinking about. I like that they look nice and are comfortable enough to lounge in. Any other suggestions?
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Have you considered a streamlined leather sofa or classic chesterfield leather, would seem to go with a Baltimore row house, fit with your rug, lamp, desk idea. I'm not talking about leather sofas with those ugly padded arms but something tasteful since this is the room that guests enter into and get that first impression of your home. Whatever you choose, be sure it is right length/fit especially if sofa will float in room, take measurements of room with you when shopping.
    kiyoshima thanked RosemaryR
  • 12 years ago
    I think you should think about putting an entry console. You have some clutter in your pictures indicating you need a place to put your purse, the baby bag and the mail. If you get a good sized TV stand then maybe you can store those items there Also, consider getting a coffeetable that has storage inside so you can fit baby toys, DVD's, etc. I like, Madden, Slick & Bontempo layout. It works if you need the desk to be in this room. If it doesn't I'd keep the layout as is.

    Maybe you can fit a coat rack behind the entry wall.

    The rug feels a little too big for the space, in my opinion. Can it go in another room? If not, can you tuck it under the sofa more? The point is sticking out in the entry and right now you have everyone that comes through your door trampling through your heirloom with muddy feet. It will help define the living space from the entry space.
    kiyoshima thanked iwantit
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Kiyoshima...............I like the grey one the best. I think it's young and modern and the slipcovers are brilliant! Travis Interiors suggested a grey sofa with print pillows in black, red & grey - great idea. This first picture shows a grey sofa with print pillows in reds. Their rug is white, but I could easily see it with your red oriental. The second picture shows a red and grey/black color scheme. I also agree with iwantit about moving the rug under the sofa more more. What size is the rug?
    Tips for Entertaining in a Small Space · More Info

    Pacific Heights home rejuvenation · More Info
    kiyoshima thanked Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc
  • 12 years ago
    the grey sofa is so comfy, but make sure you test it out before you buy it. i have a hard time getting off some of those super deep shelves.
    kiyoshima thanked yoboseiyo
  • 12 years ago
    shelves. jeesus, COUCHES. omg. i can identify objects, i swear.
    kiyoshima thanked yoboseiyo
  • 12 years ago
    Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc I do like the idea of the bold reds and prints for the pillows. I also really like the second picture of the Pacific Heights home, it really reminds me of my room (just longer and narrower). I'm not exactly sure of the dimensions of the rug, if I had to guess I would say 9 to 10 feet long and 5 to 6 feet wide? There is some more room where we can move it so that it doesn't extend into the walk way too much. On a side note I really liked the console in the pottery barn picture underneath the mirrored tv wall unit. Do you know where I could purchase something like that?

    iwantit I really like the idea of a coat rack. If you refer to my pictures there is a small vestibule when you walk in. Do you think I could put some coat hooks there? Just three or four behind the door area.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    kiyoshima...............I can't find the one in Pottery Barn, but here are a few that may work for you from Pier One, West Elm and Ikea. And remember, you can always change out the hardware on a piece of furniture if you want to change it up a little. Anthropologie has great cabinet knobs. As for the rug, I would definitely pull it so that it doesn't go into the walkway. I think it would just look neater.
    Terracotta TV Stand $599.95 · More Info

    Bin Pull Console · More Info

    STORNÄS Buffet, gray-brown · More Info
    kiyoshima thanked Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    p.s. I also love that room from Pacific Heights - it is similar to yours. I would love to see you do the shelves in the alcove like they have.
    kiyoshima thanked Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc
  • 12 years ago
    kiyoshima....I have a vestibule just like yours in my house and I wouldn't dream of adding hooks behind the door. It would feel too cramped. Once you hang coats from them you won't be able to open the door fully. I put a coat rack on the other side of the vestibule and I'm still not happy but it's better then guest's things hanging from the backs of my kitchen stools.
    kiyoshima thanked iwantit
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Kiyoshima.............I don't know if you can do this in your house or not, but my brother built a recess into the wall between the studs to create a little more room for hanging coats and backpacks. This picture is just showing the recess idea - obviously you would need something taller. Maybe in the wall dividing the entrance from the living room?
    Krahn Residence · More Info
    kiyoshima thanked Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc
  • 12 years ago
    Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc I had thought about recessing my wall. Our house has spray foam insulation and I don't know if that works. I would love to do that if at all possible.
  • 12 years ago
    We bought the sofa yesterday! I still need to buy a desk and make the shelving, but at least that purchase is out of the way! I'll post pictures once we get everything set up.
  • 12 years ago
    So I've narrowed it down to a few choices . What do you guys think? Is there another desk I should buy? I don't want to spend more than $150 (I would prefer under $100). Any suggestions or links would be most welcome.
  • 12 years ago
    Like them both though the wood one looks like it has a couple of drawers where you could stash the laptop. Pick what speaks to you.
  • 12 years ago
    Hi,

    I love the thread, everyone has great ideas! Regarding the choice of desks, i'd go with either one as long as you tie it in with the rest of the room since this is going to be a multipurpose room make it feel connected. So, if you go with the glass one then add a glass side or coffee table in the living room area and vise versa. Hope to see pics of the finished product. For hiding the TV check out this cost effective DIY: www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/build-and-remodel/...hide...tv/project
  • 12 years ago
    For coat storage, why not get one of those tall pax wardrobes with a door and with a pull out hanging rack/bar, they are 13 to 14 inches deep by 19 inches wide. This can be placed by what seems to be a light switch on the other side of the entry way opposite where your'e thinking about placing the desk. This would be great for storage period.
  • 12 years ago
    Oh, PAX wardrobes are from IKEA, although I guess you knew that, but just in case...
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    They are both really nice, but I think I may be favoring the wood one. What are the dimensions on both?
    kiyoshima thanked Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    hgtvobsessed - do you have a picture of the pax unit with the pull-out bar? I'm intrigued.
  • 12 years ago
    The closet is about 14 inches deep and comes in 19 or 29 inches wide.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Thanks! Very nice.
  • 12 years ago
    @hgtvobesessed I both love and need that closet in my life! There is a lot of hallway space in our home and I think that it would be perfect on the 3rd floor as a linen closet.
    Thanks for showing it to me!

    @Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc. I decided to go with a different desk. I do a lot of drawing , painting and crafting (among other things) and those desks weren't meeting my needs. I tried to keep the desk size with in the parameters of your drawing.

    I hope to have something to show soon. There are so many books and things that need shelf space so it's going to take a while. (Not to mention the paint). I'll show an in progress pick by next week hopefully.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Kiyoshima............You know your needs best - get the desk that fits you. Please do keep us posted. I'm sure it will turn out beautifully,
  • 12 years ago
    Okay, so I took some pictures last night. Please keep in mind it's still a work in progress. We are planning to get the desk and shelving after Thanksgiving. I think that we will paint in the new year as well. Please ignore the bamboo chair in the corner. It's a project that I will be working on and it won't be in there forever. We also have all of our art work sitting on the floor. We will hang it up as soon as possible. I would really like to paint the living room a blue color.
  • 12 years ago
    Here are the rest. Buying all of that furniture has left us with a lot of cardboard boxes. We need to get them out of the house before Thanksgiving!!
  • 12 years ago
    I'll try moving it over when I get home tonight! I would like to get two round side tables, I'm just waiting on a good deal. That blue is very nice, I'll see if I can't get a small paint tester to see how it looks in the room.
  • 12 years ago
    Fun fact I'm really proud of the console. It's a working Silvertone radio and record player from the 60s that still works :)
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    I love that!
  • 12 years ago
    I haven't posted on here in a while (being a first time Mom is hard work!). I was able to make progress on my desk nook area. It's still a work in progress and we haven't painted yet, but I think that it is coming along nicely. I've got quite a few art pieces that I need to hang up as well. I hope to post more once we get the walls painted.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Nice to hear from you! Looks like the desk area is turning out beautifully. Babies do take up a lot of time - I sometimes wonder how I ever did it.
  • 12 years ago
    Put the table in front of the windows. Can you eliminate one section of the couches? Then place the chairs opposite of one couch.
  • 9 years ago

    Such a nice rug, glad that stays :)