Need Living Room Help

12 years ago

last modified: 12 years ago

I need some help finishing my living room. We replaced the carpets with hardwoods, repainted (Benjamin Moore Putnam Ivory) and replaced the old lace curtains and valances with sheers. We are stuck on what to do next. The pictures over the couch are NOT staying. The items in the back corner, to the right or the piano are NOT staying. The bowl on top of the buffet between the windows is not staying. The tables and sofa are staying. The money went into the floors so the sofa stays for now. There are taupe and golden tones in it.

I have some nice items and some books I would like to display but where and on what?

The living room opens up to the dining room with same floor, wall color and curtains. My dining room dilemma is listed here:
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/need-dining-room-help-suggestions-dsvw-vd~796719

I would like suggestions for over the couch, opposite the couch (2 different chairs, 2 of the same chairs?) and the piano wall (above the piano and to the sides). Pillows, a decorative freestanding shelf, etc?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

12 years ago

Everything is up against the walls, giving you a cold look, unwelcoming look. You also need an area rug to gather the seating around. I'd pull the sofa into the center of the floor, perpendicular to the wall where it is now. Align it with the portion of wall between the two windows and put the skinny sofa table behind if it isn't too high. On the right wall behind the sofa put the drop leaf chest that is now between the windows. Rocker and the rectangular side chest can go on the wall where the sofa is now. Move the floor lamp by the rocker for a reading area. However, you really don't have enough seating for the space. I'd add a couple of armchairs around the rug with the sofa and move the rocker reading arrangement down where the skinny sofa table is now. Try this general arrangement and see what you think. If you like it, we can work on what to hang on the walls. Do you have any art you want to use?

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Comments (131)

PRO
The 8th House
12 years ago
Color would help, especially over the couch and piano! Visit my profile for details, best of luck!
mefor
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Mpetruze, hi :)
Still wondering if you can give me info on the chairs you liked from local store, I'd try to find them at a better price for you. Are you still with us?
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mefor
12 years ago
Just wondered if you might consider the ektorp chair from Ikea, it's not expensive and is very comfortable. Plus you can buy extra slipcovers if you'd like to change the look. These are a few of the most neutral slipcovers. I have these chairs and they are comfortable and resilient. And the price is great, whether you want them for a really long time or just for a few years until you can buy something you adore. They are very like pottery barn styles.
mefor
12 years ago
One more, this is a velvet.
mefor
12 years ago
Looks good with existing sofa fabric
mefor
12 years ago
:)
bubbasgma
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I like those, mforr. A good shape, practical, affordable, and not so big they block the traffic thru the room. Are those all from Ikea? I like this bottom one best.
I like the new paint color too.
Putnam Ivory HC-39 Paint · More Info
mefor
12 years ago
Yes, they're all from ikea. They look good and the price is wonderful. I like the last two I posted with the sofa fabric. But the other ones are neutral enough to go with it too.
mefor
12 years ago
Mpetruze, these are available at pier one, both of these colors are good with your couch, though the taupe is more neutral.
bubbasgma
12 years ago
Hi, Mpetruze....
I too am trying to do some remodeling/redecorating. Was clearing out my e-mail and when I came to this I thought of you. I'm not sure if you are in a big city or small, so it might be of no help. In my area I have seen a TON of estates sales of late. Some foreclosures, people downsizing to warmer places, even ENTIRE model homes being liquidated. There certainly is junk too, but I have been amazed at some of the barely used items I have seen.You can sign up to receive emails about any coming up near you.
http://www.estatesales.net/
bubbasgma
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
And this is another website that someone here on house has suggested.
http://www.wayfair.com/daily-sales/Accent-Chairs-Under-%24200~E8728.html?refid=EDF0120147614.268&sm=1&csnid=B107BB4C-6FE9-451C-A1CD-4F5E4F43008E
mefor
12 years ago
Great idea bubbasgma, estate sales, tag sales even local auctions are great places to find good bargains. :)
majdshihade
12 years ago
I hope u like it
mar_z
Original Author
12 years ago
Bubbasgma - great idea. That you for the links.

We have been chair shopping for the past week. Mforr - you actually helped me with a big decision. Went to Pier 1 to look at the chairs and saw so many beautiful objects - bowls, vases, art, pillows. And.....none of it goes with my couch! We decided to either reupholster the couch or buy a new one. After shopping for a new one, we decided to reupholster. Our couch is much better than what we saw out there and although reupholstering is expensive, it is still much less expensive than a brand new one. Now there are fabric swatches all over the couch!
mefor
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
That's great news :)
I hope you will share some pics of your favorite swatches. We would still love to help you get your room to the place where you want it to be. I think reupholstering a good piece of furniture is the best way to go. You know how comfortable and well made it is, now you will be able to look at it and visually enjoy it as much as you physically enjoy sitting on it. We're here when you're ready :)
mar_z
Original Author
12 years ago
I am going to do the total opposite this time - no florals, no prints. Just a neutral color with a little texture. I will see if I can find the swatches online and post them.
mefor
12 years ago
That's a great plan, let the pattern and color be in your accessories, pillows and artwork :)
solincia
12 years ago
I also have the same L shape living room/dining room. The living room is 13ft wide. Here's some ideas for furniture placement:
solincia
12 years ago
Also about shopping--I check Craigslist every day, you never know what you're going to find. Those chairs in my dining room are $600 a piece retail, I purchased all 6 for $500 on CL. The two west elm chairs opposite the sofa were $150 for the pair on CL, Ballard bench in the foyer $70 on CL. There are many great finds on CL from people redecorating, moving, divorce, etc! It just takes a little time! Don't feel that everything has to be brand new, new to you with more cash in your pocket is always a winner!!!
bubbasgma
12 years ago
mpetruze! I am so excited for you! Can't wait to see your swatches!!

Here, there is some new law about doing recycling for renovations/demolition. Several "demolition auction companies have popped up, the hitch is you usually have to disassemble and remove things yourself. =(

I saw a totally tricked out, 5 year old, all maple kitchen, top-line appliances, granite counters, With TWO floor to ceiling pull out pantrys, and a 8ft long floor to ceiling matching sideboard. Million+ dollar mcmansion, but new homeowner wanted something different. They were asking $4,000!!!!! Unfortunately I couldn't figure out how to make it happen quick enough to bring it home. But if there was one, maybe there will be another!
Rina
12 years ago
Just saying hello, Mpetruze. New thread to clear the underbrush? Pathetic time excuse, but I can't read it right through at the moment. Wish I could. Just so you know I'm cheering for you.
mar_z
Original Author
12 years ago
solincia - thanks for the pictures! It's so weird to see my living room in with a totally different layout. I like what you've done. It looks great.

I have found some deals on Craig's List. You have to check every day.

bubbasgma - thanks for the heads up on the estate sales site.

Hi Rina!
mefor
12 years ago
Hi mpetruze :)
Any swatches we could see? :)
bubbasgma
12 years ago
mpetruze... Estate/demo sale...I found you a baby grand piano! lol! AND I found myself another kitchen!!! But I forgot to buy us lottery tickets!!!
mefor
12 years ago
Mpetruze, good morning :)
Hoping there's some news to share, have you decided on a fabric for the reupholstery yet? Do you want any help in narrowing down your choices?
I'm on stand by here, just let me know :)
Ellen Schafer-decker
12 years ago
The bird pillow works very nicely with your new tall vase! Those brighter colors for accents should look more up to date, too. Good luck with everything. (Would the berry color chair above work with your drapes?)
mefor
12 years ago
? Are you still with us, mpetruze?
indomom
12 years ago
I'm confused, mpetruze...are you sticking with this link or the older one?
mefor
12 years ago
I was wondering the same thing. Mpetruze, if you'd like to work with CDR, why don't you redirect her to this thread?
mar_z
Original Author
12 years ago
Oops sorry. I thought I was in this one.
Nancy Walton
12 years ago
Posting to follow--came over from the other thread.
PRO
LB Interiors
12 years ago
Hi, I was wondering how you were doing with your room. I think one main consideration is what scale do you want for the chairs? Being that the room is narrow, low back chairs will make the room less heavy, and allow viewing out the windows if placed opposite the sofa. I think the width of the chairs will make a difference too. I would choose chairs that are on a smaller scale for the small room.
PRO
LB Interiors
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I like the mirror above the sofa but you may consider it above the piano. I think it will bounce light from the windows to the rest of the room. The piano wall seems to be a bit darker. The sofa wall seems to receive plenty of light from the opposite windows. I also think that since the piano is used every day, it would be nice not to have to face the wall while using the piano. The wall will tend to close in on you. With a mirror above the piano, you will feel less blocked to the entire room because of the open reflection of the rest of the room.
PRO
LB Interiors
12 years ago
Thanks bubbasgma for the refresher, for posting the Putman Ivory paint color. Some of the pics of the room look different. Maybe our monitors.
PRO
LB Interiors
12 years ago
I like 'mforr's Abbie chairs or something like them because of the scale.
PRO
LB Interiors
12 years ago
I also liked the striped fabric chair that you posted that was so expensive. That is a nice style and size too.
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
12 years ago
Just hopping on here and I am going to break my rule, not going to read the comments. But, there is a reason other than being short on time.

I want to start new. I may repeat ideas from the past or mention things you have already decided. Sorry about that. Here it is.

-arrange furniture as solincia has suggested. (not only does current arrangement not look good, there is continuous foot traffic in the arrangement. This is one way to update your room instantly without costing you a dime).
-reupholster couch
-buy 2 chairs
-rug and coffee table to anchor arrangement
-piano turned around/back of piano and back of couch face each other.

I do not think the room will function properly or look good the way you have it now.

Hope this helps.
PRO
LB Interiors
12 years ago
In your posting of 4 chairs, I also liked your chairs that you posted above. Not crazy about #3 chair. The rest are styles that will work and seem to be a small scale.
PRO
LB Interiors
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
CDR. I like the solina's floor plan too. I think the room is only 11' wide. sofa is 7' wide. Not sure if that can work CDR?
bubbasgma
12 years ago
If I may...I think mpetruze is trying to resolve her sofa/upholstery situation. She has gotten many, many well meaning, but very confusing suggestions. Reading her other threads may help everyone better understand the constraints she is working with.
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I don't think that is a problem, LB, since the couch would be near the opening to the dining room, there would be extra room on the left side.

Worth a try. Takes a couple of minutes to move a couch.

Bubbasgma, I understand mpetruze is on a tight budget. Just stating what should eventually be done. The first step costs $0.
PRO
LB Interiors
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
CDR, my thought was possilbly that solina's layout woud utilize only the space where the furniture is now, not moving the sofa into the space where the piano is. Were you thinking of separating the group? Sorry, I'm a bit lost.
PRO
LB Interiors
12 years ago
bubbasgma, sorry that we tend to get off track. We do tend to do that on all the dilemmas. Just adding to another poster's suggestion.
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
12 years ago
Suggesting floating furniture in center of room. Could be tried any number of ways actually. Worth a try.
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
12 years ago
Couch could be placed closer to the window side of the room, as deco enthusiaste suggested. Then 2 chairs across from couch (parallel to it) and has 6 likes.

This would give you 3-4 feet to the left of the couch (not to mention the dining room opening). 3-4 feet is plenty of space for foot traffic.

Look at photos oh Houzz. Very few have couches up against a wall.
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
12 years ago
small living rooms with couches floated

[houzz=
Pacific Heights Residence - Bedroom Suite · More Info
[houzz=
Sherry Hart · More Info
]
User
12 years ago
Jumping over from the old thread as well; eventually this will be a fabulous room with so many creative, talented people helping you.
mar_z
Original Author
12 years ago
The couch cannot be floated as solina's. I have tried it. The current couch wall is wider than the piano wall. The couch is too long for the width of the room. Also, if the couch was on the piano wall, it would stick out into the opening into the dining room since the right side of the dining room opening is so small. The end table is wider than that wall as well.

When you see floated couches on Houzz, they are usually in a bigger room. Or for rooms without dividing walls like I have, they are used to break up the space into two sections.

I have been to various furniture stores and all designers suggest going with the layout I have. Only one suggested a different idea and that was to put the couch on the diagonal which also does not work.
mefor
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I agree, there's definitely not enough room to have your couch going across the width of the room. I asked if you would consider moving the couch closer to the dining room entrance and using only one side table, have you tried it to see if the couch centered on the front window would give you a better feel? Then a pair of chairs opposite the couch, angled slightly towards each other would make a better fitting seating group. Can you try moving the couch?
PRO
CDR Design, LLC
12 years ago
There is something I am misunderstanding about the room measurements. No worries.

It seems you want your couch on the wall it is on now, mpetruze. You are the homeowner and you live there. That is the way it should be...how you feel most comfortable.

Thanks for listening to the many suggestions and working through all of them!