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wisneb

Need Help With Living Room Arrangement

12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Just bought the two sofas. I had them placed in front of the window facing one another, but they were so wide apart it wasn't conversational.

I tried to abut them like an L-shape, but it left awkward narrow space along the wall (the one with the large picture).

What do you think of this?

Eventually I'll get an area rug, a console table where the "dresser" is now. I also would love a tall, black bookcase with glass doors where the fake tree is now.

Should I get a narrow coffee table or ottomans?

I am not going mid-century modern, bc I changed my mind. I like nature-influences with maybe a little industrial look. I love those black mesh lamps and restoration hardware.

Any paint recs appreciated. I don't want the gray sofas to look blue, so anything to bring out the gray I would like.

Also, cannot afford new flooring, sadly. The carpet looks more gold in reality which annoys me. I will need recs for an area rug which isn't too patterned. I like subtle, restful effects with nature-inspired.

Any ideas are all welcome. I do have a small budget right now, and hope to paint in spring.

Comments (149)

  • 12 years ago
    I couldn't find any shelves with the right proportions that weren't staggered, so I used these. The spacing looks about right for your wall. I would keep the length to about 2/3 to 3/4 the length of the sofa, and make them so that from the top of your sofa table to the top item on the top shelf is about centered vertically on that wall, if that makes sense. In other words, the distance from sofa table to floor is about the same as the distance from ceiling to the top of the highest object.
    wisneb thanked groveraxle
  • 12 years ago
    I think a tweedy charcoal ottoman would look great. Hope you can find one. I had trouble finding decent round ottomans, but go for it.
    wisneb thanked groveraxle
  • 12 years ago
    I'm headed to bed. Exhausting day. Will check in with you tomorrow. Thanks for being such a good sport, wisneb, after I told you you had too much sofa in the room. People like you make houzz worthwhile, and a lot of fun.
    wisneb thanked groveraxle
  • 12 years ago
    Thank you so much, groveraxle. Glad to hear about your pup! :)
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Maybe I should sell one sofa and buy 2 chairs with matching ottomans and then proceed. Could still do shelves on tall wall if I put sofa on large back wall, right. Then chairs in front of windows?
  • 12 years ago
    I haven't really read every posting but I wanted to say that you don't have too much sofa. They're beautiful and I'm jealous. Secondly, the way you have them now is the best way to, I feel, to allow a large cocktail table. The way they were at the top of the thread was good for greater intimacy between the two. There may even be room for an accent chair of some kind. You did great with the sofas. I know you didn't solicit wall color advice but just about anything other than that brown would help the sofas pop. The brown walls and beige carpet are the only thing that are "too much" for me.
    wisneb thanked honeyklein
  • 12 years ago
    I really like the sofas in your room and I love the arrangement now, too. The plan grover has is an awesome one and I hope it works for you.
    wisneb thanked abbyjean
  • 12 years ago
    wisneb, I wouldn't sell a sofa. You just bought them and they are beautiful. Go ahead and try them out. Instead of going to Craigslist to sell, go to see if you can find a decent sofa table and round ottoman, or even a round coffee table that's big enough to span the space and that you could refinish or paint or distress.

    I have to admit, with this arrangement, the two sofa room has grown on me. It's not something you see every day and it's gutsy. I like that.
    wisneb thanked groveraxle
  • 12 years ago
    I agree with Grover. I have a huge family room and I plan on doing a two sofa set up because I prefer that set up and like that look. One part of the room will have two conversation sofas and the other side with have four comfy chairs around a cocktail ottoman, I think.
    wisneb thanked honeyklein
  • 12 years ago
    Just a thought but if you can't find an ottoman in the right shade, how about sourcing your own fabric and having one covered? It might not be too expensive and would give you the look you're after. Are there any upholsterers in your area that might be able to help?
    wisneb thanked flippa33
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Thank you all! Ok - let's pretend you can do the ideal arrangement in this room. Anything goes! I love charcoal colors, long lines and serenity with nature-inspiration.

    If I need to lose a sofa, I can.

    Just a reminder: This is the TV-free space; so just reading, relaxing and entertaining will occur here.

    I wrote a "book" here and decided not to keep it posted bc it was toooo much.

    I love the butterscotch color for accent to warm up the room if you think it's wise.

    Should I delineate the foyer area where the vinyl is, with something like tall branches in a wood, rectangular base? Someday we might put laminate in that room, but for now I wonder if I could just enhance the little entry with the tall branched idea, or even a small "room divider" bookcase???

    Maybe I should get a larger gray area rug there to cover more of the tacky vinyl for now. :)

    A big thank you to everyone for the patience and kindness shown. And special thanks to Groveraxle for doing those mock-ups! :)
  • 12 years ago
    This is the idea for small entry, bringing in the nature influence. Opinions?
  • 12 years ago
    Driftwood.
    wisneb thanked groveraxle
  • 12 years ago
    That entry is gorgeous. I'll have to go take a closer look at the rest of the space.
    wisneb thanked groveraxle
  • wisneb thanked groveraxle
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Will check that out, groveraxle. Thank you
    How cool is that? Now that's creativity! Thank you for that link!

    So that means, instead of that dresser in that space, I could totally do the tree thing instead and use some uplighting or whatnot to give visual impact there.

    You did some awesome renditions; showed the husband! He likes it and appreciates your work.
  • 12 years ago
    Exact same coloring as our FR. I am changing my black ottomans for 2 printed ones in the yellow/gold, just for a change. So many opportunities. I even have floating shelves in black behind the couch, staggered.
    wisneb thanked kitchener64
  • 12 years ago
    I like your idea of the butterscotch accent, but I'd like to make sure we are all on the same shade. Would you mind posting a picture of a couple of accents that you consider the butterscotch color?
    wisneb thanked indomom
  • 12 years ago
    Similar to this shade such as the top portion of this chair. Obv. not style, but the color. Maybe it's more butternut squash? My color vocab may be off! Just not too orange. :) Thank you.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    You have mentioned this color several times and that lets me know how much you love it and how special it is to you. Now that I see it, I love it, too!!! And one of the things that I love is that is it not the normal combo often suggested, but it works!!! 60/30/10 is the suggested ratio for color, so with the couches being the 60, what do you see as the 30 and 10???
    wisneb thanked abbyjean
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Thank you, abbyjean. I had to come to grips with the fact I needed some warmth in the room and it makes me happy. :)

    After I put in the maple colored dresser (replaced the one which had gray fronts), it livened up the space.
  • 12 years ago
    Good for you for knowing what you want, and when you do, happy is just right!!!
    wisneb thanked abbyjean
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Too massive, replace one sofa by 2 chairs with pattern fabric.
    wisneb thanked Studio NOO Design
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    What about if I got this used cabinet and painted the outsides off-black and left the inside the natural wood? Could this be useful in the room and on which wall? This would be instead of floating shelves. Or is this "too country?" I don't want to get too country but maybe painted it would be different.

    Also, it may be too red looking, so could strip it and restain with something a little more of a maple shade.

    Must "hover" to see full view here.
  • 12 years ago
    Would that cabinet fit on your foyer wall? What if you painted the outside off-black and the inside the butterscotch color?
    If you use it instead of the floating shelves would you be able to open the cabinet portion?
    wisneb thanked indomom
  • 12 years ago
    I love grover's most recent rendering. So glad about the news about your best friend, grover! How about replacing the floor lamp with a pretty good sized arc lamp?
    wisneb thanked Ann
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Yes, it would fit bc I have about 85" on the foyer wall. Originally, I was going to buy a massive black bookcase with window pane glass doors and put it there. Then I got off on various tangents and interesting ideas... lol. I could leave the bottom doors open if desired; I think there is enough space to do so.
  • 12 years ago
    Ann, thank you. Right the lamp that is there now is dated. I was wondering about a burlap type of drum shade instead.
  • 12 years ago
    I think I got a little squirrel-y; I was thinking the floating shelves were behind the couch with the sofa table. If you put the cabinet in the foyer, I don't think you need to leave the doors open.
    wisneb thanked indomom
  • 12 years ago
    A drum shade would be better, but the sofas are pretty big and that floor lamp feels a bit small scale. You can't really solve that with a big new shade because it will dwarf the lamp.
    wisneb thanked Ann
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    I agree indomom. I think I only want one shelving piece anyway. I was thinking of having a boxed planter in the foyer with very tall birch branches as a nice welcoming touch of nature. Maybe I should just go live in the woods or on the patio. lol

    Another idea: shelves where groveraxle recommended. Birch planter/trees on foyer wall. Keep 2 sofas and face one another along the length of the room with room to walk in on either side and then two leather ottomans in front of the windows to pull out as needed.
  • 12 years ago
    Couldn't agree more about the nature influenced/little bit of industrial look. I like that look too!
    wisneb thanked Ann
  • 12 years ago
    Ann, and I love to paint furniture, so I'd have a little fun with that old wooden cabinet. I could even do some bronze metallic touches on the inside instead of leaving it natural wood.
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    This is a shelving arrangement I like since it's pleasing to the eye. This would be on the tall wall in LR.
    Total of 5 shelves, but not going all the way to ceiling.
    Then place sofas facing each other, perpendicular to this wall.
    Please see original posting, 2nd picture.
    You can then enter seating area on each side of the room.
    Instead of white shelves, do natural wood. Floating so no hardware shows.
    Where the TV is, I would replace with framed artwork instead.
    Instead of lower console, I would just have another long shelf.
    Under that I could place 2 or 3 ottomans to anchor that area, and pull them out as needed.

    Then I could do my long rectangular planter on foyer wall and get tall birch branches to put there with some uplighting.

    Thoughts?

    Modern Living Room · More Info
  • 12 years ago
    Looks nice. I didn't read the whole thread - do you already have a long rectangular planter?
    wisneb thanked Ann
  • 12 years ago
    Ann: no we don't and I'm sure the size we'd be looking at would be pricey. I'm on a beer budget here, so I could have someone make me one out of wood. I could paint it with some natural shades and maybe a bit of metallic glazing.
  • 12 years ago
    I totally understand the beer budget. With that in mind, I'd just take it slowly. Sometimes, I think people want to get the whole room done quickly and end up getting stuff that isn't quite right while trying to stay on the budget. I'd prioritize the items, find sales and pay good prices when possible, and be willing to save up and wait for "perfect" items. The room is off to a great start!
    wisneb thanked Ann
  • 12 years ago
    Decided against the cabinet, I really love the idea of the floating shelves. :) Thank you for that excellent advice. It does pay to go the direction your heart is in.
  • 12 years ago
    Floating shelves can be expensive (unless you go with Ikea's Lack, but that doesn't sound like what you want), so try here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BarnwoodDesignsNY?section_id=14335850&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1

    But be sure to take a look at what this woman did. She built her own shelves with a little surprise: http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2011/12/reclaimed-wood-floating-shelves.html
    wisneb thanked groveraxle
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Thank you, groveraxle, much appreciated! :) Love the barnwood designs so much and those would definitely be in budget.

    Stacy is certainly talented at her hand crafted shelves - wow!

    I want to show two credenzas which could go on the tall wall with shelving above it. Which do you prefer? I almost like the one with the more modern legs myself, since I want to throw in a little of modern and move away from traditional. I love these! Thoughts?
  • 12 years ago
    I like them both, but I think I prefer the legs on the left. I think that touch of modern would look great.
    wisneb thanked groveraxle
  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Thank you, groveraxle. Also, I think that will go on tall wall and husband will get the 9 drawer for his TV downstairs. I also think the modern console would look better with the plan I have for the birch planter (see pic above). If you think of anything else, let me know. I can check after my vaca if my local furniture store can get me the credenza.

    Then I wonder what kind of coffee table, but it may make sense to get this piece in first, get some real pics of it to ascertain the wood tone and then decide on a coffee table (or nesting table set).
  • 12 years ago
    What about a coffee table like this one?

    http://houzz.com/photos/7235342
    wisneb thanked safai
  • 12 years ago
    Thank you, Safai, that's very cool and would work mixing industrial with modern.
  • 12 years ago
    I love the live edge, or nature look or even a huge square chunky look.
    http://blog-images.barefootfloor.com/images/2011/01/Live-Edge-Slab-Coffee-Table.jpg
    Living Room · More Info

    Kona Walnut Square Coffee Table · More Info
  • 12 years ago
    Love those tables!

    Also I know people don't like rugs on carpets.....but something to consider?

    http://houzz.com/photos/7789484

    Also I love your idea to go for butterscotch colour on accessories. It goes so well with grey!
    wisneb thanked safai
  • 12 years ago
    Thank you, Safai. Since I don't have lovely hardwood or even laminates at this time, I have to deal with the boring carpet. I definitely could see a rug there for an accent.
  • 12 years ago
    I LOVE a beautiful live edge!
    wisneb thanked indomom
  • 12 years ago
    I'm considering this same sofa and have a cat with only rear claws. Does your cat have any claws? Have you had any issues with snagging or hair? Thanks!
    wisneb thanked Erica Heitke
  • 12 years ago
    Erica: they do have tiny loops, so potentially your cat might get "stuck" in them. It just depends how much your cat moves around, stretches, etc. Our male cat stopped scratching it (he barely touched it). The female is a jumper and she doesn't scratch per se, but she sometimes gets "hooked" in a loop if she's very active. Overall if you cat isn't too active and you don't have a lot of activity on the sofa, it should do well. Obviously, I do have some pulled snags and have no idea how to fix them. Our female likes to jump on the arm where a snag is more apparent. YMMV Otherwise, I really like the sofa. One thing, if you like having a place to put your arm and sit, this has the high arm and you can't do that for very long. It's definitely not a family room type of sofa as far as I am concerned but more for entertaining or having your LR look nice. :) Hair has not been a problem which is interesting.