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Layout for long living room with too many openings

12 years ago
I'm not sure how to layout our living room furniture and now that we are putting in a bamboo floor, we've decided to get new couches, but I still don't know what would work with our space. We have a long living room with 3 openings/doorways and a large window. The pictures show one set-up we had for awhile and the panoramic picture is our current set-up. We want to get a 3 pc sectional style couch with a chaise, but we are open to other suggestions. Here are the factors that affect our space:
- There is barely an entryway and we will be putting tile in the current entry and extend it out about 3 feet into the living room. This should help create an entry area.
- Since this is our main entrance, we need to be able to walk through the living room easily without running into furniture.
- Also, we have 2 large dogs (golden retriever and yellow lab) that love to look out the window so we don't want to put a new couch under the window (if possible).
- Of course, we want to see our TV when we sit on our new sofa.

Can we make a sectional work in our space? Suggestions for other types of couches instead? Finally, how should we layout our space so we have a pretty and functional living room? Any help is much appreciated!

Comments (4)

  • 12 years ago
    last modified: 12 years ago
    Will the tv work to the right of the window? Then a couch could face the window and two chairs could sit facing the tv, with their back to the front door. Love the idea of having the front window open for you and for the dogs.
  • 12 years ago
    Sometimes with large rooms, its nice to define spaces. You could move the oversized chair so it creates a corner with your sofa, and then make a small reading nook or desk in the corner next to your tv. Good luck!
  • 12 years ago
    Hi, Kaitlin. In order for you to view the TV and allow the furry critters to see out of the window, I think you'll have to place your new sectional in the lower right corner of the second photo. That will leave the window unobstructed for the dogs.

    The wall where the floating shelves are can house a cabinet with closing doors that hides the TV when not in use. I think closing doors are important since the cabinet will be the first thing seen upon coming through the front door. A nice furnishing is often more welcoming than an electronic.

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    A low back swivel chair may be a good option for the space as well.

    I'd think very carefully about extending the entry tile 3 ft into the living area. It will encroach on that space, leaving you with less living space and options for furniture placement.

    I've attached a floor plan to consider. Hopefully, it'll give you some ideas.
    Kaitlin thanked Manon Floreat
  • 12 years ago
    Thank you for the suggestions. I've thought about dividing the space, but we like an open feeling (especially with our large dogs) and we couldn't decide what to do with the other area.

    Manon, I really like your suggestion. The way you did the layout does help us envision how we can arrange our furniture. I think we can get the sectional we were considering.

    I agree that the TV is not the first thing we want to see when we enter our home. I haven't really thought about hiding it before, but I know there are plenty of ways to hide or disguise the TV so I'm sure we can find something that meets our style and budget.

    The problem with the entry is that to close the door, we have to step to the left onto the carpet. When we put down bamboo, it will be very hard to keep the snow off this area even with rugs. I would like the tile to come out enough for us to stand, but not take over the area. I'm thinking of using something that looks like stone and the area is curved where is meets the wood instead of square.

    Thank you for all your suggestions!