Help me with my petite living room!

12 years ago

My fiance and I are moving to a home in NJ. We have two living room areas and would like to make this living area seen below into a casual living area and likely playroom for our children (when we have them).
This space is very cute, it's right next to the kitchen. We would also like it to have enough seating so MY IDEA is to place a TV above the fireplace, a rug in the center, 2 sofas on the other sides of the fireplace and 2 small recliners facing the fireplace (if you could picture that in your head). I am not a designer so I don't know if this is the best use of space.

I also don't want to keep the red wall because I fear it makes the space look smaller. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how we can paint (colors) and make the room look bigger and brighter? I saw some people paint adjacent walls different colors. Could that work?

Any ideas are recommended. I would like the area to be classy but also casual.

Featured Answer

karemore55

12 years ago

Hi there! I'm not sure your room can hold so much furniture, especially if you plan to eventually use this area as play space for your children.

I also am not a fan of the TV over the fireplace. Usually, it is too high for comfortable viewing, unless you are able to sit quite far back. In your room, I don't think this is possible. Also, because of the decorative windows and the fireplace, that wall will be your focal point, and a TV will really detract from that.

Your TV should probably go on the wall where the current one is. I would look into an Ikea system, like the Hemnes sofa table below, for your TV stand. The cubbies below would hold the Ikea Branas bins or similar, which would be a (small!) start toward housing the toys that will eventually take over your space.

Thy our sofa would go where the existing one is. You could place a small-ish arm chair to the right of the TV (closest to the kitchen) and two cube type storage ottomans (more toy storage) in front of the fireplace. This would give you seating for about 5 people if you are entertaining.

If you don't have specific colors you are working with yet, I would suggest. Warm neutral for all walls. Definitely get rid of the red! You are right - it is overpowering the room. A medium to light muted color will be calming, and will make the room feel light and airy as well. Posting Ben Moore Elmira Whote below as a possibility.

Good luck!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

abbyjean
12 years ago
Once again, GREAT advice from karemore!!!
Related Professionals
Mobile Interior Designers & Decorators · Killeen Interior Designers & Decorators · Brunswick Architects & Building Designers · Marinette Architects & Building Designers · Lake Havasu City Architects & Building Designers · San Luis Obispo Architects & Building Designers · Olympia Architects & Building Designers · Chatham Architects & Building Designers · Natchez Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Oklahoma City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Tulsa Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Wichita Falls Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Janesville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Mission Viejo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Yuba City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
ambersgray
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you! This all definitely makes sense.
mrs_oli
12 years ago
Sounds slightly odd but when we buy our furniture one of the criteria is that it won't easily show marks and scratches, because with kids it will get marked and scratched.

Look at sofa beds for added functionality and get as much storage in as you can, such as putting in window seats under each window where the seat is hinged to provide a storage box underneath

If you want to put a larger piece above the fireplace look at using a mirror or a large artwork
ambersgray thanked mrs_oli
nikksullivan
12 years ago
Change the red to match the room, that would help. Also the window coverings really make the space look dated. Congrats on your new home !
ambersgray thanked nikksullivan
decoenthusiaste
12 years ago
I'd suggest that you can put the TV above the FP but you'll need to pull the sofa all the way back to where the folding table is in the left foreground of the picture. Leave enough room for bar stools at that counter if it is configured for them. Then you may have room for a pair of small swivel chairs (or swivel/gliders for rocking babies) on the wall where the sofa is. Add a nice round padded hassock style coffee table with storage. The idea of storage benches under the windows is a good one. Keep it all neutral and add color with pillows, throws, art and accessories.
Gideon Oval Leather Storage Bench · More Info

San Leandro Storage Bench by Furniture of America · More Info

Molly Swivel Chair · More Info

Babyletto Madison Swivel Glider in Slate · More Info

Broyhill Perspectives Three Seat Beige Sofa with Cognac Wood Finish · More Info
Natalie
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Hi---how about some fun color, whether it be paint or accessories---the kids will love it. I too, am not a fan of a television above the FP because it is uncomfortable unless the space is Huge---keep it where it is. I think a sectional would be best for your room, ottoman or round coffee table, (no corners), a rug, perhaps a chair, and that's about it... Hope this is helpful. CheerS!
[houzz=
Palmer Point Road Residence 2 Living Room 3 · More Info
[houzz=
An Attic Retreat · More Info
]
Lori Pringle
12 years ago
I think the red looks cozy. If you want to minimize the optical effect from the high contrast, maybe consider a darker color for the other walls, like maybe a kind of tan color, but first get color samples and make sure the colors go well together.

I'm also not fond of TVs above fireplaces. I'd suggest a painting there and put your TV where it is in this photo.

Two sofas and two recliners is way too much furniture for this room. How many people are you going to have in this room? I'd put in either two sofas or one sofa and two recliners at most.