skip to main content

Home Decorating

Small living room set up -- back with photos

16 years ago

I posted a couple of weeks ago about how to best set up our living room b/c of it's small size and funny placement of the door and fireplace. The living room and dining room are in one long room together. Our current furniture and rug are now moved back upstairs and thought I'd send a couple of pictures. We want to keep the couch so it's difficult to do a loveseat without completely changing the couch.

Here are some ideas we have...

Replacing the two wicker chairs w/ small size leather ones. Possibly one w/ an ottoman so it could be used as extra seating? Any one know of some small scale chairs that don't look too modern?

Adding an small oval coffee table with shelf underneath (ideally) for book storage.

But are there any other ideas - thinking outside of the box- that would get us more seating w/ enough room to walk and play with our small kids? Side note-- we also have a family room in the basement w/ lots of place space.

Thanks for your help!

view from dining room side to living room

view from living room side to dining room

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

creekylis
16 years ago
How about the leather chairs like you mentioned but with a larger ottoman that can double as a coffee table?
mdwstgrl
16 years ago
casey3:
What a great room! Ideally a new sectional sofa with ottoman to replace your existing sofa would maximize the wall space and give you extra seating. Just bringing the two wicker chairs closer together and getting some fun pillows for the sofa and chair would look great. Also, the current furniture layout would look great by moving the sofa to the wall with the b/w print. The room is fabulous with the great windows and wall space...limited possibilities.
Related Discussions
Need help with small living room set up
Q
Comments (14)
hmmm - lovely room w/wonderful appointments - yes, long narrow rooms really require some creativity from a decorating/function standpt That said - I would definately try doing mock ups w/whatever existing furnishings you do have I would try - 2 couches (small) or loveseats facing each other w/fireplace in btwn - that would delineate DR fr. LR A console table could go behind the far couch - cheat the one at far end (not dr end as far back as possible - as to not loose valuable space - I have long narrow LR - w/Fireplace in middle - large entryway fr. Foyer then at other side of room 2 sets of French doors to sunroom - I finally bit the bullet and dashed the lovely Stickley coffee table to the attic - A HUGE difference - I hated having to walk around that - I think occasional, end tables, even chest of drawers in LR are far more functional - I would also try 2 chairs on either side of Fireplace - put sofa under the longer windows - it seems that it wouldn't block much of the window - then you could consider - Perhaps a nice L shaped sectional Here is a lovely creative use in narrow LR http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/2-southern-living-room-dec0807_xlg.jpg http://www.designnstyle.com/images/set2.jpg Monablair said it well - cozy not crowded This room has such wonderful potential - I do think you need to think a little outside the box - A few ? to help understand direction How often is DR used - try putting blue tape to where table/chairs ordinatily are - Do you have/ideas for window coverings, rug, accessories etc... Here is a link that might be useful: lee industries
...See More
Need help with setting up living room please!!
Q
Comments (1)
You'll get input if you post current pix.
...See More
Ideas for setting up/furniture a small living room with a front door?
Q
Comments (19)
I've had a house with a small LR where the door opened directly into the room. I used a 60" love seat and floated it facing the fireplace, and then put two chairs on either side of the fireplace. Of course, we didn't have a TV in the room, so you would probably put one chair on either side of the sofa, so one could watch the TV, which I assume is going over the fireplace. In the end, we actually built a wall with an opening into the LR. Everyone told us not to do this as it would make the LR too small. Well, the LR was going to have a pathway to the rest of the house from the front door, so at least we now had a wall where we could put things up against. We were very glad we did this, and subsequent owners of this house have told me they loved having that wall!
...See More
EMPTY & the *biggest challenge* is how to set up the main/living room
Q
Comments (24)
re: a futon I think they can be iffy in terms of quality, or design. I've run into ones that aren't comfortable as a sofa (too low; too deep of a seat; something), and ones that are too hard for sleeping on. However, my dad has one that opens to a double bed, and it's actually OK for sleeping, and it's OK for sitting. So I would say don't get one unless you're going to be able to look around and find one that's well designed and comfortable, and spring for it. I know my mom looked long and hard for this one. It has drawers underneath, which is nice for storing the pillows, etc., when it's in bed form (which nowadays is never; we just leave it made up anymore, bcs the socializing is done in the living room, and the futon is in the den). But if he expects to have people sleep over, a futon is useful.
...See More
brutuses
16 years ago
What about some trees/plants with some up-lights in a corner or two? What about some print pillows on the sofa? A big glass container or some kind with either fruit or flowers? A large mirror over the fireplace would reflect the light coming in the door across from it. What about a tall vase or urn standing by the fireplace with some type of vegetation/twigs of some kind? A hanging light fixture over the dining room table?

I don't know what your budget is. I was just throwing out ideas.
deltabreeze
16 years ago
Are the rattan chairs comfortable? Could you put both of them on the same side (the fireplace side) and put one leather chair with its back by the door? In terms of a coffee table with book storage, my sense is that it might clutter the center of your narrow room. You might do better replacing the side table by your couch with something that gives you book storage. I would also like to see a taller lamp on that table (or could you just get a taller harp?) Given that you have small kids, an ottoman (or two) that is lightweight and movable might be handy. By the leather chair, a floor lamp with a tray table would be nice. As far as the DR side of the room goes, it seems to call out for some color. The drapes, table and cushions are all neutral. You could add color with artwork or a ceramic pot or . . . Good luck, it is a lovely space.

Related Stories

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Set Up an Outdoor Living Room

By Add a Pinch | Robyn Stone

With an outdoor movie screen, a patio heater or fan, and scads of entertaining essentials, you may never want to go back inside

STUDIOS AND WORKSHOPS How to Set Up a Craft Room

By Christine Tusher

Keep bits and bobs from winding their way into the rest of your home by setting up a designated area for craft projects

KITCHEN DESIGN House Planning: How to Set Up Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

Where to Put All Those Pots, Plates, Silverware, Utensils, Casseroles...

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Set Up a Kitchen Work Triangle

By Vanessa Brunner

Efficiently designing the path connecting your sink, range and refrigerator can save time and energy in the kitchen

HEALTHY HOME 12 Ways to Set Up Your Kitchen for Healthy Eating

By Becky Harris

Making smart food choices is easier when your kitchen is part of your support team

DESIGN PRACTICE How to Set Up Your Design Studio at Home

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Learn from an architect how to create a workspace that fuels your practice and feeds you inspiration

SHOP HOUZZ Houzz Products: Set Up Your Dream Coffee Station

Wouldn’t it be nice to have your own café that never closes? With these tools and accessories from the Houzz Products section, you can

BATHROOM DESIGN Small-Bathroom Secret: Free Up Space With a Wall-Mounted Sink

By Rachel Grace

Make a tiny bath or powder room feel more spacious by swapping a clunky vanity for a pared-down basin off the floor

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Pretty Meets Practical in a 1920s Walk-Up

By Cynthia Lynn Photography

Creative styling gives an 800-square-foot rental such an inspired homey air, you might just miss the office in the living room

HOUZZ TV FAVORITES Houzz TV: Flickering Virtual Fireplaces to Warm Your Heart

By Bryan Anthony

Sit back and enjoy a crackling fire set to seasonal music and surrounded by ideas for your own dream living room

Sponsored

Snider & Metcalf Interior Design, LTD

23 Reviews

Leading Interior Designers in Columbus, Ohio & Ponte Vedra, Florida

More Discussions

Help with sidelight design

26

Which of these neutrals do I need to get rid of to fix my bedroom?

19

What Size/Color Pillows For Dining Room Chairs?

13

Nursery Furniture ....does it have to match? Mixing wood tones?

10

Console or fireplace?

0