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Need decorating ideas for this family room

13 years ago

We are in the process of moving to a new home. This family room was decorated by the previous owner. We have limited furniture : flat screen TV, dark brown leather sofa set(see photo), round glass coffee table. How do I put together this room, in terms of color or accessories, without breaking the bank? I especially don't know what to do with the fireplace...what should I put above the fireplace? I am not familiar with many decorating styles so an elegant looking is sufficient for me. Any suggestions will be appreciated!

Comments (3)

Shannon01
13 years ago
I think you should place your limited furniture same as theirs. You will get glare from windows but that can be controlled with blinds and curtains that can be pulled across when it is really bad. You can get plants to flank the fireplace or maybe similar to them, place a chair and lamp for reading but on the left side of fireplace instead to give some bulk to that side of room. For hearth a simple set of tools on right side if you do the chair on left. Then on mantle I would do three items on right side using three different heights. Say three candle holders. Or a tall vase with tow shorter items. Then on the left side I would put a med item. Say a plate on a stand. for center I could see a piece of art or maybe a metal art thing. Nothing too busy though. Keep it simple up there. If the items you put up there are simple and nice to look at then you could skip any art as they will be the art.
glassbead
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for your detailed advice, shannon01! I guess I have a better idea now but still struggle with what to put on the triangle shaped like niche space and how? For items on the mantle, what colors will fit this fireplace/room? Will curtains/drapes be necessary to enhance the view, given wood blinds are already in place? I am really a newbie so anyone please feel free to give me some feedback. Thanks in advance!
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I always like art, but it’s so personal it’s hard to suggest for someone else, especially when I can’t see anything in the room that gives an indication of your style. I would begin by looking for some inspiration photos and go from there. If you can share a couple of photos of rooms you like and give us a sense of your style you might get more of a response. It’s a nice room with lots of potential to be a cozy family space.
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Taking out the bar to put in a desk area is a great idea. Build in plenty of storage. I would put the tv on the wall to the left of the alcove, where your sofa is currently, and then rotate your seating so you are facing the tv, and the fireplace, with room to walk behind the seating. That leaves room to put more builtin storage in the back corner near the fireplace. You could expand the storage even more by changing your french doors into your living area into a single door, changing the swing so they open into the living area, or removing them completely. That would also lighten the room. I don't mind the half wall going into your kitchen since you have a different level of flooring between the spaces and you need something there. If you put the tv over the fireplace, the room is cut off by the doorway to the living area and the new office, and the length of the room isn't fully utilized.
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lizzie_grow
13 years ago
You know what, I would move in, place your current furniture and live with it for a bit, then you will have a better idea. We jumped the gun on a couple of rooms in our current home which we moved into 4 years ago, and I wish I'd waited a little bit to get how we use the room, etc.

That triangular area doesn't have to have anything on it...it could stand alone as just an architectural detail. We have some of those in our living room, & I've put nothing on them & it looks fine....depends on if you feel the need to decorate up there.

I agree with Shannon that I'd put an additional chair, if you use one, on the side opposite the window to balance that area or if that piece housing their tv isn't staying, you could put your longer sofa along that wall, thus opening up the beautiful bay like window & put the chair on that side for reading.

Where are you putting your tv...is the large piece staying? You could put your tv above the FP, maybe.

If you have wood blinds, you don't really need drapes, unless you want the softness of fabric. I would leave that decision for a bit.

Christopher Lowell (from hgtv, etc.) has a book on the seven layers of design & he advises window treatments, accessories, etc. as probably the last step.

It is a beautiful room, BTW, and I hope you'll post as you decorate it!! Good luck!

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