How much space around furniture needed to float a sofa?
faulstr
9 years ago
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persnicketydesign
9 years agoJust check out any standard hallway in your house. It's probably 3' wide. Test it out by doing everyday things in the hall. It can "work", but an extra 6" or more would make a big difference.
Our "runway" is 42" between the back of the sofa and the black cabinet. It's 5' from the sofa to the wall. I don't think I'd want it any narrower because it's a high traffic area.
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Questions about furniture we were given. Too much for space?
Comments (12)Yes, the table is large - but it works well for your family. Once you put down a rug and accessorize the room, I think the scale of the table will not be quite as distracting as it seems to be now. (Someone else will have to advise you about refinishing - I don't know much about that!) Don't worry that your desk chair is black and your sofa is brown. Rooms are more interesting when they have a collected-over-time look instead of everything being matchy-matchy, IMO. I think you're well on your way to a lovely space, and what a nice thing to be able to use furnishings that were given to you! Keep going!...See MoreHow much floor space do I need? Urgent help please!
Comments (9)Thanks everyone for your great comments! Buehl, love your idea but sadly, no, I can not close up that window. It is the window to the street, the porch and I love it. Even if I didn't love it the Historic Preservation people would never let me get rid of it. So it stays. It sounds like you all agree adding the fourth counter makes it too small. What if the counter was 18 inches instead of 24? Would 6 inches help much? I still need storage underneath. Bmorepanic - you are not the first to propose cutting down the other side. A second designer I hired suggested cutting that down to a 15-18 inch pantry only (pantry for dishes, not food - food pantry has a good home) floor to ceiling piece of furniture painted a different color. I actually love the idea but here's the rub...that counter is totally our favorite place to work. Our dishes are in the uppers there and that works with where the d/w is...we hate to mess with that part of the space. I am thinking I could make something that was a pantry-like cabinet but still had a counter...not as deep but we could still prep over there... and keep the 24 under the other window. My husband and I don't love the bigger counter moved to under "street" window because it is weird to face the street while you are prepping...and at night the blind comes down and that is even more strange. At the other counter you are facing whoever is sitting at the counter so that seems a happier place to work. Our goal in adding the counter under the window was to have a place to plate the food out of the oven. We also have to have room to store: all kitchen gizmos, pots and pans (we have alot) but I think we could also hang some. I would also love to have a spice drawer, pull out pantry for oils, and a tray storage. Am I high to think I can get all of that in? I know if I go shorter than 20inches it won't happen. Ugh! I can tweek my plan now but I have to decide by Monday if the counter under the "street" window is 24 inches or less. If it is going to be 24 inches then I have to reconfigure the garden window so the sink can be centered. If it is under 24 inches then I can tell my GC to center the garden window and take another week to figure it all out. But not much more. I would love to hear more ideas - it is so helpful to get input from people who understand kitchens as opposed to someone who designs kitchens. My guy threw boxes and uppers everywhere and now I fear I am cooking in a space the size of an airplane bathroom. Here is a link that might be useful: amacs renovation blog...See MoreHow Wound You Arrange Furniture In This Space?
Comments (7)What is the black rectangle in the middle by the kitchen...is that a fireplace or chimney? I think you need to start with function.... Do you need two seating areas? Or do you need two dining areas? Or something else? How often will you be seating the larger crowed? Daily or occasionally? My first impressions of the layout is that the "formal" seating area is tight, esp if there's a fireplace there. It won't be particularly quiet or private as it's open to the tv and kitchen noises. Also not a fan of the asymmetry of the arrangement with the sectional and the half exposed sofa table. Would a TV over the fireplace work for the formal area and use the space where the tv is as the formal dining area and use the other bay for casual eating? Or if there is a powder room there where the red line is, can you mount a tv there and turn the smaller bay into a "hearth room" with casual seating and leave the larger bay for formal dining? With all the windows and light, you may consider adding a partition wall where you have the sofa table to provide more noise deadening and privacy if you think you'll be using the formal seating area more, perhaps as a reading room and library as well as for guests. Just some thoughts...but function comes first...make the house work for the lifestyle you lead and put the most space toward the activities that are done most frequently....See MoreI have 6' of space-how much space for sink cabinet, nail counter?
Comments (23)Wow! For the record, I wasn’t posting a ‘rate my floor plan’. I am not so hard headed that I can’t receive advice, consider alternatives, or answer questions. From reading the responses, it seems our bathroom is so terrible that no one can even give input on how to address the questions I listed in my first post. I find it hard to believe it is so bad as that! Meanwhile only one person has said they have a counter such as I am asking about. I also never said I was unwilling to change things around, just that I didn’t think a simple swap of vanities would work. I even included a bigger view of the adjoining areas to show it would not be as simple as that. What even would you have me tell my architect? That some random people on the internet think her design could be better? I could spend my time trying to justify why we didn’t put the long vanity on the opposite side of the room, or under a window, or why I will be including a toilet room. And then you would either understand why we have come to this design, or you would tear my entire home apart. If you have ever built a home, especially a design from scratch custom home, you know that it is like putting puzzle pieces together. We all have our lists of must haves, wish items, and constraints of design and budget, and time. At some point you just have to decide to be finished. I actually never said I was in the design phase. Walls are not up yet, but none of you ever asked where we were in the build process. I’m an introvert and sensitive person who has had a pretty traumatic last year and a half. It’s taken me a while to feel like I can venture out of my shell and reach out to others-even in a basically anonymous way online. If I had read such negative and generally unhelpful comments a year ago, I would have probably spiraled into a deep depression and doubted myself, what I wanted in my home, as well as the talented professionals I have partnered with to design our home. It’s unfortunate that people can take the time to comment online without taking the time to read the post, think about whether they are giving any constructive advice, or if their tone is derogatory. Not to mention, ignoring the topic at hand. I have been a member since it was just gardenweb some 10+ years ago. From discussions about kitchens, baths, home building, and pools, I used to always find these forums helpful, informative, and a generally positive experience. I will try to remain optimistic that I will still experience that. Juls...See Morebusybee3
9 years ago
nhb22
9 years agoteacats
9 years agokudzu9
9 years agonhb22
9 years ago"and I am a little surprised at how narrow a walkway some people are using."
It's just the only available space in our small room. I'd love to have another foot or two.
This post was edited by newhomebuilder on Sat, Oct 25, 14 at 22:00
kudzu9
9 years agoUser
9 years agopersnicketydesign
9 years agonhb22
9 years agoOur sofa needed something, plus there is nowhere else to put the table that we love (bargain on CL for $80!). Also, where would I put my Santa Claus collection? We are happy with the way the room is arranged. The next house will have a larger family room, though.
kudzu9
9 years agonhb22
9 years agokudzu9
9 years ago
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