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Need help with furniture placement in living room

Francesca Rozon

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I need to decorate my living room from sratch for staging purposes (going on the market soon). However I have issues as it is not typical:

- large and square (approx 28x28)

- 2 fireplaces on opposite walls, one stone and one electric with wall-mounted tv above

- on these walls there is an access to the office (electric fireplace side) and an access to the kitchen (stone fireplace side)

- the other 2 opposite walls each have 2 double doors and a large window on each side

- ceilings are barely 8 feet, with 4 large wood beams going accross (these are staying)

I think I need to create 2 zones, one around the stone fireplace and one around the TV/electric fireplace but other than that I am not quite sure where to start. I know I don't want huge pieces of furniture. I also want to keep it contemporary (can't go too modern but also don't want to go rustic or antique, especially since the home is very old). I need to keep it light and airy since ceilings are not terribly high.

Any ideas? Inspiration pics? Any help would be very appreciated!

Comments (13)

Olychick
8 years ago
You'll get more responses if you'll post pictures and a floor plan.
Francesca Rozon
Original Author
8 years ago
Oops, well i tried too but it didn't seem to work, so trying again...

Electric fireplace with TV above (not shown), with access to office on the right and large window on the left:

Double doors leading to the dining room, with large windows on either side. This wall is the one to the left of the previous pic. Opposite to it is almost its mirror image (front door and large windows on either side):

And the wall with the fireplace, opposite to the wall with electric fireplace / TV. Access to kitchen on the right next to stairs:
disregard old fixture, stairs are now all white except stained handrail and steps
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If it were me, I would put the couch on the wall with one window to open it up more, but not against the wall, float it out a little maybe put a console table behind it with a lamp or two. I would then put the tv on the stairway wall, possibly angled in the corner? You have quite a few options. I know it is difficult when you have such a big room but floating is the key. You can always anchor the space with a large area rug.
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It does look like the room where leftover furniture goes because it doesn't play well with others. The china cabinet could be a good focal point as JudyG suggests, but only if you have something to go inside it that's worth looking at. Otherwise, lose the loveseat and put the china cabinet on that wall. Fill it with books, if nothing else. Alternatively, lose the china cabinet and keep all the seating. Add art above the sofa and loveseat, a rug and curtains, and call it done till you're ready to decide how you actually want to use the space.
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If it was just my husband and I it would be fine the way it is. with children it’s a huge safety issue because if they stand on the couch they can go down the stairs. It’s driving me crazy to say the least. I feel others might look at the room differently than I would and would have a better idea
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Hello Alexey, Once the house has been built and you are able to stand you living room It will be easier for you to see what will or will not work for you. Especially since you are still fine tuning various aspects in the room such as window size, etc. Thank you for the updates. That helped. Please know that the furniture placement is the only thing that is being presented NOT the style or colors in the room. we put a piano in the room in place of your electric piano. We don't have one in our selections. There is enough seating for 10 folks with the padded stools around the room. there are two book cases. One on opposite sides of the room, as you can see, this was intended to give you a "play area" for your little one that includes the open space in front of the piano. We put 4 chairs in the sitting area but you can easily move them around the room to another location or omit 2 of them and pull extra seating from the dining room table when you more guests. Hope this helps. Best Wishes with the construction of your new home and congratulations. We wish you many happy memories to come in your new home. MAE
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Francesca Rozon
Original Author
8 years ago
and here is a (very) rough sketch of the floor plan:
erinsean
8 years ago
What an unusual room. Two fireplaces, both different???? Can the electric fireplace be removed? And if not removable, please rethink the TV over the mantle.....it would be way too high for watching comfortably. You could make two different areas...but with your room rectangular, I think it would be hard to do, especially with the fireplaces across from each other. Is there room for maybe a dining room on the side close to the kitchen/stone fireplace and a living room close to the electric fireplace?
Olychick
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I agree with removing or disguising that electric fireplace, if possible. I remembered this solution, not sure if it would work for you, as you'd still have two focal points. If nothing else, I think I would have some bookcases built on the electric fireplace wall to hide it and put the tv to the left of the stone fireplace and arrange your room around those two things.

I cant seem to get the photo to post...but here is a link...scroll down to tv in firebox

tv over fireplace box
Francesca Rozon
Original Author
8 years ago
It is an unusual room indeed, it is the original part of the home built in 1780... We're not looking to take down the electric fireplace, I was trying to design the room with 2 focal points, sort of family room and formal living room maybe. We have a large (26x14) dining room attached to it so don't need another dining area.
Olychick
8 years ago
Well, if you watch a lot of tv, then I'd make a main furniture grouping around the tv/fireplace and just put a couple of comfy chairs with a small table between, either to each side with a table in front of the fireplace, or facing each other in front of the fireplace with a table between. Just a little reading or wine sipping area. like this:

Upper Arlington, Ohio · More Info
If you mostly gather without tv watching then I'd do the opposite and put a couple of chairs on the tv side.

You could think about using a backless chaise/bench as a piece of furniture between the areas, so people could face either way or lie down to watch tv. Like this:

Elegant living room · More Info
If you don't use the electric fireplace, I'd still think about mounting the tv lower, in front of the firebox and putting some nice art above the mantel, for more comfortable tv viewing.

It's a challenging but beautiful space!
Francesca Rozon
Original Author
8 years ago
I do like the idea of the backless piece, I am having a hard time finding an inexpensive option. But thanks to all for the feedback so far!
Olychick
8 years ago
There are quite a few on Overstock. Free shipping!

roll arm benches
Olychick
8 years ago
A few different options at the bottom of the page

backless benches
Olychick
8 years ago
These are more $ but a bit better for the space...keep your eye on craigslist, too. You just never know what you'll see.

backless sofa
Olychick
8 years ago
One more idea - I found when looking for other backless pieces - I'll stop now! I can't seem to post non Houzz pics anymore??? So here's a link. it's the first pic

backless sectional
Francesca Rozon
Original Author
8 years ago
thanks!!

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