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Need help with living room configuration

7 years ago

Hello,

My husband & I live in a small cape with very little space to entertain (1200 sq ft) so we decided to remove the wall between the 2 first floor bedrooms to create a larger living room, and the old living room will be a dining area. The new living room is a rectangular space and I'm having trouble deciding how to utilize the space to its maximum potential. The front half of the room holds our couch and TV. The back of the room is more the issue. It's quite narrow and we can't decide between 3 options. (We're in desperate need of closet space.)

1. Build a closet next to the bathroom door (where the white cabinet is)

and have the back of the room exist as an entry from the patio door. (There wouldn't be much room for anything else.)

2. Place a large armoire where the closet would go to create a slightly more open-looking space. (Would still be nothing more than an entry space.)

3. Place an armoire next to the patio door instead of across from it (somewhat near the couch in the second pic) and have the space next to bathroom door/across from patio door function as a tiny sitting area, with maybe a bench or small chair and table. I like this option because of the sitting area idea but think placing an armoire/small closet here might interfere with the flow of the room too much. The sitting area being next to the bathroom shouldn't really be an issue, as it'll be more for me/us rather than people who come over.

Hopefully the photos will help paint a clearer picture. Excuse the mess! As you can see, we're really in transition mode.

Featured Answer

caroline94535

7 years ago

As long as the sweet puppy is happy, anything goes!

I will cast my vote for a built in closet next to the bathroom. I recently added a closet at right angles to my front entry. It's only 43" wide and about 23" deep, but it's the best improvement ever.

Or --- Could you add a bank of built ins - closet, drawers, doors, shelves, all along the wall with the smaller window, or would it be too close to the patio doors?

OR --- Could you do a corner configuration that would make built-in storage from the bathroom door to the corner, (where the white cabinet is now) then turn the corner and continue to the little window, and also go under the little window? Clear as mud?

As another person living in constant "improvement flux," I want to add I think your drywall job looks absolutely perfect!

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Comments (10)

kellykct
Original Author
7 years ago
kellykct
Original Author
7 years ago
I don't have a drawing/floor plan of the room, but will try to post something later.
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User
7 years ago
Yup. I think we need a measured floor plan. Hi to your pup!
293summer
7 years ago
Lovely floors BTW
kellykct thanked 293summer
kellykct
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you, Caroline 94535. As much as we need closet space, we're leaning toward an armoire (or maybe built ins of some sort). I like the idea (clear as mud at first, but I get it now ;) of built in storage along both walls in the corner. Will be uploading a floor plan soon so we can hopefully get some furniture placement advice!
desertsteph
7 years ago
I like the idea of some shallow built ins in the corner area. maybe a section with a 'closet' / door area (do you have a place to store cleaning stuff? vacuum, mop etc), drawers next to it, some shelves. maybe a pull out board (like cutting board type / the old slide out computer desk part for a keyboard) to slide out for desk top use. pull out to use... slide back in to disappear.

it's amazing how much stuff we need to have around - even if we massively declutter. there's only so much we can toss without having to replace every time we need that item. gotta store it somewhere.
kellykct thanked desertsteph
kellykct
Original Author
7 years ago
Desertsteph, so true! We did a huge declutter last summer, but still need storage space for the stuff that no one needs to see, like cleaning supplies and a vacuum. Thanks for sharing your vision-more great ideas! :)
kellykct
Original Author
6 years ago
Very belated update (many aspects of this project) ...we decided to build a closet in the corner of the room, next to the bathroom. DH will build hopefully in the next week or so. Thanks again for the feedback!
Nancy in Mich
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Since you are building anyhow, and since there is just that little space between the bathroom and the sliding door, I suggest that you have a built-in bench next to the closet, going under the window. Have it either open at the top with a hinged lid, or from the front with a hinged front and you will be able to store shoes and boots out of season, or simply when you come in from outside. If you have it open from the front, you could make it with a shelf, so you can have two levels of shoe/boot storage. If you have it open from the top, you can store anything there, including ski pants and boots, yard toys, or patio supplies.

Depending on how the closet is designed, maybe you could have a fold-down tabletop for in front of the windowseat, then a chair, and you and hubby have a little place to sit near the patio door and share coffee and the view.
kellykct thanked Nancy in Mich

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