Need help with 15 x 11 Living Room Layout!

6 years ago

Please help make this room more organized and relaxing!

Sorry for the mess. We are working on "decluttering". We love to have people over (even though it's a small home), and we use the living room more than any other room in the house.

I would love help making this room more relaxing. We are working on minimizing our material things because clutter is stressful. We are renting and hoping to make a cross country move within the next 7 months, so we don't want to put money into it as much as possible. We are OK with getting rid of things though! or relocating things when necessary.

I think all our furniture is to bulky for a room this size, but we will live with what we have for now. The curtain on the entryway door is to keep AC to one room. I will post some pics of styles I love in the comments, so they aren't confused with our current situation.

The photo shows measurements I thought might be useful, and I will list them again below, all measurements are from interior so framing is not included:

Room: 15' x 11' (height guess: 8.5')

Door/Entryway: 3' x 6' 8" and 1' into the room

Windows: 2' 5" x 5' 5" and 2' off the floor (single window is 22" into room; pair of windows, one is 1' in and the other is 23" into the room)

Built-in Bookshelf: 2' 5" x 5' 5" and 2' off the floor (& 22" into room)

Sofa: 7' 2" x 3' 2"

Love Seat: 5' x 3' 2"

Recliner: 3' 4" x 3'

Dog Crate: 42" x 28" x 30"

Entertainment System: Guess.... 5' x 20"

Dog Bed: Guess... 4.5' x 3'

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Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design

6 years ago

Since it's an entry I would get a narrow side table but personally I'd rather have an open pathway.

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Comments (33)

Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago

Style I love:

http://pin.it/9ILoCW4

http://pin.it/FnJ3liT

http://pin.it/JNB8JSZ
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Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
6 years ago
The TV is on the wrong wall. It's right in the way when you enter. Move it to the wall where the love seat is. I think the TV on the entertainment unit is a little too low but it's fine if you don't want to replace it.
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acm
6 years ago
I was also going to suggest switching loveseat and TV.

also, is it possible to put the dog bed more in a corner so that you can have a coffee table? otherwise, once you switch those things, you can put an end table in the corner between the two couches, with a reading lamp.
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
I have thought of doing this, but then the wall is left completely empty. What would you suggest with it after moving the TV?
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
Would you keep the TV on that wall if it didn't stick out into the pathway? Maybe placing it on the narrow side table mentioned? Or should the TV only be on the current "love seat wall"?
acm
6 years ago
Heh, in my plan I put the love seat there, but I see now that I missed a doorway. feh.
Jess Desch thanked acm
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
Also, in your suggestions are you thinking get rid of all furniture except for sofa, love seat, and TV? What are your thoughts on decor? I think I tend to over decorate... what would look best in here?
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
Okay, So I moved things around to your suggestion. Not sure how the recliner can fit, which will definitely disappoint my dear Husband. But I do like the look.
Not a huge fan of the empty space, but I think If I place a plant in the corner it might help??
Below is the view from the front door... and...
Below is the view from the Kitchen looking at the front door.
Entryway is completely clear...

SOOO.... any more suggestions to make this room better?? Layout, decor, or otherwise... Or any suggestions on how we can preserve the Recliner for my sweet hubby?
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
I know having the couches that crammed in is not ideal, but...
I was able to fit the dog bed in the corner... so i think it might be worth it.
What do you think of the items now on the previously empty wall? too much??
Thank you all SOO much for your help!
jck910
6 years ago
Too many small items on the previously empty wall. Plus too high. 1 larger piece and a very narrow console table would be enough. Lower items over the sofa also. 5" above sofa back.
Jess Desch thanked jck910
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks jck910! I don't currently own anything matching your description to fill the "previously empty wall". : / Thanks for you suggestion though! I moved the items over the sofa down to 5' above... (I was trying to cover holes made from previous renters...) Just curious... why is the 5" thing a rule? What is it doing that makes it look better?
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
groveraxle
6 years ago
The 5" rule is so your decor over the sofa or a table connects to the piece beneath it so it doesn't look like just a random assortment of stuff. To that end, you should move the two outside framed pieces closer to the mirror in the middle and the entire arrangement should be centered over the sofa.
groveraxle
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Can you turn the dog bed the other direction and gain more room by the loveseat? I know he'll have to step over the edge to get in, but it'll be good exercise for him. ;-)
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
Groveraxle, here is what it looks like with the dog bed turned. Although I realize now that it doesn't make much difference because the problem is with how far over the sofa is... not the love seat.

Which could be fixed by not having the end table there.. Should I do it?
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
Better?
groveraxle
6 years ago
Yes, better.
Jess Desch thanked groveraxle
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Flo Mangan
6 years ago
Do you have any other place for the love seat? If so, then you could possibly put the recliner where it is. Obviously, way too much big stuff for the room. But, you have made some really good progress. I would move that wood wall hanging to the wall on the way to the kitchen. It is too high and too heavy for the current location. That is all you need in that hallway space. If you are moving in 7 months I would start selling/gifting items now. That takes time and waiting doesn't improve anything. The TV is fine to keep, but the oak cabinet is probably something not worth trekking across country. My sister moved a huge oak dining set from California to Texas and after storing it for 3 months tried to sell it. No one wants oak. So she donated it to Habitat. Stuff is too big and bulky and she was downsizing. She moved so much stuff and gave so much of it away because her place here is smaller. She just couldn't let go and now she says "why the heck did I pay to move this stuff!" So, word to the wise, get rid of as much as you can. I think your current room might benefit from a colorful rug if you can. There are some really nice rugs out there that for a couple hundred bucks would brighten up your space. It is all dark and anything you can do like that to lighten things up will help. Keep up the good work! You are on a roll. What's the dog's name? Seems to be none the worse for wear watching the goings on! lol
Jess Desch thanked Flo Mangan
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Flo Mangan
6 years ago

MONACO 222 Area Rug, Multi, 6'7"x9'2" · More Info
Great colors and interesting pattern and would brighten things up. Nothing would show on it either.
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you so much for your help/suggestions Flo! and Everyone! We are in the process of selling/downsizing a lot (Yard Sale at the end of the month!), so the oak cabinet will not be crossing the country. But neither will the couches or recliner...

I will try moving the wood hanging-window to the wall on the way to the kitchen tonight after work. What would you suggest for over the sofa then? Is the frame over the love seat also to heavy?

Forest is our 8 month old puppy. He has learned to be pretty flexible with changes ;)
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
So I moved the Picture to the wall going into the kitchen. Now the wall above the sofa is empty... I also tried out the recliner in the love seat's spot. Thoughts? Open to any further opinions/advice.
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Flo Mangan
6 years ago
I prefer the recliner because it allows for some "open" space. How about hubby? Does he like it? Forest is a puppy! OMG going to be a big one! OK, as I mentioned the more you can sell now, the easier the move and easier to get into your next home. I thought there was another wood plank type piece which is what I was talking about moving to the wall as you walk toward the kitchen instead of a group of small tables. Is the mirror/window the only larger piece. I like the other piece between the windows. That works. How about leaning the wall hangings you have on the sofa and let us see what we have to work with to create something over the sofa.
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
He likes the recliner there. Now it's just a matter of getting rid of the love seat, which means we may get rid of the couch too since they match and get something cheap to replace the sofa with. What would you be on the look out for as a replacement?

Sorry I misunderstood what to put there! I will try moving it. And I will gather some items for the "sofa wall".
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
Here are some options I have from around the house... and Stephen's foot.... I could find some other things if these don't work... What would be an ideal couch for in here? That way I can look at what cheap options I can find that will be somewhat close to ideal.
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
or...
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Flo Mangan
6 years ago
I will post gallery layout of key pieces. I like the wood piece on wall to kitchen. It helps balance weight of furniture on other side of space but doesn't take up floor or walkway space. I will look for slightly shorter sofa. This sofa is too long for your space. Bbl
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Flo Mangan
6 years ago
Here is a layout for some of your pieces. The trick for gallery layouts is to keep the bottom of the "layout" all the same level. The upper edge can be variable but balanced. So, I put the big letter "D" on the left (set this out on the floor and look at it to see if it will work in the space), then bottom of the "landscape/cabin?" picture in the bottom middle, and on the right the window with the bottom of it level with the D and the landscape. All those about 6" above the top of the sofa. Then above the landscape, the multi-picture collage with the black framing, and above that the white background Cross? plaque.

The other items look a bit more personal and they could go in the master bedroom nicely.
layouts · More Info
The group should be fairly close together kind of like I have shown them. Lay them out on the floor and then you can hang them accordingly. With the open "D" on the left, I think it will kind of make the switches look like they are kind of part of the grouping, or the grouping will distract the eye from them. Notice detail on the sofa! lol
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Flo Mangan
6 years ago
This is the concept I would strive for in replacing your sofa.
Ultra Modern Plush Velvet Living Room Sofa, Gray · More Info
This is 78" long (about a foot shorter than current sofa I believe) and the open legs it creates a lighter look now and in future situations. It has low wider arms which are very comfy for laying down to watch TV. Fabric is also comfy. Price $399. So, cushions will probably wear down faster with this low quality. But this more modern style is very nice for a young couple like yourselves! Forest will love rubbing on that fabric! Get the dog hair removal thing out! lol
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
I think it looks good, except (and correct me if I'm wrong) the white canvas on the top seems out of place...
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Flo Mangan
6 years ago
Is that Forest and Forest Gump in there? Haha. You could eliminate the white piece with not too much problem. Do you have something smaller and more brown for that spot? Odd numbers look better In groupings than even numbers.
Jess Desch
Original Author
6 years ago
Acceptable?? I am considering changing out the photos in the middle (ie. barn/landscape & two 4x6s).