Living Room Furniture Layout Suggestions

6 years ago

I am looking for suggestions on the best ways to layout furniture in my future Living Room (Approx. 19'x17'). My fiancee and I are currently in the process of building a home and we just recently started framing this week. The biggest dilemma we have come across is where to place the TV (above the Fireplace or next to the Fireplace)? We also really like a Sectional Chaise Sofa or larger Sofa in which we can both lay down on.

We are open to all ideas as we are planning on purchasing several new items for this space. I am posting pictures of the floor plan as well as some basic design sketches we have come up with for the space.

As for the TV, which location makes the most sense? Place above the fireplace or in the corner of the room? Definitely would love to hear ideas on what to do with the corner and what kind of Furniture to set it on or even wall mount the TV there.

Note: The column leading into the kitchen is deleted and that counter will be flush into the Living Room space from the Kitchen. The sketch shows this look.

Thanks!!

Featured Answer

PRO

Summit Studio Architects

6 years ago

Luke,

This is a common design dilemma. It comes down to personal taste. With the t.v. over the fireplace it will be fairly high on the wall. I have this situation in my own home and like it. Some of my clients prefer the t.v. much lower.

Also, consider your viewing habits. If you like to watch the news (or anything else when you're in the kitchen, the second design is better.

Unrelated and unsolicited suggestion... I think you will be glad if you enlarge the opening between the kitchen and family room.

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Comments (14)

Luke Carter
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the reply. I didn't think of potential viewing from the kitchen. It's a good distance and that divider wall is certainly blocking most of the view. The column is for sure deleted to open it up but currently no changes have been made for the divider wall featuring the kitchen uppers and shelving in the living room.

I am reviewing that opening and to see if we can increase it all together. It is a load bearing wall but I'm hoping we can simply add an LVL or two to carry the load of the upstairs. I know it's separate to my original question, but I've definitely considered making that wall shorter to open it up a bit more. See Overall First Floor Plan below:
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Hello! I can see how this would feel like a somewhat tricky space. I don't know how many people you're hoping to seat or how you'll use the space, so this may not be the best suggestion for your needs. Have you thought about doing two sofas facing each other with a coffee table in the middle? On the fireplace you could install an adjustable TV mount to tip it in whichever direction you needed for watching. Along one of the walls you could put a console table with decor if you like! Just a thought!
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Luke Carter
Original Author
6 years ago
FYI, the hearth will be flush with the wood floor and the fireplace will be gas burning. Lowering the mantel as much as possible is something we are considering.
PRO
Summit Studio Architects
6 years ago
Now that I see the plan you can't really afford to lose many upper cabinets. If you enlarge the opening you will want to add some cabinets elsewhere. You can push the cabinets by the dining room closer to the dining room by doing something different at the niche. If the windows are high enough you can run the base cabinets all the way to the wall for more storage. You will need 30" for desk height or 36" for kitchen counter height plus room for trim.
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Luke Carter
Original Author
6 years ago
Exactly. Didn't want to sacrifice the uppers as kitchen storage space is critical. The niche is likely not being constructed or maybe we will leave it. The ceiling is 9' and the top of window will be at 7' I believe.

We are moving the pantry wall out to line up with the north side of the fridge, so will increase storage size there. The kitchen island is also rotating 90 degrees counterclockwise and we are moving the exterior door at the back of the house to the dining room.
PRO
Summit Studio Architects
6 years ago
Those are both great ideas.
Luke Carter
Original Author
6 years ago
Back to the Living Room if you don't mind. What are ways to place the TV in that corner or wall next to the fireplace. Obviously if in the corner then somehow the window will be partially behind the TV. I personally don't have issues with placing the TV above the fireplace and I want the furniture to reflect the fireplace as the rooms focal point. I just can't seem to completely wrap my mind around how to layout the furniture best if the TV is on the front exterior wall and/or in the corner.
PRO
Summit Studio Architects
6 years ago
If you put it in the corner you can put it on a console table. If above the fireplace make a small recess for the t.v. (to hide the cords) and mount it on a bracket that swivels.
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ascorsonelli
6 years ago
MantelMount.com. Have it, love it.
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Luke Carter
Original Author
6 years ago
That is pretty cool. I have never seen one of these. Brilliant!
ascorsonelli
6 years ago
Their site is pretty cheesy (especially that video...), but the product is legit. And their customer service is quick. We've been happy with ours for over a year now.
Luke Carter thanked ascorsonelli
Luke Carter
Original Author
6 years ago
I enjoyed the cheesy video especially the awkward high-five watching the game, but they did a solid job explaining the technical aspect on the installation videos. This is definitely convincing me to go the route of mounting the TV above the fireplace if I did a bracket like this. Seems like a game-changer
PRO
Summit Studio Architects
6 years ago
I like it. I would definitely go for the recessed box option. You may want to beef up the insulation behind the box with Rmax (rigid insulation) or spray foam.
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Luke Carter
Original Author
6 years ago
Noted on the added insulation. It becomes very expensive with the recessed box option but would definitely be ideal. Likely to stick with the recessed TV/Data outlet and add extra blocking for a TV mount.