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angela_smith7792

Struggling! furniture placement, leather sofa, corner fireplace

7 years ago

We just moved into a new construction house and I am struggling with the furniture placement and layout for the

living room/great room. Here are a few photos showing the space. I am pretty committed to the brown leather couch. I know it is big, bulky, and oversized, but it is new within the last year, comfortable, and we spent a lot of money on it (we bought it right before we knew we were moving). The brown leather chair can go bye-bye and I am thinking putting a loveseat in that space. The TV is a necessity and will be sitting on a much longer/larger white, media console. Once the Christmas tree comes down, I would like to add to patterned accent chairs. Here are my questions/struggles:


1. Should I put a loveseat where the brown leather chair is? Or perhaps more accent chairs?

2. If I get to accent chairs to go in front of the window, can I still get a patterned accent rug?

3. How in the world do I mix the leather couch, fabric non-pattern loveseat, two patterned accent chairs, and an accent rug??


I appreciate any and all advice, as well as pictures and link









Comments (26)

  • 7 years ago

    White tv stand might be a little stark. Perhaps a grey/wash grey color.

    First step would be to find the rug you like, then go from there. This will

    dictate colors of other items.

    Angela Smith thanked Angel 18432
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I think you did a great job with the placement. What may seem off to you need are some tables and lamps as well as a rug to ground the space. I’d also place the smaller ottoman in front of the chair and put a coffee table in front of the larger sofa.

    ETA: I’d also wait on the tv cabinet, I have to agree with Angel that the lighter wood may not be the best option.

    Angela Smith thanked User
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  • 7 years ago

    Yes, I totally agree I need tables, lamps and a rug to ground the space. I am concerned about getting the rug first.... My thought is that there are a million different rugs, but I might only find one or two pieces of furniture that I really like. I would hate to be committed to a rug first ( which I'm sure I could find another that I like) versus finding the furniture first. I am just not sure what furniture type or fabric to pair with the leather sofa!

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Hi, Angela--

    First off, congrats on what looks like a gorgeous new home! What a great time as you settle in and prepare for your first holiday season there. Awesome feeling, I bet. Think you have some good instincts on a more robust media cabinet for components and storage under the TV, and wall-mounting your existing set with a cable pass through in-wall bay means you won't see any wires passing from your set! The cabinet you've selected here looks great, as the white will pickup your trim and ceiling tones, and the iron hardware neatly compliments your wrought iron stair hardware. Also good call to lose the large brown chair - too overscale for this space, I'd say.

    Now for the part you're not going to like. I'd also prepare to part with the big, dark couch. Since your floor is quite dark too, I'd caution against anything as dark or slick going forward. As you fit your existing furnishings into your new plan and flow, there's bound to be some pieces that feel out of joint - even ones you purchased recently. But there wasn't a way to anticipate the setting they'd be in from today forward - for quite a long time, hopefully. No need to replace them all right away, but I think you'd have greater options in the space to be flexible (as for including a Christmas tree, adding seating for big gatherings, etc.) with a smaller-scale couch or even a set of loveseats in your floor plan.

    Cheers - and happy holidays!

    Angela Smith thanked Fairway Style Living
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I would do a pair of fabric accent chairs. Swivel chair would be super functional. There are many fabrics that could fit in withy our style. Bring a splash of color in the accent chairs for depth in style to your home!


    Angela Smith thanked Kevin Twitty Interiors
  • 7 years ago

    Angela - What a gorgeous new Great Room. I'd keep the large chair for now since it appears you have the room. I would then get two reclining chairs in a plain fabric, not a print. This is from Wayfair.

    Then I would get this cozy looking rug from Overstock or something similar. I'd keep your major purchases in a neutral palette.

    You can bring in more color with pillows and accessories. Also, I think your media cabinet needs to be much larger. It's being dwarfed by the TV.

    Angela Smith thanked ashtonchic
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Could I do a print/patterned rug AND print/patterned accent chairs? I'm terrible at mixing patterns! And yes @ashtonchic, the media console is being upgraded!

  • 7 years ago

    I love your beautiful home and your Furniture. I would keep all of it. I would do an accent chair or two in a cream or small cream subtle print. Then look for a rug with cream in it as well as other colors that you want to add for interest. Then you can add pillows and a throw with those accent colors. Your space is calming and comfortable, and your personal items will give it your personality :)

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    If you’re not sure of what style tables you want, start looking at living rooms with their tables in place on Pinterest or Houzz. Maybe you won’t find the exact one you want, but you will be able to find inspiration as to what you like, metal vs wood, glass maybe, light or dark wood, you get the idea.

    If you want to mix your patterns, I would stick with a large print on say the chair and a smaller print on the drapes, and a solid rug but that’s just me because I prefer the less is more route when it comes to a lot of prints. I like them but not as the primary focus. In our living room, I chose a rug and accents with a pattern and kept our furniture and draperies in solid tones. Maybe the drapes will have pattern one day, but for now, it’s comfortable.

    It may not look like it now, but you’re off to a good start. Just take it slow and methodically. IMO, the worst mistake you can make is to just buy stuff on the fly so it’s done. If you take your time and only buy those things that make your heart sing, then the room will surely be an eye pleaser to you (and others) when it’s done.

    Angela Smith thanked User
  • 7 years ago

    What a lovely room! I think you should either get a patterned rug and solid chairs or a solid rug and patterned chairs. Start with what you want first. It sounds like chairs are what you would like the to select first.

    After finding the chairs you like, then you can find a rug that compliments your leather sofa and chairs. I agree that the white console will be quite stark. Keep your eyes out for perhaps an antique buffet or something of interest.

    I would get a large coffee table and several side tables on which I would place lamps. I am huge fan of lamp lighting as it so warm and cozy.

    I would add some throw pillows after everything else has been selected and then go for art.

    I agree your should take your time and not rush. Find things you love. Sometimes that occurs over a longer period. I believe it is worth the wait!


    Angela Smith thanked amykath
  • 7 years ago

    Here is an 81" TV stand from Wayfair. I would recommend one this width so that the size of your TV is balanced. How wide is the white one you show above?

  • 7 years ago

    I would get rid of the big couch, both of them & go with an L shaped sectional. I know some don't like them on here, but it's great for TV watching.


    Angela Smith thanked mark_rachel
  • 7 years ago

    Here are a couple of rooms with mixed patterns - you could do some stripes or a geometric pattern with a patterned rug. Browse Boho eclectic Living Rooms - maybe you will find some more ideas.


    Angela Smith thanked ashtonchic
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Congratulations on your new home!

    Although the couch isn't my favorite, I think you can make it work in the space. Also, getting rid of the matching chair is a good idea. Right now it accentuates the couch's scale.

    Looks like the furniture placement is generally good. However, I would make a few tweaks. First, I would move the TV about 6"-8" to the right. I would also bring the couch closer to the TV. Then, add a console table behind the couch to fill some space and add in some accessories (nice books, candles, a lamp, photos, etc).

    Next, purchase a large rug to anchor the space, making sure it is large enough. Also, since your couch is darker I would purchase a lighter colored rug.

    I would purchase two accent chairs and place them where the existing arm chair is now. If your accent chairs match each other, place them next to each other. If they don't match, place one on either side of the couch.

    Here's some inspiration for mixing textures and colors with a leather couch:


    Hope this helps!

    Angela Smith thanked User
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Congratulations on your new home!

    Your leather sofa can certainly stay and work well in your space- you can easily style it to your visual liking with some pillows and a throw. It is in the right location, you may be able to move it a bit closer to the media console to give you better clearance and/or add a console table behind the sofa. Two large side chairs on either side of the sofa would work best for the space.If you find you do need more seating, two smaller side chairs in front of the window and a love seat on the opposite side of the sofa would also work well. Some simple striped upholstery for the chairs and/or love seat would allow for a printed rug without clashing of feeling too busy. The other option would be to boldly printed chairs and a striped or textural tone-on-tone type rug. The media stand you like would be a great way to bring the fresh, bright kitchen palette over into the the living area!

    Here is a sample of how prints/textures can work in your space:



    Happy furnishing to you!


    Angela Smith thanked Nanke Signature Group
  • PRO
    7 years ago

    I agree that you may want to choose between a rug with a pattern and chairs with a pattern. A light colored transitional style area rug would look great in that space, and I actually love the white TV console. It ties the room in with the white trimming and brings in some more light.

    Rug used in the example above:Silver Indian Modern Area Rug

    Angela Smith thanked RugKnots | Area Rugs
  • 7 years ago

    Here is a TV stand that is 81" from Wayfair. I think this size would work better than the white one.

    Angela Smith thanked ashtonchic
  • 7 years ago

    Thank you, everyone, for the advice! I have narrowed my choices and GREATLY appreciate your further feedback. The brown sofa will be staying (for now). I will order two accent chairs to be placed by the large windows, with a small table in between (where the Christmas tree is now). I will order a loveseat to face opposite the chairs. Eventually, a rug as well, but I want to get the furniture in first and THEN decide on a rug.

    I've narrowed the chairs down to: #1 Picco and #2 Fritsche. Picco comes with a matching loveseat. Fritsche does not, so I'm a little nervous about that choice since I'd be mixing a leather sofa, Fritsche chair (unknown material) and a loveseat with an unknown material. Picco is also $200 more per chair than Fritsche. ***Thoughts on either chair for my space???***

    #1 PICCO (accent chair + loveseat)
    https://www.steinhafels.com/merchandise/product/details/picco-accent-chair-205152476



    #2 FRITSCHE (chair - advertised as teal/gray)
    https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/andover-mills-fritsche-armchair-andv3017.html?piid=24748580


  • 7 years ago

    Whatever you buy, I would make sure you can sit on it first to check for size and comfort. The Wayfair chair in its comments states it is firm. I purchased a sofa from Wayfair and it had the best reviews. I couldn't sit on it for more than a couple of minutes as it was so very uncomfortable.

  • 7 years ago

    I can visit the Picco chair/love seat at my local furniture store, but I cannot find the Wayfair (Fritsche) chair in person anywhere!

  • 7 years ago

    Angela, I buy things from online stores but never furniture I will be using to sit or lay down. I would only buy from places you can test them out in person.

  • 7 years ago

    I have a corner fireplace, and the key to successful furniture placement turned out to be turning the sofa on the diagonal, facing directly toward the fireplace, and placing two chairs against the wall to either side of the fireplace. An area rug turned diagonally to the room (parallel to sofa and hearth) pulls it all together.

    This might work for you. It can be arranged and rearranged in ten minutes. I recommend trying it for a week or two before deciding whether or not it works for your household.

    A slight variation is to turn the side chairs so their backs are not
    against the wall behind them, and face directly toward one another, yes with the chair corner to
    the wall. Of my two chairs, I have one placed each way, and no one
    seems to notice.

    If one of the easy chairs is placed diagonally to its wall, it is possible to tuck the television table behind it. The downside of this arrangement: for tv watching, one of you gets the other easy chair, and one of you gets to stretch out on the sofa at full length. (It goes without saying that the kids get the floor).

    Pattern-with-pattern comes in and out of fashion; one moment it is declared the Next New Thing, and another moment declared an egregious crime. I'd say go with your heart. You want to smile when you come into the room.

    Congratulations on your new house!

    Angela Smith thanked Marco
  • 7 years ago

    Very pretty chairs!

  • 7 years ago

    Very nice room!

    If you are committed to the sofa, so be it!

    I think Beverly's ideas are good. (they usually are!) I would go with 2 accent chairs and not a love seat. It will limit your furniture placement. Patterned chairs would look lovely and add interest to the room.

    The chairs you have chosen are very, very grey. How will they look with the brown sofa?

    ashton chic has some amazing room colors. Look online at google images of rooms with brown leather sofas. Find some you like and figure out why you like them. Then build your room around that.

    I would consider a TV stand the same wood/color as your mantel. Because it is wood, I think it would help tie the woods together. The wayfair TV stand is okay, but it is very grey and does not really go with the sofa or the mantel.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Great ideas so far. Make sure that you buy a TV console that is a bit longer than the one you posted and Beverly looks to have some good layouts for you.