ready for living room overhaul but can't get over awkward room. help!
We are finally ready for a living room overhaul! I'm still living with some college furniture folks WAY past college. I know what look I would like and even have a few non-furniture things picked out but I can't for the life of me pull the trigger on purchasing anything due to the rooms awkward layout and worried about cohesiveness of design. I hired a professional and it was a terrible experience. Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated!
Some things to note - my husband is 6'4" so low to ground things are not good. We love high back items. We also have 3 young boys. Also, for floorplan we use this room more than any room in our house. Openness is important to me (don't like furniture covering every since possible) but we also host all of our families events so this room has a lot to live up to. My husband also unfortunately loves TV, won't move it and need to have "direct" seating. mega eye roll... any help would be majorly appreciated!
1. this is the blueprint of the room. the pillar has been removed but it remain the same other than that. entryway is where the floor says TILE for guests but for us is different.
2. This is the TV wall (top trim added after pic was taken)
3. view from upstairs (I know rug is WAY to small) for reasons noted in following pics I don't like this layout.
4. view from kitchen - I don't like this layout - very closed off feeling and makes the room feel small. TV wall has changed to pic#1 above already. don't like walkway area to left of shown sectional but don't want to block doorway for entry
a better view of it closer - as this was positioned I don' t like the feeling it brings by making the room feel blocked off from kitchen/eating
5.view from formal entryway
6. view of back wall & entry door - ceiling height here is 8ft only below stair catwalk
7. view of fireplace wall
view into kitchen
since these pics I have separated the sectional and have angled one piece by fireplace and the other is against the back wall under the catwalk. It feels better but still doesn't look good. I really would love any input on layout you might have!!!
I would like to do the following:
- paint everything one cohesive color (including kitchen). have also considered painting the trim tv wall Galveston gray and everything else a off-white but open to the reverse with another neutral color.
- purchase a 10x14 rug, chandelier, all furniture (except tv console)
I think I can pull together the furniture if I have some advice on the layout. Thank you again for any insight you may have!
Comments (13)
mindyr2003
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Can't live with my living room...Layout help please?
Comments (12)justgottabme: Yes! excellent plan! The Tv needs to be in that corner next to the fireplace -- either mounted on the wall or sitting on a console or cabinet. Having a cabinet in that spot would anchor that whole corner. And more excellent ideas above too! Love the idea of bookshelves in each of the corners -- perhaps just try basic Ikea Billy shelving -- or other build-it-yourself shelves (try stores like Targer or Walmart)-- just to see if that plan will work for you? Or look for vintage shelving or bookcases on your local Craigs List! Swivel chairs can be found -- check your local Craigs List! But for now -- once you move the TV -- try placing one sofa facing the fireplace -- and another one facing the window -- forming the classic L-shape....See MoreAwkward living room space. Need HELP to make it functional and inviti
Comments (3)The photo didn’t post. Give it more time to change from the original grayed out version to full color before hitting submit. You can try adding in the comments as that seems to work better....See More10 yrs and I still can’t get our living room right - HELP PLS
Comments (55482)Definitely a kitchen is not something you want to go oops about. Big dollars as everyone else has said. Hire a professional if you’re doing a redesign. Or even if you’re thinking of things like appliances and an island.Not a DIY project. Big investment and you need to be committed to staying in the house if you’re going to recoup....See MoreI can't solve living room dilemma. Please help!
Comments (2092)Well, I certainly couldn't have done ANY of this without all of you. I am so happy looking around my new rooms. My favorites: the furniture placement (of course), the art wall, the mantle, the 3 vases on the black tray on the table (although there may be too many flowers in them at the moment), the fabric covered shade in the dining area. the sofa table bookcase, the fireplace screen... I'm going to interrupt myself because now it seems I'm just listing all the changes. It's obviously too hard to pick just 2 or 3 favorites. Theresa, your peonies are gorgeous -- loving the size of those blooms! I hope to follow all of you as you move on to new projects. I consider each one of you a new friend....See Moreficidv
4 years ago
Denise Marchand
4 years ago
decoenthusiaste
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoHere are ideas about rug size and placement. A 3-seat sofa and 2 chairs are the most versatile seating to start with. Does husband prefer sitting in a chair or on a sofa to watch TV? A chaise sofa, rather than a sectional could work for him to stretch out on. It could face the TV with the chaise either side (if you get a reversible chaise that can flip from left to right.) Two chairs (swivels for turning toward TV) can square up the seating by being on the end away from the chaise or they can flank the FP in warm weather .
Lots of leg room on this one.
awitte25
4 years agoDenise Marchand
4 years ago
beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
4 years agoDenise Marchand
4 years agoLove the color of the walls and that wonderful paneled wall. I agree that the tv is in the right place on the paneled wall. Here is a floor plan which may work for you. Use the space that is not under the catwalk above as the seating area. This way the walk thru will be under the lower ceiling.
Tuck a 87" wide sofa with a chaise end on the right of the fireplace with a console behind. Install wall sconces for lighting at the console instead of lamps. Lose the big lamp (it's ver nice) and use smaller scaled floor lamps. Get a matching 66" loveseat and angle off the sofa. this will create a more open layout and not so boxed off from the kitchen. Add two matching swivel chairs. The coffee table is a 48" diameter with four round ottomans or floor pillows.
The rug is 12 x 15 so that it anchors the furniture and includes the paneled wall and the fireplace into one cohesive area.
Along the staircase wall is 10" deep low cabinet or bookcase up to the ceiling for games, books, etc. Something like an Ikea Pax with frosted doors, simple and functional for storage.
Hope this helps.
awitte25
4 years agoI like these furniture pieces too. And don’t want everything tufted leather but would like something in a cognac color and have a light colored main piece. Think I would like a rustic coastal look if that exits. Gravitate towards distressed ticking stripes, geometric patterns and large scale florals that are monochromatic in color but have color if that makes sense.
Denise Marchand
4 years ago
ficidv