skip to main content

Furniture Design Dilemma

Q about family room tables- coffee, side, console etc?

6 years ago

I’m slowly but surely putting together my family room furniture in our home which we’ve lived in for about 4-5 months. I purchased 3 armchairs, have a sofa and purchased a media cabinet. Currently have only one floor lamp, so I need side tables, coffee table and a few lamps, possibly a console table for behind the sofa.

My question: do you buy everything all at once? How much do things need to match? Any tips are very appreciated.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

PRO
Nanke Signature Group
6 years ago
You have options!

Short answer is nothing has to match but it all needs to coordinate in some way. With that in mind, it can be more efficient to buy everything together but it's not your only option. Purchasing separates gives you a lot more room to personalize your space and buy pieces outside of a particular collection or even a particular store.

If it is possible, bring samples of your upholstery fabric from your chairs and sofa or bring photos of your resources along with photos of your space and all other pieces in your family room when you go out shopping. Don't forget about photos (or samples when applicable) of any window treatments, ceiling fixtures, and hardware in the room. Look for ways to tie in all current and prospective finishes,colors, and textures. Often times, a knit throw blanket or woven rug can be your best opportunity to tie your full palette together.

With your accent table selection, look for pieces of a similar style and/or similar finishes so you can ensure some cohesiveness with your new additions. When you get those pieces into your space then consider accessories and think about where you might need to bring your full furniture palette together, again, in color or finish combinations.

Happy shopping!
User
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you! It's definitely a challenge.
0
Related Discussions
Family Room: Need rug and coffee table suggestions
Q
Comments (20)
Hi Jck910! I think the rugs you suggested are beautiful. I like the middle one the most. I think the others are not quite my taste. However, I am very curious to see if it meshes well with the taupe sofas and blue accent chairs.
...See More
looking for input on lamps, tables, accessories for family room
Q
Comments (17)
I put together a crude "mood board" of my living room to help me visual things and whether they will "play" well together or not. This is what I have so far. I will streamline my drapery into something more simple, like solid cream color panels with Navy blue banding or trim, something like that. Keep that in mind. So, this is my actual rug, my actual sofas, & pretty darn close to my actual chairs. I played around with different paint colors and this is SW Eider White on the walls. (of course you can't tell much about paint colors on computer monitors). I really like these black end tables I found on a blog....they are the Noir Bellini tables. I was trying different coffee tables and to my surprise, I think I would like a brass & glass coffee table of some sort for in front of the floating sofa. Seems like any kind of wood finish is going to be heavy in the room, or maybe the room just needs the metal & glass for sparkle & keep things from being so flat. I found a representation of map art for the wall above sofa. A couple of leopard pillows to keep things interesting. I feel like this is a good representation of the "feel I"m trying to create. Something traditional, timeless, and maybe a wee bit eclectic.
...See More
Couch too tall for standard side tables - Can I use a console table?
Q
Comments (13)
This side of couch: Consider how a lamp would help and you won’t be limited to a tall/narrow table (which won’t look good) or with something too bulky that will be in the way. See below how ”lower” can work when balanced with a tall lamp. With your couch’s style, you need to be considering visual weight and balance. It would really help to see both sides from farther back. Other side of couch: Here is a solid wood table that is substantial, really lovely and 30” high, so could work (and almost 50% off). If interested, see link for overall dimensions. https://www.birchlane.com/furniture/pdp/mccaysville-end-table-b000821596.html
...See More
How Would You Furnish this Side-By-Side Living Room and Family Room?
Q
Comments (10)
Thanks for trying to help. I will answer your questions which also helps me to think it through: no children, but visiting grandchildren. -it is not a new build, but a remodel of a 50’s ranch. The addition is the covered porch and the extension of the kitchen. -our “games room” (ping pong) will be in the finished basement. -my sense is that the family room is less formal than the living room and will be for relaxation and TV watching. Maybe incorporating a desk. -I could switch the family and dining but it would be an awfully large dining room that wouldn’t get much use as it’s just 2 of us most of the time. The addition will have large windows across the back. Lots more light than the room now labeled family. Planning a bench under the windows. Plus the new kitchen/dining will have a different floor from the rest of the house. If this helps and you have other ideas please share. Thanks again.
...See More
enjoythejourney
6 years ago
When we moved into our dream home, I was so excited about decorating it from scratch with attractive, quality pieces (versus the practical, bullet-proof pieces we’d opted for while raising the kids). My first purchase was to be an entry table and, in no time, I went from excited to overwhelmed! After looking at thousands of tables online, I kept going back to one that I absolutely loved but it was very expensive. When I mentioned this to my husband, he said that if I found anything that I absolutely loved (not liked, not thought would work, but LOVED) he wanted me to buy it, regardless of the price. That turned out to be an amazing filter! Originally, I thought it was like a blank cheque but, honestly, it made me really want to explore my options versus just filling my rooms.

It took me 2 years to get everything but I absolutely love every piece I bought and I thoroughly enjoyed decorating my home. For a while, it was even a fun family game (guess what’s changed since the last visit ...). If you can live with a slower evolution of your decor, you might try this approach.

The table that started it all ...
0

Related Stories

ACCESSORIES Why You Should Forget About the Usual Coffee Table

By creative jewish mom.com

Think in smaller multiples for a stylish and functional alternative to that monster table in the middle of the room

DECORATING GUIDES 12 Coffee Tables to Stir Up a Living Room Look

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Keep drinks on the down low or sip in high style. You'll find a coffee table style for every design taste here

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: A New Family Room’s Natural Connection

By Becky Harris

Stone and wood plus earthy colors link a family room to its woodsy site and create a comfy gathering spot

FURNITURE 10 Kinds of Glass Coffee Tables That Can Make a Room

By Louise O'Bryan

Want to elevate your living room’s elegance? It’s easy to go right with a stunning glass coffee table

DECORATING GUIDES Room of the Day: Adding Comfort and Style to a New Jersey Family Room

By Becky Harris

Layers of natural textures and pops of color help create a welcoming and cozy space for a couple and their baby

DECORATING GUIDES How to Focus Your Family Room on Family

By Design With Science

Reclaim your room from screens and headphones with these ideas for fostering family togetherness

DECORATING GUIDES Room of the Day: A Family Room That’s Up to the Challenge

By Jess McBride

An invitation to do a makeover inspires an interior designer to revitalize her family room with bold colors and prints

TRENDING NOW The Most Popular New Living Rooms and Family Rooms

By Becky Harris

Houzzers are gravitating toward chic sectionals, smart built-ins, fabulous fireplaces and stylish comfort

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Moody Blue Update for a Family Room

By Becky Harris

Comfort, function and style bring this room up to par for a stately Georgian home on Long Island’s Gold Coast

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Ohio Family Room Gets a Bold Costume Change

By Jess McBride

A designer creates a dramatic and personalized look for a friend, a retired movie costume designer

Sponsored

Urban Upkeep LLC

6 Reviews

Franklin County's High Quality Painting Expert

More Discussions

Need help designing an entertainment center

7

Seating Table Behind Sofa Height

14

Living room help

8

Help finding an odd sized corner banquette

5

what furniture arrangement would be best? include a tv. should I chang

4