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Furniture Design Dilemma living room

Need help with furniture and placement!

6 years ago

We just finished a reno of our kitchen and family room. I'm starting to furnish and decorate but I've run into a brick wall with the family room. I got a sofa, which I love, and wanted to wait till that was delivered before ordering anything else because I knew it was going to be tricky. The problem is we have two focal points (fireplace and TV), the opening from the kitchen, and a door to the outside to work around.

Here's looking in from the kitchen. you can see there is not much room between the entrance and the rug, but thinking of putting two chairs here facing fireplace just don't know if it will feel too crowded.

Or I could put a large chair in that corner. I just worry it'll feel too far away from the seating area. I could move it onto the rug but then that corner needs something, plus that is a walkway to the patio door. Also, that chest in the other corner is not staying there. I'm going to obviously get side tables and lamps, but that corner will be open too.

I'm definitely having a brain block so any suggestions are welcome!!

Featured Answer

pricklypearcactus

6 years ago

Your family room is gorgeous!! My first instinct is to suggest two chairs on either side of the TV. That would give you a good setup for conversation and keep the view of the fireplace unobstructed.

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Comments (11)

sarah_ebel
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks so much! I thought about that, but it feels kind of awkward to watch tv with chairs right in front of you. I'm thinking maybe a chair to the right of the sofa (with the back facing the kitchen) and then maybe some stools by the fireplace. This is not the main area we watch tv (kids usually go in the basement) so it doesn't have to have a lot of seating, but I do want it to look complete.
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I'd try the sofa perpendicular to the big window wall and facing the fireplace, floating in the room, with a sofa table behind. In the corner near the french doors and under the hanging light, I'd put a recliner. The type that's meant to go against a wall (so the seat slides out instead of the back tipping backward) might be a good idea. Maybe a swivel chair where the fireplace and window wall meet. Then I'd mount the TV on the wall where you currently have the sofa. P.S. Should have added congratulations. It looks gorgeous!
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These are all so amazing!! I really like how you added the office space especially with a family member now working from home & needs that space till they get the go ahead to return to the office.
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If you put two twin beds and a desk in that room it's going to be a tight fit. Unless your sons are short you are going to want to get extra long twins. Does the measurement of the room not include the closet? Normally you would put the head of the beds on the far right wall so they're not visible from the door. I would put a bedside table between them. Try the desk on the opposite wall. It depends on how large a desk is required. If you can get by with one that is only 24" deep that would be easier to fit than a larger one. Also look to see if you can find a daybed/trundle arrangment with extra long twins. I don't know if they're made that way or not. Bunk beds don't seem appropriate for grown people.
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I'd put the sofa facing the TV (back to dining room, assuming you're putting a table there), with chairs on the window side with a small table between. I think I'd go for backless stools so that you can push them under the counter when not in use, unless your counter is low enough that they could be used for extra seating when you have company (and the model seems to have a two-level couner) -- in fact, you may not have the depth to justify stools if there's just a tiny overhang, so wait to buy any. If you don't like the notion of a couch back facing out into the DR, put a narrow console table behind it.
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mcegabby
6 years ago
I love your transom over the doorway! So unique! For the couch, have you tried pushing it a smidge more in line with the window to the left I of the fireplace? Then center your coffee table accordingly with the fireplace as a guide. I personally would put the chairs in the front view of the doorway. There is nothing wrong with walking into two chairs that are not too bulky. Maybe some armless chairs and a small end table between?
mcegabby
6 years ago
You can also try a configuration with two small ottomans in front of the fireplace or opposite of the couch. Some ottomans like this?
sarah_ebel
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks, mcegabby! I could move the couch although right now it's right in the middle of two windows and into front of the tv so not much wiggle room. I should mention that that is not the coffee table that we are keeping, that is a placeholder. I think I'm going to get something larger and square to fill some of the space. So funny that you just mentioned two armless chairs with a small table! I was just playing around with that configuration with 2 chairs from our living room. I'd love your opinion on this...

Maybe with a leather pouf/ottoman in that other corner...
Kim
6 years ago
I also think that 2 appropriately sized chairs facing the fireplace will work. But I would place them straight not angled to each other as in mcegabby's pic (maybe ones that swivel). I have never cared for armless chairs- they are not very comfortable as there is no place to rest your arms. So I'd go with petite arm chairs instead with a small end table in between.
vickie428
6 years ago
Beautiful room! Not sure if you're looking to buy new furniture but I think an L-shaped couch would work nicely. The couch and coffee table look small to me.
mcegabby
6 years ago
Yes! LOVE your configuration now! And I think a nice rectangular coffee table would ground the space perfectly. Update me on this!
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Courtney Thomas Design
6 years ago
You should be able to put two chairs either facing the fireplace, or flanking the TV. It looks like you have room for either one.
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t_wilhel10
6 years ago
I read that you say you want the space to look complete and that a lot of seating isn't necessary because this isn't a primary tv room.. to me, it does look complete, as is. However, if you insist on adding anything, I like the idea of the leather poufs but as movable seating - they could go in front of and on either side of the fireplace, or at the base of your couch. I like the idea of armless chairs, but I feel that it closes off the room from the kitchen too much. Let us know what you decide!
decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
I'm leaning left; because the rug leans left. That's a mighty big TV for this not to be the TV room. Play with the rug by turning it and also aligning it with the fireplace. I can envision the sofa facing the TV with its back to the transom doorway. Then add a pair of chairs opposite the fireplace.

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