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Home Decorating Design Dilemma living room

Living Room Wall Blankness

5 years ago

Hello! I'm currently stumped on what to put on the walls of our living room. We recently bought the home so kind of have a blank canvas to work with. Any ideas? It'd be nice to stay within the neutral tone realm. I was thinking maybe some floating shelves or book cases towards the left hand side of the wide wall. And maybe some artwork on the left hand side of the window?

I'm also not a huge fan of our gallery wall. Something seems off. Maybe too much spacing between the frames?

Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Featured Answer

PRO

Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design

5 years ago

If you want to have sort of two living spaces- the TV area and a sitting area- get some rugs to help define the two areas.

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Comments (17)

PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
5 years ago
The issue with the gallery wall is it's too many small objects and frames. It looks cluttered because of that. Try larger objects and frames, and yes less space between them. Can we see the whole living room?
housegal200
5 years ago
Could you take a photo from the other end of the room so we see the rest of the living room? It's odd to have the two chairs and its own coffee table facing the back of a sofa, but maybe it works?
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To everyone who commented: Thank you!! Lots of ideas and things to consider here. Rearranging the furniture is something I haven't given much thought to. I did what I did because I like my sofa to be close to the tv (well, I'm nearsighted), and coming from a studio apartment, that's how it was previously - everything close together. So it's hard to change. Yes, I should eventually get a new tv stand. The tv is actually safe on the stand, as the tv legs are less wide than the stand itself and the stand is pure wood, so its construction is quite good. It's a relic of the tube tv days, but it worked for the new tv when I bought it a couple of years ago, so I didn't bother changing it. As to the stuff I have all around (especially in the corner) - those are things I want on display. They are model buses from England, many in their own display case. Eventually, I want to get a curio cabinet as I have a much larger collection not yet on display. As for the curtains, I chose that color because it matched the color of the wood floor and the wood furniture. But I may have to re-evaluate that also. I agree about having the curtain rod pulled out on top. However, if you look at the photo of the left side of the window, there's no space to install a curtain rod just to the left top of the window, as the original window frame and the corner of the wall are extremely close. If there's a solution to that, please post!! And thanks for the guide to hanging pictures...I will definitely be taking this info into consideration...I also have my bedroom to work on!! Thanks again!
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Can you add the fireplace (may help for re-sale) but make it so that you can still have room for TV on one side (either in cabinetry or on a console that flows with the fireplace)? That way the TV won't have to be on top of the fireplace. Or maybe your space is big enough to have the TV on the wall opposite the FP and then you can have 2 seating areas (one around TV with sofas, chairs, etc and one around FP with 2 chairs and small table). If swivel chairs can be placed across from TV wall (interior wall), then they can also be used in FP grouping for conversation. Just a thought.
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what exactly do you want help with Roger? I don't understand what you need suggestions for. which wallpaper to choose? You haven't posted a picture of the entire room, and we have no idea what kind of furniture you're using. So, you want us to pick a panel for you? Just pick the one you like the best and build around it. If you want to do one wall, then do something like this You'll have to get enough wallpaper to cover it, and then pay someone to hang it. That wallpaper isn't cheap, and neither is the labor to hang it. If you're on a limited budget, I don't know what else to tell you. BTW, if you are on a budget, look up Stencil Chinoiserie wall and do it yourself w/paint or, look on Etsy for Wall Mural
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Glad to be helpful. A credenza below the TV should be 25% wider than the physical width of the TV itself. Center the TV setup on that wall. Can't tell which of your sliders moves to give you access to the balcony, but I presume it is the one behind the cat tower. You might consider a track on the ceiling all the way across that end of the room. Use a semi-sheer linen curtain all the way across. Since you have no view and don't want neighbors seeing into your space, you could keep them closed most of the time, and still have light filtering in while able to slide them to access the balcony. Pic below shows how the track would look. For tables, I'd use a pair of "C" tables. They're handy for drinks, laptops and they can slide under the sofa to be out of the way. The one below is a cheap version, but they come in all styles and price ranges. I would wait and get them to work well with the TV credenza. Then use an arc floor lamp in the corner by the window. A rug should slip under the sofa to that first seam on the arm, and it should extend past the two ends of the sofa by a foot or more.
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Joel Hernandez
Original Author
5 years ago
Good idea. I think I'll do that (larger objects and decrease spacing).

Yea, I was thinking of replacing that small coffee table with a circular one and adding two smaller armchairs to the opposite side to create a "conversation area", splitting the room in two.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
5 years ago
I do not like bare tile floor. So I would get a rug/rugs
jpp221
5 years ago
The second seating area (the one by the window) needs to have a reason to exist. When I see those two chairs, I think of a library/club room type of thing. So, out with the coffee table, cluster the chairs around a round table (something between petite bistro table and dining table), and get some shelves going. Book it up!
jpp221
5 years ago
...and a console table to finish off behind the sofa.
Joel Hernandez
Original Author
5 years ago
Totally agree on the rugs. We're planning on a circular rug for the reading area, and a large rectangular rug for the sofa area.

I also like the bookshelf idea but since the window is off centered I'm not sure if to leave the skinny side blank and only add shelves on the larger side? Maybe a tall lamp onthe skinny side?

I'll probably add the other two chairs to the reading area first before deciding on a console table. Don't want it to look TOO cluttered.

Thanks for all the comments so far everyone!
ptreckel
5 years ago
I do not see a lamp in your room, just the sconces on the tv wall. Between your two wing chairs, place a nice round table and a reading lamp....one tall enough to shed light down on to your lap when you sit there reading. You also might consider a tall lamp near your couch. Or place a console behind your couch with a lamp at one end of it. Rugs to define your spaces, too. Good luck! You have made a great start!
housegal200
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Now I have a better picture of your space.

--Your idea for a round rug in the reading area is great! Something in blues and the reddish color of the floor.
Safavieh Valencia VAL111M Blue/Multi, 6'7"x6'7" Round · More Info
--Reverse the palette for the sofa rug

Kaleidoscope Area Rug, 5'x8' · More Info

--Agree that a small round table between the chairs would be better than the current one as well as a reading lamp in the far corner:

Kenroy Alexander Table Lamp · More Info

Uttermost Melini Swing-Arm Floor Lamp · More Info

P053 George’s Reading Room 1-lt Floor Lamp · More Info

--Consider a console bookshelf/cabinet, sofa length, for the back of the sofa, something like this arrangement:
Twigs Interiors, LLC · More Info

--Your wall is so expansive, maybe a large art work rather than the gallery wall would add drama and interest to the room.
Coventia Wall Decor With Frame · More Info

Moe's Home Collection Blue Water Wall Decor · More Info

"Double Birch" Canvas Wall Art Panels, Set of 2, 35.5"x47" · More Info
groveraxle
5 years ago
Does anyone ever sit in those two chairs? If not, I'd move the sofa back, bring the chairs into the main living area, and use the little nook for plants.

I'm gonna fix your art grouping for you. It's what I do. I shall return.
groveraxle
5 years ago
Nix the plant idea. I see your little nook is actually quite a large nook. Now I'm gonna fix the art group.
Bev
5 years ago
If you want to do a gallery wall, you need to have larger frames that are more cohesive in size, like this:
I spent hours on Houzz and other sites that had information about creating a gallery wall before I even moved into my house. All of my 8x10 photos are matted and in 11x14 frames to fill up the space better.
groveraxle
5 years ago
A lower, tighter art grouping with the photos more interspersed with the objects. Then a nice Heriz...
...or a Navajo Ganado red and the flower pot removed from the wall hooks:
groveraxle
5 years ago
BTW, let your dog know his Kong bone is under the couch. ^
Joel Hernandez
Original Author
5 years ago
I really like that classy gold lamp you posted! Might just do that for that back corner.

Grover, you are a wizard. Love the new updated gallery wall! A gazillion (more than a trillion) times better. I like the placement of the carpet a lot. Not totally sold on the color yet though. I was thinking of a more neutral rug. Maybe we just gotta step out of our comfort zone.

Don't worry, the bone didn't last long under the couch. If ever she can't get to it, she starts crying like a lost puppy.
J J
5 years ago
Following. Have fun!

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