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Stumped on rug size and lamps for my many-doored living room

5 years ago

We moved into this house 5 years ago and have always been a little stumped with the living room. So many doors/openings! How to work with the spiral staircase! We ended up getting a cheap 'temporary' rug for when the kids were spitting up and in diapers, but now they are reasonably responsible. I know the current rug is too small. All of the lamps are from my grad school days; we have stopped noticing that the couch pair are uneven and dingy. All this plus the french doors (east-facing) and the fireplace make it a bit of a puzzle.

Probably we will soon put an upright piano on that wall by the Norfolk pine, to replace the kids drawing table.

What happens in this space - the kids will get out legos or other building block things; we read books. TV is in another room.

Any advice on rug size and placement is most appreciated! I feel like some color on the floor would be welcome with all the grays of the couch and easy chair. Likewise, lighting - there is no wiring for overhead light (we have an A/C vent smack in the center of the ceiling. Today is a very dark rainy day and the pictures are adjusted a bit to seem brighter, but it is generally quite gloomy even with the current lighting arrangements. Behind the couch is a small Ikea 'persian' rug that covers lamp cords on their way to the wall outlet.

Photo 1: facing south; entry foyer is on the right; french doors on the left.

Photo 2: facing north; entry foyer is on the left; french doors on the right.

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Comment (1)

Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
5 years ago
Welcome to my world! I have a condo with lots of openings and very little light. Your rug needs to be big enough to be under your entire seating arrangement. A ceiling light does no one any favors in the living room. Much better is a table lamp or wall sconce in each corner at chest height. If the kids need another surface for toys or games, get a round upholstered flat top ottoman with a large shallow tray for the top. To compensate for the lack of light, when you get your lights, get lamp bases that are mirrored. If you are in the market for accessories or wall decor, be sure to get lots of reflective surfaces (mirrored frames, mirrors, etc.). Also, stick to light and bright colors.
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In front of your main entrance(s), I would place a nice, warm toned rug to bring in some coziness. I would place a little table next to the door so that you have a place to put your keys, a candle, etc. On the left side of your space is where I see your living area looking best. I would mount the TV on the top wall of the floor plan, and put your comfy couch in front of it. Behind that setup, I would place the music area & desk you mentioned. I know that this is really basic, but I hope that it helps! Also, when you get to decorating, I would highly recommend changing out the light switch plates in your space. It will give the room a very complete, tied together feel. :) https://www.bazarartandgifts.com has some great options. What I love about their products is that they are all handmade!!! Definitely check them out!
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I would work with the colors from the chair fabric. It and the pillows have some teal or aqua so look for things in those watery colors but darker or brighter. You also can rotate other colors on pillow covers. I switch mine seasonally to brighten our brown leather sofas. With cool greys and teals you could add warmth with accents of yellow or coral. Pick colors that you love. Maybe start with a large colorful canvas for the wall and use colors from it. You could even paint your own abstract. Stack a couple books under your lamps if you need them taller. Buy used books with colorful covers or recover them in paper to match your color scheme. Before investing in big items like rugs and drapes, try a few little colorful items like a throw to see what colors you like. Take your time to collect things that speak to you not just the latest trend.
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