Setting up living room small office area combo

5 years ago

Downsized and need to figure out future new furniture placement to divide small living room from small family computer desk area for husband. He likes being at that window. Thoughts?

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Comments (4)

gella81
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I like your general layout, but hate the abundance of small furniture pieces in the office area. Leaving the living area as is, I'd switch to a bigger desk spanning the window and extending left into the corner. A proper desk with drawers for office supplies and enough space for the printer. Then replace all mismatched etageres with one bigger (or two matching) bookcase placed in the corner where you currently have one but along the back wall to store all the files and paperwork.

It seems like it will allow you to push the sofa back another foot or so if you choose to do so.
Liz Wheeler thanked gella81
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JAN MOYER
5 years ago
If you want real help, DRAW the room with windows, doorways and DIMENSIONS to all. Make a list of the furniture and the dimensions. Nobody can offer good advice based on the photos.
Liz Wheeler thanked JAN MOYER
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hmmm - lovely room w/wonderful appointments - yes, long narrow rooms really require some creativity from a decorating/function standpt That said - I would definately try doing mock ups w/whatever existing furnishings you do have I would try - 2 couches (small) or loveseats facing each other w/fireplace in btwn - that would delineate DR fr. LR A console table could go behind the far couch - cheat the one at far end (not dr end as far back as possible - as to not loose valuable space - I have long narrow LR - w/Fireplace in middle - large entryway fr. Foyer then at other side of room 2 sets of French doors to sunroom - I finally bit the bullet and dashed the lovely Stickley coffee table to the attic - A HUGE difference - I hated having to walk around that - I think occasional, end tables, even chest of drawers in LR are far more functional - I would also try 2 chairs on either side of Fireplace - put sofa under the longer windows - it seems that it wouldn't block much of the window - then you could consider - Perhaps a nice L shaped sectional Here is a lovely creative use in narrow LR http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/2-southern-living-room-dec0807_xlg.jpg http://www.designnstyle.com/images/set2.jpg Monablair said it well - cozy not crowded This room has such wonderful potential - I do think you need to think a little outside the box - A few ? to help understand direction How often is DR used - try putting blue tape to where table/chairs ordinatily are - Do you have/ideas for window coverings, rug, accessories etc... Here is a link that might be useful: lee industries
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I've had a house with a small LR where the door opened directly into the room. I used a 60" love seat and floated it facing the fireplace, and then put two chairs on either side of the fireplace. Of course, we didn't have a TV in the room, so you would probably put one chair on either side of the sofa, so one could watch the TV, which I assume is going over the fireplace. In the end, we actually built a wall with an opening into the LR. Everyone told us not to do this as it would make the LR too small. Well, the LR was going to have a pathway to the rest of the house from the front door, so at least we now had a wall where we could put things up against. We were very glad we did this, and subsequent owners of this house have told me they loved having that wall!
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Just adding simple computer desk & chair. Going to keep existing shelves in pic. Floor plan is insignificant. Was just hoping for some guidance or pics of similar set up.
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I really dislike TV in my LR and usually we are the only ones to watch TV so I would do what the old owners did and have the TV away from the main living room where conversation is happening at least in my home. From what I can see I would do the TV in the DR so like a media room and have my DR where the breakfast/ lounge area is . I think before making major decisions in a new to you home let the house tell you how it functions . Often a house functions much differently than you planned. For instance traffic patterns are often dictated by the house no matter what you planned..IMO an office needs to be in a dedicated space so that a door can shut it away.
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Manon Floreat
5 years ago
One of my favorite solutions for a living/office combo is to place the desk behind the sofa. Sort of a play on the sofa table. Low book shelves on the back wall can be topped with the printer. A wireless printer will eliminate the clutter of cords. Here are some photos that illustrate the idea:

Southampton · More Info

Branagh · More Info
Liz Wheeler thanked Manon Floreat
tangerinedoor
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
If you want to convey the idea of separate spaces, you could use one big rug for your "office" and another for your "living room". I am not a person for rug decisions, but plenty of posters here are!

Yes, to some bookcases on the wall with one picture stuck in the middle. You could get tall bookcases with cabinets below. Put all the loose messy stuff into the cabinets, so the room looks more spacious. You might even be able to get pull out file drawers for the bookcases. No doubt Ikea could fix you up with these. The bookcases need to be tall, since everything else is pretty squat.

Add some conspicuous plants so the room seems more alive.
Liz Wheeler thanked tangerinedoor

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Setting up living room small office area combo

Comments (4)

gella81

JAN MOYER

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Manon Floreat

tangerinedoor

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