Unless the elliptical is strictly for looks, don’t put that runner under it; just imagine the sweat drip, drip, dripping on it...YUCK!

That’s all I got. :)

Wait: it turns out I have more! Regarding the lamp: the style is fine, but it’s way too small. The tables are pretty and seem to be the right scale. The curtains should be long enough to be hung just below the ceiling, and the panels should be voluminous enough so that when the curtains are closed they don’t flatten out. Also, the rod should extend at least 6” beyond the sides of the windows. And for a more a finished look, layer a woven wood shade (outside-mount) under the curtains. You’ll want to hang it just below the curtain rod so that you eliminate the dead wall space between the top of the window and the ceiling.

Okay, that’s really all I got. (Probably, anyway.)

Flo, I apologize for my poor sketching skills. Here is the best I can do (not to scale very well, but lengths are noted).

Back wall 15.5 feet.

Elliptical is 6 feet long, 18 inches wide, but needs 3 feet for the full handlebars.

The white cabinets are 26" wide, 32" tall, 12" deep.

The sofa is 90" wide.

Sammy, thanks so much for the curtains advice. Hanging curtains (height of rod, width, etc) is a total mystery to me, and I appreciate your guidance!

The elliptical sometimes thumps/bounces (especially if I take too big of a stride or wander off-balance), so I thought I'd use a rug to cushion it from making loud bumps against the tile, and to protect the tile floor. If it gets sweaty, it'll be for a good cause!

How tall of a lamp should I be looking for? I made the one in the photoshop below a little bigger, but am not sure how to translate it to the right size for shopping. If the cabinet is 32" tall, am I looking for a lamp that is 2 feet tall? Taller?

Also, what do you think I should be seeking for dimensions of art above the sofa? I am leaning toward this gorgeous geode square canvas print, if it coordinates as well as I think it might. It's going to look a little off-balance, since the window will be behind 1/3 of the sofa. If I get a square painting over the left side of a 90" couch, how big should it be?

Also, if I go with this setup, should a painting be centered on the wall between the corner and the window?

Or to the right of that, centered halfway between the right edge of the lamp and the left edge of the curtains?

Or even farther to the right, centered between left edge of the couch (left arm) and left edge of the curtains?

Lastly, if it helps, the same artist has a similar agate painting, and I could get a second square canvas, if I need to create a rectangle shape. I don't like the second painting as much as the first, but maybe I need a rectangle?

Thanks, Flo! I appreciate your time, and I look forward to your insight!

Good morning!

So tell me, Lynn, besides body sculpting, what will you be using this space for? I assume that since there’s a kitchenette instead of a full kitchen that this is more of a secondary living space. Also, as your internet friend, I can’t let you purchase those agate canvases; they’re too match-y match-y and generic.

you're a good friend, Sammy..)))

to all of us lol))

I agree-we need to know how you'll use the space..maybe side tables are too fancy, maybe not..maybe the couch is more for sitting, maybe for lounging..usually some couches are better fot lounging, some for sitting straight..depend on the person/family as well

Do you need something else in the room? will it be for TV watching? reading? games? occasional guests to spend the night, and the couch is a sleeper one?

lamp should be bigger I think

I wouldn't try to keep colors so tightly matching..you want at least many different textures so the light would hit the fabrics differently, and they'll give out feel of different depth or shade of color because of that..otherwise very strict color schemes tend to fall too flat, so to say

texture is always good, but the less colors you have the more important it becomes

you can vary fabrics in pillows, curtains, add blinds..rug is good..add plants if you can. Lampshade can be also something textured or patterned.

Granted, I haven't seen your choices in true life, and I realize it's a computer rendering.

don't hurry with art too much..I know that feeling of wanting to be done, but I also know satisfaction is greater when you hunt for something..or stumble upon it..and it has this story it carries with you, even if just a story of you're meeting it. And it becomes more precious to you. Don't become too much into colors matching thing..nothing wrong with being inspired by certain colors, we all are..but don't let it restrict you..it's art, our "contract" with it is different. Doesn't mean you'll have to wait for months..maybe you'll miraculously "meet" your art today, who knows. Or tomorrow. Saatchi has 15% off prints, for example. (and originals too..but that's usually different money already)

Other sites that sell art as well have all sorts of deals. I won't go and list all the wonderful vintage sources..unless you want me to..

I have laid this out to scale and that length sofa for this space with the elliptical is problematic. Have you purchased the sofa? You have one of the French doors opening into the room on the window wall side which means that 2'8"-3' door swing must be accounted for in the layout. (guessing at French door size at 6' width?) You can't get all the furniture you are thinking of in this space. It won't fit. I would do a condo size sofa 72-78" long at most. Then you could do something.

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Thanks, Sammy! I really love the look of that first agate canvas, but I could get a smaller version and put it in a bathroom, rather than have it as the focal point of the room. And I'll definitely skip the second, matchy-matchy one! :)

What size art should I be looking for?

This is the lower level of the split-level house, and will be like a mother-in-law-suite. Most of the time, when we don't have company, the space will just be used for the elliptical, and my husband (whose office is on this level of the house) will use the kitchenette for convenient sodas/drinks.

My family comes from out of town and sometimes stays with us for a week at a time, and when they are here, this space will be our "keep-Mom-from-taking-over-my-upstairs-kitchen" and "keep-Dad-from-taking-over-husband's-TV" sanity-saver. So for several weeks, spread thoughout the year, I need this space to have a comfy seating for mom, dad, and me to watch TV together on the couch without disturbing husband's peace and quiet on the main level, and a big enough fridge to keep my mom from filling our main fridge with all of her stuff. If my mom (or dad) ever has to move in with us, this will be their 'living room'. Or if we ever have kids, this room would be a playroom / hang out space.

The couch pictured is a sleeper sofa, and could be used if we ever have more guests than can fit in our guestroom (or could be used as the primary guest bed if we have to turn our guestroom into a nursery in the next few years.)

In case you have already bought that sofa (hope not!) here is Option 3.

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Biggest question? Have you purchased the sofa???

Seems above you say you don't have any furnishing yet except the elliptical. The rug sizes will depend on furnishings. I have another idea. brb

aprilneverends,

Thanks so much for your wisdom! I answered some of your questions above (i.e., there will be TV-watching in this room, both while we use the elliptical, and while my parents are visiting). A sleeper sofa would be a smart choice for the future, but is not absolutely required yet.

How tall should a lamp be, on a 32" cabinet?

I think I will take your advice to heart about waiting on the art. If I can find something for <$50, I'll get something pretty to enjoy for now, but I won't be so attached to it that I would not be able to replace it once I discover something that speaks to me more deeply.

I could also choose something with a bit more color variation, to give me more to work with in the fabrics and decor in the room. Is this what you mean about not matching the colors so tightly?

OK, here is an even better idea.

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Art and accessories can come after you decide on main furniture arrangements.

Flo,

Thank you so much for all those great ideas!! You are right, I need to go downstairs and check the door swing on that door, and see how much room I've got. I'll go do that and be right back.

But to answer your biggest question, I have not bought the sofa yet! So that is OK.

One problem for some of your layouts is that the doorway into the bedroom on the far right wall is only 7 feet away from the wall with the window, so in your Option 2 and 3, we only have 7 feet to play with for the couch.

Here is a photo showing that wall better, with 7 feet from the corner to the 36" door (we put in a wide door in that bedroom since my mom is not in great health, and we might need wheelchair room someday):

Yea, I was afraid of that. So the only way you can do a sofa is on the window wall and that gets cut short by the swing on the French door (3') and the 3' for elliptical on the other end. So in effect you only have 9' total to work with. If you feel you must have a sofa in this space, the largest I would go is a 84" long and that is stretching it. Love seats usually only seat one person, because we like more space between each other in U.S. That's why I thought of the 4 chair arrangement. If you are thinking of this space as a MIL suite down the road, then a simple love seat would work. But then you probably wouldn't keep the elliptical in the space anyway, so I would set it up for the next 4-5 years, unless there is a bigger family need now? I will modify that last drawing showing the 7' wall. Option 4a coming up!

I checked the French door downstairs. I have 4 feet from the corner to door, then 6' French doors. If the sofa is not super-deep (i.e., only 36 inches), and if it is placed against the back wall, a couple feet away from the wall with the door, it seems like there will be plenty of room for the door swing. (I just measured it out and opened the door to see how it swings, and I'm sure my husband thought I was crazy for letting all that cold air inside, haha!). Do you really think I can't fit the 90" couch?

(I was leaning toward this one because it is also a sleeper sofa, which could be used in a pinch. But that's not a requirement, and I could certainly find an 84" couch that I like.)

Edited to add: I do like your idea of the 4 swivel chairs. That would provide a nice conversation space for visiting with my folks. Do I spy a little curtain hiding the elliptical? You are so clever! My one hesitation with that plan is having to crane the neck directly to the left to see the TV from the elliptical, but I will give this layout some more thought.

84' is a good size sofa..it's pretty versatile one. Don't go for arms that are too big..they usually just seem like they're bigger and comfier but in effect, they use too much space..and don't make a real difference

Do go for rounded arms though if you want an option to lounge..just smaller ones, you now?

yes, yes, that's what I meant! (your rendering) Depending on the material sofa will be -good cotton, linen, velvet, fur, wool,, mix of fabrics really would work for pillows..how many-you'll decide depending on a sofa..some sofa shapes are such they don't demand pillows at all..some do invite pillows .. and will depend on your preferences..symmetry, assymetry..whether you like repetition or not..

you can always add a throw btw. useful. All the things you buy-be it a pillow, a throw-buy it with intention to use. Should be nice to touch. A lamp-buy something you love. Few sources beat your local estate sales, Craigslist, Nextdoor and Etsy. Table lamps are the easiest to get interesting, and for cheap.

Of course one can get lucky in a normal store too, but in my experience -less often

The height of a lamp will depend a) on a table's height b) on a style, to a degree. You want something that's big enough for a person who sits there. And it's more moody light..so if you need something for reading look also whether it has enough wattage in it. Or you can add another light from the other side, smth more directed. Maybe a floor light?

I like the lamp..interestingly, I used to dislike Tiffany so much..and I used to be pretty apathetic to glass..but it slowly changes..I like glass more and more.

(I know it's rendering only..but yes, it gives an interesting variation. Can be done with fabrics of course, metal dinishes, fringes... You get the idea)

Depending where you live-you can go for more substantial drapes..I love mine embroidered and whatnot, but I'm a bit too much into fabrics

I like Flo's Option 2..given guests would sometimes use the room for sleeping and all..

Thanks, April! I'll keep in mind your advice about smaller-sized couch arms.

I'm a terrible shopper (i.e., I would always rather be home reading rather than running around town hunting for goodies), but my sister loves shopping, and visits estate sales every weekend for retail therapy! Maybe it won't seem so daunting if I tag along with her, or enlist her help looking for some pieces.

Regarding the Tiffany-style lamp, I have one elsewhere in the house that I managed to find at a garage sale in my neighborhood for $20, and my mom loves it even more than I do! When I remembered how much she enjoys that lamp, I knew I should try to find one that works in this space.

I can't do Flo's Option 2, due to placement of the door along that wall, but I am planning to measure out the placement for the couch and door swing with tape to see if I can make an 84" or 88" work along that back wall.

Just checking in! I’ve been rearranging furniture and rugs—and all the “stuff” that goes on and over said-furniture and rugs—all dang day...so now I’m taking a break, which is dangerous because it’s so hard to get moving again once you sit down. As is often the case, aprilneverends and I seem to be in sync (so tempted to spell it *N Sync) when it comes to decorating (from a very quick skim, it appears she even addressed my concerns regarding your sofa style, which I’d been thinking about since I wrote my last comment!)

Now I have to get up again (ugh) and get back in the zone. I shall return!

Thanks, Sammy. Good luck with all of your rearranging! Which rooms are you working on, at the moment? I definitely hear you on how hard it is to get back moving once you sit down.

Flo, that is a great idea to use boxes in place of the sofa, so I can get a better idea for how it will look. I will do that!

We had planned to put a 43" TV on an articulating mount on the wall between the kitchenette window and the french doors. See the black picture in the mockup of the kitchenette, in my first post above? That is currently representing the TV, and could be tilted out to face the couch and elliptical.

In the room photo, we do already have a recessed electrical outlet for it here. It'd just be a 43" TV, so probably not as big as the red box I've made here:

I agree, Flo, the viewing angle won't be the best (even though we got a fully articulating mount, so we will be able to tilt the TV out away from the wall, and also tilt it down toward the couch.

One good thing about it is that if we have the elliptical on the far wall, facing in toward the room (and in toward the TV), the neck doesn't have to turn at a very sharp angle to see the TV, since the TV would be ahead and to the right. On the other hand, if we had the TV in the corner like in several of your options, the neck would have to turn at a sharper angle to see the TV from the elliptical, since the TV would be more directly to the side of the elliptical.

I took your advice and measured out the size of the sofa I had been considering (90"), and laid towels along the floor to take up that size (didn't have the energy to dig up boxes last night). You are right; it fits, but it does look big! I need to try it with a smaller sofa size (84"), and see how I like it. I also need to try measure out the shapes of swivel chairs, to see how those would look in the space.

Flo, I'm definitely still considering the swivel chair layout. Do you have any suggestions for where to find inexpensive ones?

Our renovation went over-budget (due to an unexpected 6K to replace all the cast iron pipes in our house), and I admit I don't have much wiggle room to get this space furnished and ready for guests.

Husband and I went around town trying out sofas and chairs today, and the one pictured above was surprisingly comfortable, and only $370 delivered (or $620 for sleeper sofa). Most swivel chairs seemed to be ~ $250 each, or more. That adds up fast for 3 or 4!

Edited to add: It's possible we could modify this a bit and get 2 swivel chairs and 2 less expensive stationary accent chairs. Perhaps it would look something like this (although the blue chairs would face the other chairs, and would have to be turned to face the TV when needed):

Thanks! We do have some big & tall men in the family, so I probably can't go with smaller chairs. The Madison Park one you found is beautiful, if we can stretch the budget. Will have to talk it over with my hubby. Also, we'd have to be sure we can do without the sleeper sofa. Furnishing a home requires so many decisions, and so much speculating about future needs over the next 5+ years! (Or, at least it does for those of us who hope not to shop again anytime soon!)

Thanks! I will check out Target, and also will think about using the cabinet-money elsewhere. That's a good point!

I had already ordered two rugs, a 2.5 x 6 runner and a 6.5 x 9.2. They arrived today, and are SO GORGEOUS! I'm absolutely in love, and I hope they will work with the furniture! (If not, I'd be able to return.)