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Home Decorating Design Dilemma living room

Need help with small, narrow living room with fireplace

5 years ago

I am having the hardest time choosing new furniture for our living room. I am looking to do small furniture with a modern but comfortable look. The fireplace is across from the wall with the stairs which is not centered. I've attached some pictures. The first picture is how we had the room when we first moved in (with red paint). The other is now with the sectional separated (just until we get rid of it). Please help! The room is 18 by 11.5. Thank you!!

Behind the couch is a built in bookshelf that we can open to store things under the stairs.

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PRO

BeverlyFLADeziner

5 years ago

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Comments (24)

PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
Well, first I will say I strongly think the TV is in a very bad spot.

places it could go

1. back wall next to doorway to kitchen.

2. left of fireplace.

Here are three ways you could do it, one leaving the tv where it is now.
Megan thanked RL Relocation LLC
apple_pie_order
5 years ago
RL's location 1 is best. Are you getting a new sofa and two chairs? Swivel chairs are versatile. Some stores carry "apartment size" furniture that may fit your room comfortably.
Megan thanked apple_pie_order
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NEED Design help!! - narrow living room off kitchen
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Comments (13)
Hello Houzz Friends, Thanks so much for your comments! I could only load 2 photos on my original post so wanted to include some more so you could see how the room works all together with the kitchen. I had not even been thinking about painting but now am thinking maybe a lighter wall shade would be good. Thank you for the the nice compliments! I wanted to address a few items: The wood wall - we want to keep it - we built it ourselves from our old fence and love it. When it's lit from above it looks less dark. The rug- I had it custom made for this room as this is where we all hang out and watch TV and we have kids - I wanted something that was huge and neutral (we have cats and a dog as well so this is very forgiving) and more like carpet than an accent rug. I wanted the gray floor to flow seamlessly into the kitchen to let the eye flow easily from one room to the next. (I actually tried a smaller patterned rug in here but we have a pool and it took a beating). The fireplace - ack. SO do not like it at all and Ingrid, you are right - there are 2 competing focal points which I don't love. However, we do use it and it's not going to be torn out as I don't think we'll get the ROI for that project - so I have to make it work. Making it white was to tie it into the kitchen. It will likely be a DIY so I have to work with simpler materials (either paint which still leaves me with 12x12 tiles which I don't prefer) or DIY tile like Inoxia Speed Tiles (which I've read reviews of and seem excellent). So if I redo the fireplace - what do you all suggest to make it work with the kitchen?? (And I'm going to clear off the mantel of the trophy and the crock which contains the dog's fetch balls!) The furniture - the consensus from you all is definitely that we need some new pieces and I agree completely. I like the suggestion of two chairs and sofa. Our challenge (which you can see better in these new pics I think) is that it's open to the kitchen so it's a pathway AND everyone wants to face the TV. I had thought about swivel chairs against the wall but think it will drive me crazy as they'd never be lined up. The challenge in this room is that it's for movie watching. Ideally it would be a large square room but alas it is not. My other rooms are much easier to design!! Please feel free to share any other thoughts! Thank you! Julie
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Need help furnishing a Narrow Living Room
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Comments (8)
@roarah you are absolutely right about the fireplace as the focal wall. @Nahom K We think it would be a great use of space to use a pair of open storage shelves/ built-ins in the niches beside the fireplace. Placing a couple of accent chairs by the window creates an intimate reading corner. We've placed the TV above the fireplace here to maximize the space and give you lots of seating space. The couch here sections the room so you can enjoy your meals in a bit of privacy. We've styled this room with gold accents to glam it up a bit. We'd love to show you another layout in a different style. Keep watching this space! @roarah and @Nahom K We've created this design and multiple designs for this room in a panoramic photorealistic view and interactive 3D. you can make changes by adding/swapping furniture and move them around to create your own layouts. Click on the link to go to interactive 3D design. Happy designing to you !!!!
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Help needed with long, narrow living room. Lots of pics!
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Comments (6)
agree about the tv. man oh man is that thing high. anywhere else you can put it for staging? and your pictures are also hung too high. But if selling, you should remove all family photos and store them. this is just weird. Too many chairs, too far back. Keep maybe the one red chair in the corner by the window/fireplace. remove the other chairs. you need a sofa and one, maybe two chairs when staging. get a new fan,,,like this one. the one you have is way too small and is meant for a very small (like 8x10) room. whatever those yellow bulbs are, replace them w/daylight bulbs. you don't want yellow light. Let the fireplace be the focal point. (without that tv hung to the ceiling! get a nice piece of artwork) similar colors to yours. get a picture like this above the fireplace. and don't hang it too high! from the floor to the CENTER of the art should be 56-60". eye level for average people. they have a lot of books and stuff, so I wouldn't copy that. but the smaller chairs are nice, and the little pillows are nice. sofa, coffee table and a chair,,,nice rug. that's all you need in there. sofa, (this is a sectional) ottoman, and ONE of these chairs,,,facing the fireplace. (see where this tv is above the box?? that's how it should be) or this one (notice the tv) Sofa, one chair in the corner. you can place the sofa under the window, or float it about 10' back from the fireplace. notice the rug. get something w/some interest or do a sisal rug. nice chandelier, coffee table. you could place a larger sofa like this under your window and have the two chairs directly across from it. Like shown here. pretend this is your fireplace. set up furniture just like this. get a nice light or a better fan. done. another visual. one more. see the diff between all of these and what you have? The dining area looks nice.
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Comments (3)
Another voite to remove the fireplace and hearth. Will you keep a desk area? If so, I would move it to the wall left of sliding doors, put the sofa table on the wall where the desk is now and the sofa against it. A lamp or two on the sofa table. Sleeper sofas are super heavy and sometimes not that comfortable to sit or sleep on. For comfort, a left hand chaise would be nice for TV viewing. With the FP gone, the TV could go to the left a bit and could sit on a small media cabinet. Rig sized correctly and a small round coffee table. ETA: After looking at photos again, I see that is NOT a desk area. If FP is removed, you could use that chest on the "new" wall with the new/smaller TV on top or hung above.
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Megan
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you RL! Yes.. we want to move the TV. I love the ideas! Any recommendations for a sectional that small? In the 3rd example, is that a shelf to right of fireplace? Apple, we are replacing ALL furniture! I've spent numerous hours looking but keep getting stuck bc I didn't know where I wanted things. Thanks to both of you!!
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
yes if you put the tv to the left i would balance it by putting a similar console on the right. but you dont have too.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
also take the sectional you have now and set it up like example 1, this will tell you a better size range. keep in mind you need a walking path behind it.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
Ikea has a lot of options, not sure what your budget is
Megan
Original Author
5 years ago
It's really hard to find a small sectional. I like both of these but I think the 2nd may be too big. Any thoughts are appreciated.. looking for a lighter gray. Our room doesn't get too much natural light.
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago
Consider a loft size reversible chaise sofa for flexibility to move the chaise from left to right when you want to change things up. Otherwise, you can't go wrong with a 3-seat sofa and two armchairs (swivel is always an option.) Are you back door people? If the front door is rarely used, I don't mind the TV where it is. Depends on traffic flow in your home. Can the stairs be accessed from the other side of the front entry or not? You do have at least 3-4 places where you can put it. I would find the seating configuration I loved and then place the TV according to how that shakes out.
Megan thanked decoenthusiaste
Megan
Original Author
5 years ago
decoenthusiaste, Thanks for your advice! I originally wanted a smaller type sofa with 2 chairs so I could move it around more but the fact that the wall with the stairs across from the fireplace doesn't evenly line up with the fireplace keeps throwing me off which is where I could see the sectional working. Plus, my husband is all about comfort and would like to recline on something if possible and I am not into recliners (even the modern looking ones). We always use the front door which opens straight into the stairs. There is no other access to the stairs.. a very cookie cutter home but we don't want to move anytime soon so hopefully I can figure this living room out.
Megan
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks Beverly! I love that layout too but I don't think my room is wide enough is it? It is only 11.5 feet wide.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
did you look at ikea? a lot of what they have you can build out I dont think the second one is too big, what is the size?
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
The first one does not look cozy. plus you do not want a chase to face the fire place so in your case i think an L would be better with an ottoman
decoenthusiaste
5 years ago

I think you need a 72" sofa and one of these for hubby.
Megan thanked decoenthusiaste
Megan
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Yes! I have definitely decided to use a sofa and chairs. I've picked my sofa out (pretty sure!) and now just need to pick out some chairs.. thinking beige color to go with the gray sofa and adding some color in curtains and pillows.

72" Arden Sofa
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
Did you read the reviews on that sofa? It's for looks not comfort. and that's what I thought when I looked at it. I get budget but I think maybe this might be a little stiff, and not lounge-worthy.
Megan thanked RL Relocation LLC
Megan
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I did read them. We were looking for a firm sofa and plan to go more cozy with the chairs. I've ordered the sofa and am now looking at these swivel chairs and either putting an ottoman with one or doing a large ottoman in the middle.

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/quincy-swivel-armchair-aflm1135.html?piid=29063498%2C31780490

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/vineland-swivel-armchair-lfmf4554.html?piid=32246688

I think I like the first one better.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
well the first one has better "comfort" reviews. which set up for the room are you going with?
Megan
Original Author
5 years ago
I still don't know which set up I'm going to use... I'm really struggling! I'm waiting for the sofa to come in to see how it looks in front of the fireplace away from the wall. I feel like it's going to be a tight fit but most chairs I'm finding are about 30" wide and two of those side by side doesn't even leave room for a side table.
Megan
Original Author
5 years ago
These are the exact dimensions with a couple of layouts but I feel like there is so much wasted space...
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
where is the TV in these ? And, NO it is not wasted space, its walking paths and just enough of one at that. Niether of these set ups are going to be good if you plan to use the chairs to watch tv. the last one will work if you leave the tv where it is now.
Megan
Original Author
5 years ago
We have our new couch and love it! I think we will put the chairs across and make them swivel. Not sure where the tv is going yet.
l pinkmountain
5 years ago
My grandma had a couch like that when I was growing up. It was very practical and comfy. Hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of yours!
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
5 years ago
https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5677544/please-help-with-decorating-living-room#n=0

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