1st home-Don't know where to start

4 years ago

Just bought my first home and I am super excited to start making it my own. There's only one thing that's bugging me. I have no idea how to approach laying out the dining room and living room space. There is an outdated three sided fireplace that I feel is awkwardly placed. Should I keep it and build it out to look more incorporated into the space or should I remove it altogether? If I keep it, where should I place furniture? I'm going to update the crown molding and remove the chair rail. Thoughts?

Featured Answer

groveraxle

4 years ago

I second remodeling1840's suggestion for a notebook with floor plans and measurements to take with you when you shop.

I would also suggest you make an ideabook for each room and save photos of the rooms you love.

Finally, I would not buy a stick of furniture until you have a plan for each space. An inspiration board with all seating, case goods, art, textiles, lighting etc. will ensure that everything works together.

No one ever died from sitting on one of these for a month:

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Comments (11)

lynartist
4 years ago
Tia, congrats on your new home! I would remove that awkward stove/ fireplace! I’m guessing you will need to do some floor repair but I wouldn’t want to have to arrange furniture around that sore thumb! Good idea to remove the chair rail; you might want to do the same with the crown as the dentil molding and fussy detail doesn’t suit the style of your home. A simple white crown that matches the rest of your trim would loom so much better!
User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Congrats to you! It's so exciting..

I don't know your budget, but I don't think it would be too difficult to get rid of the fireplace and have a direct vent fireplace put in...

At least get an estimate...

Your floor looks like oak and is still available, so can be patched.
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decoenthusiaste
4 years ago
Yes, take the FP out entirely. Do you already have furniture that you will use here? Will you watch TV in this space or not?
J J
4 years ago
following
remodeling1840
4 years ago
Get yourself a 5 x 7 spiral notebook, a tape measure, and a pencil. Label two pages for each room and then sketch each room with measurements, including closets, windows, doors. I jot down my ideas for lamps, paint colors, drapes, etc and try to set a per room budget. I put the measurements of each piece of furniture I already own in this notebook because I might decide later the “ black 4 drawer cabinet 17 x 26” can fit in that other room and all I need is a new lamp. I carry that notebook when I stop at Calico Corners or Target or that cute little shop over on Market St. I know if something on sale—adorable curtains, ooooh that chair, etc—will fit my room and my budget. I haunt consignment and antique shops and garage sales.
ci_lantro
4 years ago
Yes, remove it.

I'm going to update the crown molding and remove the chair rail. Thoughts?

You're on the right track. That clutter needs to go, too.
PRO
Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
4 years ago
I agree on removing the fireplace all together. It's not really in a position that you can even work around. Updating the crown molding and removing the chair rail are great ideas. Also upgrade the lighting and fan, those are the two other big things that are dating the space.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
No to crown unless you are planning on it all through the place The first thing to tackle is the lighting before making any other choices. LED fixtures with bulbs in the 3500-5000k range most people like 4000K as for the fireplace is that a wood burning stove ? It seems to be in a very odd place so I am wondering if it is for heating. To really get help you will need to do a to sacle drwing of the floor plan with all windows and doors indicated and of course some idea of your style is always helpful. I do think that fireplace/ stove needs to be addressed but I would need more info about it first.
User
4 years ago
It baffles me how some similar designs looks different in a home always one better than the other but I think depending on your measurements of the space you can have the dining area between windows and sofa and chairs (sofa facing wall) at the other end of the room. I placed a sectional but it could be again depending on measurements.
apple_pie_order
4 years ago
It looks like the fireplace is meant to act as a divider between the dining area with the chandelier and the living area with the fan. I'd get a fireplace pro in to give an estimate for replacing the fireplace. Then get a hardwood flooring pro to estimate the floor repair. Even if you don't replace it now, you'll be able to budget for it in the future.

1st home-Don't know where to start

groveraxle

Comments (11)

lynartist

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