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Furniture Design Dilemma living room

Need help with tricky living room space

Jonathan Sikora

4 years ago

Hi all, I am trying to get some design ideas for my living room, which is combined with a kitchen and island eating space. Most of the room is taken up by my sliding balcony door. I don’t like the current setup because it just feels too open and not cozy enough. I’m not opposed to a tv stand or smaller couch as I wanted to get some more furniture. I’m trying to work with the same size tv which is about 50” either wall mounted or on the stand. We just moved and put some of our current furniture in the space, but they don’t seem to work in the space. The dimensions of the walls before the doorways are 13’11” x 8’9”. I’m usually pretty good at coming up with design ideas but no matter which way I seem to place things I can’t get a good feel. Would love some ideas so I could get a good plan to move forward. Thanks in advance!

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Comments (4)

acm
4 years ago
Lower the TV and ground it with a nice console, preferably 50% wider than the TV itself. Then maybe add a rug to define the seating arrangement, and one or two armchairs facing in from the corners (i.e., one with its back to the walkway, one with its back to the sliding doors or shifted toward the corner). Right now two people would have a hard time sitting to converse, and the lack of textiles and art is making the space feel stark. I might shift your little shelves to somewhere else and put a large poster or painting over the couch (at least 50% the width of the couch) with some color to coordinate with the rug or chairs.
Jonathan Sikora thanked acm
suezbell
4 years ago
It is likely one side of the door slides and the other is fixed. If so, you can set a 3' high cabinet the same width as that part of the door, giving you a table top for use as a plant stand or lamp table by which -- in front of, or beside or angled in the corner -- you can set a chair.

https://foter.com/small-bookcase-with-glass-doors
Jonathan Sikora thanked suezbell
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You're probably going to have to get everything in there and try out various placements to be sure everything works for you, but here are a few ideas. The two possible spots for the TV would be over the fireplace (if the mantle isn't too high) or against the wall on the right. You wouldn't want your TV backlit by the wall of windows or else you would have to block the light during the day and it wouldn't work on the fireplace wall as you wouldn't get good viewing angles. I'd start with a couple arrangements-I'm assuming that you sit on the couch primarily when you view TV, but maybe you don't. 1. Couch against the window wall and TV across the room. Two chairs across from the fireplace. Desk in front of the window to the right of the fireplace - you can look out the window while you're sitting at the desk and that sinks the desk into that alcove. Drawback to this arrangement is that it's kind of a long distance from your couch to the TV and your TV is on the small side for that distance. But if you don't watch TV that much or are planning on eventually getting a larger TV, that's not a factor. 2. Couch across from the fireplace, chairs against the window wall, desk still in front of window to R of fireplace, TV mounted on wall above fireplace. Drawback to this is you may want your fireplace uncluttered by a TV and IMO, TV's above fireplaces are mounted too high for a comfortable viewing angle. You can partially solve this by getting a tilt mount for your TV. If you sit in the chairs instead of on the couch when watching TV, then swap the couch and chair arrangements above. Rooms with multiple doorways do present challenges, but your room is large enough, I'm sure you'll find an aesthetically pleasing and functional solution but it might take several tries. Congratulations on your new home!
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Pictures would be a huge help. I cannot visualize what you are describing.
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How about wall mounting the TV on the wall where it is now with a higher and wider console under it? Then 2 long sofas facing each other where the sofa and 2 chairs are now with console tables behind them for lamps. 2 chairs one on each side of the FP.
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@Clare Reiss, @njmomma - Thanks! I'm reluctant to cover the doors with drapes because the room will be very dark if I do. Also reluctant to put TV on large wall because I agree that back to the door is unsettling somehow. I think the best option is to go with what @Beverly suggested. The TV is a little awkward between the doors but it's really the best way to go.
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njmomma
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Not a Pro.
Mueller Modern Scandinavian Farmhouse | Featured On Dwell · More Info
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PRO
Styldod
4 years ago
Your TV would definitely need to come down a couple of inches. It would make for much better viewing. A smaller couch (3 seater but more compact) would make room for a small end table. You could add a pair of accent chairs or add one chair and get a couple of ottomans that can be pushed away when you don't need them. For the TV, I'd get a media cabinet and maybe add a tall bookcase in the corner.

You can liven up the room by adding some peppy wall art since the room is a bit boring right now. Alternatively, you could add a nice mirror to the wall too. A rug would really add to this space and define the entire area.

Here is an interactive mock up of your room where you can make your own layouts. Did you have some colors scheme or inspiration in mind for the new furniture you want to purchase?

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