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Furniture Design Dilemma living room

How would you layout this small living/tv room?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I’m stumped. We live in a small 1950s home with three small kids. To the right is our front door, left is the hall to the bedrooms and behind me is our open area kitchen with an island and small bench-style eating area. Working with what we have but I want to get a smaller tv and console, or possibly wall mount tv, plus new coffee and end tables.

We’re in this space all the time so it needs to be functional but also look great since it’s the first thing you see when you walk in the house.

Should I put the couch under far window and two chairs with their backs to kitchen instead? Wall mount a tv behind chairs? Any other suggestions for the space in general?

Thank you for any suggestions!

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Comments (11)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
I really do not see any real issues with what you have for layout I think you need some drapes on the windows , no cukoo clock or the small piece of art on either side of the window just nice wide drapes in maybe a nice linen. I think the TV cabinet could be better if you went looking for a nice 50’s buffet style cabinets and wall mount the TV it will be a bit high but okay I think
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
3 years ago
Layout is good, need proper decoration.
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Their current lay out block traffic flow. I would much rather go with a love seat and a few comfy chairs. How many in your family. That is how many seats you need. The rest is over kill and does anyone actually FILL a huge sectional or do three people use it? I am just not a fan. As for the TV placement, most want a visual of both the fireplace and the TV so your plan seems to be a decent option. The built in would be worth looking at...It is ironic how often the MOSTLY unused fireplaces everyone desires really messes with furniture arranging. Your new floors are to die for. This gray fad confuses me. Gray is cold,like stainless. Your kitchen and flooring are so warm and rich looking. Half your new space is painted warm the other cool... Which colors will you embrace?
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You could always design a TV cabinet about the size of a console table. Then put the TV inside with the ability to raise it up to the top of the console when in use. Arrange the room to fit the console where you so desire it. Second choice would be to put it in one of those two wall display/book cabinets.
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IMO a sectional in your space is the wrong choice. I actually love the sofa and the 2 chairs you have in that space. Setionals are IMO the most expensive way to get the most uncomfortable seats. Arm rests = comfort and a sectional at best has 2 no matter how many seats . So everyone else is sitting just like they do on the middle seat on a sofa the seat no one wants.
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Jen
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks! Good to know I’m not too far off. some have suggested to ditch couch and chairs and go with a sectional.
Shoemaker
3 years ago
Can you send a picture where we can see the entire tv cabinet straight in?
freedomplace1
3 years ago
Where is front door in proximity to sofa?
Jen thanked freedomplace1
Shoemaker
3 years ago
I hope you like this. Its your room with lightened walls - all kid friendly! Please post after pics 💞
Jen
Original Author
3 years ago
@freedomplace1 - Door is right next to sofa currently. Right side of the picture. If I was sitting on the couch, it would be directly to my left.
freedomplace1
3 years ago
If you need a child friendly coffee table, an ottoman style is the best. Padded, and no sharp edges. If you have to do a wood coffee table - round shape is better. No glass.
freedomplace1
3 years ago
I would get the sofa out of the entry - as well as out from in front of windows. I would place sofa on long, window free wall. And put the tv on a long, low console in front of windows, directly across.
Jen
Original Author
3 years ago
@freedomplace1 - I love the idea of getting the couch away from entry and window but never tried since I always thought a tv in front of window is taboo. But I’ve seen some designs where it looks ok, like the one above. I keep going back to this stand but it’s 29” H (10” higher than my current) so i don’t think low enough. Window is about 30” above floor. Should I ditch the chairs? Or one of them? Should I get a sectional? For some reason they remind me of the early 90s (too many sleepovers on them maybe) so I’ve never been a big fan...
freedomplace1
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I like that tv cabinet. You would be setting tv on top of it, so that would bring down the height versus how it appears in photo/display. However, it is higher than your current console, and tv viewing height seems to be good with current console. I would suggest trying current piece in front of windows first. See how height works, and whether you think something taller could work there. I tend to think that the height you have on present console would work well, but you can see how well - and then you could always get something in the same height or a little higher. But it looks to me like your current console could very well be fine - both length and height-wise, and it’s a nice piece, from what I can see.

TV in front of windows is fine, and it is really the best option for your space.

I like your current sofa, it’s a nice piece. The chairs are also nice. But if you would like something new on chairs, some swivel chairs could be a nice option; they are flexible chairs for conversation + turning to watch tv.

I would try an arrangement like this, with chairs that are sized well for the space.

Swivel chair.

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