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Awkward living room with off centre fireplace

Pearline Mannikam

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Hi. Looking for some advice please.I can't add the pictures here. I can add it in comments - sorry about that.My family room feels dark and uncomfortable and cluttered.I kind of just gave up and now it looks horrible to me.The fireplace is awkwardly placed off centre. The living room is part of an L shape which leads into the kitchen.There is a door from the garage into the living room which means that whole left "pathway" from that door through the living room to the kitchen can't really be used as part of the living room... I think..?How can I best arrange my furniture and work with what I have?I can purchase a few accessory/ small furniture items but don't have a large budget at the moment.We're a family of 4 and I have a separate formal lounge. So this should be comfortable but chic. We watch a lot of TV together and play boardgames in here.I'm in South Africa so the fireplace only gets used about 2 months a year. I have a few other pieces of single seating I could bring in or swop. Please help... thank you!!!

Featured Answer

jck910

3 years ago

Yes please add pictures in comments

Comments (9)

Pearline Mannikam
Original Author
3 years ago
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Pearline Mannikam
Original Author
3 years ago
Some other pieces I can swop around for this space

Excuse the wires and !!
Pearline Mannikam
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi Anyone out there, please help.
petula67
3 years ago
Are both of your sofas the same length? And can you provide a sketch of your layout that indicates the dimensions of the space and the locations of the doorways and fireplace along the walls?
HU-187528210
3 years ago
Take out the older reddish couch and add two matching comfy chairs. Possibly with slipcovers. Pull the rug out a bit. Add curtains to the walls and new light
petula67
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Try tackling the issues you listed ("dark, cluttered, and uncomfortable") in small bites. For the dark problem, see how the mood changes if you temporarily take down the green drapes and bring in a few lamps from elsewhere in the house. To address comfort, identify your family's favorite pieces of furniture for sitting. If the two sofas win, a new slipcover for the blue one and a tweaked arrangement might help. For the clutter problem, you probably know what to do...
PN _Bos
3 years ago
I have a post up now to reconfigure my living room - so this might be the blind leading the blind... but here are my thoughts. I agree about 2 matching slip covers for the sofas, something light/neutral. The sofas looked cramped – can you pull the lighter one a foot closer to the TV so the arms have some space? Next – declutter, get rid of anything you don’t need/want. Maybe buy some storage piece for games. Those big dark green drapes are probably blocking all your light – I’d replace them with cream/white. Good luck!
eld6161
3 years ago
Just a thought. Don’t be concerned about the fireplace. Things needn’t be centered around it. It is more a heating source than a focal point. As long as you leave the front clear, it’s good.

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