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Remodeling Design Dilemma living room

I need help Incorporating front room into a functional room.

Matrix General Contracting

3 years ago

We are remodeling on a very tight budget. Currently the kitchen and front room are only separated by the steps (going downstairs). The living room and kitchen are separated by a peninsula-- it's a pretty open floor plan and I'd like to keep it that way. We have determined we can't afford to move the stairs, so that is out. How can we make the front room into a space that gets used? (Before it was set up as an informal "sitting area" with my hutch, china cabinet, and shelves of books. While it was really nice, it was such a waste of space. Before we go any further, I'd love some help! The top picture shows the 1/2 wall we removed that separated the kitchen/stairs/front room. It also shows how the kitchen runs into the living room. The second picture shows the front room (front door)/space we are trying to make more functional/used and/or incorporate it with the kitchen and/or living room. HELP?

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Comments (9)

Yvonne Martin
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
please post photos that enlarge. I don't know what I am looking at. Is the room at the back of the pictures the living room? Are the front room and the living room the same or different? I'm not sure that I see the stairs--certainly no railing. Please post a floor plan and better photos so that we can help you.
PRO
Matrix General Contracting
Original Author
3 years ago
Yikes, I'm not sure how to do that?
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I think it would be fine to change the sand color to Olive Branch. If it's too much, it might be nice to select a lighter, color and consider making the paneling area above the fireplace this color. I agree the scale of the pictures is too small. I think it would be nice to anchor the dining area with a large painting. The bigger the better to fill some wall space. Right now, the furniture seems to be arbitrarily placed throughout the room so I think you should rethink the floor plan. I would place the sofas on either side of the fireplace. I would move the tv to the small wall and hope that it sits below the wall and doesn't stick out. Right now, it's fighting the natural focal point of the fireplace. Now, the concept of Spanish/ Mediterranean. When you continue this space, think heavy, think furniture. Contrast is important in this style so consider black wrought iron details, perhaps a wrought iron chandelier for over the dining table and some sconces for the living area. It might be nice to consider tapestries for the area. When I suggested a lighter color earlier, it might be appropriate to think a tan or an orangish hue that is found throughout this style.
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How about facing your two couches and put the chair facing the TV? Then you could have a play area behind one of the couches with a rug to play on. The couch would sort of separate the play area from the TV area and easy to put the toys away. I remember when we had two little boys and how they "helped" me put their things away. An end table or two with lamps and you home will look nice. I do agree that your TV is high but maybe that is the best place for it.
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The photo didn’t post. Give it more time to change from the original grayed out version to full color before hitting submit. You can try adding in the comments as that seems to work better.
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My first thought is that everything seems to be the wrong color. The curtains need to be unified rather than different colors within the same room. The dark blue wall behind the TV creates a dark hole. Some things are very dark while the white fireplace is too much of a contrast. Can two ” bottom” portions of the cabinetry be placed side by side to act as a Tv stand.? Keep those pieces off of the fireplace wall. Paint the fireplace wall to match the other walls. Move the black bookcase to another room. Get a large rug that will fit under the sofa and chair and unify the colors. Get enough of the yellowish/cream panels for all of the windows. You need several more panels to add fullness. Remove all of the items on top of furniture and all of the other stuff sitting around. As was mentioned you need at least one floor lamp or an end table with a lamp. Do not bring anything back into the room unless it has a function or a place to store it out of site. I would paint the inside of your front door the same wall color.
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millworkman
3 years ago
I am fairly certain the customer paying you for this remodel would be petrified at the fact that you were crowd sourcing their remodel on a public website.
Donald
3 years ago
@millworkman it’s his own house, which is why he refers to ‘my hutch’. Reading comprehension should be your New Years resolution
jck910
3 years ago
@Donald may be his own house but that makes it worse that there was no plan in place before construction began.

@Matrix General Contracting why did you remove the half wall?
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
I am confused as to what is where A to scale floor is what is needed if you want help and make sure the drawing is able to be enlarged so jpeg . Make sure all measurements are clearly marked all windows doorways etc . That is how you get help on this forum
Donald
3 years ago
@jck910 he’s not asking about construction, he’s asking about use, he has this room that doesn’t get used and he’s trying to figure out a function for it. Lots of people ask questions about how to best use space without comments about their business practices and lots of people haven’t got fully formed plans which is why they ask questions.
bluemarble
3 years ago
Until Matrix can get us better photos, you have to focus to the left of the workers. On the floor, you will see a stairway going down. They have removed the wall that would keep you from falling into the hole haha. The "front room" is more like a foyer. The room to the back with the tv on the wall is the "living room."
bluemarble
3 years ago
Maybe incorporate the front room into the kitchen and convert the stairs into a fire pole. ; )

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