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living room Design Dilemma Furniture

Narrow Open Concept Living Room Layout?

3 years ago

Hi there! Having issues choosing how to layout this living room - it’s a weirdly set up narrow living room in our open-concept rental.

10.5ft wide and 23 ft long - with mounted TV stand at the end. Going to divide space into 2 areas, and put a couch w/chaise on the side closest to the window facing the TV. But don’t know if that’s the best layout, and where I would put an accent chair for more seating? Help!

Featured Answer

cd7733

3 years ago

I would think about flipping the layout the original owners had. By ditching the second dining area and making it the living space, you can use the wall with the vent as part of the living area, making it wider and have a spot for another chair. You can "cut the cord" and use internet based tv and not worry about tv connections. Use the "original" living as an office area. If you're worried about facing the back of a couch, maybe you can get a narrow sofa table and decorate it.

(super crude phone sketch, lol)

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Comments (11)

HU-187528210
3 years ago
It is a hard room. I’ll give you that. But the tv wiring looks like it’s in a funny spot? Are there no other walls for it??
Quentin Parker
3 years ago
I have this same problem. Our living room is 11x20, with two radiators, two double width doorways and an extra wide staircase, and a corner fireplace. There's really nothing to be done but divide a space like that into two. It's half office and half living room, which means that practically we only have about an 11x8 space for a living room. At least you have a lot of wall space. I would use the sofa as a divider between the spaces, and a sectional would definitely be the best. Is there a doorway that we can't see on the wall past the stairs?
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I will look to see if I have a floor plan, but if not, how would i go about creating one for you. I know I sound like an idiot but obviously I am clueless as to this kind of stuff and wish my husband would just let me hire a decorator lol! However, he just now gave me another big fat NO to hiring one lol! So needless to say, I am going to have to learn how to do this on my own and asking for help, however annoying I may be, is the only thing I know to do! So I apologize in advance for my ignorance! I will look for the floor plan! Thanks for responding!
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It's gigantic. I'd be trying like hell to avoid that. I'd use the dining table in the dining room for a combo desk /office. I'd buy more flexibility.......comfortable flexibility. A tv can mount flat to the wall, With an IR repaeater, it needs no console beneath. The cable box can go anywhere. I'd get a nice deep and comfy 84 inch sofa, put a console with lamps behind. Add two super comfy chairs and ottomans. A nice generous, light and open cocktail table. Lie down! watch the tube! Put your feet up! Add a little ottoman for a perch at the cocktail table. People love to sit and reach a snack. Add a low table between the chairs at the fire......open and light. Ten x 14 rug to ground everything. ( dotted line ) Go set yourself up in the dining room, to work, and just clean up when you have guests !! No matter the sprawl, no more than three folks will ever sit on that beast of a sectional : ) Two chairs and a total of three ottoman plus at least two on a sofa............for gatherings gives you seven seats. A smashing piece of art over the fire too.
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Thank you all SO much! Really wonderful to read your suggestions and get input. Much appreciated. And makes me feel there is potential for this space. I never considered a bigger rug, but will do so now as that seems to be a repeated suggestion. We will also take another look at the the height of that mirror on the side wall (above the mantel is a actually a large framed photo that I blacked out for this post). We did experiment with turning the dining table the other way, but it didn't feel right and seemed to block the openness of the sliding doors. And I was leaning towards an upholstered bench behind the couch (for a casual spot to sit with the added bonus of storage for blankets inside), but perhaps that would be odd? Again, thank you all. Keep the ideas coming!
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SB 33
Original Author
3 years ago
Right @HU-187528210?! Here’s a pic of the room from the entry stairs. It would be a similar situation on the other side and then you’d get an immediate view of the back of the couch.. :/

I also stalked the townhome’s Zillow and found how the original owners laid it out - but it looks so crammed.
SB 33
Original Author
3 years ago
@Quentin Parker - Ahh so tough!! We’re in a similar spot it sounds like. No door past the stairs leading up - it’s a small little nook. Thought maybe a chair there, but wouldn’t be useful to watch TV, but would potentially balance the room out? Was thinking of putting a chair at an angle right after the stair well facing the tv?
HU-187528210
3 years ago
O gosh. Do you have another space for a tv. Looks like a good space besides the tv. Meaning I would put a couch in front of the windows and one facing that. With a rug. Issue will be tv placement. If you need a tv in this room. I do agree with cd....
SB 33
Original Author
3 years ago
@CD Love the rough draft! Lol & @ HU Thanks for the help as well. I think I’m leaning more towards the original placement of the TV - as there’s no window/light to deal with next to the TV, and no staring at the back of the couch always. Just going to get creative with placement I think. Still welcome all ideas!!
HU-187528210
3 years ago
The original can work too. I see from the original owners pictures it’s very crowded and dark. With lighter furniture I think it’ll look good
SB 33
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes! Great idea!! :)
PRO
Courtney Thomas Design
3 years ago
Here we have included a few ideas on how you could possibly lay out your space. Note in the first image the TV could hang above the fireplace.
Altadena Farmhouse: Phase 2 · More Info

Altadena Farmhouse: Phase 2 · More Info

Perhaps you could even do a couch and chaise in the same room:
Chevy Chase Renovation: Living Room · More Info

Chevy Chase Renovation: Living Room · More Info
SB 33
Original Author
3 years ago
Wow!! Great ideas!! Thank you so much @Courtney Thomas Design! I didn’t think about how I could space the living room out more, and how I could fill it with larger coffee tables and the chaise as the end. Thank you again!! We have a leather couch with chaise coming to face the tv - would it be too many chaises if we add another for under the TV?

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