Starting from scratch. How would you furnish & layout this room?
I just had new floors installed, new trim (white), and painted walls (Agreeable Gray). Now I need to furnish this space. Everything has got to go, so I would appreciate advice on furnishings but especially on room layout.
The room is 16'3" x 12'6", the long blank wall is 10'10" with approx. 33" door openings on each side. My house is a 1950s "cozy" Cape Cod and this is the main living space, so the TV must stay. A nice, comfy sofa is a must, but it can't be too big. Other than that, I'm open to suggestions. I have had the furniture in various arrangements through the years, but can't seem to figure out how to best use the space.
Thanks for any advice you can provide, and if you need more information just ask!!
Comments (7)
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Comments (49)With all your constraints, I think it's time you re-thought your insistence on the refrigerator location. You are imposing a constraint that isn't a structural constraint and is causing major functional issues. If you cannot fix the issues with the door locations (deck & LR), then you need to accept that you cannot have a functional layout and the refrigerator on the top wall. If you "build in" the refrigerator and have other items b/w it and the LR doorway, it will not be a hulking presence. For the utility cabinet (Layout #4) and the upper/base cabs (Layout #3), put a decorative door on the exposed sides so they look more like furniture. Here are a couple of other ideas. Unfortunately, they both do create a pinch point b/w the refrigerator and the counter: In Layout #3, the pinch point is b/w the refrigerator and the counter on the left - but at least it's not in front of the range, sink, or DW In Layout #4, the pinch point is b/w the refrigerator and sink - a less desirable location b/c when someone is working at the sink, it will be difficult for someone else to pass by, especially with a toddler running around! To add 2 to 3 inches to those pinch point aisles, consider recessing the refrigerator (both layouts) and the utility cabinet (Layout #4) into the wall behind them. You will not be taking space from the MBR to do this b/c that wall is most likely 4.5" thick and you should be able to get at least 2 inches, and maybe 3, by recessing them into the space b/w the drywall on both sides. See Layout #4 to see how it would help and look. In general, you have a profound lack of cabinet storage. To mitigate this, I put in two pantries: The 34" wide pantry is floor-to-ceiling shelving for small appliances, pots & pans, prep & cooking tools & dishes, etc. The 48" (Layout #3) or 42" (Layout #4) wide pantry is, again, floor-to-ceiling shelving for food storage. Finally, the utility cabinets are pullouts for your broom, etc. Is this ideal? No. In particular, the 36" pinch point may be an issue. However, I tried to place it where I thought there would be the least impact on prep & cooking - in particular, cooking. I was successful with Layout #3, but not as much in Layout #4. Since the range should be the appliance most protected from traffic, I did my best to provide a wider aisle in front of it in both layouts. Note that both remove the window on the left wall (or block it, but I think removing it would be better aesthetically.) In Layout #4, it could be kept, but you lose MW landing space, which is an issue. Layout #3: . Layout #4: ....See MoreIf You Got to Start From Scratch...
Comments (30)that would depend on where I'm going for example I love dark and wallpapers and dream to do them one day(I grew up with wallpaper so I'm nostalgic lol)..but if I were to go where I really want to-I see it there less, somehow. even though who knows. will depend on a house.. would stay pretty much the same but I'd change some leather for some velvet(wishful thinking)..and I'd buy more art..:) I'd really like to take most of the stuff we have right now with us..we gathered it and all..and I love it. It's also not like I had it for a long time..:) except books and art, partially-I started from scratch 7 years ago. And I'm very particular about things. I mean I look for a long time and all. I need to love them. Unless something like a guest bed-should be versatile for guest room. Really versatile. Gives options, and stuff. And good mattresses. So either several K, or I love it less stylistically..but it works great..and I found a very nice coverlet on eBay lol..and a new throw pillow..and put my favorite curtains next to it..in short made it work. but that would be an example of something I'd be able to leave behind. 75 percent I'd be very tempted to take. If I can't take anything-well I'd just repeat my drill. Books and art. These follow me....See MoreFurnishing apartment from scratch, totally stuck on the main room
Comments (10)Thanks! The entire wall is a large door (photos attached). We're mostly attached to the island idea for extra storage for microwave, trash, etc. and also because we generally don't "sit down" to dinner, in our current home we eat more at the bar seating and the table has turned into a catchall for laptops, etc. I feel a dining table would go pretty unused, while an island we would definitely use. Any ideas for how to use the island in this plan? I also like the black and white floor plan but I think it's deceiving as when trying to scale it with actual furniture I haven't been able to fit it. Additionally, the way most people have arranged their apartmnt in the building, with the couch in the entryway, I feel really disturbs your view when you first walk in. Also, any ideas for what to do with the nook area?...See MoreStarting from Scratch in a small Multi-purpose room--HELP!
Comments (18)Maybe first decide on how much and how deep the storage has to be. Are you planning to build it in or freestanding? Then the soft furniture. I'd likely end up with a short (< 78") and deepish low sofa (besides the usual suspects check out Interior Define or Article) with a bench seat and two comfy chairs with arms. No one really wants to perch on a seat like the chairs used in the first pic above. Lastly,the small tables etc. Your small (by modern US standards) room could really be a great introduction to your home and your style. But measuring and planning ahead always matters most in these spaces. Of course,you can also get the most impact from colour in them,too;-)...See More
tedbixby
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoHave you tried the TV on the wall across from the sofa? I'm thinking that the TV goes there, hang it if you can, put a slim console under it which would be wider than the TV itself. Pull the sofa out a bit from the wall to float it. And then take a look at small swivel chairs so that you could have one on each side of the sofa but in front of the sofa and floating in the room ( I hope that makes sense?). Swivel allow people to turn towards the TV or the sofa for conversation. I see a floor lamp next to the sofa on the side nearest the door and a table with lamp on the opposite side. Get those pieces figured out and then decide on how much room, if any for coffee table size. Before you shop, you need to figure out what sizes would work best for these pieces. Take some blue tape and tape out the measurements on the floor so you can see if you have enough room to walk around each piece.
Found a photo of what I'm trying to explain. Not the best but will give you an idea. I think a lot of your arrangement has to do with how you like to watch TV, laying down, straight on, etc and how many watch at the same time.
small living room ideas - Google Search · More Infokatgal thanked tedbixby
PROBeth H. :
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoyou can move the TV to the other wall, yes?
(and you're getting baseboards installed?)
here are similar rooms with layouts that will work in your space. pick one and copy it
When you see something like this w/the fireplace, pretend it's a console w/your tv hung above it.
Like this one:
or this one. basically a sofa, or two smaller ones, two chairs, console/tv, table, accessories
find yourself a diff media console and hang the tv on that walls.
this is an Ikea hack w/a DIY wood top. you could get a remnant piece of stone or marble too. either wall, you could float this media console and hang up the tv above it.
also Ikea hack. Ikea Besta Modern.
set up the sofa and chairs and accessories like you see here. I also like this wall accent too. on the other wall your'e going to need some nice artwork.
I just saw this pic today. would be perfect for your room.
where you see the fireplace, do a nice credenza, or a few chairs and a plant. maybe a tall bookcase on the right side.
don't forget some nice artwork. one of the walls is going to need it.katgal thanked Beth H. :katgal
3 years ago
PRODarci Hether New York
3 years agoMaybe try the TV across from where your current couch is? Then you could get a set of two chairs and put them where the TV currently is.
Pied-à-Terre: Family Room · More Infokatgal thanked Darci Hether New York
tedbixby