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Home Decorating Furniture Design Dilemma

Help with tiny living room

2 years ago

We are in the midst of furnishing our small guesthouse and cannot figure out how to create a “living room space” because there’s hardly any space at all. We’re thinking a rug and a tiny table?? Here’s where we are stuck.. for reference, the width of the couch is 83”. Also, it looks like the only place for the tv would be above the dining table (not ideal but we can’t think of anything else!)

Any design/styling tips would be greatly appreciated!!!

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Comments (8)

PRO
JAN MOYER
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Get rid of the sectional for two small scale swivel chairs at most, Or get rid of MOST of the sectional, and keep only the chaise portion.

Until you post a drawing with all the dimensions? Nobody can advise the best solution. Include the dimensions of the counter height table....door, entry all of it. Yes, even the sectional dimensions. Draw the space, add the inches : ) Convert to a jpeg, and upload.
PRO
JudyG Designs
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Use a swivel arm and install table wall.

Put the sectional on the largest rug that will fit the space. The rug will define the “living room”.

As space permits, add a floor lamp, small table, and lots of wall art.

It’s a guest house, and an adorable one at that. Guests come and go. They will be in heaven and won’t care where the t v is mounted. I’d love an invitation.
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I like the idea of the TV being on the wall opposite the window and the couch up against the window, but I wonder if it will be a problem since that is sort of a hallway area. I guess the other problem I would run into is where to put the cable box etc. I will do a little mock up of it today or do a computer drawing to see how it will all look. Painting the trim around the window can be done, I will have to fight with DH, since he loves it and says that it mirrors the window trim in the kitchen. @loribee and @oceanna I have taken a look at the gallery. Lots of great ideas with colors etc. I just keep thinking 'if only I had an extra 2 feet of living room space . . . ' Of course that would be too easy :-) @loribee, I was able to open the link that you sent me and something along those lines is what I was thinking for the chair. I prefer the ones with arms, though so I was thinking something small like that one, with open arms like the one in @chickadee2's link. I also like these chairs quite a lot. I have also toyed with @luckygal's idea of moving the living room to the office. The office is 9'x11'. I agree with the idea of at the very least painting the trim. I have seen some pics of it done, and it looks great. I was scared about doing it, but now I think I will. I also like the idea of a creamy color that was suggested for the walls and trim. If I work up the courage, I will remove the trim all together. Thanks again for all the wonderful thoughtful suggestions.
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How cute this will be! One thing about your sofa-I just bought a new one and it, too, came with those huge, square, corner pillows. They are too big to go behind your back, take up too much room on the seating, and visually jump out at you. The sofa will look better without them. I would think your chair should not be “overstuffed”. The scale of your room would be overwhelmed and it would take up valuable floor space. You might look for chairs with wood arms and upholstered seats and possibly fit two on either side of your window. A small three drawer chest, 25-30” high could be used as a table between the two chairs and be useful for storage. Search consignment stores for something that is comfortable for a guest. My daughter has used a big, sturdy ottoman as her coffee table for years. It’s a great space to prop your feet, set a tray of cocktails, or use for extra seating. Consignment shops are a valuable resource even if you are not on a budget, since you can see many different pieces at once, as opposed to Craig’s list. I go at least once a week to my favorites.
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I can't quite figure out your floor plan from your comments but some quick ideas: add table lamps to each of your side tables (only overhead lighting is not attractive to you or your furniture). Everything in the room is either black or white. Consider changing your rug and/or your drapes to a pattern with colors you love. If you decide to buy new upholstered furniture, do not buy a sectional...it will not be a good choice for your narrow room. Rather a small scale sofa with an ottoman coffee table and one or two swivel chairs that can face either the sofa or the TV. Good luck.
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Comments (14)
Jessica, can you retrieve a book currently? As long as there's 12" space in front of the bookshelves I think you're OK. I don't see how you can access the shelves on the right side of the FP. That is why I am recommending the TV be positioned on the opposite wall. If it is placed above the FP, no one will be able to view it. You can use your current daybed frame or purchase what is referred to as an apartment-sized sofa, about 72" in width. There's only so much space and you want the space to be liveable. Will it always be 1969 in this room or are you planning an advance to the next century? I have been through this style period once in my life and when I was in college it was great.
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decoenthusiaste
2 years ago
Wrong furniture choices or this guesthouse. Counter height table eats up a lot of visual space and makes it look smaller. Sectional does the same. Lighter colors will help too.
PRO
Lisa Caudill Designs
2 years ago
Cute guest space.

Dimensions are helpful but I do have some additional questions:

What is straight across from the couch because the dining table looks to be over some?

Looks like there may be the entry door there but doesdoes it open out does it take up that full space?

Is there also a bench for the dining table or just the 2 chairs?

The sectional has tags is it returnable? it is nice just could be things that are a better fit for this space.

Is there a bathroom and bedroom or if not is the sofa a sleeper sofa and they go to the main house for the restroom? Trying to confirm needed function of the space as well.

For the dining table, one option is put it against the wall under the window or where the couch is or where it is now but would want to confirm the dimensions before confirming so the couch and TV placement doesn't become more of an issue.

Sorry to add more questions than solutions but those answers would be a great help.
lydcrafts
2 years ago
I think I would have bought the sectional with the chaise on the other end, turned the sectional so that it’s under the window. That way it won’t look so squished in and you might be able to find a tiny accent table or floor lamp. If space allows maybe an arched lamp in the corner and a smallish ottoman type coffee table? A rug to fit the couch area. And tv on swivel arm on the table wall as mentioned above.
lydcrafts
2 years ago
Adding to my post...I also might have chosen a smaller table, maybe round with room for 2 chairs.
HU-187528210
2 years ago
I think I’d flip the couch. Have it against the window. Small coffee table and the biggest rug that can fit. Very cute space!!
Laurie Laville
2 years ago
What a great guest house! I think the current location of the sectional needs a little tweaking. Could the table be switched to the wall at the end of the kitchen counter to create sort of a peninsula? Would that give more space on the other wall for a sitting area? It's hard to tell without dimensions or a picture of the right wall and the entire front wall.

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