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living room Furniture Design Dilemma

great room layout and design help!

2 years ago

Sharing the pics for the space I’m seeking your input on! Nothing in this pic is mine (we are under contract and this is the sellers set up) so don’t worry about offending me!!

18’x16‘but by the time you account for FP and built ins, it is more like 16x 16.

We will be refinishing the floors before moving in.

My questions are:

How would you lay out the room with furniture to maximize seating space? Should i avoid blocking the line of sight between the foyer and windows, as the current owners did? im torn between keeping the line of sight open but wanting more seating

What would you do with window treatments. Carry a rod all the way across? Or keep them flanking on the sides. or remove completely? It’s likely we would close them often so really asking about the best “look”

What would you do with the built ins. Leave? Paint? Redesign the top half/floating shelves?

Give me all of your ideas on the above!! and please feel free to chime in with any other suggestions I didn’t specifically ask about!

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JAN MOYER
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
No floating shelves, please? Not unless you are ripping the mantel. No to a sectional as well- though I would guess that is what you are asking.. It's a lovely and versatile space. ....don't hem yourself in : ) or lose a pretty view.

If you must have curtains? Pole all the way across.and double the fullness seen in your pics.

OR................

OR THE REVERSE...........not shown as I think u can picture that.

In any case? Plan well before you buy. Remember you can create fabulous rugs with broadloom.......to exact dimensions . In this case roughly 13 x 16

Don't foget lighting at lower levels. as in lamps. Despite the overhead fixture.
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Green- I think extra insulation would help with any privacy issues...and with the screened porch, the great room won't have a lot of natural light...making it the perfect place for the TV. The kitchen is typical of a smaller space, with a corner pantry. I think it's fine, unless there are a lot of people walking through or two cooks...and then a prep sink by the range, might be a nice idea. As for the layout, the only 'problem' that I see (safety wise) is the front door opening againt the top of the basement stairs. If this will be a high traffic area, then switching the stairs and hall closet placement, might be a good idea. If the great room is for the TV (and there's plenty of interior lighting) I would gladly have that room a bit darker, for the benefits of a screened porch...especially if it allows more indoor/outdoor living. I'm guessing the view is out the back and what better way to enjoy it...than bug free! :)
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Hey, Alicia - You'll get more response if you post this on the "regular" side of this decorating forum: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/decor (You're on the "conversations" side which is geared towards off-topic discussions.) Your floor looks a lot like mine, by the way! :-)
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I like your 3--part plan. I think the FP section should be simply for entertaining guests - perhaps a "U" with a sofa and 4 chairs. One area should be for TV (4 swivel chairs grouped around a hassock or coffee table,) and the other could be a family game/snack table near the kitchen. The area rugs may need to be larger. The one where your main sofa is should slip comfortably under the front 1/3 of the sofa and extend past its ends by 1-2 feet. Any leggy chairs should sit on it completely. Skirted or very short legged chairs can simply have their front 1/3 on it. At the game and snack table, a rug should be 36-48" larger than the table top so the chairs can be scooted in and out (and sat in) without them falling off the rug.
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Thanks for the advice everyone and Susan Davis for the photo inspirations! benjesbride I know... people seem to have a special kind of dislike for corner fireplaces :) I don't love it but I'm stuck with it. I'd remove it but I think in my area/neighborhood a fireplace would be expected, and it would be very tough to move it. So I have to work with it. I think if we were to get a big tv we'd need to build a space for it in our basement, maybe someday. I don't really want a gigantic one in this space :) Also perhaps it's hard to see from the photos but I don't think the tv would fit on the stairwell wall... just not enough space. We do plan to add shades to the windows, perhaps the wood/bamboo type to add more warmth. In general I feel this room is a bit awkward... but trying to make it work :)
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