most awkward living room ever
Addieo
2 years ago
I have what feels like an impossible layout here. The main (only) living room space in our small home is cut almost in two horizontally by our front door and an interior door. Add to that the complications with the size, the fireplace, and the radiators under the windows, I have no idea how to decorate the space without tearing down walls (which we do not plan to do since we plan to sell in about a year or so). My biggest struggles are seating and rugs. Bigger rugs? What about the invisible path that isn’t straight from door to door? This space should be clear but this limits rug size and seating! For reference, that couch is approx. 98’ wide and the chair is about 32’ wide. Any suggestions??
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Comments (8)
partim
2 years agoI see it is your TV room - how many people watch at the same time? Is the distance to TV and the seating working for you?
How else do you use the room? Or is there something you want the room to do that isn't happening?
It would be helpful to have dimensions of the room. I am guessing the opening to the right of the TV goes to the kitchen?
Do both windows have wide radiators under them?
I actually think your rug looks OK.
Addieo
2 years agoRelated Discussions
Most Awkward Living Room Layout Ever!
Comments (12)Wow. Ya'll are great. And quick. Thanks so much. Okay so the room is really the only living space in our rather "efficient" home in NYC. That's code for, I can't move any walls. It is directly off the entry way ("foyer") with the dining room across the hall. I would like to figure out a way to put a TV in it in a hidden unit somewhere but the first requirement is really that it be set up to entertain guests comfortably with plenty of seating without looking too cluttered. We don't have children, but our friends and family do. The window sill in the bay is 27" from the floor with a radiator below it (the house was built in the 30s and we have not successfully found room for HVAC ductwork without losing much needed space. This also means that there is a really "lovely" a/c unit built into the wall to the left of the small window, yuck. The sill is 14" deep at the back (to accomodate the radiator) but only 4" deep at the sides. The measurements I've provided in the layout are for the floor space. I wanted to avoid pics because the space is truly a mish mash of furniture right now (not to mention the ferns that are overwintering in the room right now) As a further note right now, the sofa in the room is either going, or will be reupholstered in an off white fabric and the oversized chairs, I think should go as they seem way too big for the space. Again, assume a blank canvas. I tried putting the sofa in front of the small window with a console table behind it, which I could try again, but it seemed to push the rest of the room too far in front of the bay window/ left little room for additional seating. to enlarge click on the thumbnail From Living Room Layout From Living Room Layout From Living Room Layout From Living Room Layout Oh yeah... of course the rug situation is a complete mystery to me. Did I mention I did not get the decorating gene? ;-) Thanks again....See MoreHELP - Most Awkward Living Room Layout Ever!
Comments (26)I have nearly exactly the same layout, except add a door in the upper left corner and replace your bottom wall with wall, wide opening, closet. My room is also longer than yours - it's 18'x18'. I have added Billy bookcases with the half doors and height extensions to either side of the fireplace. It looks good and the extra storage is a godsend. I would definitely integrate a desk into any built-ins you do, like the picture kellyeng posted. Obviously custom built-ins/bookshelves are nicest, but the Billys are fine if you are on a budget. You could buy the short ones and/or cut the Billys down to fit on top of the desk. I have found two layouts that work for my room. Obviously we have different furniture but perhaps reading this will help you. 1) float sofa in front of fireplace, put sofa table with lamp(s) behind sofa, put two upholstered/leather large chairs in front of left window, float loveseat in front of slider on right, put coffee table in front of sofa, place dresser for extra storage on bottom right wall. 2) Float sofa and loveseat in the middle of the room perpendicular to fireplace with coffee table between them. Put the two large chairs south of the sofa & loveseat, angled toward fireplace. Put dresser for extra storage on bottom right wall. My TV is above the fireplace since DH wants it there, but you can easily put yours in the upper corner since you have less furniture. I would recommend that, actually, since the closer you are to the TV the less comfortable it is to look up that high. You really just have to move things around until you are happy - at least for now. The room is awkward, no doubt about it. So, when I get sick of one layout I switch back to the other. I switched back to my Option 2 yesterday. DH laughs at me but hey, moving furniture is cheaper than moving....See MoreMost awkward window placement ever?
Comments (19)I agree with you that this is a very challenging room in which to place furniture. I made some notes on your drawing below. I'd like to see you keep the bed area more restful -- (would love to see the tv removed from this room but understand some folks like to watch tv in bed) -- and so think building a "room divider" between the bed and the hallway to the bathroom would work well. I've designed a couple of master suites with this room divider separation, and frankly first saw the idea in a swanky hotel room in New York City. The photos below show the idea. FYI the doors on either side of the bed lead to the master closet, and the room divider opposite holds the tv on the side facing the bed (he likes to sit in the chair and watch tv), with a built-in full-length mirror on the other side that lines up with doorway to master bathroom. I recommend eliminating the closet located near the head of your bed, so perhaps you could build your room divider with closet/cabinetry on the other side facing the hall to bathroom to add back some of that hanging/storage space. This would also place both your closets together and make that hallway space feel more like a dressing area with the bathroom handy, too. Lastly, I recommend relocating the entry door to your bedroom space as shown. You will have more privacy at the bed/sleeping area. I don't know if you have children or others in your home who don't always knock before entering the room, but if they were to come in to the master suite via the closet hallway, that would give you an extra 3 seconds of privacy. I've made other notes on your sketch below. I hope this is helpful food for thought. Have fun!...See MoreThe most akward living room
Comments (46)Please please please do not buy a media console with a fireplace built into it. They are an abomination. There is something just wrong about a fire inside a wooden box. You've got a big wall and you're going to have a big TV. Get the absolute longest media cabinet you can find. Note: super long ones are hard to find unless you're willing to spend really big bucks....See More
Kate
2 years ago
PRONorwood Architects
2 years agoM Riz
2 years agoAddieo
2 years ago
PRODarci Hether New York
2 years agoYou might be able to add a smaller chair beside the sofa to add more seating to the TV area. We think you might try a separate seating area near the fireplace though. Maybe try the two chairs you currently have there face the fireplace and add a small circular rug to make it into it's own seating area.
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