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Furniture Design Dilemma Fireplaces

Furniture and layout for smallish den with fireplace

2 years ago

Hi there, we have a den with a fireplace off our kitchen that we are trying to figure out how to layout. It's not huge, but we would like to make it a nice cozy place to hang out (we have two small kids). It's also the room we enter into from the garage, so I don't want to overcrowd it. Would love to hear suggestions!

Comments (5)

jck910
2 years ago
Is the piano staying? If so it has to stay on that wall so I would put a small scale sofa (not a loveseat) on the window wall and 2 chairs opposite. The 2 chairs would define the "hall". An end table & lamp on the FP end of sofa. Can you post a picture of the wall with the coats hanging on it, please? You need to find a better set up for the shoes & coatrack. Put the sail boat art over the FP and the art from the FP over the piano. Use neutral colors for the furniture and the blue from the art in a throw and pillows. There is no TV there now so assumed no TV in this room. A TV would change things because the only wall for it is the piano wall. Over the FP would too high.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
IMO the first thing you need is caot and boot storage and I woould put that in the space beside the FP on the right . It will also act to form a bit of an entry . Then do you need a TV in there , does the piano need to be there . I need a bit more info . I think this space could be quite nice if the clutter was contained somewhat . How old are the kids?Could you post a to scale floor plan showing all windows doorways and all meaurements clearly marked .
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I think the panelling is competing with the floors and maybe consider painting the panelling for a fresh and modern look. I did mine years ago and it made a big difference. I’d add an appropriately sized sectional (with washable covers or go with a darker color or leather) placed along the long wall, so everyone can curl up on and add a rug to ground the space A comfy chair in the opposite corner near fireplace, with a floor lamp and it will be a great reading spot TV is best over fireplace and add a console under windows with a bottom self for baskets to hide toys, or store puzzles, etc A large square distressed coffee to play games on and being distressed it will be forgiving Look at lots of inspiration pictures and see what styles you are drawn to. Map out your room to scale and see what and where pieces can go, and define your needs.
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Oh to respond, the rug is 9x12. It hits the fireplace, feels big in the small area. But I see what you mean. I do agree with switching out some end tables.
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Webster Gordon
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Awesome, thanks @Patricia Colwell Consulting! I don't plan on having a TV in this room. My plan is to keep the piano here, it seemed to make the most sense based on the rest of the house. Kids are 1.5 and our second is arriving in April.

Here's a rough floor plan (let me know if you can't read anything), and another photo of the direction towards the door. Nothing else needs to be here. We just moved in so just figuring things out!
elcieg
2 years ago
Do you have a dining room? Asking because I am wondering if a room with less of a traffic pattern would work better as a family room.
PRO
MARGARITA BRAVO
2 years ago
If the piano is staying you might look into putting a few chairs to the left of the fireplace in front of the window for some seating. Here are a few ideas from designs of ours:
Designer Showhouse 2021 · More Info

Also you might look into doing a mudroom type of idea at the entrance. Maybe a nice bench with some bins under to put shoes in:
Downtown Denver Condo · More Info

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