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Home Decorating Design Dilemma Remodeling

Historic House-Quirky Living Room Arrangement

2 years ago

Hello, all!

I’ve recently moved into a 1928 Craftsman Bungalow. Although I am loving it and the list of to-do items is extremely long, some of the same quirks I adore have me stumped in terms of furniture arrangement, specifically in our “formal” living room.

As you enter the front door, you enter the “formal” living room. Almost immediately to the left is a fireplace, and straight ahead is a door which oddly enough takes you into the master bedroom (another door, and the one we use, is located near the kitchen). I’d love to hear any suggestions you wonderful people have as far as furniture arrangement goes, or just any suggestions/feedback at all!
:)

*the attached photos are the house as was when we moved in and I’d like to clarify this is not my furniture ;)

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Comments (10)

Kim Jenkins
Original Author
2 years ago
Additional photos of this space from when we moved in
Alicia
2 years ago

I lived in a 1915 craftsman with a similar layout, but no fireplace. We had a coat rack and a mirror and shoe shelf in the corner when you walked in it helped with the abrupt entry. I would place a sofa facing the fireplace with maybe a console table behind it (depending on how much room there is). Then a chair to the right of the fireplace and another maybe next to the sofa. Is this your main living room? I don’t see a tv. If you use this as more of a formal living room, I would get some less bulky furniture. Having two sleeker chairs instead of fully upholstered ones would make it feel larger in there. and then a oversized rug to bring it all together.
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No space here for a sectional. You might consider a reversible chaise sofa to get the look and to be able to switch the chaise portion from side to side for different arrangements. Really, a 3-seat sofa and two arm chairs would be a better choice.
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Some ideas: --i kind of like the way you used the bookcases to divide off the office end from the living room. Good thinking, but if you can afford the same idea but with solid backs on the bookcases, replace the current ones and only do your storage on the office side. All those bins facing into the living room add clutter to a nice living space and add an office spillover into your relaxing space. Remove all the stuff on top of the current bookcases for a cleaner look. --Rehome or say sayonara to the sofa blocking the pathway to the office. The room will seem bigger if you leave open space to the glass doors. --Sayonara to the corner cabinet at the far end of the room. Instead of the tiny picture over the chest at that end, find a great piece of vertical art to hang between the windows then choose new furnishings that harmonize with the art. --If you're keeping the current rug, then choose an art work in that palette. --Find a complementary upholstered chair to the one you have if money's tight. Otherwise, get two nicely proportioned armchairs to flank the fireplace. This style would look great in your room only with the chairs by the fireplace and the sofa where you have it. Note the clear coffee table, which lightens the space and connects the sofa and chairs. --
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For some reason the plans didnt attach. here they are
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Kim Jenkins
Original Author
2 years ago
I agree! Thanks so much! Yes, this will be our formal LR, so it won’t have a tv.
Alicia
2 years ago
Congrats on your house! living in an old house has it’s challenges and charms!
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
Could you please post a to scale floor plan of the whole house so we can become oeiented with all the quirks . Make sure all windows , doorways , where those doorways lead also the FP all measurements clearly marked of all those items too.
Alicia
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
This is my style, but a similar configuration would work with a more traditional style too.

This is more traditional (maybe more your style) but minus the second sofa and where that bookcase is would be your entry stuff- like a bench and a coat rack.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
You have fireplace as focal point , so I would go with furniture facing it.
Kim Jenkins
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks, all!! My style is best described as eclectic, I suppose. I LOVE and own both antiques and modern pieces.

I think I can make it work… just have to ensure a clear route to the French doors leading to the rest of the house!
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
2 years ago

For the present time I would move the seating to this configuration. Try to center the sofa on the windows if possible. In the future you'll have to be careful to not purchase items that are too large for the scale of this vintage home. Furniture that doesn't have wide arms.
Kendrah
2 years ago
Gorgeous house. Congrats. I would place a long sofa under the windows that are across from the fireplace. Then float two arm chairs across from that with their backs towards the fireplace. Perhaps their placement can be such that when sitting on the sofa, the fireplace looks centered between the two chairs. Not sure if I would angle the chairs in or have them with their backs simply flat to the fireplace wall. I'd get a rug to place under these seating items to clearly delineate the space. And, I'd consider what to do about the light fixture that seems to be hanging in no-man's land.

This set up would allow for a clear and understandable "runway" of walking space between your front door and bedroom, and front door and entry to dining room. With your great eclectic taste, you can style the fireplace, have it still be a beautiful feature, and also have a sensible walking path and seating area.

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