Main room design dilemma

2 years ago

I‘m looking to have a couple of areas in our living/main room designed. In the one picture where you can see our tv I‘m thinking about a wood feature wall, something similar to the other picture I attached. Something that looks nice and is functional as it needs to be the tv backdrop, hide cables, provide space for electronics and help prevent the sound travel up as much as it does now (it’s a tall wall).

The other area is our main closet and it is to the far left of the living room area (the stairs behind it lead into the living room). I think it would look nice to feature the same wood there, with the closet either completely wrapped in wood or just top and sides.
Also, not sure about the door there. We want sliding doors, but they have to be custom (weird size), maybe with mirrors? We have a barn door in our pantry already which is also situated in this open concept room. For this reason, I‘m not sure if it might be overkill to have one there as well (one with two slim doors possibly?).
Any ideas are appreciated!

Also, would I go to a designer first or directly to a contractor?

Thanks for your help!

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Comments (6)

apple_pie_order
2 years ago
If your priority is reducing sound travel, you'll need absorbing surfaces, not reflective surfaces. Cork and carpet, not wood. Or acoustic panels. A pro would be useful.
Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
2 years ago
Yes, I agree with going with a designer first - they will navigate the contractor. I'm not sure about the mirrors on sliding glass doors. If you really want a mirror, you can put it on a wall that has a good reflection. Make sure your design style is unified and cohesive. You are already talking about two different sorts of wood (the tv wood feature and the floor). Make sure they are complementary and not clashing. Look at all the parts of the room - not only the parts you are changing. Separate elements don't work on their own - they have to style well with everything else in the room (ceiling, floor, curtain, etc.)

I know you didn't bring up lighting, but I would like to - if I may. Ceiling lights in a living room are not optimal. Much better is a table light or wall sconce in each corner at chest height.
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@Patricia, you have a good point. I think I will definitely want to consult a designer to get their perspective from an aesthetics/space usage mindset. I do have a large media room in the lower level where my big screen is, so I figure if I ever have a large group to watch a game, etc., that is likely where I will need the most seating. The upstairs could then be used more generally for entertaining. My dining table seats 10 and moving it into living area would allow me to add chairs on either end. The addition of a 9-10’ Island would add seating as well. At worst, the family in its current footprint could snugly fit a ~6-7 person sectional and a chair. I think with an additional ~2-3’ feet in length and width, I should easily be able to fit a sectional in there as well as 1-2 accent chairs. Plus if I’m entertaining there would be plenty of space to gather at the end of the kitchen where the new bar would be. These pictures are not by any means exactly what I would do (I used a trial version and stock colors/cabinets), but should help give a sense of layout.
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I would wonder first if I wanted to match the white paint as in the kitchen (white?) also, if I love the wood of the kitchen cabinets and hardware to be able to keep a uniform base for the rest of the home. You have white trim, okay, great start to be able to open the space up. Rugs: runner at the entry, at least a 8x10 in the living area, and at least a 5x7 for the dining area. How about coordinating curtains for this space. Is the dining room a sliding door? Because the hanging blinds in the livingroom suit more a sliding door spot. Rather have blinds or shades paired with curtains if both just windows. Rods and knobs in a coordinating finish as the kitchen knobs. The round table in the rectangular dining space seems off. Would love to sneak a peak at your lighting fixtures. Your entry table setup looks nice, what is your style, the table in the dining space seems cottage, the sofas heavy, could we get more of a view of the other corner of the fireplace? How about a curio on long wall in dining area. A table with a bench on the kitchen side would be nice.
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Please don't get a sectional. They are least versatile pieces of furniture for unusual layouts. And accent walls are not really in style right now.
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User
2 years ago
honestly I don't know how much you can truly combat sound travelling up a vaulted space. you might need hanging baffles from the ceiling. there are ways to do this that could look like a feature. just brainstorming though. IDK what type of expert you would consult for residential solutions, or whether baffles would truly be effective enough.

easier solutions: can the TV go in a different room? or can you resolve this by turning down the volume? especially turn down the bass, which is used a lot for "movie" type speakers. it travels worse than any other kind of noise. also add white noise machines in the bedrooms. if it's just one person watching a movie late at night, can they use wireless headphones?
Andrea McDonald
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks, appreciate the input!
The sound travelling is just a side effect, don’t put too much emphasis on that. We still don’t have rugs or other accessories up, which will also help a bit with that.
Amanda Smith
2 years ago
I would swing that big sectional around so that it doesn’t have its back to the tv.
Andrea McDonald
Original Author
2 years ago
Yes, that is just a current solution as it’s our old one and it will go in the basement eventually.

Main room design dilemma

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