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Design Dilemma Furniture living room

Help with Sectional Size & Orientation

2 years ago

We are starting the search for a new sectional but I am not sure about the size for our 14x20 family room.
Our current sectional is actually too big to have facing the TV so I took the chaise part off. Right now, the sectional is placed so it will cover a tear/hole in our carpet from our dogs 😬. Next month when our carpet is replaced, I would like to have a plan for a sectional.

Please help us before I purchase the wrong size! I added a quick photo of our family room too.

What size sectional and shape is best for our layout? How should it be faced? What about chairs?

I attached photos of our current situation, which is kind of bare but covers the rip. We took everything out and are starting fresh! I really appreciate any help or advice!

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Comments (14)

PRO
LB3
Original Author
2 years ago
Also, I just saw the sofa thread under this! I’m open to any recommendations!
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
2 years ago
A sectional that is 9 ft. in each direction could work. You could add another seat if you move the sectional to the wall.
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Thank you olychick. When I searched GW I did not get that thread. Glad to read many did not like the chaise feature as I was not planning on that. Hooks probably important on my HW floors. Hope to hear more about what people don't like about their sectional. Again, thank you! What footies are you using?
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Comments (11)
I can suggest what we did -- we went with a moderately priced leather (leather match -- the back and sides are actually a matching vinyl but 12 years later they still look like the seats -- just less worn) when my youngest was probably in 1st grade -- he's in college now. We have two boys and they grew up with the sectional, DH came and took breaks from working in the yard, and two dogs acquired along the way sometimes came in and hopped up before we noticed they'd been in the pool or dirt. I can't think of anything else that would have lived with us so well, been so comfortable that I fell asleep on it the first day we had it and it's still comfortable. Our sectional is a Lane and I've been surprised to see people calling them junk, but we bought it 12-13 years ago and things may have changed since then. It wasn't top of the line -- the leather match takes it out of that category, but the leather and the vinyl have not given us any problems, Everything other than the Sharpie mark left when my youngest fell asleep while working on homework cleaned up easily, and I even got out the Sharpie. I will stop short of recommending Lane because the reviews now seem universally poor, but I do think it makes sense to go with a modest (not cheap) to mid-range sectional. I wouldn't look at top dollar or maybe even your top budget unless you know you aren't going to be moving for a number of years (the size of configuration might be all wrong for the next house). We are looking at Omnia at a local dealer. If you don't have a local dealer, there are some locations you can purchase online (including limited models from Wayfair. They are full leather -- not match and made in USA. They have non-reclining sectionals in your price range. All the ones we've sat on have been very comfortable. We have ruled a few out because the backs are shorter. Your DH may like the split cushion back -- they sit 2" taller. My 6'4" sons liked them. Macy's also has some leather sectionals that are sofas and loveseats with a corner wedge. That means have two arms on both sides and can separate them -- even use them separately or in the reverse configuration if you move. I prefer not to have the arms inside the sectional and they don't fit our space anyway, so they aren't an option for us, but I've sat on them and they are very comfortable too. Hope that helps.
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It would be better to have empty space near the slider than to have a sectional all the way up to and in front of the slider, or a sectional with a short seating side in the open part of the room to keep the sliders clear. But I agree with others that a sofa and chair is much more functional.
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PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
2 years ago
Two sofas or a sofa and two chairs gives you more flexibility. A 7-ft sofa and two club chairs can fit most rooms of your size.
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
2 years ago
Agree with Diana. I won’t sit on a sectional unless I can sit by one of the ends. Whole lot of wasted space in the middle.
PRO
LB3
Original Author
2 years ago
Wow! Thank you so much!!!! Would you recommend the two sofas sitting like an L and the chairs parallel to one of them?
If the sectional was used, do you think it should be facing a certain direction? Should it be closer to the wall or centered?

Again, thank you SO much!!!!! I truly appreciate your time and insight!
everdebz
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Though one arm isn't on, what about keeping yours, which has a 'fit' with dark metal and wood around. If you like wood as accent, could be...

checking: on only wall without windows - if you like mural / accent wall could be a subtle or lively look...
PRO
LB3
Original Author
2 years ago
I have actually wanted to do an accent wall where the fireplace is but no joke, I overthink everything (which is why I still don’t have art or curtains up). I know it will be more permanent and I’m always worried..what if I don’t like it.

We have Brazilian cherry wood floors…and restaining them is not budget friendly. They are my worst enemy!
everdebz
2 years ago
Ok I just read your post and you are not unusual. Also, why are the wood floors so bad? is it a similar stain to the fan, which is ok.... with grey that you have, wood can be an accent ?
everdebz
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Maybe a deep, sort of gem color with your cherry floor? - could be that with your white amount in nearby kitchen, that bit of pretty color like these pillows would work.

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Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
2 years ago
Personally, I would move the TV to the wall where you have the shelving units. This gives you two focal points for the room. Then you can have a sofa between the two windows on the long wall facing the TV and another facing the fireplace. Add a coffee table and a couple of occasional tables and lamps. Then dress your windows.

I don't think 2 sofas AND 2 chairs will work--the room isn't large enough.
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
So you replacing the carpet with carpet so the dog can tear it again. IMO carpet is a huge turn off if you ever want to sell. The TV above the FP is so wrong in that space when you have a huge wall that could have a beautiful TV , storge and display furniture like Besta from Ikea if budget is an issue. As for the sectional IMO the most eaxpensive way to buy the least number of comfy sets arm rest=comfort so on any size sectional you have 2 arm rests all the rest of the seats are not only lined up but all of them are like the dreaded middle seat of a sofa . A sofa and 2 chairs gives you 4 comfy seats and 5 in a pinch I do not think you have space for a 2 sofas and 2 chhairs but that will depend on the size and style of the pieces .
PRO
LB3
Original Author
2 years ago
We actually wanted to replace the carpet with hardwood but sadly we can’t get it to match (the floor is discontinued). Since that is the only carpeted area, it’s much cheaper to replace the carpet.
And in my dogs defense, he was a puppy and my teens were watching him. He is still a young dog, but he is much more behaved.
I really wanted to move that TV as well! I haven’t been able to convince my other half but I will beg and plead…hopefully getting my way!

Thank you again for all of your help!
PS I love the Besta cabinets! Actually I like a lot of their cabinets! (Very sleek and affordable!)
cubby14
2 years ago
TV on wall above a long low cabinet of some kind not above fireplace. Much better for watching not looking up. Swivel chairs by fireplace. Very nice space.

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