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Design Dilemma Building a Home living room

Help with Furniture Layout in Open Floor Plan Great Room

2 years ago

Our new build is chugging along and it’s time to make decisions around fireplace, tv, and lighting fixture placement. First, I feel like I need to know how everything will come together. But I’m just not sure. Would love to tap into all the collective creativity and experience here!

Photo below is the floor plan with dimensions and all windows/doorways. There are no other obstructions. Wall height is 15’ with a sloped ceiling that peaks at 18’ (dotted line).

This will be our primary hangout/entertaining space. DH and I will live here full time with DD home on college breaks. Our other 5 adult children + spouses live in the area and visit often. Would love to seat 10+ for dining and/or TV watching on some occasions.

I do get that options are somewhat limited. Dining table needs to be at the south end of the room. But where? And can it be round?

TV and fireplace both need to be on the north wall. But does the TV have to be above the fireplace? What are the possibilities for comfortable seating for conversation or watching a movie/game?

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Comments (10)

Sofia
Original Author
2 years ago
Adding photo in this comment.
0
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
Has construction started?
0
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Sofia
Original Author
2 years ago
Yes, we’re at roofing.
0
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
2 years ago
What did the designer of the house have in mind when they designed the space?
0
Sofia
Original Author
2 years ago
The (real, licensed) architect drew in the same layout we’ve seen in suburban model homes everywhere. He freely admitted that these layouts are not his strong suit and didn’t want to spend any time in it.

I didn’t share the drawing because I don’t want to get hung up on tweaking the original idea. I thought starting with a blank slate would inspire more creativity. Also, I’d prefer to have a round dining table for better interaction when we’re all together. I’d also like to avoid placing the TV above the fireplace if there are better alternatives.
Sofia
Original Author
2 years ago
Here’s the origin design. Sorry for multiple posts. The Houzz app is being a little glitchy with attaching photos.
0
everdebz
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Is lighting a part of the question?! I like this if there's room for it.
Trinity Arc Lamp, Antique Bronze · More Info
0
WestCoast Hopeful
2 years ago
We have an open concept main floor as well and we have a sectional and two chairs with a large coffee table n the great room. We have dimmable overhead recessed lights. We can comfortably seat 7-8 in the space as is and then add chairs if we have more over. I have visions of a bench or some sort of floor pillows or I’m not sure. But for day to day it’s perfect so it really only pops into my head to do more at Christmas lol.

It’s interesting to see so many posts in a new build…
jkm6712
2 years ago
My fireplace has a raised hearth - useful for extra seating and gives me a better view of the fireplace from the kitchen.
LH CO/FL
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
We have a similar layout in our great room, except across from the wall of windows is a solid wall with high transom/clerestory windows. My plan is to put the tv on an easel in the corner so it's not the main focus of the room -- fireplace and views out the window wall is.

(And it's all kind of ironic that we don't want the electronics to be a focal point, because our careers were both in TV and film audio engineering...)

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