skip to main content

Design Dilemma Home Decorating Furniture

LR space needs help!

last year

last modified: last year

LR is on the dark side. I'm interested in starting from scratch to decorate my LR area. I'd appreciate any and all advice. Space is approx. 15' x 11' 5" . Looking for suggestions on furniture style, positioning, paint color, window treatments, etc. Pics of your ideas would be most welcome and appreciated.

Background: My house is an older, 1500 sq ft home, on an acre of land. Front window looks out to porch, on a busy street.

Featured Answer

PRO

Patricia Colwell Consulting

last year

Of course the space is dark all dark furniture, dark floors dark drapes dark walls in the kitchen what elese could it be. I would start with a new sofa in a light color ideally leather some actual lighting in the LR with end tables and table lamps maybe a floor lamp depending on what furniture you buy. All the bulbs in all the lighting including the kitchen should be LEDs 4000K take those drapes down and never tie up drapes like that unless you live in a dorm.. Choose the new furniture first then come back and show us what you chose .

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

PRO
JudyG Designs
last year
last modified: last year
You are at top of my chart, displaying the American Flag, vertically, correctly.

And, you own the true farmhouse that everyone whats to emulate. Joanna Gains, eat your heart out.

Floors are good, kitchen and cabinets look good, I see the old interior chimney; I love it. My grandparents had one, front and center in the kitchen for the old black wood burning stove. Grammy could turn out a gourmet meal on that monster,

Before any of us start with suggestions, what is the other room I see. Front entry? Can you show a photo of it? Is it large enough to be a living room and your present living room become a dining room?
Related Discussions
LR layout and tv stand--need help!
Q
Comments (6)
Actually, those shelves (and other LR furniture) came from Laz-e-boy about 18 months ago. They no longer carry the tv stands that complement the coffee/side tables, so we're stumped. Love the Ikea tv stand (cheap!) but it seems a bit "blocky". Also, what to do on the wall above it? And general layout--is it too much stuff for one space? And we haven't even started on wall stuff, pictures & mirrors, etc.
...See More
Can someone help with wall space above and below windows in LR?
Q
Comments (1)
I am not sure there is a real formula at this point with taller rooms being more prevalent. If the ceiling is 9' and the window is effectively 5', 2' from the top of the ceiling and 2.5' off of the floor sounds about right
...See More
Oh, please help. My LR needs you. *pics*
Q
Comments (22)
You've gotten lots of very good, very wise suggestions so far. I especially like Dilly Dally's suggestion of doing some serious Self research before you even start buying anything more for this room. (1) See what colors and accessories you really are attracted to in a living room. (2)Next, think about where you can add them in your room (lamps, throws, pillows, accessories). (3) Consider the seasons in your area of the country (I have no idea where you are). If you're attracted to beach type colors and accessories, and you live in an area with trees that change in the Fall and where it snows in the winter, you need to adapt that theme. Perhaps a darker/deeper version of the colors you like, instead of pastels. You could still use shell/beach accessories for Spring and Summer, but more Traditional accessories for the rest of the year. I see you've brought out a Country style quilt for the room. Do you like that style enough to invest in more things to carry that look further? My point here is to think AHEAD, before you buy. If you're not sure what style you really like, buy Traditional pieces and accent with the more inexpensive accessories that are easy to replace down the line. Don't get caught up with a particular style just because you have a piece or two of it unless you can see yourselves happily living with it for many years to come. Your room is lovely and has so much going for it already. Once you decide on accent colors, the only other suggestion I have is to buy some good reading lamps. That alone will help to warm up your room a lot. I'm anxious to see what you end up doing in there, so please keep us posted. Lynn
...See More
Need help -LR furniture purchase
Q
Comments (8)
I struggled with my LR for years. It too has a fireplace on one wall and two doors leading into it. For many years I had a couch perpendicular to the fireplace, and then some chairs to fill in around the rest of the space. It never seemed right. This year, I placed two comfy wingback chairs on each side of the fireplace and the couch moved to the opposite wall to face the fireplace. A coffee table is in front of the couch. What a difference! And when I hosted Thanksgiving, I received so many comments from people who said how much better they liked the current arrangement. The fireplace is the focal point. Everyone is a comfortable talking distance from each other. There is space for people to walk through the room. I still need one more chair to flank the couch, but there is no hurry on that. I'm not a decorator, but from what you have described of your room, I would stick to your instincts of how you see it. For me, those chairs you have linked are formal, but perhaps your room is formal and that is what you want. My room is more casual, one of the wingbacks has an ottoman for instance to go with it. I have always liked Zuzu's room too, but I couldn't live without a couch to lie down on with a good book, and a fire going in the fireplace. It's where I hibernate during the winter.
...See More
juliannecp
Original Author
last year
I'd love suggestions on furniture positioning., window treatments, style of furniture. Room is approx 11'.5" x 15'. I will add a photo of entryway but it is not large enough to be a full room.
juliannecp
Original Author
last year
I'd love more suggestions ....
KT_B
last year
Love this window treatment
juliannecp thanked KT_B
KT_B
last year

Love an English roll arm sofa in a nice neutral oatmeal or light gray
KT_B
last year
Perhaps a wooden coffee table? And you need a pretty rug with some soft color! Then you can choose throw pillows, accent chairs, artwork, and barstool cushions to coordinate.
juliannecp thanked KT_B
shirlpp
last year
last modified: last year
Would the tv fit on the wall where the 2 chairs are? To the right of the window. Possibly in the corner between the 2 windows.

These might work from BBB.
User
last year
last modified: last year
Have you tried putting the sofa on an angle in the corner between the 2 windows? Yes, you lose floor space and it’s unusual, but it would probably be a more inviting view into the room than blocking the entryway with a chair. If you put the sofa in the corner, then put the 2 chairs where they would be comfortable for conversation opposite the sofa.

If that looks nice, than move the TV to the opposite wall on a fully rotational wall mount so you can comfortably watch from the sofa. Replace the 2 chairs with swivel chairs.

For the corner behind the sofa, see irif you can find a fairly tall corner table and put a double-headed lamp on it

Kenroy 32294GFBR Structure - Two Light Rectangle Table Lamp · More Info

Since you have a busy street outside, think about getting cellular shades that you can operate top down-top up. that way you can block the bottom half of the window for privacy (and keep glare off the TV) yet still have natural light in the room.
User
last year
By the way, given the style of your house and if you have kids, you might consider getting old fashioned wood and leather swivel chairs on casters, which gives you lots of flexibility for TV watching

You only need 2, but I’m just showing you what I mean

Millstone Game or Dining Chairs - Set of 4 · More Info

And the come in dark colors as well

Flash Furniture Luxurious Conference Guest Chair in Blue with Casters · More Info

By the way, I really like the blue pottery you have in the room, and if you are looking for a key color, for pillows, or a rug, or even wall paint, I think that might be it, especially if you are not going to immediately buy a whole lot of different furniture.
PRO
Everything Home
last year
Below are a few ideas for living rooms we have done for our clients. Please take note of the furniture, artwork, rugs, lighting, pillows, and window treatments.
The Van Buren Project · More Info

Scandinavian Luxury Home · More Info

Down to Earth · More Info

Modern Resort Living · More Info

Refresh & Renew · More Info

Aberdeen Living · More Info

Luxe Living in Zionsville · More Info

Related Stories

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Look under, over and inside to find places for everything you need to keep

LIGHTING Help! I Need a Light!

STUDIOS AND WORKSHOPS Your Space Can Help You Get Down to Work. Here's How

By Laura Gaskill

Feed your creativity and reduce distractions with the right work surfaces, the right chair, and a good balance of sights and sounds

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

ORGANIZING Pro Tips to Help You Get the Storage You Need

By Amanda Pollard

Experts share their favorite guidelines and products for keeping homes organized

LIFE Decluttering — How to Get the Help You Need

By Alison Hodgson

Don't worry if you can't shed stuff and organize alone; help is at your disposal

ORGANIZING Get the Organizing Help You Need (Finally!)

By Laura Gaskill

Imagine having your closet whipped into shape by someone else. That’s the power of working with a pro

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Think ‘Double Duty’ for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Put your rooms and furnishings to work in multiple ways to get the most out of your downsized spaces

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Taking Over a Hallway to Add Needed Space

By Becky Harris

A renovated kitchen’s functional new design is light, bright and full of industrial elements the homeowners love

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS How Much Space You Need (and What to Do if You Don’t Have It)

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Get tips on allowing ample room for traffic flow through kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms and other areas

Sponsored

More Discussions

Should I tile only the entry or whole sunroom?

4

can you tell me what are good colors ( whites or cream) that complemen

1

Primary bedroom furniture placement dilemma - please help

1

Do you know where I could find this type of chair?

3

Corner decor idea behind sofa

0