help! need to remodel this room

last year

Chicago brick bungalow living room needs to be updated. Have to leave the stained glass window. Would like to mount the TV somewhere so it can be seen without neck strain or being stuck in a corner (which hides the book case behind it and cant be seen when people sit in front of it). There's really just 3 walls in this room as the 4th wall is all windows and a radiator underneath (great for air circulation and extra seating). But really creates a problem for furniture placement.

Any suggestions?? tia

Featured Answer

mjlb

last year

last modified: last year

The room is 20'-6" by 11'-4", so large enough to break into two areas -- the 15'-6" long wall and the approx. 5-ft door opening and short wall. TV could work on either of the 11'-4" walls, but more likely on the one with bookshelves. The sofa (or a different sofa) could then 'float', facing the 11'-4" wall, and leaving walking space on one side. A console table behind would be nice. Much like Beth H's second photo.

Comments (23)

PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
We need:

Room dimensions possibly on paper with wall lengths.

Picture of window wall, sofa wall and space across from tv

Budget

Also looks like we need to keep accessibility in mind? For the walker.
Yvonne Martin
last year
Your furniture is probably too big for an optimal placement. However, I suggest that you map out the room, make scale images of the furniture and move these around until you have a plan. I suspect that putting the couch under the large windows (probably 6 inches or so away from the wall) will do a lot for the space. Then the TV can be on the opposite wall with the large chair and ottoman.
Related Discussions
need help with living room remodel. Is this the right rug?
Q
Comments (152)
Its the one with this caption " June 15. I kind of like this transitional rustic vibe you've got going here, so I didn't paint your fireplace or add a mantel. I like the way it echoes your front door. I replaced the rug with a Moroccan style 9 x 12, but I like your rug better. I think you could use a swivel chair, and I replaced your coffee table with Crate & Barrel's Seguro. Also added frames and candles on the mantel and raised your drapes."
...See More
Youth Room Remodel. Need help!
Q
Comments (5)
So I like how you have already created “zones” for your different activities. First, let’s talk paint. I like the blue. So in the areas where you have wainscoting, I’d paint it a medium blue gray. Where you have column bump puts, I’d paint those black or a dark charcoal gray. On all the other walls, I’d do the same medium blue/gray. I’d make the wall across for the sofas, the focal wall. I’d get the kids involved in this and have them come up with words that they feel represents their group and do a word graphic using vinyl lettering. If you can’t put the lettering directly on the wall, get some gator board and paint it the same color as the wall and put lettering on the gator board. Or an even less expensive option would be the let the kids paint the words on or use wide tip markers. Pick an accent color. I chose orange. Use it around the entrance door and then through the room. On the floor, I would get carpet squares like the ones I’m showing from Walmart, and do a pattern of orange, blue and gray but just in the seating area and the gaming area within the border of the vct. You may need to secure the edges with double stick carpet tape. String some Edison bulb lights. If your florescent lights are switched, turn one or two rows off so it’s not so bright. Add orange, grey and blue paper lanterns over you seating and gaming areas. Get black fitted tablecloths for your long tables. Add some gaming posters to the gaming area walls and you may consider getting high top tables for eating but also, not every one is comfortable sitting so close to someone else on a couch especially at this age. Check the restaurant section on Craistslist or your online yard sale sites.
...See More
Our new house has a dated living room and it needs remodeling help!
Q
Comments (1)
I think you have some good ideas. When you pop off the corbels you may be able to touch up with spackle and paint. If the gap is too wide to fill with spackle you can use a small trim piece to fill it. I would do the same thing with the fireplace surround. Just pop it off and see what you have to work with. Installing a single mantlepiece is not that complicated. I would take off the frou-frou over the top of the dining room entry as well. And paint your vent the same color as the wall color so it will recede. Are you painting the room gray? Do you plan on changing the carpet as well? On my monitor, the cool paint and the warm carpet aren't playing well together.
...See More
Need help for Child's room! Remodel Help
Q
Comments (7)
Here are lots of photos of girls bedrooms, see if you can find one she would like. https://www.google.com/search?q=pink+painted+girls+room+seen+in+a+photo&client=safari&channel=mac_bm&sxsrf=ALiCzsbf43w5xOkiKVvOYwt7R_pKahsyrA%3A1656694729854&source=hp&ei=ySe_Yr21MaTn5NoP7sS0gA4&iflsig=AJiK0e8AAAAAYr812VOowQnyCXD8cGGlRPEjRSd5gaWc&ved=0ahUKEwj9vfzmlNj4AhWkM1kFHW4iDeAQ4dUDCA4&oq=pink+painted+girls+room+seen+in+a+photo&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAw6BAgjECc6BAgAEEM6CwgAEIAEELEDEIMBOggIABCxAxCDAToOCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQowI6CgguELEDEIMBEEM6BwguENQCEEM6CggAELEDEIMBEEM6DQguELEDEMcBEKMCEEM6BAguEEM6CwguEIAEELEDEIMBOgsILhCABBCxAxDUAjoICAAQgAQQsQM6CAguEIAEELEDOgsILhCABBDHARCvAToNCAAQgAQQhwIQsQMQFDoKCAAQgAQQhwIQFDoHCAAQsQMQQzoFCAAQgAQ6BggAEB4QFjoICAAQHhAPEBY6CAgAEB4QFhAKOgUIABCGAzoJCAAQHhDJAxAWUABYt7UBYMjAAWgAcAB4AIAB1gGIAbkekgEHMjYuMTIuMZgBAKABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz
...See More
Mallory Murphy
Original Author
last year
More
Photos and diagram.
Mallory Murphy
Original Author
last year
Accessibility not an issue as long as we dont change open doorway. Budget is $5k but would
Like that to include furniture if i need to replace it.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
thats a great floor plan drawing can you take it from over top of the paper rather than from the side so we can use it as a template?
Mallory Murphy
Original Author
last year
Is this better?
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
perfect well done!
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year

Here is what I want to suggest, because of the shape of the room.

remove the cushion from the Rad cover and use it as a tv stand.

add curtain pannels that can block behind the tv, or all the windows. or be off to side.

Than you can keep the sofa, or buy one that has a recliner built in, and add two smaller chairs to flank the Rad cover/tv stand for company.

The big question is how many people sit in here daily, not once and a while but all the time?
PRO
Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
tell us about that painted fireplace surround.

Is it a faux fireplace? Do you have to have it? that painted look is odd.

if it's real,

That fireplace is the first thing I'd tackle.

If you get a smaller tv, you could prob do this:

identical room to yours except it has the double windows.

Your best bet is to move the sofa under the window and mount the tv to opposite wall. Have you tried that?

maybe you could get a vintage console like this mcm piece, and put your tv above it

something like this

what if you made the surround look something like this?
Mallory Murphy
Original Author
last year
Its a fake fireplace. Used to have fake wood in it that you could plug in and it would illuminate a light under to give the "look" of a fire. Now we just keep a basket in there. There an electrical outlet in there. The exterior is fake tile. Thats main reason i'd
Like it gone.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
Oh I missed that part. still doesn't mean the tv would work there based on the sofa not really being able to face it. And with a 5k budget Id rather see you get a new sofa.
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
Measurement of room?

The best spot for the t v is on the solid wall. The furniture is too big for the room. Also, the different wall colors are making the room look smaller.

It looks like your house is Craftsman. At some point a phony fireplace and book cases were added. I would definitely remove it all.

What about other rooms on the first floor.

Does the front of you house look anything like this one?
Mallory Murphy
Original Author
last year
Thank you for suggestion. Yes. That's pretty much the front. Except its brick
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
They have a 5k budget, and the room size is listed above in photos.
PRO
Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
So if you remove the fireplace, you said you want the bookcases gone as well?

If you do that, you could prob do a low console and put the tv on it, underneath your window.

something on the order of this. imagine your window right above the tv. if you remove all your bookcases, you could either paint the wall, or do an art gallery w/some plants

right now the room is very narrow for the size sofa that you do have.

do you have to use this room for TV? if you put the tv below the window, you should move the sofa to the middle so you can view it straight on.

like this layout (but ignore the sliding doors. pretend its your solid wall

maybe do a L shape sectional, IF you have the room. ignore fireplace. you would do a low console

or, like this one. remove the fireplace, do a low console like this, but mount your tv much lower so it's under your stained glass. do the bookshelves like this, up to the ceiling

or, can you put the tv on the long wall like this? sofa against window side?

Imagine this front window is your stained window wall. would this layout work w/this type of furntiure?

This is similar to what you have now, just a better layout w/that fireplace gone.

remove the fireplace, redo your bookcases across that wall something like shown here, (ignore windows) , and then for the long wall, could you copy what they did here and move a similar style sofa along the windows wall?

these are all similar size rooms
Moore4
last year
putting the tv on the wall across from the windows means the tv will always have light reflecting and interfering with viewing during the day.
PRO
Beth H. :
last year
last modified: last year
Moore, they do make shades for windows. or an anti-glare film.

some shrubs or a tree can be planted to divert some of the light if it's that bad. (and it would help keep the house cooler)

And, depending on what direction the windows face, could mean it's not all day.

Also, who's home during the day to watch tv? if it's a young family I'm sure they're all out.

My point is, there's a solution.
PRO
Beth H. :
last year
Mallory, this is a faux fireplace. what if you did something like this using some inexpensive brick veneer that you would then paint black

Imagine the picture above is your stained glass window. On the sides you could do some more modern bookcases like this, w/the shiplap planks going across the whole wall. add in some sconces and a wood mantel. those logs are fake and can be purchased just like that.

or maybe something like this. (notice the tv on the other wall). you could do an electric fireplace box if you want something.
Moore4
last year
Ok, Beth, I get it, and I am fully aware of your "solutions". I didn't just crawl out from under a rock. It is still something to consider in the arrangement of a room that might be used for tv viewing if it has a wall of windows.. That's why most entertainment/tv rooms have NO windows.
PRO
Beth H. :
last year
Moor, oh gosh, wow thanks for the 411.

And unless you reside in a basement or have a mcmansion w/a media room, everyone's living room/tv room has windows. Especially now w/the open concept.

OP has a room w/windows. she has blinds. she can install blackout shades if need be.

So, the options are, she can try and squeeze this tv under the little window and crank her neck to view it, (or move the sofa in the middle of the floor)

OR she can mount it on the long wall and sit across from it.
RedRyder
last year
Making a decision about the fireplace wall is first. You have so many ideas on furniture and tv placement already. The tv can be opposite a window that has the right coverage for viewing, but you may prefer to remove the fireplace mess and make the far wall more conducive to shelving and your tv.

Your current furniture seems bulky for this room. Is a new couch in the budget?
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
Lets talk about demo cost, floor repair, drywall patching, painting ..what is the cost of that? I think you are all really over looking the budget. 5K for that and new furnishing? Also I think the built in area would have been there all along, based on the window placement, the non working or faux fireplace may have just replaced an unsafe original. removing that doesn't help with tv placement. the sofa would be too long to face that wall. For me, removing the rad cover and placing the sofa in front of it might be the easiest solution. Or what I said before and using the rad cover as a tv stand.