Please help our family room, something is "off" and we barely use it

last year

This is my first time posting here because I love everyone's input, I've been reading this site for years! We moved into this home a year ago and while everything is still coming together, we just can't get the family room to feel comfortable. We rarely watch TV in here and I can't figure out how to fix it, even with multiple layout changes through the months. I really want to buy nice pieces for the room but I don't feel confident doing so yet. The nicest thing we own in here is the sofa and ottoman, everything else can eventually be swapped out.

My ideas for the biggest issues are TV placement and layout of the room itself. TV is placed above fireplace because there's no other logical place for it to go. If it was across from the windows, as others with this same style home in my neighborhood have it, the glare from the TV would make it hard to watch and we wouldn't get to enjoy the window view. This room is also just one big open concept kitchen - eating area - family room which I also don't like because it's hard to feel cozy. I'm one of those weirdos that hates their back exposed, I like to feel secure when I'm watching my trash TV :)

Here are some current pics as well as pics from when we first moved in. Would love your advice!

So much potential!

First couch layout, husband hated having to walk around the couch to get in the room

The room now, looking in from the eating area. The door on the right leads to the garage

Opposite view towards the eating-kitchen area

The view towards the windows

..and the opposite side, towards the wall. Don't mind the clutter

Another vantage point

I know the fan and cat tree are tacky, but the room bothered me even when they weren't there yet

Featured Answer

PRO

JAN MOYER

last year

DRAW and measure the space. Feet and inches, All the walls, windows, garage door , all of it.

You bought furniture far too bulky for the space, but that said ? Nobody can advise the best for the space minus inches to work with.

All one can say? It's alot more this below........than the current.

Lose the curtains entirely for woven shades with light control. I see a deck, so this is the back yard. The light and breezy sheers? Don't suit the bulky of the furniture, and patterned will only worsen things.

No matter what ? All of life , football.....and design? Is inches. Inches, inches. When you buy without that knowledge and a plan? Yeah.........Trouble City

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

Yvonne Martin
last year
In my mind, your curtains in the family room area are too skimpy. They should be 3X the width of the window. Perhaps you could uplift the area by getting something more substantial and perhaps with color or at least darker. I know that this is expensive, but you have a lovely set of windows, nice furniture and rugs so this will be a good investment. Then you can move some of the curtains that you are replacing to the dining area to beef up the ones there.

You need a more substantial table between the two recliners and move the one on the right closer to the other. I can't tell, but maybe they should be moved more away from the windows.

The little buffet table needs to be decluttered and decorated with larger objects to be more in scale with your couch and recliners.
F F thanked Yvonne Martin
Yvonne Martin
last year
You probably should consider art for above the couch.
F F thanked Yvonne Martin
Related Discussions
Need help finishing off modernizing/lightening up Family Room
Q
Comments (24)
Bestyears, I just had to log in to say first, your room is fabulous. I love the color you painted it and am jealous of your amazing sewing skills. I love the fabrics you have chosen. The second thing I wanted to say is to think long and hard before purchasing the braided jute rug from Ballard. I absolutely love the look. It has to be one of the best looking jute rugs out there, but it is a maintenance nightmare. It takes some getting used to underfoot but will eventually wear to a somewhat soft feel. The maintenance however, is tremendous. I had one for 2.5 years in our primary living area with heavy traffic and it was like have 15 large shedding dogs with a few cats sprinkled in. Fibers everywhere. If your room doesn't get much traffic it might work otherwise I would try to find something else first. I replaced it with a cheap seagrass from Lowes for the time being and it doesn't shed at all. Laurainlincoln might can share more if she has this rug. It might not wear for her like it did for me. Shannon
...See More
Could really use some help with family room PLEASE!
Q
Comments (12)
Still need help pretty please! Lavender lass-No I am too afraid to continue on to the site. When I click on it there is a warning about StopBadware.org. I haven't changed my settings and this has never happened before. The only thing I can think of is when the computer updates itself mabey it is installing more secured software, if that makes sense. I just want to find colors she (Candice Olson) uses in smaller basements for the walls and couch. I am not sure what paint color would look good with the Oat microfiber couch from Pottery Barn. The color of the couch above is not accurate. It is about 2 shades darker in person. More like this. Sorry for all of the pics but if anyone else could give me feedback on paint color that would go with this couch. Three that I am concidering are BM Muslin and BM slate or silvery blue. Or do I keep it monochromatic because of the small space? Interesting how the couch color changes with not only lighting but surrounding wall color and accessories. Thanks for looking
...See More
Please help me decorate our family room!
Q
Comments (17)
Roller shades would work....as for drapes behind your couch....Will only need about 4 inches of space behind your couch for drape to hang and draw correctly. Do you need privacy? White blinds might work better if you do.....along with drapes.
...See More
please help with our family room.
Q
Comments (21)
I found it. It's the Safavieh Reflection Shine rug. https://www.horchow.com/Safavieh-Reflection-Shine-Rug-7-6-x-9-6/cprod60090023___/p.prod?icid=&searchType=MAIN&rte=%2Fcategory.service%3FNtt%3DRugs%26pageSize%3D120%26No%3D0%26refinements%3D718%2C730%2C724&grpId=cprod60090023&eItemId=cprod60030186&cmCat=search&focusProductId=cprod60030186
...See More
freedomplace1
last year
last modified: last year
I’m not sure if anyone really enjoys the “exposed back” feeling; although many people deal with that, and it’s sort of just accepted with floating furniture arrangements being popular in US, etc. But from an Eastern Feng Shui perspective, it is not a comfortable nor desirable sofa placement. You can mitigate it a bit with a sofa table or taller cabinet piece to back the sofa - to anchor it. Still not ideal - but helps. You still have your back to room entrance, though. This is why many people, men particularly, don’t like sitting with their back(s) to the entrance of restaurants, etc.

I would put the tv on a long, low console in front of the windows - centered, basically at the middle window.
F F thanked freedomplace1
F F
Original Author
last year
Thanks Yvonne, you read my mind. I have been looking for patterned curtains, and the buffet table is likely going to be a more traditional looking buffet with hutch. I keep playing with the table for between the two chairs, as well. We are looking into maybe putting a mirror or art above the couch, but I'm afraid to hang anything until we're sure we want to keep the layout

freedomplace1, thanks for the idea. That's something interesting to play with.
Lynzy
last year
Can you flip the arrangement? Put the couch on the window wall and a low console and TV where the couch is now? Your TV is too big for the fireplace placement and looks way too top heavy up there. Then play with where the chairs look best, e.g angled at kitchen end of couch, or by the fp, etc…
Lynzy
last year
Also… definitely agree to simplify the current console table. It’s a nice pieces, but way, way too full of things. Less is more in this case.
housegal200
last year
last modified: last year
You have too much furniture in there--ottoman, coffee table, tables in corners, and why so many little lamps? Some options:

--Take all those tables and lamps out for now until you figure out seating.

-- Consider getting a smaller TV! I know that's heresy on Houzz, but then you could put TV on the side of the fireplace with great art above it. This would give you outside view from couch, nice art to look at, along with shelves of a few meaningful objects, and TV off to the side.

--If you're keeping your recliners, then float them to face TV whether it's off to the side or above fireplace. Keep couch against wall as you have it, but put a great piece of landscape art over it or a horizontal mirror to reflect the light from the windows.
Modern Farmhouse | 2019 Dry Creek Parade · More Info

Anchor everything on a big rug and have a nesting coffee table that is reachable from the recliners and the couch.
Set of 2 Bronze Gold Nesting Coffee Tables, Round Large Modern Minimalist · More Info
F F
Original Author
last year
Thanks, Lynzy. My concern with that placement is the glare from the sunny windows making it difficult to see the TV with that placement, but it would make a lot of sense otherwise. I actually think it would be the comfiest option as well!
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
I would put the tv to the left of the fireplace in the corner ( I do not like the tv above the fireplace ) . Leave to sofa ( add wall art ) . Either leave the swivel chairs as they are or if you use them when watching tv, then move one to have its back to the kitchen and the other can slide over to turn and watch tv.

As far as feeling warm and inviting - it needs some color. It doesn't have to be bold. There are no family photos , pretty artwork, personal items , even the rug and pillows look gray and white. Go slow - take your time with each change and live with it before moving on to the next one.

Good luck!
mihelene
last year
Have you thought about plantation shutters for the windows? I know they are expensive but would act more like a wall and would cut out glare if you wanted to put the TV up against the windows.
erinsean
last year
Why do you have an ottoman and a square coffee table in the room? I think the coffee table is enough. Ottoman may be good for your feet when watching TV but just looks like it would be hard to walk in that room.
PRO
BANDD DESIGN
last year
If you're planning on leaving the TV above the fireplace, then place the sofa facing the TV with chairs flanking the fireplace on either side.
Chloes Bloom New Build · More Info

Camelot New Build: Living Room · More Info

Dream Catcher Modern Getaway: Living Room · More Info
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
last year
last modified: last year
I agree with a lot of the comments here. There’s too much big furniture and assorted stuff.

The tv is too big - an ideal placement for it would be in a corner by the fireplace or with its back to the windows like someone pictured, but lower.

And there’s little life. What color are the walls? Is everything gray? Even with the windows, it looks dull and dreary.

It’s a real nice room, though, with lovely windows.
PRO
Norwood Architects
last year
I don't see a lot that is objectionable about your second layout. I also like Jan Moyer's sketch layout. Her layout opens up your family room and eliminate the "back of couch" syndrome. I would recommend an armoire for the television IF the armoire doesn't become too big and dominates the room. Good luck!
ShadyWillowFarm
last year
You need to pick a function for the room. Right now, you have it set up for conversation (people sitting down facing each other) and they have to turn their heads 90 degrees to look at the tv. Having the tv on the long wall is the most logical option, with the couch against the windows. Most tv watching happens in the evening, so glare is not an issue. If they are watching tv, they are not looking at the view. Panels flanking the windows can easily be pulled shut if someone wants To watch tv during the day.