Need help with challenging living room layout and color scheme

last year

We just moved into our new home near the beach. I love everything about it. But I am really struggling with how to arrange and decorate the living room so that it is functional and esthetically pleasing. We are a family of 4 with 2 teenagers and would like to be able to have the arrangement work for 2 watching TV and 4-5 sitting and talking. Currently we have a 72” wide sofa and 9’ diam rug. The sofa is the only thing that needs to stay. Everything else can stay or go. I just need need it to work :(. I’d love your ideas on how to arrange the furniture and what to buy (accent chairs or stools or coffee table or side table. Lamps or plants….). We have tried the couch against the long wall. But not good for watching TV and the other chair(s) feel like they are in the walkways. We currently have it diagonal in the corner. That feels more functional. But now everything looks crammed in the corner. Any thoughts very much appreciated

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PRO

Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design

last year

We will draw up the room in a 3-D rendition using the floorplan measurements you posted. Hopefully we can come up with some ideas that will work for you.

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Comments (47)

allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
Here is what the couch against the long wall looks like. Not good for watching TV and not great for sitting and chatting either. Ugh. Help!!
rrah
last year
last modified: last year
Have you considered replacing the TV mount with one that swivels and tilts? It would enable TV viewing with the couch on the long wall.

A chair could then be placed near the wall behind the kitchen and a smallish chair near the window. I think you need to focus on pieces that are a bit smaller if you want that much seating.
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The word here is INTENT Jinx, Beth has no intent but to help the op.. . When you post multiple threads on the very same topic, it is no different than a "dupe" . Your answers become confusing, you have to check all your posts ! Another reader, whether gen pop or Pro, has no clue there are two OTHER posts! If you started another because your thread was getting no more replies? All you have to do to revive it is post another COMMENT. On that same thread! I like, I don;t like, etc. Is there a law that prevents starting a new thread? Of course not, but it defeats your intent..........which is to get help. . Intent: Design involves intent. A point of view, and purpose. When an OP says: : "I cannot decide how I want to do my living room." they are simply saying'" I'm LOST" They are saying they haven't got a clear intent in style, color , feel.....anything. In this case, the op has a sofa and cocktail table. End story. Why blue curtains, and that rug? I don't know why. The op probably doesn't know either. Rather than police comments? Break down the process for the OP. Suggest a pecking order for the lost. Take DOWN the blue curtains. Please. The room is not yet ready for them. In any color. Find an 8 x 10 rug that acknowledges the sofa/sectional in some way. A bit of that tone in the rug. .......it has to be something you really like. Come back to THIS thread, and post what you found. YOU have to decide......and you must begin somewhere, You don't begin with paint. You don't begin with curtains. You give yourself a road map to follow. The rug you have relates to nothing in tone, it is too small. Start with a rug. Come back.
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allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
Thanks for the thoughts. We do have the tv on a mount that comes out a bit and swivels. We still felt like we were Turing our heads to the right the whole time to watch. I am definitely open to smaller chairs. I had not thought of putting a chair by the door. I assume you mean in between the window and door. That’s a good idea. I’ll try one there for a bit to see how it works. Any suggestions on types of smaller chairs?
H D
last year
What happens when you turn the sofa slightly so it is directly facing the TV? Does that block the entry door?
Liz
last year
Maybe float the couch more infront of the opening to the other room.
dan1888
last year
last modified: last year
Add 2 large square upholstered ottomans for your couch. That'll give it a chaise effect for tv watching when you push them up against the couch. Ikea has them.
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
@HD. Interesting idea. It definitely sticks out into the walkway to the kitchen. But is doable still as a passageway. And maybe if I add a plant on the stand behind the sofa, it will add a separation between the kitchen and living room
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
Thoughts?
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
@dan1888. I put the ottoman poof we had in our bedroom also to create a lounger. It is definitely comfy. But it all still looks a bit odd to me. What’s missing or not right?
njmomma
last year
Thinking out loud.

Using your last layout with the sofa facing the fireplace, back to the kitchen......

Move end table to the left side of sofa.

Add lamp to end table.

Keep sofa table behind sofa.

Add plants on Sofa Table.

Move Chair in front of window facing fireplace.

Remove what is in front of the window. (add later, or remove)

Place area rug centered to furniture.

Add a round cocktail table.

Big art on the wall opposite door.
njmomma
last year
@Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design

Has such great ideas. Wait till you see her designs.
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
Thank you for your kind words @njmomma
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
Looking forward to hearing some of your suggestions @MaeDay. I looked at your reviews. You seem to be just what we need
H D
last year
I’m interested in what paint color is on the walls—very pretty!
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
We haven’t forgotten you. We are working on it.
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
The construction is done. We are working on the furniture later. By the way congratulations on your sweet little house.
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
Hello Alison, question how wide is your fireplace wall and TV?
M L
last year
If there is room. You might want to rethink the tv on bare back wall instead of the fireplace and layout the couch facing the wall with about 42”-48”behind the couch. Flank the chair and pouf beside it but make it the fireplace visible to the space, if that make sense. Hanging TVs over a fireplace is never ideal, unless the fireplace and mantle sit extremely low like on a linear fireplace. You could arrange the furniture first to see if it even works.
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
@MaeDay. It is 76” between the two doors and the fireplace wall is 46”
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
@Marc L. I’m definitely not a fan of the TV over the fireplace. But that’s what the previous owners decided:(. I’m not sure if there is room to put the couch that way. It would be quite literally in the middle of the room. But there would still be like 80” in front of it before the wall. I’ll try it out tonight when I get more hands to help me move it and I’ll take a pic
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
Good Morning Allison,

We have put together a couple of renditions for you based on your family's needs, (4 people). We are going to start with one that uses furniture similar to yours and then move on to furniture that we suggest you add to the room. We will post them soon.

MAE
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
We are about to post the rendition. Just wondering if you were still with us. This is what we have been thinking about since you first placed the post. As you know it is very difficult to furnish a long narrow room end to end. So this is what we put together. These arrangements will seat 2 to 4 people daily and possibly five. It is meant to take into consideration Your comfort, easy TV viewing, accessibility and aesthetics. We sincerely hope this helps.
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
OK so here are pictures of the first rendition using furniture similar to yours. We added Art, a plant, a basket with blankets, and some decorative pieces. We went with blue because of your steel blue curtains. Love that color! We used your coffee table as a temporary TV stand/Consol. The couch is 72 inches wide and we realize that your entry table is a bit smaller than the one in the rendition but it’s simply a suggestion meant to dress up the back of the couch. Please be honest and let us know what you think. Your feedback helps us help you. It is sincerely appreciated. MAE
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
Yes, a bigger TV would be better. Hope this helps. MAE
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
@MaeDay. I never would have thought of this!! I will try it out tonight when I get another body to help me move the couch.
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
🙂👍🏻. Would you like us to still put together the other renditions with the additional furniture? We would be happy to do that.
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
Yes please!
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
@HD. The paint color is just plain ol antique white. We love it too. Goes well with everything so far
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
Below is the layout with the couch facing the king wall. It actually does not block the entry as much as I thought. Ignore the poor fitting couch cover. That is temporary until we figure things out. We are going to use this layout for a bit to see.
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
And just for fun…. We did a variation of the proposed layout that has the couch diagonal
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
Which layout do you guys think is best? I think I have tried and posted 5 now 😂
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
Hello Allison,

Here are pictures of the updated rendition with the additional seating/furniture. In this you will find two small swivel chairs, and 8 x 10' rectangular rug, the two black poufs are stacked in the corner, two usable lanterns, a larger TV and a small drift wood lamp. Please note that only the placement of the furniture, not the colors and style, are being presented. I kept the blue water theme just for fun. MAE
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
I said black poufs but meant gray. Anyway, try opening the front door and pushing the couch and entry table back a little. Just to see if it gives you a bit more room for the TV and a console. You could use the other entry table that is under the window as a place to put the TV, just until you can get something else. Don't want your family to stare at a blank wall. That's not fun! The entry table fits better behind the couch than I thought it would. That's nice to know.
H D
last year
I really like how it looks with sofa facing the back wall, or diagonally facing the back wall. Glad you are going to give it a try! I wonder how much work it would be to move the TV…probably a lot.
rrah
last year
Not a fan of the angle, but I really like the sofa directly facing the back wall. The redention Mae Day posted with two chairs is fabulous.
njmomma
last year
last modified: last year
Really like sofa facing back wall.

Love what @Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design did with the tv and making that a gallery wall also.

If buying new furniture to make this arrangement work, consider apartment size furniture. The furniture fits so much better in smaller spaces and would transform your room.
always1stepbehind
last year
last modified: last year
What about removing the table behind the sofa and pulling the sofa back a little. I'd rather have an extra foot of living room area.
H D
last year
Any updates?
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
Update: we worked with houzz://user/callmaeday. She was fabulous. We realized in talking with her that we really needed a different couch. Luckily we were able to return the one we originally purchased and get one that fits out needs better. The layout with the couch in the middle of the room is actually what works best. Now I just need to find the time to get end tables and a console and pictures and all the other stuff to complete the room and make it feel like home. I’ll post pictures when I have the final. You all were very helpful. Thank you! I would have never ended up with this layout without all your suggestions
H D
last year
Looking forward to the updated pictures!
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
last modified: last year
Allison, As a professional designer one of the best gifts is when a client is happy with my work. It was especially fun to be able to meet your family and to be able to do hands on work and to be able to bring the rendition to life. What a sweet surprise to hear from you and find out that you live nearby. It was fun and like the old days. So much is done remotely now that it was a real pleasure to be able to work a room the old-fashioned way.

Best Wishes,

MAE Day Designs
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
Here is the almost finished living room. We have a placeholder painting over the fireplace (one of mine from college 🥴). And we are still playing with the arrangement of pictures around the tv. We are looking for some driftwood or something like that for above the TV. Anyways. It is way better thanks to all of you.
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
Not MAE Day Designs? I put a lot of time and effort in this layout for you guys. Even came to your house and help you put it together.
PRO
Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design
last year
I also went the extra mile to help you find just the right pieces Of furniture that would fit your room. I went so far as to go to stores myself to make sure, such as the swivel chairs. I worked with you to help you find a couch that would also fit all of your needs as well as the room. Then I went the extra mile and helped you with your daughters room in vitro. But still you say; “ thanks to all of you”. I seldom make a comment such as this on this forum. But after all the time, Care And effort I put into helping you I would think you would be kind enough to give credit where credit is due.
allisonmiller1335
Original Author
last year
I’m so sorry to offend you @MAE designs. I viewed this post as more of a fun post with people giving suggestions. You were instrumental in helping us figure out how to make our living room work. We love it and would have never gotten there without you!