skip to main content

Furniture Design Dilemma living room

Living room furniture ideas

last month

last modified: last month

Looking for furniture options for our living room space/what to do with this room. Something inviting so that it will get more use as opposed to a formal space. A sectional couch, etc? No need for TV in there. Any ideas are appreciated. Room next to it has the TV and a couch/chair. Thanks much. The large armoire is currently used as a liquor cabinet and serves as our "bar" when entertaining. I dont really care if it stays or not.

First pic is from the front entryway as you come into the house. Second pic is standing in the (subject) room looking into the room next to it. Room is 18 ft from entryway to wall by 12 1/2 ft across. There is a window on the wall on the left (identical to the window you can see in the pic).

Featured Answer

Lyn Nielson

last month

if the room is not for TV viewing, I would not have a sectional.

A nice conversation set up with at least 4 comfortable chairs, low back swivel would be my choice. Keep the Bar

Cozy it up with a Beautiful area rug and drapery panels for accoustics. Soft lighting and plants.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

la_la Girl
last month
Hard to get too specific without room size and measurements but if it were me, I would likely float 4 armchairs in the center with a rug + great ottoman for relaxing/reading as well as conversation/drinks with friends
jfsmithson thanked la_la Girl
kandrewspa
last month
I don't think sectionals are as conducive to conversation as separate pieces are, but it depends on how you think the room will be used. A sofa with two chairs is the standard configuration. If you post a floorplan drawn on graph paper so people can understand the dimensions of the space you will receive more specific advice. Be sure to indicate doors and windows and indicate which rooms the doors lead to. If that large armoire will be staying show it as well. Your pictures are showing sideways for some reason.
jfsmithson thanked kandrewspa
Related Discussions
need advice as to how to set up this living room, furniture ideas?
Q
Comments (2)
Looks like your sectional will work well in the space. The chaise side along the windows will be a perfect spot for a cup of coffee, glass of wine, reading or just an afternoon nap. You could add a pair of comfortable chairs to the side opposite the windows. Swivels would be nice for watching the t.v. or enjoying the fire but could then be turned to face the sectional for conversation as well. Something in a beige or camel leather would be nice. Definitely a cozy area rug. Congratulations on both your new lake home and your retirement!
...See More
Living room furniture ideas and placement
Q
Comments (7)
I agree that the wall color should be lighter; I would suggest an off-white. Instead of the group of tiny photographs (family photographs are better grouped together on a table if you must have them in a public space) I would find a large painting that you love and place it there instead. Instant impact! I would suggest curtains in a thicker material similar to the color of the walls, without a pattern. A sleek metal and glass coffee table (it can have two levels like yours) will enlarge the space and give the room a lighter, more edgy feel. Since you mentioned the word boring, I would say your lamps belong in that category. I'm afraid your rug reads as very casual/beachy, and I think you can find something prettier and more suitable for a living room. You also want the rug to be at least large enough to place the front legs of your seating furniture on it. Your chairs look comfortable, but three of them in this not very large room are rather overpowering. I would find smaller versions for at least two, or have only two in the room unless you need all of them for seating. I imagine all this is a bit more than you envisioned, but you can select what seems workable for you, if anything.
...See More
Open concept living room furniture ideas for new house
Q
Comments (1)
I don’t know how to take your plan and add furniture to it 🙃... so I will just explain how I would place your sectional. I would float the sectional where the back of one side of sectional is to dining room and the back of other side, is to the kitchen. That way your window and fireplace are the view from sitting on sofa. I think this would be an ideal set up for your space. You could still add a chair in the corner between window and FP, or place an additional chair directly in front of window, without obstructing a lot of your light. It’s a great open floor plan, congratulations on your new home.
...See More
Wall Art for 12’ Ceilings and/or living room furniture layout ideas!
Q
Comments (0)
New house and no idea how to lay out my living room furniture or decorate these tall bland walls. Disclaimer: pictures are 3D generated. Assume all things in living room are movable (except TV/fireplace). 3D furniture pieces are more for a “style reference” Purpose of the post: Any suggestions as far as retailers with this style furniture, color schemes you’d incorporate, advice on literally everything, decor/furniture whatever! I want to know what YOU would do with this space if it were urs. My house is an open layout (pic attached) 12 foot ceilings in the kitchen/living/dining area, 9ft everywhere else. My current living room furniture is handed down from family. I’m getting rid of all of it. The pieces are large and bulky for the space. It really closes in the room and I think the space has potential to feel larger. The corner fireplace is seriously throwing me off my game. As far as furniture preferences go: I promised the husband a recliner. I personally would like my own chair as well. Here’s the kicker, we want them in front of the tv… I want to be able to seat as many people as possible, and I STRONGLY dislike a sectional. “Well kid ya shoulda thought about that when you designed the floor plan” yeahhhhh I didn’t think about that. Style/colors: Obvi I like black and white. I LOVE CONTRAST I also love shades of red I have grey and chrome incorporated all over the place. I honestly don’t know what my design style is, I think it dabbles towards glam contemporary but it’s not all the way over there. I have a cat and plan to have children in the near future so do with that info what you will. Backstory: me (25F) and my husband (26M) are both engineers and we designed this house from the ground up with no outside help. We’re super proud of it and it’s our personalities in a nutshell.
...See More
Muskan Agarwal
last month
I like the idea of armchairs with rug for having family conversations or fun time with friends
elcieg
last month
last modified: last month
I like the armoire and the fact you nave purposed it for an entertaining piece. Move it between the windows. It will show as a nice focal point from the entry.

Add 4 chairs, rug and a coffee table.
jfsmithson thanked elcieg
jfsmithson
Original Author
last month
Thanks for these good suggestions. I was hoping to make it a bit comfortable for relaxing with our small grandkids which is why my mind went to the sectional option. But the chairs are nice for adult conversation. Hmm...
einportlandor
last month
Maybe you should first decide on a theme for the room -- the cocktail room, the reading room, the music room, the morning room, the play room . . . you get the drift. Once you decide on the room's purpose it will be easier to furnish it.

Personally, I'd probably put the grandkids toys, etc. in the room with the TV, and furnish this room for adult living. I visualize a place to gather at the end of the day with a glass of wine and something salty to munch, comfortable chairs with ottomans upholstered in luxurious fabrics, and music playing in the background. Or maybe a room filled with art and plants and a million books where you just might write that novel you've always wanted to tackle. Or furnish it for the grandkids, and let them have a blast without worrying about spills and breakage. It's such a luxury to have two living spaces - have fun!
dan1888
last month
Grandkids don't do much relaxing without tv. You're not going to want to watch the same thing 20 times like they do.
jfsmithson
Original Author
last month
We have decided that it will be a room for adults. Grandkids have the basement to play and watch TV.
ShadyWillowFarm
last month
You could do a nice, comfortable couch that is big enough for a snuggly grandchild on either side while you read them stories, or go through old photo albums from when mom/dad was a kid. A large coffee table that is just right for you to stay on the couch, with a chair at either end, and room for a child sit on the floor opposite the couch for card and board games. Or do a puzzle on the coffee table.
jfsmithson thanked ShadyWillowFarm
jfsmithson
Original Author
last month
I very much like this idea of a nice adult space but also welcoming for the occasional grandchild, ShadyWillowFarm. And einportlandor, thanks for the wise words to think through room use first.

Related Stories

FURNITURE Creative Ways to Mix and Match Your Sofas and Chairs

By Lara Sargent

Pull together a personalized living room look with these ideas for combining colors, prints, textures and shapes

DECORATING GUIDES What Goes With a Striped Sofa?

By Laura Gaskill

Do all those lines have your head spinning in circles? These decorating ideas will straighten you right out

MORE ROOMS Go Rogue for Effective Furniture Arrangements

Why stick with a traditional setup that just doesn't cut it? The most advantageous arrangement may be the least obvious

MORE ROOMS How to Arrange Your Room for TV and People, Too

By Laura Heller

Get ideas for creating a great space for lounging, entertaining and enjoying the show

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: Sink Into This Cozy Upstairs Lounge

By Becky Harris

Cushy furniture, great reading light and dashes of color make this sitting room a couple’s favorite hangout

FURNITURE How to Arrange Furniture in Long, Narrow Spaces

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

7 ways to arrange your living-room furniture to avoid that bowling-alley look

PETS 12 Stylish Solutions for Ugly Cat Furniture

By Becky Harris

Bland beige post unhappily marking your living room territory? Scratch that with rakish kitty condos, perches and staircases

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING How to Mix Furniture Styles on the Patio

By Love Your Room LLC

Create a Cohesive Outdoor Room With a Few Color and Space Planning Tricks

MORE ROOMS Could Your Living Room Be Better Without a Sofa?

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

12 ways to turn couch space into seating that's much more inviting

LIFE Go Ahead, Eat in Front of the TV

By Lisa Frederick

But at least do it stylishly. A favorite guilty pleasure turns sophisticated with seats, tables and screens designed for a mealtime show

Sponsored

Everest Granite & Remodeling

9 Reviews

Loudoun County's Custom Granite and Marble Fabricator & Installer

More Discussions

What goes with a chesterfield sofa?

2

Which Type of Coffee Table?

6

Replacement Cushions for C&B Sofa

1

counter stools for the kitchen

5

CRATE & BARREL AXIS COUCH

2