Renovating a living room... need help
HU-82603394
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
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siriuskey
11 months agoRelated Discussions
I need help renovating this 1970's living room!
Comments (28)I agree that the ceilings are beautiful, unique, and cozy. You could really incorporate them into a very interesting modern farmhouse look. However, A. I really feel for your husband who is 6 feet tall, and B. I think the beams contribute to the congested feeling of this space. The beams, the columns, the trim, the multiple levels of tray ceilings, and lighting fixtures trapped between the lanes of beams make this space feel jumbled and confined. There are many things you can do to make this space feel more streamlined, open, and airy without removing columns. (Though I would still explore what is inside those columns and why they were added to this house. It looks like the recessed and tray ceilings were there before the columns because the columns so strangely protrude out into the recessed areas. 1. Remove the beams Check to be sure they are not structural. Yes, they are beautiful, but they really confine the space and narrow the lighting. They would be great in another house but not in this one. If you must keep them, paint them the same color as the ceiling and walls to help them disappear. Again, they are beautiful, but not in a room with a low ceiling, 4 brick columns and a tall guy. 2. Consider recessed lighting. These round light fixtures are awkward to look at and bring the height of the ceiling down when you want it to feel more vast and open. 3. Remove and reduce as much ceiling trim as possible. There is way too much trim happening here: odd trim spanning opening to dining room. The trim at column tops are over the top, and trim around the columns at the front door overlaps oddly with the tray ceiling. There may be some areas where trim cannot be moved. In those areas reduce it's appearance: Replace with a trim that has fewer ridges, a lower profile that protrudes less from the wall, and paint it the same white as the walls and ceiling. 4. Consider switching layout How do you all spend your time together? Do you eat at the table a lot or more so at a counter? When you eat at the table is it dark out? Do you spend time together in a formal living room setting? Do you need an area to play with toys? Does much TV watching happen nearby when someone is in the kitchen? I don't understand the layout here or your usage needs, but for the sake of your husband's height and potentially maximizing light, can you make the current dining room be more of a living room / family room space and put the dining room where the current sofas are? If the dining room with all of those open windows is not being heavily utilized during daytime hours, then you are not utilizing the sunniest part of this first floor....See MoreNeed layout help with narrow living room & family room !!
Comments (2)Try a chaise sofa and one chair in the TV room so you have room for kids play area. In the living room use a 3-seat sofa and two chairs grouped around a coffee table and use floor lamp flanking the sofa....See MorePlease help renovated dated beach house kitchen/living room!!
Comments (4)Congratulations on your new vacation home! We just redid our kitchen/living area at our small lake house. We also did it on a tiny budget. Our biggest savings was getting cabinets used that someone else didn't want. You have an easy straight run of cabs there. If I were you, I'd haunt Craig's List, facebook marketplace, Habitat's Restore, etc. and see what you can find. I could have done ours 3x over with great cabs I found online. I remember kicking myself for not waiting a bit as someone was advertising an almost new set of cabs from a basement kitchen they were removing for $500! Solid wood drawers and everything. As it is, I was able to get a decent set of maple lowers with large drawers (drawers rock!) and white uppers for about $600 total. Don't put new counters on those old cabs. At least replace the lowers. I def. agree about removing that weird peninsula thingy. Have you thought about adding cabs where the white stand alone cabinet is now? I'm not clear about whether you are changing the flooring? In terms of paint, I always have a general idea of paint colour in my head when I start a reno whether I know it or not. If you haven't already, start a pinterest page and gather images of similar spaces you love and then you'll get an idea of the direction you want to go. I agree with your husband about the ceiling. It will be the centre piece of your room. However, the paint colours you are considering are not going to do it any favours. The blues are too cool and are going to make the space feel smaller and lower the ceiling. Personally, I'd do everything a warm, neutral white (Steam by Ben Moore?). Before you do anything with the wood stove bricks, check and see what you need for safety. Our new wood stove could be closer to combustible sidewalls than our old one, but each stove has its own specs. ETA: Is the furniture in the picture staying?...See MoreHelp decorating recently renovated living/dining room?
Comments (37)Hi folks, First, thanks to everyone who commented upthread. I’ve read it all and appreciate the time/input. I’ve been quiet because I needed to chew on it- and do some shopping/reflecting/budgeting. Wanted to share a progress update. Open to additional input. Haven’t found furniture I want to purchase, so I’ll work with this for now. Haven’t found big plush *washable* rug I love, so got simple $100 5x7’ rug at Target (needed a cozy play space with cats). My big TV + stand had a dramatic crash/accident and broke; using smaller TV from upstairs on coffee table until I figure out best replacement. PENDING: Dining room Photo gallery wall w/ 11x14 frames (my own photos from Africa). Either vertical up the narrow angled wall near TV, or to right of kitchen entrance. I think :) Hang some African baskets to right of art New table runner Lower chandelier eventually. (Raised when installing due to pesky cat, but he’s no longer interested.) Living room simple corner end table decor. (Vase was inherited. Good color, but seems random.) General Adjust art height. I suck at that! Dining room used old nail hole for now. Window coverings TBD. Planters for 2 faux plants TBD. Figure out if I want to use the red African sunset photo. Love it, but doesn’t seem to work. EDIT: This is another blue vase I have onhand. I could put something simple like a bit of Eucalyptus or something (faux because…cats…)...See Moresiriuskey
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