Small, modest house - living room ideas wanted please!

8 months ago

This is a very modest small house that I bought to have near work, thus avoiding an arduous daily commute. I don’t plan on placing any of my current furniture in it and really just need it for weekdays. Looking for something simple, clean, not too modern, and on a budget. I will be hanging faux wooden blinds and really have no idea about color choice. I am also not keen on couches or big heavy pieces as anything I can’t really move myself easily is unappealing. Thoughts? Ideas? Thank you!

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Comments (10)

Eileen F
Original Author
8 months ago
Just a little more info, since I can’t seem to edit this post! As for tv, it’s take it or leave it, doesn’t matter if I have one or not, and I really don’t entertain, although an extra chair or two would be great. I mainly would just area for reading after work and I do have dogs. A rug would be nice. I do listen often to the radio. Thanks again!
jck910
8 months ago
What are the measurements of the room? I would get a rug, sofa with chaise and a chair. Skip the faux wood blinds and do solar shades.
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I have 3 kids (one going off to college tomorrow). They all have small rooms and taking another bedroom or putting stuff in the garage were not options and, though we have a family room, I prefer all their stuff in their rooms after they outgrew the preschool years. All of them only had twin sized beds but in each case we made the most of the under bed for either storage drawers or a trundle for sleepovers. Next I made the most of their closet space by installing a modular closet system so that I could store not only clothes, but storage bins for toys with smaller pieces or arts & crafts supplies. The combination of adjustable shelving paired with closet poles for clothes proved very versatle over the years because as they age, they always seem to need lots of storage, it's just the contents that differs. I also would include drawers as well and in two of the three rooms were able to eliminate the need for a dresser. All my kids have had desks in their rooms, the older two had a hutch top making use of the vertical space. I also tend to use wicker storage baskets in both of my DD's rooms which are attractive spaces to store extra stuff. I recently upgraded my DS to a double bed as I felt he could use the larger bed plus I could use it as a guest room when he is away at college. His room is about the size of your DD's room and it has really cut down on his floor space A LOT. I much prefer kid's rooms of this size to have twin beds. As they grown older, it becomes more important for them to have a space of their own to play and/or with friends. I do think there is some merit, though, to creating a separate homework/crafts area, if space allows, perhaps using the closet and a desk in the adjacent guest room. Here are my two DD's rooms which may give you some ideas. DD2 has a popup trundle below this bed which she uses for sleepovers. DD1's room is the tiniest at 9x9 so we made use of every inch. Bed is a captain's bed with storage drawers below. She is typical teenage girl now, lots of clothes, accessaries, sports paranephelia, and needs space for school stuff like books, supplies, laptop, etc. This is about as clean as it ever gets. The bones of her room, the furniture, was bought when she was around 10 and then we added the folding bookcase when she started high school. A few closet pics before we remodeled DD2's room:
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Definitely no to two conversation areas, but yes to opening it up and taking advantage of the entire space. I'm not sure how far you are on your selections, but Ethan Allen offers Complementary Design services with your purchase, and I can honestly say working one on one with someone to create a tailored, cohesive space for you down to the exact measurements and circulation of a space plan is very valuable for pieces you want to own and fit for a long time. If you want more info, you can PM me. Otherwise, good luck with your space and congratulations on your new home! I like the idea of sofa + 2 chairs or Sectional + 1 or 2 small chairs.... not everything has to match, just balance well!
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Run the great room off the entire side or across front of structure. One position only for opening to bedroom and bath corridor. You have two openings to bedrooms ... not feasible. Don't you want to run the great room all across one side or the other w kitchen contained within....toward the rear, envision French doors to outside deck or patio. Use a table at a position within the great room that is an easy position for real use. There are lots of manufactured homes popping up w similarities...maybe you should have a look Instead of wrestling w something nearly impossible.
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Agree with lynartist get someone knowledgeable in to look at the walls. Shifting the color used makes a huge difference. I would not have the walls smoothed or made shiny. But there are all sorts of ways to approach this and end up with a great looking home. Consider moving the functions of the two spaces. A modern dining area with a fireplace, even such an ornate one, could be spectacular and marry well with a more intimate USED space for conversations, drinks, and even just solo book readin'! Making the switch would also de-emphasize the fireplace and allow it to look its very best. A bit of a paradox but look at many old European houses and you'll see it again and again. My other preference would be to have a wood refinisher take down the shine on the floor. Congratulations and I hope you let us know how this progresses.
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eld6161
8 months ago
Small, modest are in the eyes of the beholder. That living room is huge!

You can certainly shop for sales. Keep it minimal. A sofa, two chairs, coffee table and end tables.

Yes to getting an inexpensive rug.
Eileen F
Original Author
8 months ago
I think it’s only about 15x15 - the house is 990 square feet
Eileen F
Original Author
8 months ago
Curious why no faux and why solar? Thanks for helping !
jck910
8 months ago
Just don't care for them!!
Anne Duke
8 months ago
My 2 cents. Blinds need dusting and so are more trouble than shades and curtains. You really need to plan on graph paper or you’ll end up with too big furniture.
la_la Girl
8 months ago
What a great spot! I would hop on Facebook marketplace and see what you can score - lots of great deals on there - especially if you can be a little patient

I have had the Ikea lack tables in previous apartments -super light, inexpensive and the white can look pretty slick when paired with a nice textured rug -

also make sure you get some good lamps for cozy evenings
Olychick
8 months ago
Not sure where you live, but there are some great finds on FB marketplace for furnishings in some areas. Leery of bedbugs on upholstered furniture, but I guess there are ways to make sure you're not getting them. Ikea is a good inexpensive option and people seem to be really happy with their slipcovered pieces. I would also get a nice inexpensive rug. There are so many online sites with great choices and a few you can use their visualizer to place the rug in your room to see how it will look.

I'd probably put the most money in a comfortable reading chair, like a recliner. So many of them these days don't look like recliners and are very comfy.

Not sure why faux wood blinds or if you mean venetian style/mini blinds or roll down shades? Whatever you get, I would make sure they are opaque at night (solar shades are not opaque), since you will be a woman alone. Dogs are good, but I'd want to be sure no one can see in from outside.

I hope you'll post as you find and furnish your little house, It looks very sweet and perfect for your purposes. So much nicer to spend time there than in a car for hours each day.
Eileen F
Original Author
8 months ago
Im in southern NM and yes there are lots of deals to be found but sadly ikea is In Phoenix about 6 hours away and they don’t deliver here. The faux wood blinds are like mini blinds- thicker and not as $$as wood. Definitely want to block visibility as it’s a busy road. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!

Small, modest house - living room ideas wanted please!

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Eileen F
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jck910

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Small, modest house - living room ideas wanted please!

Comments (10)

Eileen FOriginal Author

jck910

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