skip to main content

Living Room Design Dilemma

living room help

last year

Something feels off in my living room and I think I need a warmer color area rug? I also think a true sectional or 2 couches as an l shape would work better. Advice?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

mytwo cents
last year
last modified: last year
The rug is too busy and the pattern runs the wrong way for the furniture layout. But even if you were able to turn it, it would still be clashing with the blinds and fireplace screen , and the grid of the built-ins. So definitely a new rug would help.

The room appears to have no focus. The furniture is set up to ignore the fireplace and TV (can anyone comfortably watch the TV?) But it also isn't inviting conversation. The sofas are too far apart, out of reach of the coffee table. The only color in the room is the objects on the shelves, so the eye goes there, but the objects don't communicate much, so the eye wanders away. There are no lamps in the room, so there's no way to comfortably read.

So first thing to figure out is what people are coming in to the room to enjoy. Each other's company, or watching TV? Or both? Lamps would help give the room warmth. Would you like there to be color for people to enjoy or prefer to keep the focus on -- what exactly?
0
coray
last year
I agree with mytwo cents on several things (TV is high, sofas far apart, sofas not positioned for TV watching), but I’m not sure the rug is the issue (clashing with blinds??). On my screen even the color isn’t bad, although you’ll see it better in person; rather, I think the shelves in the back are too cluttered…..for my liking, anyway. Work on cleaning those up, and maybe that’ll help. I am never a fan of sofas being perpendicular to the TV wall……how do you not get a stiff neck? Good luck!
0
Related Discussions
Living room help! What kind of rug to use in my living room?
Q
Comments (3)
What are the big red scratch-outs? Furniture you aren't keeping? First step is the couch, second is the rug and third is the paint. Paint color should be based on fabrics and textiles (seating and rug) in the room. It can be custom blended, but the furniture is set in stone. When you shop for the rug, it should be 2-4 feet wider than the sofa. Slip it under the front 1/3 of the sofa and have it extend past the ends by 1-2 feet. You can use painter's tape on the floor to figure out the best size for your sofa and room. I'd replace the dining rug too, so the two are coordinated. In addition, push your TV credenza against the wall and put the TV on a swivel base to adjust for viewing.
...See More
Front door splits living room, help!!
Q
Comments (23)
Tara, your dilemma kept digging at me. I happen to be shopping for furniture for my living room right now, and it is also a challenge - completely different challenge, but difficult all the same. I have been looking at Stressless furniture and one of the photos that they have on their website doesn't have a sofa - just chairs. It is a very modern look, and today, as decoenthusiast pointed out - people don't really like to sit close together. Then I thought about the home I grew up in. We had a family room with a door, then a sofa then a recliner on one wall and across from the door was a big round table where we ate most of our meals. Next to the table was the TV and then my mom's desk. The 3rd wall was all bookshelves with cabinet lowers. My mom and my aunt usually sat next to each other on the sofa, my dad sat in the recliner and the kids sat at the table or laid on the floor to watch tv. We had 6 kids. It worked. The is what I came up with I used a free app from a furniture store on the internet, so colors weren't options and some of the choices were limited, (Why you have a mirror instead of a TV) but I think you could do something like this - maybe two storage hassocks in the corner so that someone in a club chair could use one to prop their feet up. Pillow and blanket could be stowed in each for the kids to use to lay on the floor.
...See More
living room help
Q
Comments (11)
Start by making the t v wall more important. Using the wall paint color, paint a wider (wider the better) console with it. Inspiration photo. Add some (real) greenery, put in a wicker plant stand to work with the accent color in the rug. Scout around for LED battery powered wall sconces in brushed brass. Move the rug and the sectional a bit more to the right so you have more of a path by the window to get in and out of the room. Good place for tripod floor lamp. You can make this off-side work if you center the new console on the wall, but install the t v more to the right of the wall so it aligns with the center of the sectional. This is where you hang the artwork. Like this: This is a gallery set of art prints that you can download for $10.00, from etsy, and frame yourself, I'd stick with gold/soft brass framing to compliment brass sconces. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1630091776/neutral-coastal-vintage-landscapes-and?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=gallery+wall+art+set&ref=sc_gallery-1-1&pro=1&dd=1&plkey=2d1e9a12e4474b9cdbe1e05cbf4b8d85437711b1%3A1630091776 As for the window, purchase a lined panel, thinking white with a blue trim. This example of the install will work well. Notice how the rod is hung higher and wider than the window. In your room, you would stack back the panel to the right of the window. Again etsy for the panel. Except you want a brushed brass rodl
...See More
Living room help
Q
Comments (8)
Lovely room. I’d pull the rug out just a bit and add a side table for drinks, books, table lamp, whatever. I think a style like this would be very pretty in there: https://www.ballarddesigns.com/kendall-side-table/furniture/living-room/coffee-accent-tables/560043?listIndex=0&uniqueId=560043&isNewProduct=false With table lamp (customer room): This customer put a lamp behind it:
...See More
Related Professionals
Wanaque Interior Designers & Decorators · Genova Furniture & Accessories · Barrington Fireplaces · Indian Trail Flooring Contractors · Ossining Flooring Contractors · Wyoming Flooring Contractors · Westbury Interior Designers & Decorators · Agoura Hills Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Atlanta Furniture & Accessories · Columbia Furniture & Accessories · St. Louis Furniture & Accessories · North Hollywood Furniture & Accessories · Anderson General Contractors · Fort Pierce General Contractors · Mount Vernon General Contractors
Lyn Nielson
last year
the sconce lights seem to be plug in, so move them up higher on the wall and HANG the framed pieces on the wall. I would put the Chaise sect. on the wall and put the other sofa facing the fireplace. Leave the area in front of the windows open.

put the big vase of flowers on the floor/hearth of FP. Remove all the stuff on the unit and put back ONLY what you need. a single stand out for each cubby, group up to 3 things if necessary. Nothing on the mantel for a clean TV look.
RoseAnn Shevelin
last year
I would move the sofas away from the walls and line them up with the fireplace. Place the ottoman at the end. This ”U” formation would create an area that makes it better for socializing.

If you choose to get new furniture, though, I would remove the chaise sofa and get two chairs. They would sit opposite of the sofa.

A different color rug would make a difference too. The furniture legs should be on the rug.
RoseAnn Shevelin
last year
I would move the sofas away from the walls and line them up with the fireplace. Place the ottoman at the end. This ”U” formation would create an area that makes it better for socializing.

If you choose to get new furniture, though, I would remove the chaise sofa and get two chairs. They would sit opposite of the sofa.

A different color rug would make a difference too. The furniture legs should be on the rug.
0
marmiegard_z7b
last year
You’ve got at least 5 posts on this room today. Since all about same room it might been better to combine ideas.

However it would help instead of just being about “ this room” you outlined how you and family want to use the room, primary purpose, # of people & seating needs, whether storage needed for specific use items vs random decor.
0

Related Stories

LIVING ROOMS A Living Room Miracle With $1,000 and a Little Help From Houzzers

By Mitchell Parker

Frustrated with competing focal points, Kimberlee Dray took her dilemma to the people and got her problem solved

SMALL HOMES Room of the Day: Living-Dining Room Redo Helps a Client Begin to Heal

By Becky Harris

After a tragic loss, a woman sets out on the road to recovery by improving her condo

DECORATING GUIDES Decorate With Intention: Helping Your TV Blend In

By Laura Gaskill

Somewhere between hiding the tube in a cabinet and letting it rule the room are these 11 creative solutions

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Think ‘Double Duty’ for Small Spaces

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Put your rooms and furnishings to work in multiple ways to get the most out of your downsized spaces

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Hot Air Balloons Help Decor Soar

By Mari Richards

Flying onto wallpaper, pillows, lighting and more, hot air balloons lift rooms up, up and away

UNIVERSAL DESIGN My Houzz: Universal Design Helps an 8-Year-Old Feel at Home

By Becki Peckham

An innovative sensory room, wide doors and hallways, and other thoughtful design moves make this Canadian home work for the whole family

PETS 6 Ways to Help Your Dog and Landscape Play Nicely Together

By Marianne Lipanovich

Keep your prized plantings intact and your dog happy too, with this wisdom from an expert gardener and dog guardian

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: See the Bathroom That Helped a House Sell in a Day

By Annie Thornton

Sophisticated but sensitive bathroom upgrades help a century-old house move fast on the market

REMODELING GUIDES Room of the Day: Antiques Help a Dining Room Grow Up

By Becky Harris

Artfully distressed pieces and elegant colors take a formerly child-focused space into sophisticated territory

BATHROOM DESIGN Key Measurements to Help You Design a Powder Room

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Clearances, codes and coordination are critical in small spaces such as a powder room. Here’s what you should know

Sponsored

More Discussions

What backsplash/paint color

5

2024 Christmas Inspirations!!

296

Kitchen Remodel Layout Help

7

Inside Entrance

5

Ideas to divide ranch into two suites to age in place

11