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Home Decorating Design Dilemma

I don’t know how to decorate my smaller living room area.

last month

This libingroom area feels awkward to me. There’s no foyer. You walk directly into the home. The sliding doors lead to a small sunroom with a waterview but I dont think that should be the focus in this room. The fish tank has to stay on the wall where it is placed. We are having vinyl plank flooring installed. I don’t know what would be best, small couch, chairs, loveseat???

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Comments (6)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last month
Unless there is a TV in the space the view is the focal point IMO . Why is thta a problem? But I really need to see the whole space so better pic of the whole area might be helpful. Post here in a comment DO NOT start another post.
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Maureen
last month
last modified: last month
The more info you provide, the more helpful/less conflicting the advice will be.

1. Floor plan/measurements/doorway locations, etc) are key, especially since you are purchasing new furniture. Traffic flow and balance will benefit from the largest seating choice placed against a wall, just based on your picture.

2. How will room be used…TV, kids, seating accommodations, entertaining, daily needs.

3. Advise your style and preferred colors and if you can show pictures of rooms you like/saved, please provide. You mentioned you are changing the flooring, if purchased can you show or provide link. Hopefully you haven’t bought, so that furniture, wood tones, colors and flooring choices can all be coordinated.
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Personally, I'd switch the longer sofa to the wall and move the Christmas tree to the other corner. Put the loveseat where the recliner is currently and the recliner where the sofa is currently. Do you have a TJ Maxx, Ikea or Home Goods nearby? You can usually find window covering there for $20-25/set plus inexpensive throw pillows. For the extra space in the living room, do you need an area for computer, etc.? Can you paint any of the rooms or is this a rental? Maybe you could create an accent wall in a darker color? For the tv, you can get cube organizers fairly inexpensively at Ikea or even Walmart (their BHG brand - I have two of those and they are very sturdy). Here's an example:
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@btydrvn Thanks for your response. I understand your opinion about not honoring the homes history, but I am trying to bring it into the 21st century while maintaining the integrity of the house as much as possible. I have attempted to incorporate a "Farmhouse" style feel as much as possible. The house was very dark so I wanted to lighten the walls but keep it neutral. The bookcases are original and have only been repainted the original color. I definitely plan to invest in area rugs to define each space. I did select, what I believe to be, a pale, historic gray wall color throughout the house for now. When the other rooms take shape, my wall color choices might change. I believe my eclectic choices are to keep items that are part of my family and so I'm trying my best to make them work together harmoniously. I know many of my ideas will change as this process unfolds over the next couple of years. I appreciate your thoughts.
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tracefloyd
last month
last modified: last month
Seating grouped around a nice coffee table is a good focal point and looks inviting.

For LVP make sure the specs are at least 5mm and waterproof.
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Lyn Nielson
last month
creating a barrier from the entry with a sofa table would be an option.

Behind a sofa, or even two chairs paired in the seating area.
Expobaby
last month
I think we need a lot more information. For instance, why does the aquarium have to stay on that wall? You'll have to move it to do the floor so maybe it could go elsewhere. Would you be able to sketch a floorplan and post it? I would look for small scale apartment furniture. I like to lay down on my sofa so I bought a loveseat and half - bigger than a loveseat but smaller than an apartment sofa .
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eld6161
last month
last modified: last month
Your dogs are perfect accessories!

First give us an actual floorplan of the space. You need smaller scaled furniture.

I think you can have a sofa and 2 club chairs but it’s how they can be placed is the dilemma.

You need to be able of course to comfortably enter and walk around.

I have a small great room in my Florida home.

Walkway behind the chairs.

I would go to a furniture store like Ethan Allen with your floor plan to get an idea of all sizes of sofas and chairs that are available..

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