Need help for parents living room - where to start

8 years ago

Hi all

My parents have just moved to a lovely house in Kent, they moved from a typical Victorian house with high ceilings and smaller rooms, to a newer house with lower ceilings but larger rooms in terms of floor space. The pictures I upload are of their new living room with some of their furniture put in place by the removal men. So...any advice appreciated, such as:-

Where should their furniture go?
Should they buy new pieces/remove pieces?
The carpet is to go, they want wooden floor, but engineered, or wood or porcelain tiles?
The lights are dreadful and will need to change, but my mum has bought two 5 arm chandeliers, which I think will be too low, but she has said if they are the room is big enough for people to walk around them?!?.
What about the fireplace?
Colour in general of the room?
They have placed two rugs in the room to try and make 2 separate seating areas, it doesn't quite work
I could go on- I think you get the gist

Im afraid I live in a small Victorian semi and the size of their living room just stumps me. They don't need a dining table/area as they have a dining room too.

They (and me) just don't know where to start- so any and all advice will be very much appreciated.

Although the pictures may not show it, its a large long room with windows to the front (first picture) and a sliding door at the back out towards the patio and then garden (second picture). The end with the sliding door is south facing so is lovely and sunny.

Thanks in advance all

Featured Answer

PRO

Amber Jeavons Ltd

8 years ago

Hello seniordiva, There is another point of view that if funds permitted then underfloor heating could be applied.. Different ways to insulate etc...

But also there is the aspect of keeping the lifestyle you have become accustomed to.. Sometimes suggesting change because of age is not appropriate, it can lend itself to feeling inadequate and fragile.... I have a neighbour he's 90 he lives on his own with his cat in the same tiny little flat he's rented for over 30 years.. He still maintains a youthful outlook and is very independent and robust in character.... But having seen rugs in the picture I am sure Briony and her parents will consider all aspects. I'm young but even I have walked into my own furniture because I chose aesthetic over practicality.... : ) )

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (24)

PRO
Sort Our Stuff
8 years ago
Have they asked you to change things?
Milly Moo
Original Author
8 years ago
Not so much the furniture but yes to décor and soft furnishings- my mum is the one who just took these and would be interested in seeing if the flow and feel of the room could be improved.
Related Discussions
Need help with designing kitchen/dining/living room open living plan
Q
Comments (10)
Thank you for your response. We had plans pretty finalised until we found out that we can keep just that long wall into the large space as it is a load-bearing. There is an opportunity to put a door in though. I am attaching what it looked like with all the walls that we can now remove. We have also been tinkering with ideas which I am adding as well. I added some comments on the plans as well. What we want to have is a dining area with a large table that seats 8-10 people. We want enough space for two people to work and cook in the kitchen. Thus, we were thinking of an island or an L-shape workspace coming out. We'd like to have a utility room to have space for all the cleaning utensils. Washer and Dryer will be upstairs in a separate laundry room. The living room is nothing formal but an area to relax and watch TV. We'd like to have an L-shaped cough in there for a family of four (2 kids under the age of 10).
...See More
My parent's living room
Q
Comments (26)
The recessed downlighting makes the area look stark and like a clinic's waiting room. Overhead downlighting on its own is a bad choice for living spaces. For now, I would move the small cabinet to the far right (near the door entering from that side) and place a table lamp on it, move the large sofa against the grey wall and add a floor lamp to the left of it, similar or complimentary style to the table lamp. Better yet, remove the small cabinet completely and get two matching low bookcases to flank the sofa, preferably with doors to hide the clutter, and place table lamps on them. Move the books and items on the tall bookcase on the right to those cabinets and get rid of the bookcase. The grey wall needs some artwork, or shelving with decorative items, as in some of the examples others have posted. Then a simple but plush geometric patterned area rug, about 200 cm x 300 cm in front of the sofa to define the lounge space and set it off from the dining/kitchen area. Keep it medium toned, perhaps a cream background with a little of the same grey as the wall plus some color like a leaf green or teal blue, even pumpkin orange (all go well with that dark warm grey). Place the smaller sofa where the large one is now and get a simple low coffee table to place in the center of the area rug. Move the chair to the right of the door on the right, angled toward the lounge area, if it will fit without crowding the dining (presuming you have eliminated the awkward bookcase.) Place a floor lamp behind it. Buy or make some accessory pillows for the sofas that pick up the accent color in the area rug. For the table and floor lamps, pick simple styles that can be outfitted with multilevel light bulbs or dimmers. Once everything is arranged, turn off those downlights and turn on the table and floor lamps and the room will feel much more inviting and warm.
...See More
design layout....need help with where we should have the living room
Q
Comments (3)
What is the orientation of the rooms? Consider the natural light levels in your design. Pocket doors between the two rooms are potentially a good idea to give you maximum versatility, subject to structural support considerations.
...See More
Have no clue where to start with colour for living room walls
Q
Comments (5)
Hi! It's great you want to add colour to the room, that's my favourite type of room :) Looking at the curtains and cushions, on screen, there looks to be a yellow toned green in both, so this could be an option for the walls. Pickleson Paint do a nice pale green that should pick up on these colours, it's called 'Aegean Sage'. With a North facing room, you either want to embrace the cooler darker light with a bold colour to create a cosy feel, or use yellow toned whites or neutrals to help bounce the light round the room. As part of my services I offer an E-design that looks at Mood Boards and Shopping lists for furniture so I'd be happy to discuss further if you wanted to go into a greater detailed design.
...See More
Milly Moo
Original Author
8 years ago
also if they should move furniture out or anymore in as they have more in other rooms
Heather Jackson Schwab
8 years ago
add a couch in a neutral color and take out one of the chairs
Milly Moo thanked Heather Jackson Schwab
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hello Briony, Well I would suggest taking out that orange rug. It doesn't go with the furniture.. I like the colours of the sofa and armchair.. Perhaps consider painting the chimney breast a nice complimentary colour to give the room some contrast.. The arm chair could be angled a bit more and I think there are too many things on the floor next to the tv cabinet..

The room will open up more if you had the floor plain or introduced a rug that is very close to the shade of the existing flooring or.. what you will eventually decide on.. Maybe consider moving side table and lamp. Too much at that end of the room.... The chair would be better on its own but further forward from the book case to give them both breathing room. Possibly a floor lamp for reading.

Lower ceiling heights and possibly less floor space means that a slight re-work is needed... but it could still retain the feel in part of the last house.. Also there was a nice picture above the fireplace, that could go above the existing if height permits.. Lastly why not find a inexpensive fire basket and sit it in the fire with some logs piled on top. It will feel much more like a fire then and add a bit of character, you could even paint that inside part a dark colour to look like old brick (not red).. It would make it look even more like a functioning fireplace then..... : ))
Milly Moo thanked Amber Jeavons Ltd
Milly Moo
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi

Thankyou so much for your replies so far- Heather and AJ Interiors. This is so very helpful. Just this morning I was reading your replies (AJ Interiors) to another post and thinking I hope someone gives me as much detail. Much appreciated, Ill forward on and see what happens
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hello Briony, Thank you.. and you're most welcome! You know where to find me if you need any more ideas.. : ))
Ash McGregor
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I think zoning the room better might help deal with its expanse. What about a defined reading/drinking area at the leaded windows end and a informal TV space at the other?
Milly Moo
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for your input Ash - I like that idea- would you put a sofa facing the door to the garden somehow or not- to make it clearly defined? but because the fire surround is quite large, it might not work...Im down there on bank holiday sunday this weekend so we will be trying all suggestions and Ill re post any pictures- thanks again
Ash McGregor
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
The focus of the room is the fireplace. It needs something more to it than a hole with a lantern - a gel fire and an over mantle mirror? I think the sofa is fine where it is but the addition of a coffee table and footstool/pouffe might help define as a separate space without taking up too much room. At the reading end a reading/floor lamp and side table wouldn't go amiss. You might consider turning the two armchairs to face the window. I'm not sure about those rugs - probably should have a smaller one at the reading area and a larger one the TV end. They also need to complement each other more than they do
minnie101
8 years ago
Hi Briony. I like the idea of a wood floor, I'd go solid or engineered, obviously with engineered there is a much less risk of the wood contracting or expanding with changes in heat/humidity. Maybe a mid oak as it doesn't show the dirt and it won't darken the room. In terms of the lights, I think semi- flush would be better as the chandeliers are likely to make the ceiling feel lower ( not knowing the height of them!). If your mum is set on them I would have a coffee table under the one closest to the door. With the warmth of the sofas and wood floor I'd probably go for a cool colour/neutral on the walls. The room looks a little dark in some of the pics or is that camera making it look that way? Again if the lights stay, maybe consider painting the ceiling just a couple of shades light than the ŵall so there's less of a distinction. Agree with AJ's comments. Does the oriental (?) rug fit the other way round? Could you angle both chairs on it with the table in the middle ( to avoid hitting head on light!)? Maybe take another pic of the fire at the weekend as you can't expand the pics for some reason, they just shrink, so it's a little difficult to see everything. The tv appears quite visible atm so would look to see if more attention could be given to the fireplace to detract the eye
Milly Moo thanked minnie101
seniordiva
8 years ago
Forgive me if I've got it completely wrong but I'm speaking from a personal perspective. I am getting older and now as I decorate/ refurbish I think more and more about safety aspects. I obviously don't know how old your parents are but nowadays I think very carefully about hard floors and rugs carpets trip hazards and furniture placement.......and that's before I even get to colours and design. Is this your parents forever home and is this something they should consider before any major outlay. I don't enjoy it but it is something I have to consider as I age. Apologies if this is totally irrelevant .
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
Hello Seniordiva, I don't think that is wrong at all.. I think it's a considered approach and definitely not irrelevant to take into account at any age and can be applied to people with children and animals.. I have been known to walk into a chair of mine.. because I couldn't see it! (transparent!) : ))
seniordiva
8 years ago
Thank you AJ Interiors. When I was younger I just went for it! lol but now I have to make more compromises..........I just keep safety in the back of my mind. It doesn't mean "old and boring" though!
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Of course not Seniordiva.. Old and boring is a state of mind.. We can be as young as we feel! : ))
Milly Moo
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks all for your input. I will take some more pictures on Sunday once we have had a move around. Ash, thanks for your input and reply. The fireplace is a little unusual in that the picture you see with the lantern is the section next to the actual fire, but is part of the surround, i think there is one on the other side too - your comments are all taken on board and we will act upon them this weekend - particularly the rug ones. Hi Minnie, like AJ Interiors I have read through some of your other posts so thanks for replying to this one, all noted, like the coffee table under the light idea. Seniordiva- also thanks very much for your comments, you are spot on. They are definately getting wooden floor just a case of when. Im going to go through this whole page with them on Sunday and then get cracking. Pictures to come soon.....
seniordiva
8 years ago
Don't want to be the party pooper here but do bear in mind that wooden floors, though lovely, can be slippery, will inevitably need rugs which also slip or become a trip hazard and be generally colder than carpet so rooms require more heating.......just thoughts :)
seniordiva
8 years ago
I totally agree with you AJ Interiors. I was simply putting forward thoughts that Briony and her parents might like to moot over at the weekend when discussing things...........as they might also want to think about the underfloor heating that you suggested if they go ahead with their wooden floor. My parents lived independently well into their eighties without too much concession to their age and we don't know Briony's parent's ages.They could be as young as my children, under fifty, which, as I said in my first comment, makes what I have been saying rather irrelevant. lol :)
Milly Moo
Original Author
8 years ago
They are 69 and 67.. I think it is quite interesting to see every perspective because Seniordiva you have raised some things I didn't even consider, particularly as this will be their home for a very very long time. Luckily AJ Interior, they are much like your comments. Overall, taking all into consideration we will able to ensure we have covered all bases not just for now but in the future. So all is good :-)
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
Absolutely seniordiva! It's a valid point whatever age.. I have often thought about how to apply specific tastes to suit a variety of situations, environments and personal considerations.. So it isn't irrelevant at all! : ) )
Milly Moo
Original Author
8 years ago

As a start....red rug removed and slightly decluttered. Already looks much better without the rug!
Milly Moo
Original Author
8 years ago
Ill also sort out why my pictures wont enlarge...
PRO
Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
Lovely Briony... I like that much better... : ))

Need help for parents living room - where to start

Amber Jeavons Ltd

Comments (24)

Sort Our Stuff

Milly Moo
Original Author

Related Discussions

Milly Moo
Original Author

Heather Jackson Schwab

Amber Jeavons Ltd

Milly Moo
Original Author

Amber Jeavons Ltd

Ash McGregor

Milly Moo
Original Author

Ash McGregor

minnie101

seniordiva

Amber Jeavons Ltd

seniordiva

Amber Jeavons Ltd

Milly Moo
Original Author

seniordiva

seniordiva

Milly Moo
Original Author

Amber Jeavons Ltd

Milly Moo
Original Author

Milly Moo
Original Author

Amber Jeavons Ltd

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Need help for parents living room - where to start

Comments (24)

Milly MooOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Milly MooOriginal Author

Milly MooOriginal Author

Milly MooOriginal Author

Milly MooOriginal Author

Milly MooOriginal Author

Milly MooOriginal Author

Milly MooOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Milly Moo
Original Author

Milly Moo
Original Author

Milly Moo
Original Author

Milly Moo
Original Author

Milly Moo
Original Author

Milly Moo
Original Author

Milly Moo
Original Author

Milly Moo
Original Author