I am struggling to place furniture

7 years ago

1 st photo taken from cream sideboard at the entrance (2nd photo)
2nd photo from behind the table, there are doors to the outside to the left of the small chest
3 rd photo is from the door to the passage towards entrance and kitchen. (the table has been moved in this photo)

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Colleen Daub
Original Author

7 years ago

Thanks for your input.
I am considering putting a dividing wall/screen where the brown chest is, about 1200mm (4') into the room. this would create sort of an entry as well as block the view from the front door straight through the house.
I could the put an occasional chair and small table on the living room side thereby "extending" the conversation area further into the "dead" space.
On the entry side I could hang artwork or large mirror.
Also doing built-ins something like this (pic) on the far wall where the two chairs are now.
Would I be on the right track??

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Comments (7)

Jonathan
7 years ago
I like the table near the windows- for me the sitting area doesn't work.
I would put the sofa where the chairs are and then have the chairs opposite.
I think the space would also benefit from more wall art, mirrors and some oversized houseplants
hounoc
7 years ago
I agree, the dining table and chairs are OK where they are; the problem seems to be with the sitting area. You should definitely bring in some plants and artwork/ photos. Perhaps put a 'gallery wall' of photos or art above where the sofa is currently. I would put low bookcases or perhaps a console table with lamps in against the walls in this corner and 'float' the seating furniture out, away from the walls. It may seem counter-intuitive but sometimes floating furniture more into the middle of an area can make it seem bigger, even if it means you can't walk straight through in a beeline to the kitchen. I think the main problem with the space is that the large through-way is actually dominating the space and making the centre of the room feel vacant.

Experiment with rearranging the sofa and chairs to see what works best. Be bold and bring it right out into the middle and, if that doesn't work, take it further back. You may be surprised at what works well. It's also nice to put the sofa and chairs sort of facing each other (you could angle the chairs a little if you like. You could even angle the sofa!). I read somewhere recently that if furniture is placed in a 'conversational' position, it will seem more inviting and will encourage sociability.
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hounoc
7 years ago
Or, thinking about this some more, another way of changing the feel of the space, if you don't want to move furniture, would be to 'zone' different areas by painting feature walls e.g. change the colour of the walls in just the seating area, or the wall beside the front door etc.
hounoc
7 years ago
Yes, I think some shelving would help enliven the area with a bit of colour and give some visual focus. I also think it would help to not have the front door opening right into the space too. Good luck with your reconfiguration.
PRO
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7 years ago
I much prefer the placement of the table and chairs in the first picture. I think it will allow the lounge / seating area to come backwards with better placement of furniture and your built in unit idea as a focal point for the T.V etc. I think that the breakfast bar area is actually adding to the problem. You don't need the breakfast bar with stools as you have a dining table and chairs. The similarity between the stools and the dining table and chairs is wrong, one detracts from the other. Either have no stools, or change for coloured stools, maybe turquoise to match the seating area. It will help to blend everything more. Bring the two turquoise armchairs out and face them towards the back wall, remove the coffee table and keep the footstool.
Eric Hendrickson
7 years ago
I agree about the breakfast bar, it seems surplus to requirements, if you really need it I would get rid of the stools with backs and keep the backless ones tucked in. I would put the sofa where the footstool is and perhaps put a bookcase or the cream dresser behind it making it look more like a separate room, giving you more of an entrance area without having to build a wall. Or you could put a hall stand jutting out from the brown chest area with useful storage and blocking the entrance view. You definitely need some art work. It is a lovely house and loads of room, Good luck with getting it just right.

I am struggling to place furniture

Colleen Daub
Original Author

Comments (7)

Jonathan

hounoc

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I am struggling to place furniture

Colleen DaubOriginal Author

Comments (7)

Jonathan

hounoc

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Eric Hendrickson

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Colleen Daub
Original Author