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please critique my open area

6 years ago

Hi please help me finish, could you please also recommend wall art and coffee table. Any advice welcome thank you

Featured Answer

Patrina

6 years ago

For menu feel like the shelving unit could be taller and wider and that the space behind the television is a bit plain. how about brightening it up with a bold wallpaper or colour. I've attached a few pics so you can see what I'm suggesting

Comments (45)

Rose Williams
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
What is the little "hall" behind the kitchen that has the double doors on?, Is there just that one other door at the end? I see a unit in there, but from here is looks like there are 2 lamps on it, 1 too many when looking through such a big open space.
Love the ceiling!, love the tv unit, just needs either something above the tv or wall mount the tv.
Love the lights over the dining table, but I would have personally made more of a "thing" out of the dining space, turned the table the other way? . I dont know, you have so much room there seems to be a void.... perhaps something BIG, a large plant? a juke box? a bar placed like a divider between dining and living?, something to celebrate the fact you HAVE the space :)
I'm sure one of the pro members will have some more ideas, but overall loving it here.
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I would move the bookshelf out altogether or paint it white /cream (same as the walls) and put it where the TV is now. I would put in a big rug reaching under the sofas and a glass coffee table so that it does not look cramped. In the first photo, the room looked long and narrow and my first thought was to put the sofas at right angles to each other to make the room look wider or even to get less bulky sofas (although they look deliciously comfy). Also I couldn't see how the people on the left hand sofa watch the TV which is almost behind them. In the second photo the room looks wider, so hard to tell. I would get rid of the wastepaper basket to the right of the fireplace and instead of having many small things on the walls, have one big thing over the fireplace. Whilst I really don't like TVs on show, maybe you could get one like a Samsung frame your TV over the fireplace which is a TV and a digital piece of art or photo when it is off. That would clear the corner for a side table. Hope that helps. Post photos of the final thing.
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Janet Burlin
6 years ago
I also think the table needs to be turned around and brought more into the room, you have such a lovely space. Don't you think the sofa would look better pulled away from the wall?
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
thanks loving your suggestions i have the below wallpaper do you think this would work behind tv area, tried the table vertically but there is not enough room to move comfortably in and out of kitchen, peehaps the table is to big for the space?
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
the doors lead to a narrow hallway 2ntrance to house have posted pic below. love the idea of a music box, unfortunately plant doesnt like the area towards the right of the tv unit unless i get an artificial one which i hate what wall art can i get for the wall by the dining table thank you all for your advice
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
just looked at the jukebox love them but they are very expensive!!
Mulchie
6 years ago
Love that chandelier!
Gorgeous room - just a few small tweaks I would make. 1) pull sofa away from wall, place consul table behind it and centre rug in space. 2) turn table around and move it more into living space. 3) replace the small table with flowers on with one of the chairs/another chair with a footstool to make more use of that space.
Love colours etc. You're nearly there
Rose Williams
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I wouldnt move the sofa, I think the ceiling has shaped the room for just how you have it. Besides, that would interfere with the window layout. The plant/jukebox or bar I was suggesting for between the sofa and dining wall, not the other side
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
thanks rose and thank you all. Ive done the easy test and flipped and moved the dinning table leaving as much access to both doors and kitchen. The sofa is not flushed to the wall perhaps you can see more clearly from the pics i have now taken so doubt i can take it any further. Thoughts
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
this is the access i have to kitchen
Rose Williams
6 years ago
Thats better, looks more balanced out now. I couldnt see that there was another door in the other picture.
pastelgirl01
6 years ago
Looks great. The seating area feels a bit too "open" - could you add another chair or pouff on the other side to close it in? As for the coffee table, I would go for something fairly large, to ground the area/make it feel inviting. Maybe glass with wood legs (glass + metal can be a bit cold).
PRO
Bathroom + Kitchen Eleven
6 years ago
The dining table you have looks like an extendable one - if it is, I would open it out and turn it round so it runs the width of the kitchen. Dress it so it looks inviting, this would solve the 'dead; space look. Also, you could add shelves above the TV - as it all looks a bit gap-py (a new word???!). To add an extra dimension you could paint the wall the TV unit is on. Here are some photos for inspiration.

Hope you get the look you're after!

Shannon
LTS
6 years ago
Hi - where did you get your tv cabinet from? Thanks.
Rose Williams
6 years ago
I like that idea, a nice wallpaper or a good colour only behind the tv unit, not around it
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago

I'd mount TV on the wall for balance.
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
celerygirl thanks tv looks much better mounted think i may also need wallpaper still looks a bit bare thoughts on this one ( i have stored away) tv unit was custom built in hindsight should have done it wider. glass coffee table not an option at the moment im afraid have a very clumsy toddler in the house... thank you all
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
as to seating area pouff sounds should i go for the same fabric as the sofa to keep the balanced look and should i have two small round ones
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
Here is with wallpaper.
strawberry47
6 years ago
Would you consider swapping the following
1. Move the chrome round table to between the chairs in front of the window.
2. Move the white cabinet that's currently at the window to the entry and have one lamp on it.
3. Move the large cabinet into the living space where the chrome table was with the other entry lamp.
4. Swing the dining table longways in the room
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
thanks celery girl not liking the wallpaper
User
6 years ago
Gorgeous room! Can I ask what paint colour is on tv wall?
whizzywig
6 years ago
You've done a great job with that space, the furniture, rug, lighting - that ceiling pendant looks fab!

The few things I would suggest are: move the rug more to the centre of the room in line with the tv unit and bring the sofa forward a little bit more; hang the tv on the wall as celerygirl suggested; swap the white unit with the Eileen Gray table - maybe so it's in handy reach of the sofa...?

I would do with the dining table whatever makes life easier, it looks good either way.

I think once the room is more 'zone defined' (if that's a thing!) you'll find it more welcoming and functional.
PRO
TALLBOX
6 years ago
My opinion on this. I don't think that you have to put more furnitures or accessories in this space. If you do it it will not be open plan. I don't understand why people want's to clutter their rooms with tons of materials and useless decorations to gather dust and without no purpose?
Keep it simple, this is the magic.
Regards,
G.
A S
6 years ago
Hi, What a lovely space you have. I love the recessed Led strip lighting you have.

I think you just need to define the spaces slightly more clearly if you are looking to fill the space... Here are a few things I'd recommend (many may have been mentioned):

1- centralise the TV cabinet In the small recess and sofa accordingly. This will mean that the void space towards the right will get filled.
2- centralise the TV
3- maybe a larger rug so the area gets filled or centralise the rug so the person on chair isn't left with cold feet (haha)
4- I don't think the particular wallpaper works but an alternative, maybe neutral wallpaper could work to fill the entire recess wall, not just around the TV.
5- You could maybe get two round footstool or poofs opposite the chairs, maybe add some texture through throw ons.

I like the new position of the dining table.

Lovely space, I'm sure you'll achieve the look you want!
rachelmidlands
6 years ago
Hi, looks great already but I do think it looks a little bare between the living and dining space. Do you prefer to keep it open plan or would you like to define each area into zones? Personally here's what I would do:
1. I preferred the dining table how it was because of the lighting, but move it down slightly so that all four legs sit on the wooden floor.
2. Large artwork by the dining table, preferably covering the high up sockets which I assume would be for a tv.
3. Swap the white cabinet in the window with the glass side table. The white cabinet sits above the height of the window and,to me, doesn't look right.
4. The little clock to the left of the tv cabinet could be situated above the white cabinet. A lamp would also look nice here.
5. Possibly move one of the french chairs to the right of the tv unit angled facing the window with the white cabinet behind. Then in the window have the glass table next to sofa then french chair, keep houseplant where it is. Might be worth playing around to see what you think.
6. Wall mount tv so it's centralized in the unit. I don't think wallpaper will look good unless it's a fairly neutral one without a pattern. You could try some led strip up lighters which would tie in with your fab ceiling lights.
7. If you're looking to zone the spaces I think a statement armchair would look great facing the window. Also, a padded footstool/ottoman which can double up as a coffee table, for me, is a must have.
Anyway, hope all that made sense, play around with the furniture and see which suits you best. Good luck, it's looking great already, just needs a few tweaks. I'll post some inspiration for ottomans in next comment.
rachelmidlands
6 years ago
Some inspiration... I like the pink ottoman best:)

Scarboro Residential · More Info

Contemporary Update of Stunning Period Home · More Info

Montacute Down · More Info

WIMBLEDON FAMILY HOUSE · More Info
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
wall colour is bm barren plain. love all the suggestions will definitely play around with furniture and post thanks
turquoisetree53
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
katie - what is the play area in the room for your toddler to use, when you or the carer is cooking etc. ?? it needs to be made in such a way that the child can make a 'creative mess' and be learning, so you are not always getting upset at spills and telling him/ her off etc. I would inclined to push the fancy glass dining table and dining chairs into the room, closer to the sofa, and get a unit or small table near the sink wall beside the kitchen ( in which you can hide the biin in, or behind it). it would serve as a fun place for the child, an extra surface always needed in the kitchen and a holding point fir your dinner parties. And maybe get another version of your rug there to catch spills etc. then sort out where the lights finally hang and illuminate After you locate the play and eating areas.
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
turquoisetree i havent got a play area my wish!!!, think you mean the high chair which is placed beside the fridge by the kitchen. cant really move the table further towards the sofa as it will block access to the door to the rest of the house. think pictures are misleading towards available floor space its not really very wide
turquoisetree53
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Katie - ok, so kid-free zone (maybe in your dreams!) but fine.

Another idea, what about a big long mirror (or maybe curtains) on the inside of your front door, to reflect the length of the whole room and also make the hall feel part of your lovely room, particularly when those double doors are open; then put the dining table over on the length of the room which the tv is on. This will leave you a kind of 'corridor/route' from the kitchen, to the doorway to the rest of your house - where that tidy child plays!!

sorry, for mocking gently just a wee bit. I was brought up in a house with a lot of children, and so know how that the huns tend to 'win' the 'fight' against an attempt to bring civilisation.
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
love the mirror idea behind the front door, totally understand the constant telling off mess thing and compromising thats the reason i havent got a coffee table yet ..... loving the new home of the cabinet but need to rethink the deco on top, something is not right think it might be the lamp
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
side view
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
what about if i move the chairs to the front and get a low back chaise longe for the bay area like this but same material as my sofa where do u prefer the position of chairs
uk1982
6 years ago
Sorry I'm not much help, I just wanted to say I think your home is beautiful. I especially love the rug, the ceiling light, and the tv stand. Stunning.

I may be alone in this but I like the tv how it is rather than wall mounted.
rachelmidlands
6 years ago
Swapping the white cabinet and glass table has worked well. I think french chairs looked better in the window but angle them towards each other slightly to make look a little less formal. That still leaves an empty space in the middle of the room tho. Hope you don't mind but I've had a little play with one of your pictures just for some inspiration. I've added a floor lamp instead of table lamp, statement armchair, footstool/ottoman, and a mirror/ art above the white cabinet. One is more modern and the other continues the french theme.
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
thank you for your lovely comments. rachel thank you for the pics t you cant even imagine how much they have helped, i am definitely taking off the table lamp and think the chair idea is actually better than two individual pouffs and i also like the first floor lamp idea
rachelmidlands
6 years ago
No prob, it can be hard to visualize things sometimes. I put the floor lamp there because I felt it needed something in the gap, a fancy mirror or art with shiny frame will help reflect the light and make your cabinet a showpiece. Plus an extra ambient light will look nice in the evenings. A white or pale grey fancy armchair would look lovely with your other furnishings. I used an app called Neybers if it helps.
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
hi i need your advice. i have brought this bench for my living room area, now i am thinking of getting this coffee table and white washing it, should i? thoughts are welcome thanks
rachelmidlands
6 years ago
Hi there, I like the bench but not sure about the table. Will it be in addition to the bench or instead of? Also depends how big it is. Looks like an outdoor table. Is it second hand? If it's cheap enough then I would get it as would be easy to re sell if you changed your mind.
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
thanks rachel was thinking in addition to use it as a coffee table the measurements are 120X70x37 sofa is 290 long so i dont think it would look out of proportion it is second hand so thought it may look nice in a chalk white or even grey with a tray and nice accessories on top
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
bench will act as seating area placed on the right hand side of sofa to separate areas without it looking cluttered (anyway thats the idea cant wait to get it delivered)
rachelmidlands
6 years ago
Sounds great. I'd get it:)
A S
6 years ago
I think the idea of the bench seating on the right hand side will look fantastic....
It will zone the living area perfectly, using a bench which isnt bulky at all...
katieme2015a34
Original Author
6 years ago
thanks think i am not going to rush on the coffee table having doubts think it may be wiser to wait till i get the "upholstered bench" delivered and see how much space i have, have been doing it so slowly at this pace i dont know if i have my space totally completed by christmas haha

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