Huge living room, very dated!

6 years ago

Hello!
I'm about to move into a very dated house and my first battle is the living room. It's about 10m long and 5m wide (16ft x 8ft), I've never had to furnish a room this big. Need to keep the changes simple and non structural. I'm thinking elephants breath for the walls, maybe paint the mahogany bits white and some dark contrasting curtains. The furniture can pretty much all go, I have my own dark navy/charcoal L shaped sofa to bring in and a few lamps, plus a 50" TV. I'm negotiating what we can do with the floor. It's my late mother in laws house and we're moving in because it's not selling. Hoping to update the whole house as we go.
I'd love anyone's ideas! Thank you in advance :)

Featured Answer

PRO

Decor Books

6 years ago

first image similar to you room

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (18)

PRO
Decor Books
6 years ago
possibilities are endless, think you need to first find a style,theme or colours you like. i agree all woodwork painted, dark curtains i would avoid as it doesnt look as though much light is coming in. change the wall lights to modern ones fairly cheaply. floors, i would have a peek at whats underneath that carpet first. rule of thumb with large spaces is not to push the furniture up against walls. create cosy sections, have the sofas facing each other at one end with a coffee table etc on a rug. dining area at the other if you dont have one
Chloe S thanked Decor Books
Related Discussions
HELP! ! dark dated living room
Q
Comments (22)
Thanks guys... don't think I could paint the beams the just add too much to the house! I'd also be shot by my fiancé! but I can Def see the way it opens up the room! will hopefully get some before and afters when Complete! x
...See More
Help, tranform my parents living room!!
Q
Comments (7)
Hi Claire. It's a nice room but I think it's just got too much furniture in it and not enough accessories. Are there any pieces that could be moved elsewhere? The curtains look ok in the pic?! What kind of styles do they like? The furniture suggests a modern country look with maybe raspberries and greens etc. I would suggest a warm neutral on the wall and a large mirror to bounce some light. Sofas it depends on budget but loaf have some lovely ones that would suit a modern country style. I would suggest either 2 not too large sofas or one sofa and 2 chairs. The coffee table looks a little large but if the tv could move on the wall where the green chair is, the seating arrangement may be able to go at right angles to the tv and therefore turn the coffee table around
...See More
Huge kitchen, diner, living area
Q
Comments (12)
Agree with Bramwhite, with the dimensions above, you wouldn't fit an island in and have room to walk, open ovens etc. You also need to mark on the plan where that door is on the far wall as that's where the walk through starts and you don't want the island in the way, you certainly wouldn't be able to put stools up to it 3m just isn't wide enough. Are you having integrated appliances or keeping the washing machine in the pic? You also need to mark on the plan where the brick wall is on the right, how wide it is and where the window is also along that side. Basically, we need a plan to work from with all the dimensions please x
...See More
Tired, dated, dark living room and kitchen... to open, light & plush!
Q
Comments (12)
This is wonderful! Where do you start...? Space: a great use of space, creation of more space and a contemporary relaxed designed space. We particularly like the reserved approach to light fittings and embracing the natural light - how does it look in the evening/night? Well done to all the project team!
...See More
Jonathan
6 years ago
Personally I think that however you decorate it you need to make the room feel lighter and more expensive.
I would add coving and chandelier and then consider a feature- I can't see a fireplace on the picture. If the picture rail is not a period feature then I would probably take it down.
Given the room is quite large and currently the furniture is pushed to the edge I suspect that buyers can't imagine how to use it. You might try some of the available apps to play around with furniture layouts and then ask this community for opinions.
Lastly you sound like you need to stage this house and it may be worth repurposing some of the original furniture to help if feel fully furnished
Chloe S thanked Jonathan
dianahartaboyne
6 years ago
Previous comments very good. I would change the windows immediately, awful leaded ones so dated and dark, and change that sliding door for either French windows or bi folds. All expensive stuff but those windows are going to dominate however lovely your furniture or lighting.
Chloe S thanked dianahartaboyne
Prince Fafa
6 years ago
limit window dressings, if u can.
light airy curtains
non bulky furniture,please,arranged away from the wall.

a central theme such as a mirror or mantel will help
create reading n TV watching cosy areas
a huge mirror can form a central theme to design around n the added benefit of light.
use light colored wood such as pine if u must
a neutral floor with bright coloured morrocan rugs scattered all over will bring this room alive.
I think a big living room is a gift..just put on your thinking cap!
Chloe S thanked Prince Fafa
Carolina
6 years ago
I'd definitely change the curtains. Keep them close to the wall colour, not dark and contrasting. And hang them as close to the ceiling as possible, without a pelmet.
Chloe S thanked Carolina
PRO
Paintforme
6 years ago
Hi Chloe,

Pretty big room! Plenty of space...the best option would be speaking to interior designer. Most of them provide free initial consultation. You could design a small room, but this enormous space may require specialist...

Please try Mazur Creative Studio and see what they say.

If you are based in London and require painting company please call Paintforme!

Good luck,

Paintforme
Chloe S thanked Paintforme
Carolina
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
This could be one option... (click on pics to enlarge)
Chloe S thanked Carolina
PRO
Floor Monster
6 years ago
Hi there,

We have a large selection of contemporary Herringbones in stock. See full range here.

This is our Walnut Herringbone, rich in tone and brings a very classy and high end feel with it.

This board is our Smooth Oak Herringbone, with a neutral colour it allows you to decorate the rest of the room in whatever way would please you.

Lucerne Herringbone, this is our whitewashed Herringbone. This is absolutely perfect for summer.

If you have any queries we would be more than happy to help, or if you wish to receive a FREE sample please do not hesitate to get in touch via email, info@floormonster.co.uk or you can call us directly on 0141 887 5698.

Kind Regards,

Floor Monster
Chloe S thanked Floor Monster
PRO
Medina Joinery Ltd
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Hi,

Have you got a flat roof in this area? One of our timber Roof Lanterns would look amazing in this space as it would bring in lots of daylight and give a great focal point in the room. Have a look at our website for info http://www.medinajoinery.co.uk

This photo I've attached is one we've supplied in a similar room, we also supplied the
windows and french doors.

Call us a call for a chat on 023 92637380.
Chloe S thanked Medina Joinery Ltd
Chloe S
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you everyone! Windows and doors have to stay for now, they match the rest of the house, additionally the picture rails feature in every room. We may be remodelling (if we really can't sell) so that would be the time to change over to bifolds in there. I love the layout Carolina, I've really struggled with working out how to integrate a TV, I know it'd be easier to dress without it but I've got to have my telly! We're looking into changing the lighting over at some point.

I think i'll start with painting, curtains and light fixtures, I'll look into coving too, I think that will help add some grandeur, then I'll continue my flooring challenge. Floor monster I did consider timber flooring but the house is so dominated by mahogany, which I think is too dark for the space, but adding in another material doesn't seem right to me.

I'm working on colour schemes for the space at the moment, I think once I've got a clearer, fresher space it will be much easier to make the room functional.

Thank you all!

Chloe
Carolina
6 years ago
Here's another option. I had to guess where doors and windows are, so can't guarantee this will work for your furniture, but it hopefully gives you an idea of what you could do.
Chloe S
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you Carolina, the back patio doors are the big exit into the garden, are there any rules/guidance as to how clear you should keep the walkway? Is it ok to have to walk around furniture to get to the doors?
Chloe S
Original Author
6 years ago
Probably should have linked to this when I first posted, I have a scan of the whole house of anyone is interested.

https://my.matterport.com/webgl_player/?m=xTJ32DR1jJ1

We don't have the money to do any huge renovations at this stage, but long term plan (if it doesn't sell) is to square off the kitchen and in turn extend upstairs bathroom.
The scan is so useful when trying to think of what to do when we're not there!
Chloe :)
Carolina
6 years ago
Walkway to get to patio doors depends on how often you use them. I'd say that in winter it wouldn't be much of a problem if there's an ottoman or chair in front. In summer it will probable be an obstacle.
Carolina
6 years ago
What a fantastic house! It's dated, but wow... loads of potential :-)
Jonathan
6 years ago
Personally I don't think you need to extend to make the kitchen or bathroom bigger. However there are a few jobs that I would prioritise to sell it.
Decorate everywhere, get rid of gloss on ceilings, add quality, substantial coving to the main reception room. I would also consider if the "mahogany" skirting board and doors are high enough quality to keep- they may be better painted.
Personally I would spend the most time remodelling the kitchen. I suspect if you reduced the number of doors and windows you could refit it and make it seem bigger without extending.
I think that the family bathroom is plenty big enough but the corner bath is a dated choice. An inexpensive white replacement suite could do wonders for selling.
Flooring- I think you are right to consider carpet. For selling this may well be the fastest most inexpensive flooring choice.
Curtains- personally I think the pole position dates the decor. I think the windows need wider poles positioned higher.
Since you are going to be buying some stuff for this house have you considered employing a designer as they can help coordinate the look and have trade discounts that may well go a long way to offset their fee.
So best of luck- it looks like a fab house
Jonathan
6 years ago
Also I was thinking that if you moved the kitchen door it would be easier to put a wc in the entrance hall