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Living room dilemmas

6 years ago

Hi we have had a bit of a hellish time with this new build living room but after a year of many changes we've got the following layout. Main question is ... do the ceiling lights look ok not being in line with the ottoman ? I don't really know a way of rectifying this, we don't really want to get down lights or turn it in to one central ceiling light as that won't make a difference anyway .... should we be thinking about a pendant light coming down above the ottoman ? Or will this look stupid ? It was the husbands giant tv that caused most of the chaos in this room. Also any ideas for counter balancing the heavy curtains on one side of the room. We don't want more curtains or cornice boards the curtains look lovely once your in the room it's just walking in that's the issue. We are thinking a lamp between the two windows. Any colour ideas appreciated ... we are getting a little dull but we are thinking about painting wall another shade of grey with lamps in white.

Featured Answer

Carolina

6 years ago

Hi,

You could try to shove the sofa that's with its back to the entrance more towards the other sofa, so their arms almost touch. That will hopefully allow you to walk into the room without having to walk around that sofa first?

Comments (13)

Sarah
6 years ago
I like this layout and understand your pain as our living room was also a nightmare to configure due to husband's large TV. I think the ceiling lights are ok where they are but I would go for a fitting that sits flush to the ceiling so as not to draw the room in on itself. Two flush ceiling lights which I love at the moment are 'Samantha' and 'Emilia' at John Lewis. The pictures online don't really don't do them justice. I wouldn't paint the walls but agree a floor lamp with a dark shade would look good on the opposite side of the room to the curtains to begin to balance the room out. I would also add some art onto the walls in deep bluey grey tones. Could the TV be wall mounted? You could then put some pictures, candles, etc. onto the top of the unit that the TV currently sits on. I love the room, just think it needs dressing now with those finishing touches. Good luck with it!
Misha M
6 years ago
Hello Melodyh
Agree with the above comment...great room just needs dressing. Ideas:
- I think the ceiling light position is fine once you dress the fixture. Were you thinking a shade or something else?

- Your curtains are lovely. What I would do is have them relined in a contrasting colour in silk or satin...say dark pink or mustard or orange...so this colour just peeps through and lightens overall look.

- Would you consider wallpaper? Not the TV wall but the bay window?

If you have preference on colours, let me know and Ill find some pics to help.

Misha
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Misha M
6 years ago
Some ideas of grey w orange, w soft pink and with yellow...
A S
6 years ago
By doing as Carlolina suggested, the light fitting looks as though it falls at the centre of the 2 seater and voila...it no longer looks out of place.
PRO
Paul Langston Interiors
6 years ago
Hi Melodydh,

Keeping the fittings central to the room rather than the furniture will work best I would say - and I agree with the other comments suggesting semi flush light fittings rather than the existing pendants.

Adding a floor lamp in the corner between the windows would also work well. This corner looks like it could do with some warming up and a decorative floor lamp could fit the bill nicely. It would also give you the opportunity to turn off the ceiling lights if you want to create a more cosy environment.

To balance out the curtains, why not consider adding some art in complimentary tones on the opposite side of the room.

As an side, does your display case by the door have any integral lighting? If not, it might be worth considering to add another focal point to the room.
Jo
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I agree with the comments above. The photo attached may help you to visualise what the lights could look like with a different fitting (not my personal style but just to give you an idea). Also great suggestion from Carolina that you could move the one sofa closer to the other so you can walk straight into the room although this may mean it isn't central to the TV so not sure your hubby will be happy :-).

353 Mascoma Street Strathmore Heights Victoria Australia · More Info

Also some pictures on the wall by the window will help with balance.

[https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/residential-portfolio-traditional-staircase-san-francisco-phvw-vp~2962947[(https://www.houzz.co.uk/photos/residential-portfolio-traditional-staircase-san-francisco-phvw-vp~2962947)
melodydh1891
Original Author
6 years ago
Hi everyone , thanks for all your comments, everything you have said is exactly what we have been thinking.... flush simple ceiling lights and a floor lamp in the corner, although we are now toying with the idea of two matching lamps on tables at either side of the bay window and maybe adding some wall ornaments or something to add detail above the lamp to balance the curtain height . Yes we were going to add some wall art between the sofa and cabinet. Yes the sofa can be moved closer to the other sofa but that works better if the tv is positioned more in the corner and because of the huge tv it had to be flat on the wall ( I would love the TV to be wall mounted but my husband is old fashioned and the tv HAD to be on a cabinet) there is more space than it looks between back of sofa and cabinet so it's not too univiting and the ottoman seems to line up where it is.
melodydh1891
Original Author
6 years ago
It is also possible to turn the whole room around so cabinet is where tv is and vice versa but unfortunately although the room looks better to walk into , when you sit down you miss out on the view of the lovely bay windows and the garden through the French doors because everyone is facing the doorway side , shame !
minnie101
6 years ago
If you're keeping your existing layout then personally I would hang the light over the ottoman as it's your natural focal point and is central to the seating area. You can then also add a beautiful pendant rather than carry out an exhausting search for flush lights!
Diminishing Returns
6 years ago
The room is really lovely - what about removing the pendants totally (or replacing with downlighters on a dimmer switch) and putting some lamps on tables ( i would be tempted by copper based lamps for some texture and reflecting the light) beside the sofas? Also, everything is quite square-how about a large plant in the far corner between the 2 windows- would maybe add a bit of colour/life and break up all the straight lines?
PRO
The Lighting Company
6 years ago
We have lots of ceiling lights on The Lighting Company which are perfect for low ceilings. The OSLO is my particular favourite! Its subtle grey voile softens the light to create a stunning fitting that would be beautiful in your room.
PRO
Spaced Out Limited
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Hi melodydh1891,

We would suggest moving the light feature central (add decorative pendant or to your taste) which will be right above the ottoman as suggested by above comments, otherwise, will feel out of place with the light place above the 2 seater. You could also add a canvas artwork accessories near the shelves, framed pictures or artwork by the window right at the corner, floor plant accessory or lamps on tables. Colour wise, a light grey paint or geometric wallpaper would look lovely. Below are images you might be interested in.

We hope this helps!

Canvas artwork accessories

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