Help! Awkward Living Room
Hi! I'm just entering the world of interior design after just moving into a new house! It was built in 1890 and belonged to the pit manager of the local mine I'm told so bags of history, but I cannot figure out where on earth they put all of their furniture! I'm hoping the community here might have some ideas!
So my first project is to plan a layout for our living room.
#1 The first picture with the grey sofa shows how we have our furniture at present. It shows that the fire is really in an awkward place being opposite the door! It seems impossible to incorporate it into the room, along with the TV. There's also another door in the opposite corner - but we don't go in that all very often so we could put something in front of it as long as its easy to move.
#2 The second picture is one thought I had to create a cosy living area at one end of the room with just the bureau and a chair in front of the door. Basically ignoring the fire! Storage is an issue in this house so I put some bookcases in behind the sofa, and perhaps a smaller console style unit on the right as you come in the door - although it could go behind the sofa too - I've seen that idea on lots of posts as I've been trying to find other people with a similar problem to mine. A smaller corner unit might be better for passage, or just a chair in that position - but you see what I'm trying to do. What would be best? Should I really not have the bookcase in the alcove but put the sofa back in there?
#3 The third picture is an idea if we were to remove the fire. The bay window seems a bit lost but would it be in reality?
I would be replacing pretty much all of our furniture - I'm not sure if any of it was ever pretty but it certainly isn't now! The only thing I have to bring from another house is a bureau which could potentially go in this room but otherwise we really are starting from a clean slate. We're even considering removing the fire altogether if it would give us the perfect room layout - although that would be a bit sad, especially as the other day we were talking about replacing it with a nicer wood burning stove which would have been lovely!
Another option would be to put the TV in a different room but that's not the plan at present.
Looking forward to seeing if anyone agrees/disagrees/can suggest any other ideas!
Thanks
Kirsty
Comments (6)
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6 years agoA B
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Awkward shape & dark living room. need help please
Comments (13)You have some really good advice from everyone. If you can remove the wallpaper I would paint in Colortrend Goya, it is a green/beige colour that would suit the sofas and compliment your floor. This colour will be warm for your north facing room. A large rug would really lift the room as suggested above. I would recommend the Adum rug from IKEA in 200cm x 300cm. Again as above you need to sort the lighting, I agree with the 5 arm pendants (the spots are very harsh when you are relaxing watching tv). The light should not hang more than 50cm from the ceiling, try the Barcelona 5 light from NEXT, the shades will keep the bulbs from annoying you when relaxing. I would also stretch your curtain pole if it is extendable or replace it so your curtains (which are lovely) sit back further on the wall to let more light in. I would also replace your tv stand and table with a nicer piece and put it centred on the wall (you can angle the tv when people are sitting on both sofas). I suggest Besta Hanvicken White, the white is nice and light in the space and it measures 180cm in width. Add a chair to the corner where the tv is currently to hide the radiator and make the room more beautiful. Try IKEA Strandmon in green or dark grey. Some new cushions will really bring it together, try Voyage Maison from Harvey Normans. For the mirror above the sofa as a great suggestion above try the rectangular Songe mirror from IKEA. Best of luck and post your after photos!!!...See Morehelp positioning furniture in awkward living room please
Comments (3)You should consider how you place every single item in the room, not just the large pieces. For example, placing the rug so that it runs across the floorboards, as opposed to along the length of them, will improve the flow of space. I think that a larger rug would actually work better too! A large rug really helps bring any room together....Here are my top tips for placing furniture in a room......See MoreAwkward living room with 2 doors - please help!
Comments (8)Well done for waiting 2 years because often our use of a space changes from first thoughts. In the photos the walls are reading a green undertone and the carpet as a pink-beige. I like your idea of replacing the carpet with wood flooring. A few suggestions- wall mount the TV on a moveable arm bracket, change sofa in front of kitchen door with 2 chairs, bring other sofa forward more in line with bookcase, add large rug in front of sofa, put table and chairs against wall under mirror, add a few side tables and lamps / standing lamps, add living or faux foliage for colour. Let me know how you do. Good luck. Warm regards, Liz...See MoreHelp required with an awkward L shaped living room
Comments (16)Me personally I would try to “zone” the areas as two separate areas. Firstly some nice custom built shelving either side of the fireplace for books/ornaments/ picture frames etc. Then like suggested above, I would make a study by the window with a desk; where the sofa is and shelving under the pitched ceiling opposite. A tall house plant would look good there to the left of the window to balance out the window being off centre and an area rug to tie it altogether :)...See MoreKirsty Ryder
6 years agoKirsty Ryder
6 years agoA B
6 years agoOh no! In that case I'd consider an armchair in the bay, and having the TV on a low sideboard opposite it. I would still consider having the top half of the cupboard open and placing some books and other decorative items here.
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