awkward living room

4 months ago

Hi. I’m about to totally redo my living room (which doubles up as a kids playroom) and due to the combination of the fireplace, bay window, door and the size of the room it’s not easy to know what to do with the space. The room feels too big to place the sofas right up against the wall but too small to plonk them in the middle. I need seating for 5 people and I need plenty of storage for kids toys, games and books which the kids can access easily as well as some space to play. All the furniture is being replaced so it’s a blank canvas.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

I’ve attached the best idea I think I have come up with so far which has a giant shelving/storage unit placed behind the sofa and the kids table and play tent int the bay window.

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Comments (4)

PRO
AMURI Interiors
4 months ago
Hi Andy!

I can see different options for your room.

Have you considered placing your tv above the fireplace? This will help you having one less furniture around, corner that could be used for an armchair/storage for toys?

Have you considered having a three seats sofa, but removing the two seats instead and replacing it with two armchairs? This will help you having the three seats sofa right in front of the fireplace, a beautiful coffee table in front of it and the two armchairs on the side (one opposite of the other). I would leave the kids area in the bay window.

I would love to assist you further with a consultation that includes a floor plan and colours/materials suggestion for you to buy. Please visit my website www.amuriinteriors.co.uk

Best of luck with your living room project,

Ketty
Kate
4 months ago
Mounting the TV would free up floor space. Another seating option is an l-shaped sofa and an arm chair that can be moved out of the way during playtime. Even though you don't have alcoves, you could have units either side of the fireplace with child friendly storage at the bottom and room for family photos in the higher shelving area. https://www.houzz.co.uk/discussions/5134485/lounge-advice-no-alcoves-for-shelves. If you prefer you could have low storage under the bay windows though your heater is in the way. The room would shine with come colour: from wall paint, large wall art, cushions and a rug.
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Hi Benjamin. I'd bring your formal sofas back in, I think they're each better suited to the rooms and purpose. the large sofa would go opposite the fire And agree with others to leave the walkway behind. However I'm not sure the other sofa will fit without overlapping... If it doesnt And it can be done in stages, I'd go for an upholstered footstool and either 1 or 2 chairs angled in front of the bookcase (love that idea!) facing the sofa. Agree with above, the rug will zone the area and you'll lose that corridor feeling. Once you've decided layout think about side tables to add lamps for a cosy feel. Art on that bare wall will also help. I love the inky blue, are the other walls F&B blackened? Just wondering if a warmer stone colour will cosy it up, perhaps F&B purbeck stone depending on which way the room faces?
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Hi Vicki, Would there be any way you could change the mechanism of the kitchen/hallway/bathroom doors, so they are sliding doors rather than doors that open into the room? I've found this to be a good solution when you're tight on space, though you mentioned you may not be there for long so perhaps this would be too great an investment! I think installing shelving in the recesses around the fireplace would be great - I love this look in a living room. Also regarding the TV above the fireplace - you could get an extending wall bracket so that the length and angle of the TV can be adjusted, in addition to it being able to lie flat against the wall if you wish. Though some aren't fans of this type of bracket! Just a few ideas. Have you decided on any furniture?
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Hi. Personally I'd put a slatted room divider (just the unit width) at the end of the sink run to allow light and zone the kitchen area slightly. (I will try and find a picture showing the same in a similar kitchen). Assuming the fridge isn't staying, I'd just buy a white one so it blends in, maybe like a retro style one as they look a bit prettier. I'd also opt for a round table. You could paint the wall (and rad) behind the table a darker/warmer colour and add art. Hang the light low over the table to zone it and maybe have a mirror or mirror tiles on the left wall. You could also consider acrylic chairs as they don't visually fill the space. I'd go for a wider curtain pole to maximise light coming in. Sofa, choose something on legs with narrow arms, being able to see the floor will make the room bigger and maximise seating. I also wouldn't choose anything dark as it could take over the room, just use dark/warm colours for cushions and throw if wanted. There are plug in wall lights around which won't take up any floor space. I don't know if you need storage but you should be able to fit a sideboard between the dining and living area? Re shopping suggestions, you don't have any ideabooks set up so could you give people an idea of styles and colours you like?
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Keiblem is absolutely right. Set the room up with the plan you have and live with it for a while. If it doesn’t suit after a while, think again and then plan a change. If you live with it and think it’s ok, then still review the layout, because you may find a better solution with some thought and some investment. A couple of things to consider. Would the radiator spoil the console table if it went in the bay window, or would the table either block the view or the heat from the radiator? Is the view from the window a nice one and do you want to consider how you can enjoy it when you orientate the room?
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Wumi
4 months ago
Could you build out the fireplace wall to create built in shelving and lower cabinet storage for toys and such?

Maybe even a window seat in the alcove that doubles as a table for the kiddies with stools a bench that tucks discreetly beneath it.

TV could be over fireplace or to the side on the built in lower cabinets.
PRO
Croydon Fireplaces
3 months ago
Definitely, can help if you would like to install a fire https://www.croydonfireplaces.co.uk/about-us/news/media-walls-media-wall-gas-fire-electric-fire-or-bioethanol-fire
Media Wall with Electric Fireplace · More Info

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awkward living room

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AMURI Interiors

Kate

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