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Design Dilemma Kids' Rooms Living Rooms

awkward living room

2 years 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
User
2 years 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
2 years 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, if you are planning to stay in this house for a good number of years, I would, if possible i.e. there are no obstacles in the hallway etc, move the door way to the end of the room (towards the front window) and have it opening right handed (so that when you open it you look directly down the full length of the room) this would mean moving the light switch, but it also means you have more furniture placement options and you utilise dead space as the door opens on to a wall which has little use. I would also use upright radiators to free up wall space, again a radiator could be placed behind the door, making use of the dead space the door opens on to. A good tv arm will also give you the option to move the orientation of the tv and may make life easier. I currently have a tv on an arm which is mounted to the back of a built in bookcase along with other associated tv stuff, this has the added benefit that the wires are hidden down the back so no sockets, leads or wires can be seen, the plug sockets are accessed via a removable panel at the bottom (we bought two off the shelf and built them in ourselves) they sit either side of a set of french windows), the remaining shelves are used to store books and objet d'art etc. The tv folds away flat into the bookcase when not in use. My only other recommendation would be to not block the view of the garden (a view of the garden will make the room feel larger and will give you the opportunity to view it all year round). I know some of the suggestions may at first appear expensive but in the long run if it makes the room 'work' for you it will be well worth the cost and hassel. I hope it helps. Good luck.
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Wumi
2 years 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
2 years 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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