skip to main content

Design Dilemma Living Rooms

pesky living room layout - help please

last year

Want to decorate & refurnish living room but it’s a tricky room. Patio doors one end, bay window other end, fireplace on another wall. 2 internal doors. Large window sill can’t be removed, so we’re stuck with it. Room mainly used in winter evenings for reading or TV. Any advice gratefully received. Thank you!

Featured Answer

Daisy England

last year

As long as you have a TV socket you could swap the room around so that you look out at the back garden as opposed to the front bay window and place your TV more towards the patio doors.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

User
last year
last modified: last year
What a beautiful room! And the view out the back!

Do you have a plan of the room with dimensions? Even a quick sketch would help us help you.

How much refurnishing are you willing to do? Anything that needs to stay?

Do you have any inspiration photos that you can share?

A few quick ideas:
- I love the deep windowsill. I would put cushions on it for extra seating and to use as a lounging/reading nook. (Unless you have condensation issues on these windows.)
- I'd replace the sofa that faces the window for a smaller piece, or an armchair, OR just swap its location and put it against the window (if you can leave enough space for the radiator), moving the TV to the other side of the fireplace (wall mounting it if possible). OR you could try removing the wooden cabinet next to it to move the sofa towards the other wall, putting a side table where the cabinet is. If you need storage, a lower storage unit could be placed just behind the sofa. Also, all the stuff on the floor to the left of the fireplace would need to move. Some of it, like the log basket, could maybe go to the corner by the other sofa.
It might be worth experimenting different layouts with the existing furniture to see what you like and don't like.
Related Discussions
Help with living dining room layout please!
Q
Comments (14)
Ok it seems I got cut off due to the smiley face I put! Grr.. Basically what I was saying is that we were thinking about farmhouse/cottage style table (small but extending), but I'm worried that it may be too much.. Also we rushed and bought retro industrial type of lampshades (same for both areas), and also our floor isn't wood colour, but it's white/grey kind of washed wood, so I'm afraid the whole look wouldn't look so good with the white floor! What do I do?? Also my hubby didn't like it as much as I did...and I was so hopeful that we finally got a perfect middle.. Anyway, if I swap something for something maybe that would help..? All I want is a nice and cosy, elegant and sophisticated but also comfy and relaxing home..what a headache :) But thank you so so much for every single idea, this really helps to think!!! Thank you!x
...See More
New Living Room Furniture Layout Help Please :)
Q
Comments (1)
This is the best layout i could come up with given the off centre fireplace
...See More
Please help, living room layout advice - new start!
Q
Comments (28)
Carolina, thank you, you give so much time to thas - it has given us loads to think about. We really would need to get used to the room being divided by the sofa though. We have had it that way but it made the room very small and squashed,feeling we were all sitting so close to the fire and the rest of the room unused. I have also had two 3 seater sofas coming out from the fireplace, facing each other, with a table between. I liked that as it opened the room up and it felt 'social', my partner liked it less because of difficulty viewing the tv. At the minute Ring the sofas form more of an L shape, on the wall to the left and the wall facing the windows. With the TV between the windows we can all watch TV and see the fire, without sitting behind each other. The open space is great. The downside of this layout is that if as a family we are sitting on both sofas some people can't see each other so conversation is difficult. Another thought for me was 2 of the Harrington chaise sofas - as one would fit in front of the window and stretch into the alcove beside the fire, the other would sit facing the TV and wouldn't stick out beyond the wall where the door is. This would be great for seeing each other and talking. There would still be space for 2 chairs or a sofa on the left hand wall. Unfortunately for good family time, the compromise might have to be 'looks'.
...See More
Living room layout help please!
Q
Comments (5)
This is what I've come up with so far - https://planner5d.com/view?key=aff85ece19d9b74772321723d983c60a Electric fire wall mounted, new settee and sofa chair, coffee table, rectangular tv unit. Large open shelf unit at end of room. Also, ditched the wood and going cream carpet throughout. Any suggestions appreciated!
...See More
Sonia
last year
I think you could make use of the lovely aspect out of the patio doors. That is if there is room, have a couple of armchairs looking out onto the garden, table in the middle for a cuppa as well as a small bookcase/shelves. Are you wanting to change all the furniture? I can see lovely shades of taupe and grey on the walls and in the furniture, or maybe soft blue and cream?
Jacqui F
Original Author
last year
Thanks for all those interesting ideas. Very helpful. Loving the suggested colour scheme. But, for us, safer not to go too light as things can get grubby very quickly! I’ll see if I can put a floor plan together and post it here.
PRO
The Living House
last year
last modified: last year
Hi Jacqui F, it looks like a cosy space! Two armchairs would work well where the sofa is against the radiator as it would open up the space. Would you consider painting all of the walls? It looks like a warm cosy colour would look lovely in the room.

We are an online interior design company and would love to support you to achieve a cosy living room you'll love! It would be great to have a chat with you to discuss how we can help you and learn more about your project, feel free to drop us a message or an email to hello@thelivinghouse.co.uk or check out our website - www.thelivinghouse.co.uk
Sonia
last year
Jacque you could have a darker shade with the sofas such as grey, green or navy but keep everything else light. I have a cat, and tiny as he is, he jumps on the sofa with muddy paws leaving hair everywhere so I get your worries!
arc3d
last year
It's clearly the second sofa. Replace it with a single armchair and put it next to the wooden cabinet. It will completely change the feel of the room.
Jacqui F
Original Author
last year
Great idea re replacing sofa with armchair. Would need to be a comfy one with footstool as it’ll be my tv/reading relaxing chair. (I usually lounge on sofa). And would likely be on the opposite wall so I have a view of tv.
PRO
House by Kate
last year
Hi Jacqui F,

What a lovely, cosy room! I would put a right hand corner chaise sofa on the back wall with the chaise protruding out just in front of the radiator, and then a snuggler armchair angled into the room to the left of the fireplace as you look at it. This opens up the room, stopping it from getting blocked off by a sofa, and will give a lovely cosy feel.

I'd create a second seating area in front of the double doors with 2 armchairs and a circular coffee table to enjoy views of the garden.

As there are so many doors/beams/features I would visually simplify the room by painting out the walls, doors and skirting in a single colour, perhaps a rich green. Layered lighting will be key for creating a cosy feel for the evening.

I am an interior designer specialising in character properties, so if you need a little more help and support, feel free to get in touch studio@housebykate.com or you can visit www.housebykate.com / www.instagram.com/housebykate

Best,

Kate Pickford

House by Kate Ltd
macbroom
last year
My room is the same layout as yours and I have a snuggler chair with a reading lamp behind it where your sofa is to the left of the fireplace. I think that would work well in your room, giving you more space and a clearer view to the back, though it would be better to have a lamp on the side table as you have a door behind the sofa.
Jacqui F
Original Author
last year
Uploading a rough room plan as requested.

Sponsored

More Discussions

Large sliding door or keep small French door and window

36

Advice re updating a tiredbedroom please

6

Kitchen diner garage access help

3

Above garage extension to create primary suite

2

Does anyone know of a washer dryer that is less than 45cm deep?

0

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.