Is the sectional too big for wall or does it help define the entryway?

6 months ago

Got a beautiful new leather sectional for my family room, however, realized that it overhangs the wall by about 18". On one hand it seems too big for the wall and the overhang looks like a mistake. On the other hand, I have a relatively open floorplan and it helps define the family room from the entryway for my back door by creating a small barrier between the two spaces. I have seen several examples of console tables, bookcases, and room dividers to do this, but not quite an overhanging sectional like this.

Does this look like a mistake or does it help define the two spaces?

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Comments (19)

Caroline O
6 months ago
Yes, it’s too big.
petula67
6 months ago
Try floating it out from both walls a bit so it centers more on FP, then the sectional defines the seating area instead of the walls.
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BeverlyFLADeziner
6 months ago
Does anyone own a tape measure?
Kendrah
6 months ago
It is too big for the space. Aside from hanging over the wall, it is really a dominating piece for that size room and especially with those chunky leather bar stools. Did you already purchase this or did someone give it to you? Can you return it?
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 months ago
I dislike sectionals at the best of times and in this case that is too large . A sofa and 2 chairs would give you 4 comfy seats and fit so much better than the 5 squished seats and only 2 with an arm rest.
tracefloyd
6 months ago
last modified: 6 months ago
NOT a problem. As @petula67 suggested float the conversation area, coffee table, and rug centered on the fireplace....and the sectional is fully on the rug, not just the front legs. It will look intentional.
HU-877494989
Original Author
6 months ago
Thanks for the help. I am very bad at home design and hired a designer and think this was a mistake. She tried to justify it as defining the space, but that does not seem to fully add up. Something definitely feels off. I am trying to be reasonable, but also want (and feel I deserve) to have this fixed in a way that does not look awkward.
Caroline O
6 months ago
If this was the designer’s recommendation, she needs to eat the cost of returning it. You might also consider this an opportunity to find a new designer. A big leather sectional & chunky leather bar stools add up to a very heavy look with little texture or pattern or interest.
tracefloyd
6 months ago
I don't think it will look awkward....I think it will great...all you have to do is move the furniture and carpet as suggested. At least try it out.
PRO
Generation Interiors
6 months ago
I’m not a fan of furniture extending from the wall. If it would of been smaller, it would of looked much better. It’s definitely too big for the space. This is something a lot of people do, then realize their mistake. A lot of people hire me because they realize their furniture is too large. Most of the furniture in stores tends to be oversized. Large just doesn’t work in most homes. You really need to measure the space, and purchase accordingly. Good luck to you!
Gizmo
6 months ago
I know it's more $$ - but you could add a pony wall behind the sectional
marmiegard_z7b
6 months ago
It’s something you could live with, perhaps with adjustments as discussed, but it really IS a “ mistake” if it was ordered by a designer for your room (as opposed to if someone gave you the sectional for free , and it was part of helping you start enjoying sitting in your room while you saved up or attended to other projects).
Soooo, if have reservations about it and are re- thinking the size, or even whether a sectional, and would like a do- over, it’d be worth expressing real dissatisfaction, not taking the guff about “ defining the space, and push for free return, or a negotiated cost. The other thing is, gos do you really like to sit anc watch TV? I see trying to seat 4-6 people squished, and anyone with a beverage had to jackknife to the coffee table. I personally love side tables, even if tiny, or C tables. Or at least for some of those seated. And some lamps for layered lighting. So you can’t have anything like that when the seating takes up every inch.
Design Fan
6 months ago
Did your designer give you a plan prior ro ordering that showed the sectional extending beyond the wall?
palimpsest
6 months ago
Is it a possibility she ordered it backwards and the longer part was supposed to be on the left, extending further along the windows?

You know, I am not a licensed interior designer, because I have never worked professionally in that field, but I do have a degree from an accredited program and am eligible for the NCIDQ exam. There are a lot of people out there who are against regulation within the industry, because in many places anyone who thinks they have "an eye" can call themselves an interior designer, and they are out there making money. It may not be as important as an attorney passing the bar exam, but it might at least be as important as having to be qualified to cut hair. I think if there were some educational requirements and not anybody who felt like it could call themselves a designer, less things like this would happen.
littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
6 months ago
Looks like a mistake to me. It’s too big.
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Flo Mangan
6 months ago
Everyone can make mistakes. Not sure where the breakdown occurred but I would have the designer explore how to resolve. If you signed off on it, then pull it away from walls as suggested and enjoy it. You can add a sofa table behind the long side with a pair of lamps which you probably will need for evening anyway. Good luck. At least it looks like it is a nice unit so if you can’t return and this designer can’t fix this you don’t have a lot of good other options sorry to say.
Jennifer Hogan
6 months ago
@ palimpsest - had to laugh at your " might at least be as important as having to be qualified to cut hair." statement. I went to cosmetology school back in the 70s and still know how to cut hair. I found out recently that stylists today, in Pennsylvania, no longer have to pass both a practical and written exam to get a license. They only have to pass the written exam.
Jennifer Hogan
6 months ago
last modified: 6 months ago
When I purchased my sectional sofa the designer from the furniture store drew a diagram of my room and made several suggestions on how the room could be furnished.

Once I picked out my sofa and was ready to pay for it the store asked me to sign a release explaining that they do not take returns if the sofa does not fit your space and that the purchaser is responsible for measuring the space and ensuring that the size of the sofa was appropriate.

They also offer a service where the designer will come to your home and measure your room and suggest the appropriate furniture. They charge for the service, but all but a nominal fee is credited as a discount on furniture that you purchase from them.

I think their policy attests to the fact that many people buy furniture that is too large for the room.
Jennifer Hogan
6 months ago
If a designer advised me to make this purchase I would be really upset. I think that some of the designers and decorating enthusiasts on Houzz may have given you much better advice and led you to a much nicer result.

Is the sectional too big for wall or does it help define the entryway?

Comments (19)

Caroline O

petula67

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Is the sectional too big for wall or does it help define the entryway?

Comments (19)

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