HELP with living room layout/ finishing touches etc
Becky O
10 years ago
Please can I have some help with the layout of this room. Things I am unsure about are the shelves, TV table, the colour of fire surround and mirror above fire... this has been sprayed recently, but think the gold is too light, need to also tie black into the room. I like eclectic style, but starting to thing it's looking a bit like an older persons living room.
I like the desk but need to buy a chair, would like one without wheels, so any suggestions would be appreciated. I have a few ornaments and pictures/paintings/ photographs, so was thinking creating a picture wall above where the desk is? But not sure whether to put sofa on that wall or in front of bay window. Thought of putting desk where the TV is?
This is my spare living room at the front of the house, south facing so gets lots of light. Hardly use this room and ends up as a dumping ground. It also gets used as a spare bedroom when my step-daughter comes to stay at weekends.
I am happy with the paint colour of the room. I'm not looking to change the sofa or curtains as they are relatively new and cost a lot..the floor needs to stay as this floor runs throughout the ground floor and won't be changed until we re do the kitchen.
I would appreciate any suggestions.
Many thanks
I like the desk but need to buy a chair, would like one without wheels, so any suggestions would be appreciated. I have a few ornaments and pictures/paintings/ photographs, so was thinking creating a picture wall above where the desk is? But not sure whether to put sofa on that wall or in front of bay window. Thought of putting desk where the TV is?
This is my spare living room at the front of the house, south facing so gets lots of light. Hardly use this room and ends up as a dumping ground. It also gets used as a spare bedroom when my step-daughter comes to stay at weekends.
I am happy with the paint colour of the room. I'm not looking to change the sofa or curtains as they are relatively new and cost a lot..the floor needs to stay as this floor runs throughout the ground floor and won't be changed until we re do the kitchen.
I would appreciate any suggestions.
Many thanks
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Comments (37)
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10 years agolast modified: 10 years agoRelated Discussions
Finishing touches to living room
Comments (25)But even with teal or orange cushions you won't have to repaint. You'd be picking up colours from your painting. I feel that the ones you found, their beige background will blend in with the sofa too much. For what it's worth, I think your living room already looks quite lovely as it is. Don't stress too much about finding the right cushions. And I would go for white frames :-)...See MoreTiny living room, help with layout!
Comments (6)You could have a small table by the stairs then you'd block the cupboard. It's definitely not a small room but it looks a little tricky! I'd also go for a rectangular table by the window. I don't know how low the window is but I'd have a bench or banquette seat against the window wall if possible. Clear acrylic chairs i.e. Eames or ghost would be great on the other side to give a feeling of space. Zone the dining area with a piece of art against the wall and a light if possible. Sofa where MATH said. Depending on tv size it might be too high to go above the fire, if you put it to the left you may need to wall mount it and use a magic eye for sky etc otherwise you'd be blocking the stairs. For a coffee table I'd use either a slim glass or an upholstered footstool as they don't visually feel the space. You can add a little cabinet with lamp next to the sofa and zone the seating area with a rug. I'd also add a console where Jen said or a slim cabinet for storage. Do you have a pics of the room specifically fire and stairs to see if the tv would work there? I'd mark everything out on the floor buying buying anyway :)...See MoreHelp with layout - kitchen/diner/living room
Comments (13)Hi Chloe, What a lovely space and great shaped room to work with! Having been through something very similar in the last 6 months and very nearly made a few big mistakes (but thankfully didn't!) there's a few things I'd probably mention. I love having your seating area by the doors, we have done something similar and it's a lovely space to sit in and look out. Are you having a TV in there and have you thought about where it might go if you are? I totally agree with Jonathan, probably not enough worktop if you have both your sink and hob on the island. Our island is 2.4m in length (1.2m wide) and there's just enough space to cook and then plate up next to the hob for 8 plates so long as you're tidy! :) We've gone from Gas to induction hob and I do miss being able to take hot things out of the oven and put them directly onto the hob (it's not recommended, although lots of people say it's fine... I haven't quite been brave enough yet!!) Tall units are fab and our double larder cupboard we use to store all pots, pans and glassware- I still can't believe how much you can get in it! We also put it in a position whereby it's accessible from both where I cook and also the 'social' side of the island so friends / hubby can lay the table etc, without having to get right by me cooking. We've ended up with a separate space for the toaster and microwave out of the main work area of the kitchen and I love it as people can make toast and snacks without getting in my way if I'm cooking! Don't go for base unit cupboards if you can help it- drawers are so much better! We only ended up with one in our pantry and I am going to have internal drawers fitted as it's a right pain to see what's at the back! Have you considered banquette seating around one side of the dining table as an alternative? It's super flexible seating if you've got little ones and because one side is up against a wall it gives not only quite a cosy feeling but extra floor space for moving around it. My other bit of advice would be have a think about your lighting super early in the design and get all your electrics sorted- I'd never realised before this project what a huge difference lighting and layered lighting can make to a room that is multi- functional! Have you got someone helping you with the design of the room (layout and aesthetics) or are you going it alone? :) Hope it helps! Best wishes, Claire...See Morehelp with finishing touches to kitchen/living area
Comments (8)Thanks for that! In terms of the chair I think it needs to be more of a chunkier look like the one below. Any other ideas? Yes there is a socket at the bottom of the blank wall. For the coffee table - we were thinking to keep it dark as well but worried it will look too much with the charcoal rug. Do you think walnut would work - few images attached of the sort of style we are going for. Anymore ideas would be much appreciated!...See More
Becky O
10 years agoThanks for your comments, I can see where your coming from in balancing the room out. Just not been able to see the wood for the trees.. :-)
The window looks over the front garden and houses. I have attached a photo. I think I prefer the rectangular mirror.
I didn't think about the fact that I have two mirrors. I would prefer to keep the rug although it could go in the other living room as we only have a small kilim in there. Any suggestions on a replacement? Is it that the colour is wrong, or would it look better with a pattern. Just feel that the room seems to blend in a little too much.
thanks, I will try moving the room tonight if my step-daughter not here and post photos tomorrow.
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mountie
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10 years agosome more ideas other than the deeper blue or patterned I would look at black to match the desk you dont really want the desk chair to stand out, but just to fit in! If it is on the wall I suggested it will be able to just turn around to be part of the seating! You can get one without wheels but I think the wheels may be handy!
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10 years agoI do like the idea of a french provincial chair for the desk that can then be used as part of the seating and maybe a padded bench seat on the wall of the bay window!!!
bellesum
10 years agoBecky O
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10 years agoBecky O
10 years agoI have just moved this picture onto the chimney breast to try for colour and size. I think it should be lower, I think it looks good on this wall. Can someone advise the height it should go above the mantle piece?
Thanks
Becky O
10 years agoOk, so I managed to get in the room for 10 minutes and move things around. Please excuse the clutter... The mirror is propped up on the radiator and I still need to get a chair for the desk. The wall above the desk will have a gallery of pictures. Just need to get my husband to do it for me when he's free.
Unfortunately I have a filing cabinet in the corner next to the sofa, I could move this next to desk and hide wireless boxes at the side of the sofa.. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks
mountie
10 years agobellesum
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10 years agolast modified: 10 years agoBecky O thanked Essentia Interior Design - PRO
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10 years agolast modified: 10 years ago Becky O
10 years agoOK, so I didn't manage to get much done over the weekend as I couldn't really get into the room for my step daughter. Had a play around with things a little today in between doing my laundry :-/ .
Feeling a little overwhelmed, I've realised that I seem to have a real mix of furniture and accessories and no one particular style. I seem to like a bit of everything although I try and go towards timeless classics that won't wont date as quickly. I have a few bits of ikea furniture around my house which I really don't like and gradually trying to replace them.
I have moved the filing cabinet next to the desk, it doesn't really work, so am thinking of trying to locate it elsewhere in the house, not sure where yet. Doing this I have been able to move the sofa along the wall which looks better. I will put the large picture above the sofa. I will try tying the picture in with some red cushions as this is a cheap and easy update. Didn't want to go with too much red as I have a lot of red in my main living room by way of a large contemporary red sofa., although the picture wouldn't work in that room.
I have tried the gold rectangular mirror above the fireplace, landscape position and this works quite well. I am going to shoot off to the DIY store to get some screws and hooks, ready for when my husband gets in from work, to get the mirror and pictures on the walls.
It wouldn't be difficult to match the shelves on the right side of the fireplace. Maybe I could get my husband to order a silver or white TV which would blend in a little more and put it on a white matching shelf. I have also found some wall sconces to match the ceiling light. I have attached a picture, they are about 24cm square. If I could have some thoughts on this please. I was thinking that the present wall lights look a little odd and small.
Unfortunately living in the UK, we are stuck with 6 people living in a 3 bed semi most weekends, so space is a little tight. We have no plans to move for the next 3 years at least. A much as I would like to get rid of the TV and glass desk and have more comfy chairs etc, it is difficult, as I need to keep some space to open up the sofa bed as this is used regularly. So I need to work with what Ive got to some degree.
I won't be able to change the curtains, a bit of a mistake really, I made these myself and as much as I like them I think I should have gone with a more contracting colour/pattern, so I will just have to live with them. The do have some texture as in they have a trellis/ diamond pattern on them.
Anyway thank you for all your comments so far, I can take a little from all of your suggestions. Will post more pictures on later.
many thanks
decoenthusiaste
10 years agoHaven't ploughed through all the above comments, but my personal take is that the chandy should be lowered and the mirror placed above the mantel to double the effect of it by reflection. Since the mirror should hang about 5" above the mantel, the chandy will have to come down quite a bit. I'd save on floorspace by making a rad cover desk since yours looks to be near the same height as your computer furniture. Add a plush window seat with storage inside tucked behind your draperies. Rework the shelves so the top is trimmed out to meet the mantel, installing them left and right of the FP but with glass below the trim out. Style them with 1/3 books, 1/3 large decor items and 1/3 open space.
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Wells Hill · More InfoBecky O thanked decoenthusiastem3459
10 years agoEssentia and Cheryl Ray are on target. Use their suggestions. One thought on an office chair, although I would probably go traditional with the modern desk, as you are mixing those two styles.
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