No Design Skills at all........I need help!

10 years ago

I need some serious help and even after spending hours on this site I dont know what to do with this living room space. (L shaped couches, couch/love seat and 2 chairs)? We plan to wall mount the TV over the fireplace...and have a table chairs off the kitchen area so far that is about all I have been able to figure out. ANY ADVICE/OPINIONS at all on how to finish this living room space would be greatly appreciated!

Featured Answer

leelee

10 years ago

Big open spaces are very hard to get a handle on. The picture above is a good start. Where are you planning to put the TV? Think about an entertainment center or an armoire rather than hanging it on the wall or over the FP.

You might consider hiring an interior decorator to help so you won't end up with something you don't like. Or worse, spending more money on a do-over.

Stay with traditional sofas and chairs and stay clear of sectional that are harder to arrange. Again, see room above.

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Comments (21)

PRO
Dytecture
10 years ago
What is the size of these rooms?
PRO
Granite Grannies
10 years ago
You have such a gorgeous open layout to work with. I think a small L shaped couch would look nice here. You can have a pretty ottoman for added comfort! What about another seating area by the bay window? Like two chairs and a table? If you mount the tv over the fireplace, why don't you think about framing it? Here is an example. Good luck!

Transitional Living Room · More Info

Beach Style Living Room · More Info

Ironic vintage frame · More Info
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PRO
It's a Beautiful World!
10 years ago
Hi lvknisley, you have a great open space! If you are looking for color inspiration, you can check out our page for color and art ideas... Raisa
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PRO
CONDE Construction
10 years ago
Nice space. Use furniture and area rugs to divide the spaces instead of walls.
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User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
A lovely space to work with! Perhaps a console or cabinet in the darker color of the cabinets for the wall between the dining and living area. A bench or settee for the bay window. A loveseat facing the fireplace with accent chairs to either side.
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PRO
B.L. Rieke Custom Home Builders
10 years ago
Definitely mount the TV above the fireplace for perfect viewing from all angles. To accentuate the curvature of the bay window, I'd suggest placing two armchairs there with a side table in between, similar to Granite Grannies' The Passage picture. On the opposite side of the two chairs, place a love seat and then place a couch perpendicular to the left of the love seat. You can see below for a visual. Good luck!
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lvknisley
Original Author
10 years ago
We are planning to put the TV over the fireplace and I will send the dimensions of the rooms shortly! These big open spaces are very overwhelming, thanks everyone!!
lvknisley
Original Author
10 years ago
Rooms are 17 x24
PRO
LB Interiors
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Love this large room!!! I think you need to divide the space in zones of different seating areas or for different activities. Maybe decide the activities desired, how the room wil be used and who will be using the room. You can divide zones with area rugs and seating arrangements. Once that is decided, you can choose furnishings for each zone much easier. A plan for the room as a whole will help a lot.
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PRO
Sustainable Dwellings
10 years ago
You have a wonderful space to work with!! It really needs something to stretch it vertically though.... ceilings look awfully low, but must be at least eight foot? Medium scale furnishings and art and texture would be key, I think. This will be an exciting project for you.
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lvknisley
Original Author
10 years ago
Ceilings are 9ft...it is hard to tell in the photos. Thanks for all the tips!
carolannr
10 years ago
Love this beautiful setting! Before you put that tv above the fireplace, please check your viewing angle. I think you would be much happier with an armoire in the corner by the fireplace to keep the tv at seated levels for viewing. I would use area rugs in the both the dining area and living area then place the sofa facing the fireplace and a couple of comfortable chairs at right angles to it against the windows. Tables where lamps and set-down spaces are needed plus perhaps a storage chest on the wall between the dining area and living area.
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User
10 years ago
A consideration for where to place furniture will depend on how the rooms are configured as well as the size itself. For instance, if chairs were placed in the bay window area and chairs placed opposite, would they be in front of a door opening and impede passage? It appears just from the pictures that the area near the fireplace is wider than the area leading toward the kitchen. We don't really have pictures of all the different angles for the room, but these are all things to take into consideration. I would definitely do a layout of your room, and work to do a layout plan of your rooms trying different configurations of furniture to get a clearer idea of what would work.
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lvknisley
Original Author
10 years ago
Room is 17x34 I was wrong in my previous message. Thx
moonblue
10 years ago
Swivel arm chairs at the bay window will allow for flexibility. You can face out to the view or inwards to the people in the room.
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anderea
10 years ago
Very lovely. Where the huge window is you could build in a bench and make it like a day bed. Then a add the couch facing the fireplace and the chair facing the huge windows.
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User
10 years ago
I would map out where you want the table as to size and what other furniture you want near it. How many people do you want at the table. Then decide on the minimum size table and the maximum size table. I think Parsons chairs look great and you can get them in leather or fabric. I actually ordered mine from a website, Carrington Direct (was a little scared) but they were black leather and a quality product made in NC.

As far as people saying no to sectional, I really wish I had one again. So comfortable and you can cuddle. I am not a young person; but next time, I will be getting a sectional again.

Go shopping at several places before you decide to see what is available. And talk with the manager of the store where you go. A lot of places can order sofas in the size you need. Usually, there are more than one option such as 2 cushion versus 3 cushion. And you can choose fabric other than what you see on the floor model or leather. If you decide on leather be sure to research the terms used because some is not real and others are not quality. There are also manufacturere who are known for quality such as Drexel (my best sofa ever - most comfortable cushions and durable and I have a tempermental back) You dont say what area of the country so I cannot give suggestions. NC particularly have a lot of great furniture cities. Hickory has a triple decker furniture mall and other areas because they used to manufacture great quantities of furniture in NC. Some furniture stores (if large have interior decorators on staff) Grindstaffs in Forest City NC does if you are close to them. If you go shopping before you make all your decisions, you may just find that one item you have to have and you will plan your room around it.

For photography or artwork, look on Etsy.com and input what you need in the search engine. A lot of unique items. I have a photography shop on there which is nancyhehmann. Just input that in the search engine.
You have a great home!ss
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Vibrant Abstract painting studio
10 years ago
Dear,
I suggest you same of painting....
if you like my paintings then please email me. price is not a matter...price on request .
email - sanjaypunekar@outlook.com

also you can see all artworks
http://www.artmajeur.com/en/artist/sanjaypunekar2000/collections
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Vibrant Abstract painting studio
10 years ago
Dear,
I suggest you same of painting....
if you like my paintings then please email me. price is not a matter...price on request .
email - sanjaypunekar@outlook.com

also you can see all artworks
http://www.artmajeur.com/en/artist/sanjaypunekar2000/collections
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sullenbj
10 years ago
You have a really beautiful space here. Using area rugs will of course define the two spaces and warm things up. Find one thing for the space that you absolutely love and use that as an inspiration for the rest of the space. Think a sofa with Chaise gives you the mose flexiblity without feeling cramped and love the swivel chair idea. Can't wait to see how it turns out.........just don't over clutter things, the space is beautiful and you don't want to hide it. Good luck!
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