Message Boards

Hi everyone! I posted recently about my master bedroom, but I thought it'd be easier to make a separate post regarding my living room so it wouldn't get confusing. We are moving to a new home with just the bare essentials so I have LOTS of rooms to start dreaming up.

Anyway. . .I have attached a picture of the space. Please keep in mind this decor and furniture is NOT MINE. These are pics from the listing before we purchased it. I severely dislike how they have laid out the room as well as the style. LOL

I do not like the idea of turning the couch toward the fireplace..i feel like it cuts the room off. I apologize that I only have one angle to show you right now. I haven't been able to take any other pictures since I am in FL and the house is in TX. We will be relocating their in June, so should get better ideas once we're actually there.

Anyway...here is the picture of the room.

I will also add that we do have a flat screen TV.. not sure how to set that up yet?

I have been tossing around the idea of a couch, loveseat and maybe seating area with two smaller accent chairs and a table? Not sure if that room is large enough for that though.

Also. .the wall to the right that you can't see. That has a big window on it.

My sister found this picture somewhere and I do really like the feel and freshness of this picture. We do intend to put hardwood floors in eventually, so I need to decorate with that in mind...even if it won't be immediate.

I believe there is a couch and loveseat in this pic (hard to tell because it's cut off). . .I can't decide if the loveseat should be on the wall across from the window or in front of the window. Well .. i guess the accent chair may work better in front of the window??

http://co123w.col123.mail.live...aW1hZ2UvanBlZw_3d_3d

That was going to be my first question. What is behind on the right where you see part of that chair...

It's hard to tell just from the one picture and you say you don't want a couch where the couch is in the picture, cutting off the space, I would say maybe putting a couch against the window wall we can't see and tv on the wall to the left of the fireplace...but you might deal with glare issues from the window...

That looks like a tight space to put all the pieces you listed. But at least the previous owners furniture and pictures from the listing gives you an idea of what fits and what you don't like about their placement.

Is the room square or are their 5 walls in there?

There are 4 walls . .the two on either side of the fireplace, the fireplace wall and the one with the window. Behind that couch is the kitchen. There is a bar that is open to the kitchen.

What do you think about the layout in the picture that I attached (the link rather)? I was thinking about where they have the couch angled right now, just straightening it up on that space that has the kitchen behind it and then maybe the loveseat to the left of the fireplace with the TV to the right of the fireplace?

also, any ideas on what to put above the fireplace? I like the big wall clock that is above the fireplace in the link that I attached. . but maybe something more unique would be nice?

I want the space to feel open and fresh. . so I am wanting cream colored couches mixed with dark woods to ground it. . .but overall something fresh and a good mix of modern and vintage together.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: slparker418,

The link opens up a page that you have to sign in to...

Very nice looking room. If you are keeping the walls the dark sage green, I would consider painting the ceiling a slightly darker off white the same tone as the carpet. The crown molding will really pop and the ceiling won't look so stark in relation to the wall color.

I hate the wall unit next to the fireplace mantle.Your composition should have a balance of vertical pieces and horizontal pieces spaced apart so your eye travels instead of stopping short.

In this size room I would suggest picking one wood tone and sticking with it, adding interest by changing the materials.Stained wood, painted wood, metal and fabric, each material in a fairly consistant color/tone with textural changes.( for instance rough pine and smooth polished maple, both yellow but different textures, or red oak and mahogany) You will get the interest of an eclectic interior, without a random "all over the map" look.

I apologize about that link. I am going to try to attach it to this post. Hopefully it will work. But I like this layout.

Charles, I agree. .I HATE that huge entertainment center there. I just can't figure out what to replace it with and how to set up the TV area. do you have any pics that you think might look good on that wall? What do you think about the set up in this picture?

A corner fireplace can be challenging, but I can understand why the current owner placed a floating sofa focused toward it. It's frequently advised that the focal point be where the main furniture grouping is focused toward. Floating some pieces of furniture is also recommended if doable so as not to line every piece along walls. Featuring some tall pieces to break up the horizontal line as well as to balance the room is also important. Keeping your traffic flow in mind as well as considering the purposes of this space are also factors to consider. W/ these rules of thumb in mind and considering the fact you don't yet have furniture, take the purchases slowly w/ careful measurements and possible placement in mind.

From the vantage point your photo was taken from it seems there are three focal points fighting for attention: the fireplace and its mantel, the large cabinet on the right in the photo and the light fixture/fan.

Without seeing a layout or more pictures it is difficult to advise but it does not seem as if the pieces you want would be too many.

In the most recent pic you attached, again it seems as if there are too many focal points. The fireplace wall, the mirror and the print grouping around the t.v. IMHO somehow that room looks too busy. although usually I like a lot going on. Maybe it is because the elements there are either quite large (prints/mirror/sofa etc) or quite small (decorative pieces/small table)

I do like the look of the "inspiration room". If you could add some decorative trim to create an over mantle, bringing the lines of the fireplace all the way up to the ceiling, that would be great. To further emphasize the verticality I would consider a pair of tall candlesticks to one side of the mantle and perhaps a tall slender silk plant like an orchid on the opposite side.( the round clock in the center of the mantle in the inspiration room is not ideal for bringing the eye up, because it is more boxy than slender)

Mounting or setting the T.V. on a lower media console will balance out the strong verticals with an equally strong horizontal. Now you need to keep that harmony going.Since the average sofa represents another strong horizontal line, having at least two chairs (matching or not) that are taller than they are wide will give you your next noticable vertical.

A lamp and table combination of 54 inches total height should be approx. 6 inches lower than your mantle, then at least one 42 inch high chair will be 12 inches lower than the lamp/table combo. Your height variations will raise and lower in a manner pleasing to the eye, with a nice rhythmic flow.

If the back of your sofa frame or at least the back pillows are around 36 inches high, this will continue the concept.

All of these proportions are furniture industry standards, so we are not talking about custom. If you keep proportion an important detail, like color and serviceability, you will be thinking like a pro. Best of luck!

My family room is set up almost exactly like that last picture. I have a corner fireplace too. It works because I can see the fireplace and the t.v. and they're not next to each other. The t.v. is actually about eight feet away.

That room looks nice, but it's a bit busy.

Here is another picture from inside the kitchen. It is the only other one I have and it is really dark. . but maybe it will help some??

What do you think now?

It pretty much looks like sofa in front of the windows, low media cabinet across from the sofa. One tall chair to the left of the sofa angled toward the T.V. and another tall chair to the left of the media console angled to face its mate. Molding/trim work to create a floor to ceiling effect with the mantle. And please reconsider the window treatments. The fact that you can see behind the panels makes them look cheap. Also the "scarves" swagged over the panels is out dated and adds to much depth to a room of that size.

Make sure your table on the right side of the sofa is solid to the floor like a chest, a trunk, or a drum table so you can't see the lamp wire when you're sitting in the kitchen.

With all the horizontal surfaces in the kitchen, counter, island, and table, striped drapes would add a much needed lift.

I know. . .Those drapes are awful, right?!? I had to really look past her decor when we looked at this house. LOL

So you're saying put the media cabinet/tv to the left of the fireplace (across from the windows). What should I put on the big wall to the right of the fireplace? I mean, I know you said to put a chair there to go across from its mate, but that wall would still be left empty.

ok..now that picture helps so much to give a better idea of that space/room. I agree with Charles D in regards to furniture/tv placement.

quote:

Originally posted by slparker418:
I know. . .Those drapes are awful, right?!? I had to really look past her decor when we looked at this house. LOL

So you're saying put the media cabinet/tv to the left of the fireplace (across from the windows). What should I put on the big wall to the right of the fireplace? I mean, I know you said to put a chair there to go across from its mate, but that wall would still be left empty.

If the wall is big enough I would put a matched pair of chairs with a table between them . Then the chair to the left of the media cabinet could be a single interesting chair. If there is not enough room for two chairs, maybe one chair with a small chest next to it instead of a table and some artwork over the chest to fill up the wall.( If you like that idea keep the artwork no higher than the top of the TV screen)

I think the room has good bones, I wouldn't go overboard stuffing it full of furniture.

Just a reminder that the best spot for the TV based on the layout is across from the windows, but you will need some kind of shades liked lined bamboo rollers, fabric romans or something so you can watch T.V. when the sun is on the window side of the house.

Charles, I think I really like your idea. So I am guessing from everyone's response that there should not be a loveseat in the room? That I should stick with a couch and some strategically placed chairs?

Just checked in here to see how it is going. Charles D has really given some great advice here. And I agree not to overfill the room with furniture.

A love seat rarely sits two, so a good comfortable chair is better, like having a pair of chairs.

You are on a roll here with your preparation for your move!

I've lightened your pic so it's more clear how things are arranged.

You've received some very good advice so the only thing I'll add is to be careful with the style and scale of furniture you are purchasing. So much of today's furniture is very large scale and overstuffed and this room is not large enough for that. Don't go too small either. Take careful measurements of the room and draw a plan on graph paper to scale so you will be able to see how items will fit before buying.

**Edited: Thank you so much for lightening that picture up!!**

Ok. . .so now on to furniture. Typically I haven't been a fan of Ikea's furniture, only because it's a bit too modern for me. . but I actually like this couch. Thoughts on this?
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S19875765/

Also, should I go white or cream? That's another thing I love about the above couch, the entire cover is removable so I can make sure it stays nice and clean. The reviews on the couch have been pretty good. Plus you can't beat the price!

I found this picture and really like everything about it. .wall color, bamboo shades, drapes, couch color etc. What do you guys think?

http://creativeinteriorsbg.blo...ndow-treatments.html

Ohh, I really like this too. It's a bit more formal, but I could mix it with some casual pieces to tone it down.

http://www.coasterfurniture.co...40769&ItemNum=502511

Before buying any sofa do try it out in the store to see how comfortable it is. I know the Ektorp seems to have good reviews but when we were shopping for furniture it was the least comfortable one we tried.

Oh of course!! Gotta make sure it is comfortable. I actually thought the Ektorp was comfortable when we sat on it last week. We are going to look at the other one this weekend. I was just wondering which style you guys thought might work better. I know it is personal taste but I always love hearing opinions.

quote:

Originally posted by slparker418:

I found this picture and really like everything about it. .wall color, bamboo shades, drapes, couch color etc. What do you guys think?

http://creativeinteriorsbg.blo...ndow-treatments.html

Chloe, I agree about the the drapes and woven wood/matchstick Roman shades treatment; we've had this exact look in previous homes. It's a classic look. You'll never tire of it.

My quibble: I cannot stand to see the word "simplistic" used incorrectly as a substitute for the word "simple," as in the blog posted here. The word actually carries a negative connotation.

The word "simplistic" as an adjective means the tendency to oversimplify an issue or a problem by ignoring complexities or complications. A far cry from what the blogger intended, I am sure.

That's my vent for today.


"I can resist anything but temptation." -- Oscar Wilde

I did like the fabric on the Coaster sofa, although I'd be careful with rolled arms in a room of your size. A rooled arm is comfortable for your head and neck when you lay down, but they also take up room which could be extra seating space.The color of the fabric should blend with the carpet, so be careful that any bright white doesn't make the carpet look dirty. You can use bright white for lamps or accessories up away from the carpet but since the sofa sits right on it, the two colors have to be compatable.