Living room arrangement

7 years ago

Hi Houzz Ireland! We're in the process of renovating our new house and wanted to start with the living room, but it's proving a challenge. The room is nearly square with double doors opening into the southerly aspect room. There is a nice fireplace but it has a window on one side and no chimney breast (see pics, but try and ignore the mess!). How do we arrange the furniture and where do we put the TV so it's not dominating the room? Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks!

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houseology
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
TV's and fireplaces always fight don't they? I'd let the fireplace win the argument

and place the TV to the left of the fireplace, on a mobile unit (that is, a unit on castors). This means that the TV can be wheeled into position when needed and wheeled out of the way when it's not part of the conversation. It would probably have to go to the right of the fireplace as there's a window on the left side. A large rug placed symmetrically in front of the fireplace will reinforce the fireplace as the primary focal point. After that, place your large items of furniture so that they "talk" to one another. That way, they'll appear inviting and make the room attractive to be in. Here are my top tips for placing furniture in a room...
Ivlia Blackburn
7 years ago
One of the best living rooms I have seen had sofas all around the walls with tables between them so there was plenty of seating for visitors but also remove the cushions which formed the backs and you had instant spare beds for visitors. The tv was.screwed to the wall above the mantlepiece where a mirror usually goes and there was a bookshelf one side with a display cabinet the other. Very moroccan in style but comfortable, practical and one I intend to copy. This was in a disabled bungalow situated in North Co. Dublin.
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Thanks, I wasn't sure where the 9'4 measurement came in. If you're buying all new furniture then look for items on legs, as you can see the floor beneath it will make the space feel bigger. You can also use glass ie a glass coffee table or Louis ghost chairs for example. I'd also go for a large mirror over the hearth or not knowing your style could also have a ŵall of glass tiles for the same effect which will also bounce light. I'd go for a pale tone sofa and use warmer/darker colours for cushions if wanted. If you want a rug then I'd keep it in the same tone as the floor else to visually maximise floor space. I've drawn a very rough plan (not entirely to scale and obviously not knowing where doors etc are!). I assume you're wanting to buy furniture before you move in? If so do you have a similar size room where you could cut out paper templates of all furniture to see if the space works? I would mount the tv on the ŵall if you have one. Hanging it over a slim console (or slim cabinet for storage) means you can add art on the ŵall and accessorise the console so the tv doesn't become the feature of the ŵall. You could go for a coffee table or a small footstool which can double up as extra seating and table. I'd go for a round dining table, 3ft will seat 4 and you can pull it away from the corner when entertaining. i'd go for a 2 seater sofa (c5f?) but try and get a slim one. I don't know the size of the windows but blinds, shutters may also be an idea so curtains don't encroach on the floor space? In terms of decor do you want light and neutral or dark and moody then people can suggest paint colours?
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hounoc
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Will the radiator be an issue if you want to put TV to left of fireplace? Though it is a more prominent position, you could put the TV over to the right of the fireplace. Back to the window is better as regards glare on the screen if you are watching it during the day time. I would put your sofa in the middle of the room facing the fireplace. then I would put an armchair with its back to the window pointing in towards the sofa. This can be pulled sort of in front of the TV/ forward from the TV which will push the TV into the background and demonstrate that it is not your dominant feature. When you do want to watch TV you can push the armchair over a bit so you can see the TV from the sofa.

Alternatively, put the TV with its back to the wall around where the mirror is leaning in your picture. And use houseology's great TV unit on castors idea whichever side you choose! Simple yet genius as you can push the TV right into the corner out of the way when not using - might use that one myself.
Ivlia Blackburn
7 years ago
Looking at the way the light falls in the photos I still think that above the mantlepiece is the best place for the tv. That way neither fight for dominance but equally the light from the windows is unlikely to affect watching said tv. Place sofa and chairs around the fireplace with a dramatic rug in front of it and you can draw visitors in. Equally you can push the furniture further back, say in summer when you don't need to use the fireplace, so you still have the grouping but in a more relaxed style. Add in a couple of side tables and some storage, maybe a bookcase for books, DVDs and photos/ornaments plus a couple of small coffee tables, maybe either end of the sofa between that and a chair, for guests to use and a couple of pictures or something similar on the walls opposite the windows or by the door and you have a cosy room where the focus is on the chimney area with no competition between fireplace and tv.
Michele O'Briain
7 years ago
Put painting/picture above fireplace and make that the focal point of the room with sofa in front of fireplace and then put TV on right. If room is big enough go for second sofa on wall that mirror is leaning against at the moment. Best of luck with it.

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Living room arrangement

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houseology

Ivlia Blackburn

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