Awkward living space, help please!
I really need help and advice on how to arrange furniture in this small awkward lounge please. There are two alcoves with a massively awkward sized red brick fireplace between them and then a porch door and the door to the kitchen to avoid, plus the stairs are in the room. Oh and I can't block the old radiator as it struggles to heat the room when furniture is in front of it. So annoying. At the moment I have a sideboard in the alcove by the window with the TV on it and a sofa facing it creating a small path from the porch to the kitchen. But it doesn't leave much space in front for the kids to play. It was better against the radiator but then it was awkward to see the TV. I'm hoping to change the sofa etc for a different one, maybe a corner sofa or one with a chaise so we can fit all four of us on it at once for movies etc. I also need display space and space for books. And as the porch is tiny we need to fit shoe storage in too. Excuse the mess in the photos, this was not long after we moved back in! And i have put a plan with measurements at the bottom.
Help me dear Houzzers!! TIA
Comments (19)
Sarah Lockhart
5 years agoRelated Discussions
need help with my living room
Comments (37)Hello CG, you can buy some of these and try them on site. From the pictures you posted I get the feeling you have 2 colors with similar saturation both fighting for attention. It's a little too much. I would keep the green but go softer on the red (i.e rust). You can also let yourself be inspired by the grey/silver/bordeaux floral and stripe pillows to create a brand new color scheme using these colors instead. For example, a very soft gray on the walls, gray carpet, grey/bordeaux combo in the curtains and for the sofa accents, pillows similar to these 2. It's decision time. Go for what speaks to you, but do it with elegance :-)...See MoreNeed help with my living room please.
Comments (25)Wow, I didn't expect so many responses, thank you so much for your time and ideas. I do know that the art is wrong but had to put something up from our last house while we settle in. I do find the fireplace a bit un-friendly and so I would consider changing the colour of it even just the border of it like one of the photos shows. I'm not keen on the small computer cabinet or the ladder shelving I have to admit. I was thinking more of putting 3 full width cherry wood shelves, bottom one being wider and desk height, changing the light fittings to down lights and maybe having a wallpaper or painted backdrop behind the shelves?? I realise I would have to get rid of or change the wallpaper on the other wall and change the curtains too. I take your point, many of you said it, about the curtains needing to fall straight, but I will need a wider pole to do that. Again many thanks, AnnaMarie ps we are in Ireland now but lived in australia for many years and that picture over the mantle is of an old aussie shed with moon light on it....See Moreliving room in need of makeover!! please help!!
Comments (17)You can paint the inside of FP opening charcoal and then I would go for a blue/grey and not greige. Those colors tend to be very dark. You have black furnishings and a blue/grey would look very fresh. Your art above FP has blue in it, so replace rug and get some pillows for sofa that will bring in the colors of the painting. Why not just put in some shelves, one big enough to hold tv. That would give a more open concept to room. If you need one enclosed to store components, that would fit also. I would not build up too high on the wall....See MoreSmall Living room, awkward layout
Comments (0)Hi, I'm trying to rearrange my living room but having a bit of difficulty. The room has 3 doors in it (1 hall door, 1 kitchen door & 1 door for under the stairs). There's also a fireplace and then one large window. I'm trying to create space for while already having the likes of our tv, 2 & 3 seater sofas so to have the room prepared for when Christmas rolls around! Any help or advice would be great, I will put up a pic later :) Thanks, Aisling...See More
Emily O'Byrne
5 years agoHi Sarah, have you looked at the Houzz section of under stair storage they have lots of ideas. As for the couch you have I think where it is may be the best option with the space you have. A corner couch would be good as well but be careful how big you go.
Camperdown House · More Info
Traditional under stairs storage unit in London, UK · More InfoSarah Lockhart thanked Emily O'ByrneEmmanuelle
5 years agoHave you thought of moving the radiator to the narrow wall, between the door and the window? If you have there a tall radiator, it would free some space for a sofa under the window. Then, I would have shelving, with doors at bottom, in the left of fireplace, also going around the corner onto the kitchen wall. You could have a space for the tv , books, store the toys behind the doors... I would paint the shelving the same colour as the walls to make it less imposing. Check the Ikea Besta or Billy hacks on the internet for nice bookcase ideas on budget!
Sarah Lockhart thanked Emmanuelle
PROBetterSpace: The Floor Plan Experts
5 years agoSarah Lockhart thanked BetterSpace: The Floor Plan Experts
papayalady
5 years agoYour living room is very similar to mine but mine looks even smaller! My front opens into my living room too which is annoying but, like you, I've just re-positioned my sofa to it's in the same place as yours. I've had shelves built into the alcoves either side of the chimney breast. Eventually I'll have cabinets built under the bottom shelves for added storage. I was also thinking of buying a secondhand storage seat/ settle bench to serve as seating and storage. I've decided against it as I'm just going to shift belongings into an upstairs cupboard.
Sarah Lockhart thanked papayalady
rinked
5 years agoIkea Trones. Hold shoes, toys, magazines, etc.
And I fully agree on custom fitted shelving and cabinets next to the fireplace. Or even better removing the brick for a less massive feel, though it wouldn't give you more functional space, since a wood burner needs 80cm clearance on both sides too..
Sarah Lockhart thanked rinked
PROThe Unbusy Home
5 years agoSarah Lockhart
5 years ago- PRO
User
5 years agoWhy don't you just remove the brick add on fire surround? The hearth is really large and to be honest a little dangerous sticking out that far in to the room. You can take all the brick off as it's not needed for the functionality of the fire.
By all means have a hearth, we put a rim around ours to stop the dirt from the fire falling on to the floor, but it could be half the size it is.
Sarah Lockhart thanked User Sarah Lockhart
5 years ago- PRO
User
5 years agoyou have such a great canvas to work with! L Shape sofa on the window side wall, Tv Mounted to left hand side wall and a lot of wall decor! with that window you will have alot of light so bring a bit of white or warm colours onto the walls :)
Sarah Lockhart thanked User Sarah Lockhart
4 years agoSarah Lockhart
4 years ago
Had a little play with floorplanner, its great but a little fiddly. Which layout do you all like the best. Obviously i'm not going for these colours/furniture its just what i could find quickly!
Thanks :)- PRO
User
4 years ago
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Emily O'Byrne