Living room layout dilemma

2 years ago

We've recently moved into our forever home and I'm finding the living room layout tricky...and could really use some fresh ideas.
It needs to accommodate a home office and musical instruments (as we only have a kitchen diner downstairs).
Not in a position at the moment to replace furniture to better fit the space (but open to suggestions, the kids want an corner sofa).
The carpet was already here and underneath is beech laminate.
Thought about mounting tv on chimney-breast but it's plasterboard, and not sure if heat from log burner would cause a problem.
The room lacks lots of natural light. And the sofa currently blocks window access. And layout feels like a corridor. We've tried tv near fireplace but then it feels too big (picture 3 and 4).
Any suggestions welcomed 🙏 my husband is fed up with me wanting to change layout every other weekend 😆
Room size 4.72m x 3.43m, alcove on left is slightly smaller in width

Featured Answer

PRO

Marina Drobot at Cinnamon Space

2 years ago

I think you can move the tv to the wall opposite the window. you can fit some sheer curtains and a blackout roller (motorised or smart) blind for privacy in the evening and if you would like o to watch the tv in the daytime. your brown sofa can go near the window and eventually be replaced by a middle-sized corner sofa or sofa with a chaise. i think it's a nice place to sit in the daytime with a book, or as a family. you can see the window, fireplace, tv and have a good space for a conversation set. you can have a comfy chair in the corner with a floor lamp. you would have enough space for a desk and some storage near the door and you can hang the guitars on the wall with special guitar wall holders. a mirror in the corner with a lamp would reflect some light into the room and will add depth to the space. a large light rug/kilim placed on top of the carpet will bring light up the space also

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Comments (21)

Sonia
2 years ago
Not taking account of the tv, I like your layout in pictures 3 and 4. The white unit behind the tv makes the area rather cluttered so I would move/remove it. A larger rug tucked under the sofa legs would make the area look bigger. Does this layout leave space at the other end for the desk and instruments? I’ve not thought of a new idea for the tv yet but I hope someone else will!
K Moon
Original Author
2 years ago
Ah thanks very much, yes it leaves space for a desk. A larger rug is good idea. Eventually I'd like to have built-ins in the alcoves to get more cupboard space to hide the clutter ὠ5
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Jen
2 years ago
What a difference a layout makes! When I looked at pictures 1 and 2, I was surprised that your room is as wide as 3.43m. With the sofas at right angles, the room looks much wider, and well proportioned. A big rug and, eventually, built in cabinetry either side of the fireplace (could the tv be incorporated, albeit at an angle, into that?), and the room will be fabulous. The ‘wallpaper’ looks good too.
lspendl 828
2 years ago
Your room in pics 3 & 4 looks lovely- much better proportions. It would look much better again with a bigger rug or perhaps, for now, turn your current rug round the other way.
Jen
2 years ago
Ooops, sorry, when I looked at picture 3 I thought the ‘wallpaper’ was something you’d photoshopped in. But I realise it may be ‘before’ decoration.

If so, can I suggest you paint the whole of the end wall in dark blue? Having just the chimney breast in a accent colour seems to amplify the impression of the room being long and thin, but painting the whole wall will enhance the room’s good proportions.
K Moon
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks Jen, it's a good idea and we still have plenty of paint left. The wallpaper was here when we moved in and clashed a bit with the brick behind the burner.. so we painted it the wall. Not married to the colour scheme in this room, it is quite a dark room.
K Moon
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks Ispendl828, I agree a bigger rug may help with proportions.
Ellie
2 years ago
Sofas perpendicular looks much better!
Wumi
2 years ago
Defo picture 3 and 4. Built-ins shelves would help with the clutter. Could you mount the tv to the wall in the alcove on an arm and downsize so it tucks away in the alcove when not in use?

Personally, I feel like the chimney breast deserves a mirror or artwork.
PRO
Design My Space
2 years ago
1. Add more lightings/accent lighting/spotlight
2. Change ur blinds to a sheer curtain. Day & Night curtain.
3. Buy new carpet with a size prox 160x230?
4. Place ur brown sofa facing the tv. Grey sofa get rid of it and replace it with a single sofa/couch same theme as the brown sofa.
5. Round coffee table
6. Hang some frames or artworks.
7. Avoid using dark colors materials.
8. Change your chimney wall or maybe a wallpaper for cheaper resolution.
9. 2 sides of the chimney area-Shelvings try to decorate with greens, ornaments, family photo or etc.
10. Try to engage professionals to advice on how to hang the tv above the chimney.
K Moon
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks Design My Space, you've given me lots of things to work with ὠA
K Moon
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks Wumi, I think the TV does need a downsize, I'd rather conversation as the focal point that the television. This room is our only social space in the colder months.
g b
2 years ago
I think the layout in pics 3/4 is the way to go. The area behind the grey sofa seems a better choice for storage than the alcoves. The size of the cupboard on the right is a bit distracting (too short and with things on top of it). Could this cupboard be moved to the area behind the sofa?Then the tv can be wall hung on an arm in the left alcove. The standard lamp then goes into the right alcove to create some soft light in the corner. This will minimuse the visual ’busy-ness’ as you enter the room which might make you feel more comfortable.
K Moon
Original Author
2 years ago
Wow Marina Drobot! I did not expect to see my living like this. It looks so great thanks for taking the time to do this. Love a mirror in the alcove, the light from the window only ever hits that wall, so could help with the gloomy feel. Really taken aback that you took the time to create this, it's an idea we hadn't considered. Thank you :)
PRO
Marina Drobot at Cinnamon Space
2 years ago
I’m happy you like it. Something to consider x
K Moon
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Update: @Marina Drobot at Cinnamon Space [Marina Drobot] we put your idea into action (working with the furniture we have for now)... The room feels less long and thin and more square (which is great!) Plus there is lots more floor space, and plenty of room for a corner sofa & coffee table. The sofa partitions the home office area and it doesn't impose on the space. Over time we'll update the furniture. Thanks again for working some magic.

Thanks to everyone else too, your input was helpful.

side note: I've tried to declutter the shelves (hopefully they're an improvement), eventually they'll be replaced and hopefully once the loft is boarded out I can store clutter there ;)
Yvonne Gordon-Walker
2 years ago
wow what a difference that makes!
vandar
2 years ago
What an amazing transformation! It looks lovely now.
lspendl 828
2 years ago
Good job! Makes a big difference.
PRO
Marina Drobot at Cinnamon Space
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Great, I’m so happy it works for you. Keep us posted with your progress. I’ll put a furniture list for your consideration, if you like ☺️😊 you can put a small side table beween the sofas for now, and a table lamp or a plant etc.

Living room layout dilemma

Marina Drobot at Cinnamon Space

Comments (21)

Sonia

K Moon
Original Author

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Jen

lspendl 828

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Marina Drobot at Cinnamon Space

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Yvonne Gordon-Walker

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Marina Drobot at Cinnamon Space

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Living room layout dilemma

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