skip to main content

Design Dilemma Living Rooms

Arranging furniture/rug placement

9 months ago

last modified: 9 months ago

Hi everyone. First time poster here.

I want to replace the rug in my living room, which moved with us from an old house. It's always felt awkward in the space as it's not quite centred with or anchored to anything. I've been trying to figure out what to do for ages, but I really need some help deciding what to replace it with (i.e size) and where to put it. All the 'rules of thumb' I can find about placing legs of furniture on it etc don't seem to work. It's a large space with an off-centre fireplace and the layout is a bit awkward. The rug we currently have is 160x230 cm for some idea of the current size

I'm also open to ideas about the rug design/colour and other furniture/soft furnishings you would put in there as we need more storage and want to replace the old Ikea Kallax units too.

Rules: Sofas are staying but could be moved. The TV has to stay in front of the window or in the corner due to wiring.

.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Sonia
9 months ago
Hi, the rug is far too small for the space. It just looks like it is floating at sea. Anchoring a rug under the sofa feet is always good but it needs to be so much bigger. It doesn’t have to be exactly centred, just big enough to touch some of the seating. The colour of the rug looks good, although you could have one with a bit of mustard yellow or pink in it which always goes well with grey and then add some yellow/pink velvet cushions.
0
CWD
9 months ago
Layout seems a bit tricky with the TV having to stay in that corner - I'd be tempted to get an extension cable and move the TV over to the left of the fireplace where it will be more in the centre of the room. Try it like that as a temporary measure (assuming the fire isn't being used at the moment, you can wind the cable around the back of it to make it as neat as possible) - if it makes the room much better than I'd get an electrician round to sort it out permanently.

Otherwise I'd pull the sofas into the middle more - make the walkway behind the sofa which backs onto the stairs and bring in the other sofa so there will be space for play area behind it (to hide toys).

As Sonia says though, the rug is a tiny island and far too small. You need to get something that is big enough to have the front feet of both sofas on - ideally the single chair too. For a cheaper solution than a huge rug, you could get a piece of carpet bound at the edges to make a rug. Given that sofas are grey I'd choose something that is not grey for rug - it should ideally have a tiny bit of grey in it, but not be the main colour. Then add cushions which highlight some of the other colours in rug. Am assuming a rug with different colours, but it doesn't have to be - could be more of a solid-look woven rug - but then have cushions with more colour but also include the grey and the rug colour (just a tiny bit of each, not a solid block of colour).
0
Related Discussions
Make my room more impressive
Q
Comments (127)
Lots of ideas....couldn't resist adding my two cents. i copied your photos and did a little cut and paste- it's messy, but hopefully gets the main idea across. i'd put your sofa in front of the large book case, chair by the fireplace, tv on the stand on the wall opposite the fireplace - so you can either look at the fire or the tv. Someone suggested using frames of one color for your photos - an inexpensive way to do that would be to spray paint them all a dark color-black goes with everything. Since your shelves are a medium tone wood, display things that are dark or light so that they contrast against the wood. Limiting your display items pallette to a few values usually helps to unify things. (I think that's why so many people want to paint the shelves or put inserts in the back to help your nice things read more clearly...some get lost). If you want to "splurge" -you may consider having a carpenter make a few solid tall cabinet doors to provide a visual break in the shelving. I'm showing 3 doors - 1 on the right side of the fireplace and 2 on the left to leave two open vertical shelves for display on each side - with things arranged to frame the fireplace as the focal point. To add some height to your big vases, consider stacking some books beneath them. Enjoy experimenting untill you get something you're happy with - good luck!
...See More
Need advice on zoning and furniture placement in open plan living area
Q
Comments (4)
Other Houzzers are great at furniture placement, but I wanted to note that you really should have seating facing the fireplace and/or the t.v.
...See More
Living room
Q
Comments (7)
Hello Mary, Yes some good advice here about moving the sofa from the front of the window.. What you want really is to create some symmetry between rooms whilst allowing them some individuality.. That comes with differing height furnishings such as the two cabinets and the tables.. Definitely paint the cabinets- that way they blend in to the alcove and appear less solid allowing the room to breathe. If you were to paint the chimney breast a different colour this will give the two fireplaces greater impact! Something to accent the purple curtains and cushions I'd suggest a darker shade of grey or Purple but not entirely sure what colour the sofa's are... Black, Brown, Aubergine?? ..You have a double room so show it off! I would not take away that wooden armchair... It is slightly more subtle and is good to have- again can't tell what colour the fabric is...Green, Grey?? So consider that if the painting sounds like a nice idea to you.. I would also like to suggest getting another mirror for the front fireplace similar or the same as you have in the rear of the room. Mirrors add something and bounce light... It also gives a sense of symmetry with the two fireplaces... Re- arrange the existing pictures.. One really good way to tone down the size and density of those sofas and armchair is to have some nicely chosen throws and cushions and - even simply folded down the back and place the big leather armchair at an angle in the far end part of the room... I would place the sofas so they face each of the fireplaces in both rooms as you have two of each! Turn the coffee table round too, so it aligns with the sofa. Simple lines are needed whilst keeping the windows and french doors as free as possible. The single armchair with the wooden arm rests could sit in front of one of the alcoves...With the book shelving behind, so you can sit and read in the cosy armchair next to the fire... : ))
...See More
Sitting Room Help!! Blank Canvas and don't know where to start
Q
Comments (10)
I have to agree with nudejude regarding the upholstered furniture sizes and positions. The room looks long and narrow, so placing 2 chairs or a 2 seater sofa opposite another 2 seater would allow you to enter through the door and walk, unrestricted, through to the opposite end of the room. An area rug between the sofas, large enough to fit under their front legs and perhaps a clear coffee table in glass or Perspex between would make a great conversation area. There may be enough length to the room to use a console table behind the sofa nearest the double doors with 2 small occasional chairs. A pair of lamps would provide light for the sofa and for the chairs. If the chairs are needed, they can be brought into the main conversation grouping. A Roman blind, with or without the curtains, would set off the window. Throw cushions in a variety of patterns and colour, will add interest to the upholstered pieces. Good luck and enjoy your home.
...See More
Shripriya
9 months ago
Hi All, first time here..
I have just moved into a new place and the owner has already provided us with the couch. I am really confused about the placement of these 2 couches in the living room. I am planning to put a rug and a center coffee table. But before I buy something, any suggestions on how should I place these 2 couches in this room full of windows
0
siobhanmcgee90
9 months ago
Please post a separate thread @shripria.

Agree with Sonia & CWD. Much bigger rug, sofas moved from walls, move TV to left of fire (cables can be hidden round the hearth)and maybe designate a kids zone under the stairs.
0

Sponsored

Reload the page to not see this specific ad anymore

More Discussions

basement level renovation would love ideas please

8

Single story extension

1

Help, do i cancel the windows order

1

Further Education & Training Centre Open Day: Interior Design Classes

0

Authentic Feng Shui Workshop

0

Ireland

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.