Help transform long and dark family room
11 years ago
I have been putting up with this space that functions as our family hub for the last 4 years, waiting for inspiration and funds to liven it up. This room adjoins the kitchen which has latte grey cabinetry and aqua glass splash back, metallic silver fridge and gas stove.The gas fireplace is brick tiled all the way to the ceiling in the middle of the room. There is no power plug at the base of the fireplace nor TV aerial so we can't place a flat screen on top of a fireplace. The current sofa configuration draws the attention away from the fireplace. Behind the TV and computer station, there is a weight bearing wall that blocks out quite a bit of natural light from the windows. The space behind the wall to the window is narrow, not quite big enough to put our dining table there with chairs unless we opt for bench seating. Our current dark burgundy leather sofa lounge is a 2 +3+1 seater. I don't mind upgrading as the leather in the 2 seater has peeled. I need ideas on type, colour of sofa lounge that will suit this space. I have thought about grouping the sofas around fireplace but the space in front of the TV will be somewhat redundant. We have tried using different colour area rug to contrast the dark charcoal tiled floors. The floors feel cold in winter and the grout has already come off in some places. There is no underfloor heating. I don't want to paint floor tiles nor replace the flooring due to cost.
I want the house to look upmarket, but feel welcoming at the same time and have a very functional room for the entire family.
I would really appreciate advice and photos of furnishings/ floor lamps, curtains, pillows, floor rugs, wall paint. Dining suite/chair colours. Currently, the room is lit by downlight. Our upright ebony piano is on the entrance end of the room as shown on the last photo. The kids homework corner adds to the clutter feel. I also value any suggestions on the configuration of the furniture, kids corner, computer (within easy visibility), wall hangings, etc. should the window trim and frame be painted white?
I want the house to look upmarket, but feel welcoming at the same time and have a very functional room for the entire family.
I would really appreciate advice and photos of furnishings/ floor lamps, curtains, pillows, floor rugs, wall paint. Dining suite/chair colours. Currently, the room is lit by downlight. Our upright ebony piano is on the entrance end of the room as shown on the last photo. The kids homework corner adds to the clutter feel. I also value any suggestions on the configuration of the furniture, kids corner, computer (within easy visibility), wall hangings, etc. should the window trim and frame be painted white?
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Comments (6)
11 years ago
11 years agolast modified: 11 years agoThere looks to be a lot of open space - which you may be happy with. If you would like it to be more cosy, what about a large, low, lght-coloured sofa like this one...
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Family room layout help needed
Comments (9)A few things to consider indeed, but what a great space to work with... my humble opinion on some of your points and queries... 3) if you haven't already got the cabinet/shelves unit yet see if you can get one with sliding cabinet doors 4) great idea, so avoid any heavy items of furniture (e.g. big armchair) in the centre of the room that will be harder to move/relocate and think more ottomans, bean bags, etc You are absolutely spot on with placing the wall units on the 4m wall and keeping the slightly wider 4.2m wall for seating facing the outdoors a) clearance depends on how much and what kind of traffic going through, e.g. doorways approx 700-800, passage 1000-1200, but to get around a coffee table to access couch or get around behind a chair at least 500-600 and more if you can accommodate... and of course depends on the type of furniture, e.g. if you have cabinet doors that swing open (as opposed to sliding) then you have to allow enough clearance to open the door and access the cabinet comfortably b) I think you can do better than a 2-seater in such a big space... e.g. let's say wall units base cabinets are 600 deep even with swing open doors of 400 you'll need clearance of say 1000-1200 from that wall on the right, which out of the 4.2m wall at the bottom leaves you with 3m... so I would fill up the bottom left corner by having a 3-seater/chaise modular along the remaining 3m with the 'return' chaise on the left along the 1.7m wall c) yes, you'll definitely need one large 'area' rug to define the space... you could even use two different rugs and create two zones... one large rectangular one framed by the couch and wall units and a second smaller round or asymmetrical one closer to the sliding doors paired up with a bean bag or big floor cushions d) I think a tall indoor palm/fern in a nice large pot just in the corner of the units and wall (to your left as you enter the space) would be a welcoming touch and tie in with the outdoors Good luck ;)...See MoreTransforming a dark house interior
Comments (6)thanks for your comments- initially I'm going to install a couple of sky windows/lights to get the light in, paint all the existing walls (Whisper White/China White or something similar) and then go from there...I agree, make changes as we go: easier to whitewash a brick or wooden wall or two when required than paint the whole interior at the outset and regret having painted the whole thing and take away all of the features. Some artwork will help too. Long term addiction coming up!...See MoreHelp with decorating my long, dark and oddly shaped entry hall
Comments (17)The hallway is bright and welcoming. Forget a mat as you have dogs as well as elderly family. Unless the chair is serving a purpose, I would remove it and add a full-length wall hung mirror which will reflect light and make the hall look an indeterminate length and you can used it to see your reflection before you leave the house....See MoreFamily/dining/kitchen room needs help
Comments (7)Love the slate floor. You could layer the rugs if you need to keep that particular rug, Frame the t.v, and have a photo gallery near it floating into the dining area. What art do you like? because it seems you like sunflowers. your current art pieces are to small unless you group them (tbh I only saw 2) Have bigger pieces, you can find some art online, go into a program like canva and adjust the hues to match your colour theme in the room. I personally like painted art because I like touching it. Im one of those annoying people who see texture and touch it...repeatedly. Where your hallway table is I would have a little bookcase or shelving to put your knick knacks in so they are center stage and not on the floor or everywhere. I noticed you have a whole lot of small things randomely dispersed. Collate and cull your collections. The pic is just an example of height and leg height and its width, its still small and wont get in the way but big enough to put your things in. Re stain or paint your barstools to match something in the room. Clear off the buffett unit and have 1 long shallow centrepiece or 3 tall items at staggered heights low and long Tall and staggered heights, again just examples which are easy enough to make or find. Also instead of the table cloth on the table you could use a table runner and placemats and if necessary put the table cloth on when you go to eat and then remove. I think the table might be pretty, its hard to tell under the table cloth. Also you could put a vase of flowers on the table or a plant if cut flowers arent your thing. Also maybe rehome the nesting tables as the chairs swallow them up, you need something a bit more substantial as the nesting tables look beautiful but its hard to tell when its swallowed up like that. Really love your furniture pieces, they dont look like a matchy matchy and they look well loved and they look like real wood....See More
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