Family room layout help needed

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Hi,

We moved house not long ago and are in the process of buying furniture, etc. We are a bit stumped as to how to furnish and decorate a room designated as the "family room" by the previous owners.

Here's what we need to consider:
1) We do not need a TV in this room, as we've got TVs elsewhere.
2) Despite this area running off of the kitchen and meals/dining area, we think this room would be a good "quiet activities" room. One in which we could read, play board games, etc.
3) We plan to put a bank of wall units (cabinets on bottom and book shelves on top) along one wall to contain our many books, games, family mementos, etc.
4) Space in this room will occasionally be used to set up an extra table(s) for meals during large family gatherings.
5) A lovely view can be seen through the bank of sliding doors, as shown at the top of the floor plan photo.
6) The room has floorboards, which are in excellent condition.
7) Windows are floor-to-nearly-ceiling size

Rather than place the wall units on the 4.2m wide wall (located at bottom edge of floor plan), we are thinking of placing them along the 4m-wide side wall. We're thinking if we place a combination of chair(s) and a sofa along the 4.2m-wide wall and the 1.72m-wide corner, then while we are reading. etc we will have a lovely outlook when we look straight ahead.

Questions:
a) How much clearance space should be left around furniture?
b) Do we go for a 2-seater sofa plus a chair with ottoman, and a coffee table? Or, is there some other arrangement of pieces, which can nicely fit it? Perhaps, a side table with room for a lamp or something else?
c) Do we add an area rug?
d) If we are putting the wall units along the side wall, do we place something next to its side to soften the appearance of the wall unit when entering the room? If so, any suggestions? Or, do we just leave it as is?

Many thanks for any suggestions.

Kind regards,
the interior-design-challenged :-)

Featured Answer

Pazz

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

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 ;)

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Comments (9)

thinkoutsidethebox
Original Author
11 years ago
If you know of any other sites which can offers some suggestions, please let us know. Thanks.
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Pazz
11 years ago
P.S. I'm sure there are lots of similar resourceful websites like this one out there, but I'm a Houzzer :)

... not sure if you've seen that article which may provide you with some inspiration and/or ideas

https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/15-playful-updates-for-family-rooms-stsetivw-vs~46777365
thinkoutsidethebox thanked Pazz
thinkoutsidethebox
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Pazz,

Thank you so much for your suggestions!! I'm new to Houzz and have only used Pinterest in the past for ideas. I don't have much decorating experience, so looking at ideas on Houzz has been helpful.

The 15 Playful Updates for Family Rooms ideabook has some interesting ideas--helps with visualising rug placement, photos arrangement, in addition to liking features like the pull-out puzzle draws, etc.

Your original response was very helpful and hasn't given me more to think about (eg: hadn't considered the clearance space from wall unit doors). Feel free to add any additional ideas you come across.

:-)
KK1000
11 years ago
I just wanted to say don't get two seater go for three seater instead , in a long run you will regret it.in a space like that you will always need seating and maybe add couple of armchairs and a large area rug. There are coffee tables that become dining tables ,it could work as a double duty furniture when you have more people around. A floor lamp is a must in a room like that. Have fun and show us your final result.
thinkoutsidethebox thanked KK1000
thinkoutsidethebox
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Oskuee,

Thanks for your suggestions. Your suggestion of a coffee table, which converts to a dining table is an excellent one. I had been considering coffee tables with built-in storage, but I think a coffee table that converts to a dining table may be a better option for us. The table will be used at holidays and other occasions in that same room and it wouldn't need to be stored elsewhere in our garage, which is smaller than in our previous home. The table could also be used for family activities, such as marathon board game events, etc.

I think I must be spacially-challenged and can't accurately visualise furniture fitting into a given space. I think I'll have to put tape marks on the floor for various pieces of furniture to see how it will all fit into the room.

I also like the idea of a floor lamp, but need to investigate where to find a shop with a good range.

Many thanks.
Connie
11 years ago
i would go corner lounge, with a huge rectangular ottoman which is on lockable castors. I would (usually) place the ottoman over by the doors, set up almost as a window seat/daybed, as a nice spot to sit in the sun, read, etc. When you want to play family games, this can be wheeled over to the corner lounge, and provide a games "table". Love the idea of the large cupboard on the 4m wall. I think a large rug for in front of the couch. Other than that, I wouldn't worry too much about accessories like lamps and plants. wait until you get your furniture, and then you can play around with things.
thinkoutsidethebox thanked Connie
thinkoutsidethebox
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Connie,

Thanks for your suggestions. I've come to the conclusion that I don't need to organise everything at once for this family room. My OH and I already know the style of the wall unit, as we want it to match sideboards we had made for other areas. We were very pleased with the look and the quality of workmanship of these locally-made pieces. After reading the responses in this discussion, I've been inspired and have organised for the furniture manufacturer to come give me a quote for the wall unit. I suspect there will be a wait-period until the wall unit can be made, which is ok as it will give us time to look for other items. I'm glad I've made the first step for the room. I know I will be much happier if I can finally unpack the last of the boxes from our move and organise them in a wall unit.

We may choose a modular/corner lounge in another room, so we thought we might go with a separate sofa and chair(s) in this family room area. However, this may change as sofas are proving to be a bit tricker for us to find.

Thanks again :-)
KK1000
11 years ago
Depending on your budget , you can get good quality sofas from King furniture and often they have sales or for a more modest budget try Feedom. I have bought leather arm chairs 10years ago and they are still looking good .as far as floor lamp goes have a look on line first to see what you would like and then hit the shops. Also try Replica furniture sites they have nice Retro stuff.

Family room layout help needed

Pazz

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Family room layout help needed

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