Please help with lounge room design...

7 years ago

I am about to start my lounge room makeover, however I am quite confused as to what to do. It's really a space where my hubby and I unwind at night after kids are in bed, and sometimes sit with visitors if not having dinner. I would love it to have a more luxurious feel, but at the same time keep clean lines and simple design.

My problems start with a couple of pieces of furniture that I would really like to incorporate but feel they won't suit the room. The buffet is an original that was made in Adelaide that my in-laws bought when first married, so has a lot of sentimental value. (actually photographed in a different room, just so you don't get confused!) Was thinking could somehow use it instead of a tv cabinet?? And the corner china cabinet (not at all old) is also from my in-laws and my hubby wants to keep it.

I need to paint and re-carpet, and would be willing to change the curtains. There are blinds behind them but the curtains help keep out cold and afternoon summer sun. The bay window faces south-west, and the windows are too low to have a window seat. The external door leads to a covered rear verandah, and the main opening is to the home entry/foyer.

I like greys, whites and neutrals, but would love to incorporate a feature colour, either on a wall, or a single chair and furnishings- like a rich teal perhaps. We have a dark blue, dated, leather lounge suite at present, which will I will have to use in short term, but want to replace with a sofa and one or two single chairs that are different eventually when money allows. So I don't want to do design around that.

Ignore the tiny tv and extra artworks around the place, I am preparing to gut the room and the main tv is already gone :)

Basically my ideas are all over the place, LOL!! I would appreciate any thoughts and ideas! Thanks, Kim

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PRO

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7 years ago

Hi Kim, Trying to incorporate existing furniture, yet make a room feel new is not an easy task and easy to get confused, so don't worry! I've included a rough floor plan sketch to give you one idea on how you could reposition your existing furniture and to incorporate the buffet (which I think is gorgeous BTW)

The lounge is moved to the wall where the TV cabinet is now and I've kept the china cabinet in the same position. The buffet could be placed on the wall that has the 2 large pieces of artwork now. Depending on your thoughts, I would keep only 1 of those artworks for that wall and centre it above the buffet. The 2 armchairs I would position at either end of the bay window on a slight angle and introduce a side table in between to centre them. You could keep your existing coffee table as the timber works with the other timber accents in the room.

You mentioned you like a rich teal colour which I think would work really well as an accent colour for now and when you eventually update your lounge why not be bold and have your lounge in this colour rather than an accent chair. Dare to be different I say!

I'm thinking light grey paint for the walls. This will help bounce the light around from the bay window and make the room feel larger. Also grey is a great base and any colour you put with it works well.

To add some luxury, splurge on some new decor items - vases, trays, photo frames, flowers/greenery etc, and cushions with lots of texture. Jewel colours such as teal, purple, blues, and reds will give the room life and opulence.

Instead of replacing the curtains, have you thought about maybe replacing the blinds with shutters? If you want to simply spruce up your curtains, get fabric with a large pattern, maybe the pattern could be in teal.

At the end of the day, you want the room to be an extension of who you are and have in it things that make you happy.

I hope you enjoy reading through all of the ideas from other Houzzers and make sure that you have fun with it.

Good Luck

Leah

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Comments (23)

Vy
7 years ago
I love your buffet..I think that should stay ..as for the corner cabinet can you pop it somewhere else? it's more kitchen /dining than lounge.
Kim thanked Vy
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KK1000
7 years ago
Hi Kim, the diagram is not bad I just thought I would give you more ideas and confuse you bit more. Large artwork is beautiful and I would have it above two seater while the smaller one you could leave on the same wall bat little bit to the left so there is room for Tv . Artwork doesn't need to be in the centre of the wall. Pay attention to the height it should be in eye level and the one above the sofa just about 20-30cm above the backrest. I would use large painting for colour inspiration, rich orange would bring warmth to timber and leather lounge and goes with your mid century buffet . You can look on eBay for mid century glass vases and bowls they are very vibrant and would suit the room (not to many).you can combine it with teal if you like. Curtain is maybe to light in colour if it is cotton you could dye it in a bit darker colour. A nice rug would finish it off. If funds permit change coffee table to a mid century style to go with the buffet and take the corner cabinet out , you can have it somewhere else.
Kim thanked KK1000
KK1000
7 years ago
And if you decide to go with mid century style you will have to replace the light fixture, but we can talk about it when you know which way you want to go.
Kim
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for the comments so far! I really like the layout you've drawn up Leah. Thank you. I would love to get shutters in there (and my bedroom which is also the front of the house) but won't be able to do that yet. But I do like the idea of a teal patterned curtain. I will have to look into it.

Overall, I guess I need to decide between using the buffet in this room, or going for a more modern look. It can't really be both...

As far as artwork is concerned these pieces will not be in the room. My husband is actually a landscape photographer and they are extra pieces he has at the moment for sale. This room has seen a lot of pieces come and go, and once made over, it will be time for my choice to be on the wall! :)

Thanks for your tips too oskuee. I can't wait to change that light fitting!! LOL!
PRO
2 FIND and DESIGN
7 years ago
Don't forget to check ikeas range of curtains for an affordable solution until you can save for shutters...
Otherwise loving the above suggested floor plan... mounting the tv would keep the clean line look you are looking for.
Happy decorating
Kim thanked 2 FIND and DESIGN
Luke Buckle
7 years ago
Like Vy, I also love your buffet. And it must be handy to have a partner who is a landscape photographer.
annb1997
7 years ago
Hi Kim. Yup I love the mid-century buffet too! Your are fortunate to have it. It almost has an Art Deco vibe to it as well. I was a little stumped trying to decide which era. I agree with the great idea for furniture placement shown in sketch. I dont like sitting with my back to a window (as in couch), but chairs angled in front of it are fine. Also agree about mounting your new/next TV on wall above the buffet. Then you can use the buffet for displaying decorations. I like the idea of having a mini-bar set up on one end of buffet, unless you have little people in family OR don't partake in bar stuff. There have been some ideas about this featured recently on Houzz. Some mid-century/vintage pieces would be pretty cool. Teal or other jewel colours would be lovely for the room. Grey or some shade of white for walls sounds good. Which wall were you wanting as your feature wall, and are you thinking paint-wise, wallpaper, stencil, etc.?
Kim thanked annb1997
Kim
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Wow, I'm loving all the feedback on this site. Thank you!

Annb, we certainly partake in bar stuff LOL! Could certainly set up something like that. If I did do a feature wall it would be either of the two large walls (where tv is now, or where it would be in new layout). And I was was thinking make it a feature paint-wise. With the new layout, I would certainly have a large photographic art piece above the couch, so I thought that would better suit as a feature wall, rather than enhancing the wall where a large tv will be? Thoughts?

I have just painted our kitchen/ family room in a very pale grey (Dulux Snow season quarter) so could continue that colour in this room. And I am hoping to recarpet with a medium-dark grey carpet. We have 2 dogs who come in with us at night and I do not want light coloured carpet again..... If I did a feature wall, would you go with a darker grey or a colour?? So hard to pick everything!

I hope I can mount the tv, but it's an external wall with limited access. I may have to get creative with hiding the cords etc....
annb1997
7 years ago
Nice colour choice, Kim. Yes, a grey would make a nice feature wall colour. Shade would depend on if you want a subtle difference or a more striking difference to your wall colour. I'm guessing your ceiling is white and your skirting boards/architraves are white gloss. ?? The grey carpet sounds lovely. I just found a photo that shows a room with same wall colour (not sure the strength) and it also has grey carpeting (Harvey Norman supplied). Is this carpet colour along the lines of what you had in mind? You mentioned you didn't think you could use your buffet in a modern style room. You can!! It is a beautiful piece of furniture, and it comes with a story. Incorporating a piece like that into the design makes your room personal and unique. It has a history and binds the generations. Also, the timber is going to lend warmth to the room. I think will feel differently when you begin to change out the sofa and chairs (in time) as you have planned. :)
annb1997
7 years ago
Oops, here's the photo I mentioned.

Our TVs are mounted on exterior walls, although it's a new build and electrician wired for them. I don't know how difficult it would be for you to have yours wired up the wall (behind TV) so wires don't show. But, if not, there are covers that fit over the cords so you don't notice them so much. Not sure what colours are avail (probably black or white) or where to buy them, but maybe other Houzzers know.
annb1997
7 years ago
And yes, the wall where you plan to relocate couch & add photographic art piece is good choice as feature wall.
Kim
Original Author
7 years ago
Yes, most likely that kind of tone for carpet, or slightly darker. My mum had pale grey carpet - disaster as far as stains and wear & tear.... My trims are in Dulux lexicon, so basically white.

I have done lots of researching today on "mid century" furniture and design, and yes I can now see how easily I can incorporate the buffet. I am excited! I still have all the hard work to do before getting to the fun styling bit, but now that I'm armed with ideas and half a plan I can really get started.

Would you agree on the wall behind the sofa (opposite the window) being the one to choose for a feature wall? Thanks so much for all your time and input.
Kim
Original Author
7 years ago
Haha! You're last comment just came through! :)
annb1997
7 years ago
Also, I see no reason To not paint your feature wall in a vibrant colour like the teal you mentioned, if that's what you like and want. Paint is easy to change if you find its too much. You could try some sample pots first. Or use a lighter hue teal and then use darker teal in some of your accent pieces/soft furnishings.
Kim thanked annb1997
ton12h
7 years ago
Mid century buffets look great as tv cabinets( have used one myself) but for some reason it looks a lot better if the tv is wall mounted not just placed on top if that is possible, looks fine if it can't, just better if wall mounted
Kim thanked ton12h
PRO
2 FIND and DESIGN
7 years ago
Here are a couple of cord covers if you can't get through the wall...

http://m.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/art/60227369/

And this one can be painted...
https://www.amazon.com/Legrand-CMK30-30-inch-Screen-Cover/dp/B0015EA3NO
Kim thanked 2 FIND and DESIGN
spmm
7 years ago
Adding my voice to the fabulous buffet vote - don't think it would work with a TV on or above it for comfortable viewing from a chair or couch - and it would detract from the piece.
annb1997
7 years ago
Some Houzz photos with teal walls, furniture or accents. And look at the mix of modern and mid-century. How beautifully they combine. Best wishes, Kim!
Kim
Original Author
7 years ago
Oh thanks so much Annb! I love the look of everything in the 4th photo especially! And yes I agree, the mix of mid century and modern is awesome! Happy dance...... Time to get stuck into it. :)
KK1000
7 years ago
Hi Kim, I can't stop looking at your large artwork on the wall , does your husband have a website or shop where he sells his work. Tx.
Kim
Original Author
7 years ago
Hi oskuee. Thank you, he does have a website. Here is a link which includes the ones in my pictures, but there are lots of options. http://johnlechnerart.com.au/blogs/news/stocktake-sale-ends-sunday-16-oct-2016-or-until-sold-out

Enjoy having a look! Thanks.
Creativelychallenged
7 years ago
Also love the buffet....it could be the "hero" of the room. It is beautiful and they are so hard to come by at a reasonable price. I have a much cheaper style mid century buffet and initially had the TV on top of it, but now the TV is wall mounted above it. The distance between the wall and the couch wall is about 4m and we have no issues with the TV being too high...you definitely need to factor that in if you wall mount it though...luckily I had a handyman friend helping me, otherwise I would have put the TV too high. With the TV being mounted, it actually makes the buffet more of a feature and anything that is put on the buffet is now "displayed" instead of being part of clutter with the TV. It looks great and I know yours will too if you wall mount the TV. That is the great thing about the mid century buffets...they seem to fit in just as well as modern furniture as they do with the classic furniture....and because your is "classic", it will never date...a great investment.