Re-configuring Living Room - TV/sofa placement
I have a difficult small space for my living room- kitchen area. It has too many entry/exit points and not enough room to comfortably seat a family of 5 (with 3 members over 6ft - one is 6ft4) and to not feel crowded. I currently have an oversized TV cabinet and spare fridge which is GOING! also a large modular sofa which is very comfy but OLD SMELLY and dominates the room (Its GOING TOO).
I need ideas on a new layout and furniture placement. One idea is to use current wall where cabinet is for a sofa or chair and to move the TV onto the wall between a small window (currently blocked by fridge) and the large outside viewing windows. By putting TV into this corner will free up some more space. I am also going to try to get a builder to change one door (to laundry) to a slider to reduce the amount of obvious openings.
Comments (11)
longdogs
6 years agoThankyou for your tips Dr Retro
I do agree with you and have not considered this as a solution. I have always had a very strict rule on my living/dining room as a "no food, no tv, quiet space" and have worked hard over the years to resist a TV in there. It is my 'formal' good room and often the quiet space someone goes to listen to music or even do homework on the dining table. Perhaps I could revisit this, although reluctantly...
And your right the architect poorly thought out our area, at the time we had a 18mth old and was very close to No.2 babys arrival
We rushed the reno/extension as the old kitchen was a lean to and my husband felt dangerous for toddlers. A rushed job we now regret.
I will give serious thought to your idea, although would mean new furniture in both rooms long term, as formal room sofas not up to rougher use of teenage boys watching tv.
Thankyou
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Comments (24)Doh! Just saw your BR study pix! I wouldn't personally want to repeat the same area, but if you love it, you can. I'd want art. Even black & white art or photos. Something that speaks to you personally so your home doesn't look like a showplace - but like your Home! lol My only other thought is that you don't want it to look too safe - like you couldn't make any decsiions so you just did everything in either black or white. You want the design to look purposeful. Search Houzz for black & white living rooms & you'll find lots of inspiration (which you probably have doen already!). Just for fun, I've attached a couple of pix of an arc lamp we have in our apartment. The globe is glass & my DH hit his head on it & broke it once. That's why it's not really properly placed but is too close to the wall! lol Live & learn! That's the only way to make it in life!...See MoreKitchen and living room configuration
Comments (21)Could you push the new addition & deck forward toward the north by about 1200 - 1500 mm? New kitchen - (in back of new room) Better for tall kitchen units (south side) plus you gain visual connection, better flow with dining/family/decks, island bench or return from east to west. Laundry - continue shower wall right across toward stairs & move laundry entry to stair side, laundry is bigger? The flow to and from is less restricted & could you use under stairs as storage in here? Dining room - benefits from this longer wall to display art piece etc. & less disruptive flow of foot traffic. Change/remove the nib wall at the bottom of the stairs. Consider the path through this room is to your kitchen which has the most traffic plus laundry/bathroom access through to deck & spa. WC/bathroom placed further away from dining room is better. This option could also enable you to leave the bathroom window as is (cost cut). I know you have already had the plans drawn up but I hope without confusing you I have helped you to see that a couple of changes can maybe improve it a little more. When you spend serious money you have to get the best value from this long term investment in your quality of life. What is your existing house & land like?...See MoreHelp configure furniture in our narrow living room!
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siriuskey
6 years agoI can understand that you love your front room it's lovely, my suggestions are two sofa's and an arm chair, two coffee tables that can be moved, my sons loves sitting side n to the TV to watch football etc etc. (one is 6'4 and the old boy loves it two. If you moved the TV to the front room you would never see them and as you say they would be eating off their laps as they do in the family room. The study nook blocks access to the family room and would be better moved to allow your big boys more space. Some very rough ideas to move this and perhaps expand the bathroom with a bigger shower. Happy to do a floor plan for you.
longdogs
6 years agoThank you again, Dr Retro. Your comments and ideas are much appreciated. It is great to get another opinion as opens up ideas I may not have thought of.
Main problem I have is I cant do any structural of building work short term. I have back to back Year 12 students over next 2 years and one who needs extra help. Having a non functioning kitchen ect. for even a few months is not practical. We also have a longer term plan of re-designing this whole back area and extending, but wont be happening for at least 2 years. Therefore I am trying to smarten up current space and make it more liveable with what we have, just a lick of paint and new furniture.
The study nook has a steel beam - the reason we cant re-locate & open up hallway here - will probably do this in long term plan.
Other idea was to move TV onto wall in corner and place sofas/or chair where TV cabinet is now - use this new blank wall & only one free. (see sketch).
just havnt quite nailed it!
girlguides
6 years agosiriuskey
6 years agoMy suggestion without any renovation, is to re swing the laundry door.
Mount the TV on the wall with a long narrow and shallow cabinet below for DVD and laptop connection to TV.
2 x 1800 lounges with two casual chairs and two square coffee tables for those casual meals in front of the TV
With back to back year 12 students the front rooms will be a plus for extra study space away from the TV.
siriuskey
6 years agolongdogs
6 years agosiriuskey
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
hildagabrielli
6 years agofugazi fugazi
6 years ago
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