Interior Design Issue - Awkward Space - HELP!?

Question

Try to picture these dimensions, and please give me ideas...My living room and family room connect (with an archway inbetween) and the rooms are both incredibly narrow and small. The family room connects with the kitchen/breakfast area which is hardwood flooring, and the LR/DR is all carpeting. There is little wall space due to windows and a fireplace....I can't seem to do anything with these spaces - no matter how I arrange furniture, I can't get a comfortable seating area with a TV in either room without it looking strange. I'm at the point where almost everything is removed from both rooms and I'm staring at empty space. Any design ideas from professionals or people who know what they're talking about when it comes to decorating is needed - please don't send links because I've googled this topic to death! Thanks!

Answer 1

I had the same problem in my house. the living room and dining room are both only 11' wide and the living room is13' long and the dining room is only 8' long. the 2 rooms are divided by an archway that cuts the floor space up because the archway wall extends about 2' in on both sides.I too have a huge fireplace (takes up almost an entire wall) and large double windows in both rooms, as well as a small piano window on each side of the fireplace leaving very little open wallspace for furniture arranging.after much frustration and trial and error, i solved my seating arrangement dilema by purchasing a small sectional sofa shaped like an "L". the small part of the L has no back and looks like a chaise lounge attached to a love seat (which forms the long part of the L). i put this in the corner of the wall and archway wall. the backless part of the sectional extends out about a foot past the archway wall, and it can be sat on facing either room. I placed a leather ottoman that also serves as a coffee table (i have wooden butler trays on it when i use it as a table) in the L of the sectional sofa. The ottoman also has storage area under the seat..
I placed my flatscreen LCD tv over the fireplace mantle and covered it with a large hinged mirror that can be raised and lowered. the sound system and stereo, dvd player is hidden in one side of the archway (each side of the archway has a built in glass fronted cabinet). the only other seating I have in the living room is a leather club chair which is very comfortable but not large. I can seat 7 people in the living room when I have to: 3 on the sectional, 1 in the club chair, 2 on the long leather ottoman.
I placed a large potted yucca in each of the narrow alcoves on either side of the fireplace and put a small uplight behind each pot. I have 1 small side table beside the club chair with a table lamp on it.
in the dining room, i got rid of my square table and purchased a round one(a lot more practical for the small space that has a 16 " leaf enabling me to seat 6 there when the leaf is in. I chose a pub style table that is about 10" higher than a standard dining table--because i also have an open bar counter that is the same height and i can use the pub chairs at both the counter and the table. i keep 4 chairs around the table and 2 at the bar. when i have company, i put the leaf in and pull over the 2 from the bar. besides a tall potted palm, thats all i have in this room because there is virtually no wallspace to put anything against. One wall is the archway to the living room, the other is the bar counter and doorway to the kitchen, the other is the archway to the bedrooms hallway, and the 4th wall is almost entirely window.

but even in these small connected rooms i can seat 13 people total when i need to; 7 in living room, 6 in dining room.

i also went with a monchromatic color sceme for the rooms, a medium tan color on the walls (same in both rooms) with dark espresso trim,crown moldings, and woodwork. My fireplace is stucco and i painted it terra cotta red for a nice contrast of color and texture. I have dark walnut hardwood floors. my sectional is beige, the club chair is dark brown (with a hint of red) leather ,as is the large ottoman. the pub table is dark oak and the pub chairs have their seats and backs upholstered in tan and brick-red striped fabric.
The living room has one wall (across from the fireplace) done in wood framed leather panelling that goes about half way up the wall.

I really strive to keep this area clutter-free. My only storage is in the built-in archway cabinets and the ottoman and a single drawer in the side table and a wicker basket on a shelf under the drawer. on the fireplace mantle, i have a few pieces of rustic mexican pottery . on the wall with leather panelling, above the panelling i have a row of 5 small square abstract prints framed in copper. Over the mantle i have a large (2' x 4') mirror framed in bronze, copper, and small red ceramic tiles. this mirror hides my LCD tv screen. The fireplace hearth is done in terra cotta tile. I have wood framed bamboo shutters on all the windows which i custom made to fit.

Answer 2

If you can take the wall out as others have suggested I would. But I am going to assume you can't for the following...
First I would either take out the carpeting in the LR/DR or add throw carpet in kitchen/ breakfast area that has the same feel as the carpet in other rooms. This will give a more uniform appearance and pull the eye forward making rooms appear bigger.
Next only use 1 or 2 pieces of furniture in each room. Since they are so small you really can't entertain on any large scale there anyway. I suggest using upholstered chairs rather than love seats or couches.Perhaps put a TV and 2 chairs in the room without a fireplace. Then 2 chairs in front of the fireplace. Keep large pillows for sitting on on the floor if you get a crowd.
You can use 1 end table between the chairs for drinks etc Torchier type lamps work well in small spaces rather than table lamps.
Now as for wall space... consider putting shelves in the window casings for things you wish to display. They are easy to make and can simply be slipped into window casings and held there with small brads.
Whatever you decide to do, have fun doing it.

Answer 3

I am sure you want your fireplace to be your focal point not your tv crammed in front of a window right? Have you concidered buying a flat screen and hanging it over your fire place? That way you could get rid of the problem of finding a place for a tv stand or entertainment center in the small space. Also if you want a more uniform look with the floors without speading a ton of money try looking for a jute or sisal (spelling??) rug that matches closely to the color of the wood floors in the connecting room, that way they will look a bit more tied together. Keep the decor the same in the 2 rooms so they apprear to be more together than they really are and they will flow together. Sofa's and chairs are ok in front of windows. Also dont be afraid to angle furniture either. Also sofa's chairs and even tables dont have to be right up against a wall. Try angling the furniture around the fireplace. And in many cases in small area's, less is more. If you can live without big bulky pieces than do so. Also try decorating in more earthy tones. Bright colors make small rooms look even smaller and bright colors always draw attention. So if you are forced to live with something that looks a bit odd or out of place, your better off softening it up rather than making it stand out. I hope I have given you a few idea's. Good luck!

Answer 4

In my experience, my room/house can look like anything but if the energies aren't right, the most beautiful interiors cannot work for me. I'm willing to live in a shack if the energy is positive. I don't fuss over interiors but I would like storage for all my books and a few favorite artworks on the walls. Also, contrary to what's written there, I do not like warm or jewel tones. Whitewashed walls & light blue curtains would be wonderful. There has to be PLENTY of ventilation & natural light. I don't like huge racks that take up a lot of space; the only pieces of furniture would be a bed, a study table, a cupboard & a super-comfy chair.

Answer 5

Try to arrange more than one seating space instead of trying to group it all together. Make a small area for tv, another for reading, etc. Try keeping the couch away from the wall. You could even use a console table at the back of the couch. If you want to email me what you have as furniture, I'll be happy to help, since it's kinda hard to imagine what you can do (I get the image in my mind of the space...) but I really would like to know what you have as furniture. I'm sure I can help!

Answer 6

Without approximate dimensions this is difficult. Do you have the energy or funds to remove the wall between the rooms? How about removing the rug and having hardwood throughout the two spaces? Would a corner TV stand help? I would arrange two focal points; one around the fireplace and one around the TV. If the rooms are small consider two loveseats instead of couches.

Answer 7

Without dimensions or pics, it's a little difficult to help. Which room has the fireplace and windows? Isn't it possible to put up shelving on at least one of the walls, so that you can accomodate a seating area? Is it possible to take out part of the wall between the living room and family room to make one larger room? If it's a load bearing wall, You could use post and beam construction to carry the weight of the load and make your rooms into one larger room.

Answer 8

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Truth is, I've been a carpenter for almost 36 years, and I haven't found anything like this for less than 10's of thousands of dollars.

Answer 9

so start with the room you want the tv in situate it so that you can face the tv while sitting on a couch or some comfy chairs then place the table with chairs and anything else try to situate so that it looks good with other stuff

place the most important stuff first so you know what not to move