help im clueless decor

Phoenix
by Phoenix
suggestions for furniture placement and type for this family area that opens onto kitchen and can been seen from the dining room. have painted the walls bhers silver screen which I love. other then that i'm at a loss should I get rid of the large tv unit and put it on the wall? the sofa floats between the kitchen and family room...
view from the dining room.
view from the kitchen
  23 answers
  • Lori J Lori J on Feb 03, 2014
    It feels like the room need softening. Would definitely let the entertainment center go...it dominates the space. Pick some accent colors...pillows, rug, maybe an accent chair.
    • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Feb 03, 2014
      @Lori J yes,I'd either paint the t.v. stand a lighter color or get a lighter one. Could you cover it with a light-colored contact paper?
  • White Oak Studio Designs White Oak Studio Designs on Feb 03, 2014
    I think the difficulty in furniture placement is due to the size and scale of your furniture and that everything is pushed against the wall. Are you stuck with this furniture? If you are, could you buy a soft looking, pretty rug the size (small enough) that it could be angled in your room? Then you could angle the sofa too which will totally change the look of the room? The room feels "cold" to me due to all the gray and black, maybe you could pick a favorite contrasting color (red/blue/green) (a soft pretty green might look real nice) and add painted, small brightly colored side tables and pictures to the walls picking up a color from the rug too. Decide on your accent colors first and then find a rug and go from there.
  • You definitely need to warm up the room. A rug would definitely define the space and putting the tv on the wall will help the room feel and look larger (plus check out Ikea and other places for the special products to hide the wires!). Your curtains need some texture/pattern to them. They are very nice but maybe add a set of panels on the outside which are heavier and will add some more depth to your window. Your rod needs to be larger and go past the window a bit more. I would move that cubby unit under the opening to under the tv and place a chair there which has some color. I was taught a long time ago that each room should carry a color that another room has so your eye flows from room to room. Such as carrying a red from the kitchen to the living room whether it be in a pillow or rug. Does that make sense? If that is your child, is this room serve as there space too? Then a child friendly chair, pillow, and a throw for the their space. I would not put toys here. You do not have enough room and I am from the school of thought that kids and their toys belong in a play room or their room. This should be an adult space since it is open to kitchen and dining rooms and the front door. It is a shame that your sofa can only go one way. I do not put sofas against the walls and use mine to define a space (just as you are) with a sofa table behind it. You could use a side table or two which will help make the room feel like you can sit in there. I am throwing this out there, but have you thought about moving the tv to another location? I know this is out there and your space seems limited but they make wall mounts that move 180degrees so you could put the tv in a corner and move the sofa to another area so you can add a couple chairs and tables for seating and entertaining? The long wall where tv is now would actually allow for tables on each side of couch and if you are entertaining the guests could see you and talk to you while you are in the kitchen. Just a thought... Good luck!
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Feb 03, 2014
    Wow! Small room, large furniture! Problem! I would get rid of the entertainment center and put the sofa on that wall. I would put the TV on the shorter wall. Then put out a eye catching modern bright rug with ever color imaginable in it. You can sit a couple of small slipper chairs in front of the window...slipper chairs do not take up as much room and will fit fit the black leather sofa. Pick a bright pattern and put a small table between them. Stop going for large pieces. Then pick some bright colored art. Without a sketch, this is the best I can do.
  • Kathryn Gowin Kathryn Gowin on Feb 03, 2014
    you have a lovely home but it is too commercial..hang tv on wall and add art work, add color, color, color...a rug , color at windows, pillows on sofa and maybe floor for your little girl...you have blank slate and it can be made beaufitul
  • DLynne DLynne on Feb 03, 2014
    I don't think your furniture is too big, the problem is placement. If you don't need the opening in the dining wall for the extra light consider hanging fabric across the whole wall like a curtain from ceiling to floor. Perhaps use solid color sheets or painters drop cloth to do this to save some money on fabric. You could paint the cloth to match the walls or choose a color that matches your window curtains. Then put your entertainment center and TV there in front of the wall curtain. Move the sofa to the wall where the TV is now. That will even give you space to put a chair in the corner near where the sofa is now, or in front of the window, and it will open the room to the kitchen. The shelving unit now below the dining wall could be moved over to below the window or perhaps better would be against the divider wall behind where the sofa is now for a room divider that doesn't block the entire view between rooms. Can it be raised to a vertical position? I would find a washable/cleanable rug so the little one can have a warm place to play on the floor and it will add color and design too. You should have room at each end of the sofa for small end tables. I'd consider an ottoman as a coffee table so the little one can have a surface to use. I'd cover it in a washable cover. You can even find them that open for storage, where you could put throws or even store toys. Then get a sturdy tray, put some non slip material underneath and use it when needed on top of the ottoman for sitting things on. Best wishes!!
  • Pamela Sandall Pamela Sandall on Feb 03, 2014
    Hello @phoenix I'm with other gals...you need some warmth. I would paint the walls. If you want to stick with neutrals, just a warmer version. There are some lovely warm greys or go with a beige. (Or go crazy and put a color up!). Lose the large shelves, move the short ones over to that wall and wall mount the tv. Put some baskets in the smaller one for your little one to keep toys in. Add a plushy shag rug to the floor. Then, find a pair of slipper (armless) chairs in a small scale to float on the half wall with a small table in between. Add a lamp. Add a floor lamp next to your sofa. Find something fun for a coffee table...maybe an ottoman? A little predictable, I know but with your little one, it's safe, cosy and back up climbing structure!
  • Kelly Millican Kelly Millican on Feb 03, 2014
    I agree with my Texas friends. Place the entertainment center on the wall with the opening. Hang something behind it perhaps using a tension rod. Then on the other side perhaps shutters. Place the sofa on the wall where the TV was and two colorful chairs where the sofa was. Under the window at the end of room... perhaps a nice antique piece... maybe a whitewashed cupboard with a unique collection of crystal candlestick holders. I would use bright yellow and or red for accent colors.
  • Pat Cobb Pat Cobb on Feb 03, 2014
    Keep the entertainment center, add a sheet of press board, before you put it behind the entertainment center, get some spray glue and a pretty pattern of cloth and cover it. Then find a nice area rug in front of your couch, and maybe a coffee table. Then get a throw to go on the couch. The front door reflex in the minor so you might want to add a curtain there. I would add a piece of art work to my walls. You have a beautiful home !!! Take it slowly and the main thing is, remember it's not what other people think its what you like. One more piece of advice... take off the items you have on top of the entertainment center, it takes away from your recess ceiling (which is just beautiful). Beside the entertainment center (check around Goodwill, 2nd hand store) put a medium size chair (perhaps wood) paint it a distressed white and cover the seat, add a floor lamp. Good luck! Make sure you keep in touch with this website... these people are great for advice and their homes are out of this world.
  • Jeanette Yeggy Jeanette Yeggy on Feb 03, 2014
    too much black - I would get rid of the entertainment unit and use an old piece of furniture (buffet, dresser, sofa table) with some detail and paint it a contrasting color - turquoise, hot pink or red - to hold the TV. That would give you storage and interest. You definitely need an area rug with some of the same color and some throw pillows with color. Or just stick with the black and make white your accent with black & white prints for rug and pillows. Have fun!
  • Dolores DeLuise Dolores DeLuise on Feb 03, 2014
    The floors are beautiful. The couch and entertainment center overwhelm the room. You need to pick a color scheme. You need to dream about it for a while, carry it around in your head and see your life through it. Examples: Modern color scheme--blue and orange; traditional colors--blue/green and white; boho--orange and red, etc. Blend and/or contrast your colors among the walls, floor rug(s), and drapes. If you can't replace your couch, use a statement-making throw and pillows. But you need to dream your color scheme first. Your entertainment center could be painted after you pick your colors. It can fade into the wall with the same color or be a complementary color. Think of using chalk paint as it doesn't require much prep. Dream of accessories; for example, if you've picked blue and white, think of yellow, etc. Pick a few statement accessories--lamp, lantern, vases, etc., that will punctuate the space with the different color. Don't forget some art for the walls. Accessories etc. can be gotten at flea markets, or can be DIY. Home Goods is also fantastic for accessories--inexpensive and up to the minute. This website is rich in ideas. Best wishes.
  • Marcia P Marcia P on Feb 03, 2014
    accessorize with color and patters ...way too much black, way too much solid
  • Eileen Eileen on Feb 03, 2014
    I'd paint the entertainment center a much darker but coordinating shade of color that is on the walls, and get a bright rug and drapes that pick up some of those colors, like the others were saying. I'd use the entertainment center as the divider instead of the sofa. You can have luan plywood cut to the right size and put it on the back of it and paint it to match. I'd put the sofa on the wall. Then you could put a nice easy chair or recliner in the corner to the right of the window. Some end tables of a natural material like rattan or such would lighten up the heaviness of the sofa's darkness. Then a couple of brass lamps on them would carry it on even more. If your child plays in the living room, you could get a wooden toy box and paint it one of the bright colors out of the rug or drapes and put it under the window. It could serve as extra seating that way if you wanted.
  • Carole Carole on Feb 03, 2014
    Agree with wall mounting the TV. Also, I would add texture in the form of cushions and throws in an accent colour and maybe some artwork on the walls. You could also dress up the curtains by adding a contrasting band of fabric at the bottom to give the curtains a less plain look. You need to soften the look which is very stark and masculine at present I think. An ottoman or coffee table and rug would also add some much needed colour contrast and textural contrast. Good luck with it!!
  • Anne Anne on Feb 04, 2014
    The black TV stand is overwhelming along with the black sofa. The colour on the walls in beautiful, but your walls are bare and you need something on them to soften up the room, even if you added another piece of furniture, a different colour, cream would be nice and make that your focal point. I would have the tv on the wall and then maybe the other piece of furniture could be a slim cream coloured table under your tv. Also add some nice pictures with bright colours and throw some different coloured cushions on the couch. Hope this helps.Good luck!!!
  • Rose Rose on Feb 04, 2014
    Great idea - Go to Pottery Barn (if you have one in your area) they give classes on how to put your furniture in the best places for your space. They also come to the house and give you advise. All you need to do is purchase a few things - not necessary to purchase big items.
  • Phoenix Phoenix on Feb 04, 2014
    wow, thank you all for all the suggestions! I now have so many ideas for the room.. I think everyone is in agreement that the tv should go on the wall so that will be the first thing this coming weekend. a rug and some colours seem to place second. I have pictures framed sitting in the basment but all are bw. with black frames . we have also had our eyes on strandmon dark blue chair from ikea.. well not a slipper chair do you think they would work in the room??
  • Kiff Harvey Kiff Harvey on Feb 04, 2014
    I agree you need a carpet / go wild! lots of colour and pattern you have everything neutral so go for it but be sure you love it! then pick up on one of the colours for your cushions and curtain trim. put the TV in the open wall space ( it is wasted space anyway) the other people said to use shutters or a curtain I think that would be perfect. Then you can arrange all the seating around your new carpet without it feeling too narrow . I have a room 8 feet by 10 and we can fit 4 comfortably with the TV at the one end . Your room is much larger you can probably do 6 . Tub chairs are more comfortable than slipper chairs because they have arms but take up the same space or less.You have lots of room for small end tables and don't forget some lights to warm the room. Pick a second colour from your carpet to do the light bases.( buy at used furniture places and spray paint the ceramic or glass bases a second colour from your carpet) You will love the carpet but make sure it is a busy pattern to hide the spills it will suffer. Measure your carpet so it goes as near as possible to 1- 2 feet from the walls that will make your room look huge .I bought an inexpensive carpet from Home Depot on line they delivered right to my front door in 3 days. Have fun do not be afraid to go WILD!
  • Christine Christine on Feb 04, 2014
    I agree with eile. I was thinking you might want to (get rid of) paint the entertainment center the same color as the walls, since you love it, only in an enamel. I also think that's a great color, so you have a good base to start with. You might consider lighter curtains and perhaps slip covering that couch. It's pretty giant. IMHO, you could use some wood to warm the place up and something on your walls. I can't imagine black is your go-to color!
  • Roxanne Roxanne on Feb 04, 2014
    I would put the TV in an Armoire with storage and doors, also, it would hide the wires. A beautiful, colorful area rug with a coffee table with storage. Walls would warm room if a darker shade. Like where couch is positioned..
  • Brenda M Brenda M on Feb 06, 2014
    I think a small sectional would be nice.
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Feb 15, 2014
    I agree with most of the folks' comments. The room need color. What are your favorite colors? Some decorators advice repeating your three favorite colors throughout the room and the house. They don't have to match; but they add fluidity to your scheme. If at a loss of ideas look at magazines for a while. Save the pages that appeal to you. Then go back and look at them from time to time. Don't be in a hurry. You will see a pattern of your likes and dislikes when you look at those pictures. Good uck. Keep us posted.
  • Opal Opal on Feb 16, 2014
    I love the colors, is the drapery purple? I would add a big area rug for both traction, warmth and color with coordinating pillows and accessories. Good call on mounting the TV (you don't want that to get knocked over, I speak from experience) with a long credenza type thing under it to hold and the necessary crap and cords leaving space between the tv and credenza for decor stuff. how fun.