Help with room layout.

Our front door opens with a step down to a tiny living room. This room needs a major overhaul. We are on a tight budget but are considering built in shelves vs a mid century credenza, (my husband can make the built ins) furniture options, and what to do with the windows. That is a lot of questions . Thx in advance for any suggestions. ( this will be used as a grown up area to read and/or have a cocktai!)

Front door
Step down
Vaulted ceiling- tall double windows. Back wall-built in or credenza? Archway into dining room.
View from dining room . Windows are "set- in" with a couple feet of blank space at the top of set-in.

View into dining room. Would love paint suggestions too. White and gray have been officially banned. 😁
  11 answers
  • Great space to work with! I would do some sort of window bench seat for the set in window space. I also like the idea of some built in shelves on either side of the fireplace and tie it in with some sort of mantle to give it some presence. I would make the built in shelves no more than 8 - 10 inches deep. Play with furniture placement until you find a good flow even if it means ditching a piece. When shopping for furniture, maybe opt for smaller pieces that can easily be rearranged. As to paint colors, what is in the rest of the house? What do you like? I get the no white or gray thing. Do you want brighter or subdued and sultry?

  • Tammy Tammy on Jun 29, 2017

    I definitely go with built ins, matching beautiful floor color. On the wall trunk is on I would go all the way up to and follow ceiling line, bringing it to window. I would mimic this along step from front door to approximately where the middle of closet is and the highth that you currently have shelf by door hung at. This could be done with open or closed shelves, but would help define the room from the foyer. For the windows I would take from the great arches you have in dining room and build cornice boards with the same arch. To help tie things together and help break up all the wood I would cover them in a fabric that could also be used to make throw or floor pillows. Keep one couch where you currently do with back to dining room and replace the other with two overstuffed chairs. A large round coffee table in middle of room will flow with arches. You now have a library that invites cocktail hour 😊

  • Nena Hodges Nena Hodges on Jun 29, 2017

    I would use 2 or 3 cozy chairs in place of sofas. Or one love seat with one or two chairs. You will need a center rug to add comfort and warmth. My go to paint colors are light beige-y colors with green, gold or yellow tints. A lamp beside your reading chair, and you're set.

  • Cindy Cindy on Jun 29, 2017

    Hello Susie, I recommend replacing the sofa (whose back is facing dining room) with two chairs. That will provide an open space instead of blocking entrance to your dining room. I would also like to see a round rug and coffee table. You could leave the sofa in front of windows. We just painted our master bedroom with Sherwin Wms "Mushroom". I love it. It's a nice rich color. In your case it would be nice to have wood effect on baseboards to match that beautiful flooring. Then bring in pops of color with art, pillows. Hope this helps.

  • Crystle Gibson Crystle Gibson on Jun 29, 2017

    gray goes with everything, so don't abandon the furniture over it. I love the idea of built ins, but don't do that on many because they will make the space smaller and smaller. I would definitely do an accent wall AND a gallery wall (Combine the two if you like). Not sure what your favorite colors are, but I'm fond of peacock blue. :)

  • Suzette Suzette on Jun 30, 2017

    Hi Rae, Here's a simple layout that would keep the flow into the dining room and allow you to add a chair at the end of the sofa on the long wall. Use your beautiful trunk as a coffee table! Maybe find a piece of glass that fits the top. Keep your light where it is, but maybe your hubby could make a couple of end table. Maybe out of a bass drum or something musical. If you play the guitars a lot, think about hanging them on the wall near the long window. High enough to look like art but within arms reach. I don't know how big your cadenza is, but would it fit on the wall to the right of the dining room? Hope this helps~

    Have fun!

  • Linda Hutchinson Linda Hutchinson on Jun 30, 2017

    Line the far wall with 12" deep built-ins. Paint that wall a different color, or use wallpaper making it a feature wall. Add simple window treatments such as plantation blinds, minizblinds, or even pull down shades behind sheer panels. Add a nice brightly colored artwork on a wall near the stairs. You could go with rustic, farmhouse,coastal, beachy, or modern on the design elements to fit your style. I would opt for a large sware or round coffee table/ottoman between the couches.

  • Barb Barb on Jun 30, 2017

    heres a few picture ideas that may help you and on the right wall going into the dinning area place large mirror and console table.

  • Barb Barb on Jun 30, 2017

    as you open your front door this is the view, opens up a small room

  • Susie Minson O'Keefe Susie Minson O'Keefe on Jul 12, 2017

    thank you all for your thoughtful comments, pictures and floor plan layout. This will help so much. Maybe I will post pictures when I get it put together. 😄