Can you give me suggestions for making over this den?

Renee
by Renee

I asked several weeks ago about this room. I was advised to get rid of clutter and to post pics of all four walls. Ok. I'm there now. The room is 16 x 28. I really want to incorporate the whole room. Dont forget a 7.5 tall Christmas tree has to also be incorporated in this mix. Any and all help would be appreciated. I'm near tears at this point trying to figure it all out.Note: TV can not be moved to be placed over fireplace (6 inch thick walls on chimney).

  12 answers
  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on Nov 07, 2019
    Tv needs to be on wall with Fireplace and a range furniture for that layout.
  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 07, 2019

    From the pictures you posted, it seems like all the furniture is either in the corners, or stuck up against the walls. There also does not seem to be any arrangements of furniture into 'conversation areas'. There also does not seem to be any sitting furniture placed in front of the TV.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 07, 2019

    From the pictures you posted, only two sources of light can be seen - the one small ceiling fixture, and the one small low light lamp. Every room should ideally should have three kinds of lighting - task, general, and ambient. Right now, there is no task light in the room.


    Task and ambient lighting sources need to be added around the individual chairs and couches.

    • Renee Renee on Nov 07, 2019

      The room does have 2 ceiling lights. Only one lamp is shown in pic as I have tried to remove most everything from the room to start a new slate. Furniture is on corners and walls trying to figure out the best placement of furniture. Putting furniture directly in front of tv will cut the rest of the room off. TV cannot be placed on any other wall due to cable access. This is a 100+yr old house

  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 07, 2019

    A room of this length is too long for all the furniture to be placed where it can be used for watching tv, as 28 ft is too far of a distance away for a screen this size.


    Instead of thinking that some furniture in the centre of the room will be 'cutting off the room,' think in terms that it will create 2 areas within one room - one for TV watching, and one for either conversation, reading, or other activities.

  • Debi53 Debi53 on Nov 08, 2019

    I agree that you need to create two areas- one around the fireplace and one around the TV. It looks like you have two sofas. Try placing them back to back-one in front of the TV and one at right angle to the FP. Place two chairs across from the sofa next to the FP and place another chair or two at a right angle to the sofa in front of the TV. Then place tables between the chairs and/or at the end of the sofas to hold lamps.

  • Can i say lovley size living room an age is fab :)

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Nov 09, 2019

    What a great room! I would move the tv to the wall with the fireplace. Center it on the wall to the left of the fireplace. I would place the Christmas tree on the other side of the fireplace. I would have all the furniture facing the tv/fireplace wall, but angle a few pieces so they aren't all against that wall with the windows. I would also get a large area rug to be placed in front of the tv/fireplace area. It will give this area the main focus.

    I also wanted to let you know that I've been overwhelmed when it's come to designing and decorating a room. I've had to remove everything from a room before and start with a clean slate. It's much easier to go that way than to move around furniture and items already in the room. I know that's not always possible, but hang in there, you'll figure it out.

  • Heather Cammack Heather Cammack on Nov 09, 2019

    I totally agree you need a "conversation" area with the fireplace as the focal point. Placing a large area rug in front of the fireplace will give you a clear boundary for where to place furniture. Moving the TV next to the fireplace would make it easier to view TV without making a separate seating area. I would even consider a hutch where the TV could be covered when not being used, but it's fine out too.


    This should leave plenty of corners for the Christmas tree. I like to fill any extra spaces along walls with storage, decor or useful desk space. Good luck!

  • 17335038 17335038 on Nov 09, 2019

    If the location of where the TV cable enters the house can not be changed to another spot, then replace the present cable cord that connecting the wall outlet to the TV with a longer one. This would facilitate moving the TV to another location in the room.

  • Rymea Rymea on Nov 10, 2019

    I'm so sorry for your stress but the problem is the placement of the TV. I saw your previous post. It looks 100 % better already. You had two different areas then and didn't like it that way so you have to figure out how to move the TV. Call the cable company. If they won't help then you could go with WiFi and be able to move it anywhere you want.. Or maybe the wire could go under the house? Otherwise it looks like the cord could be routed along the floor and then up over the doors to the right to end up on the wall by the fireplace. If the door to the left is a closet it could be routed through it and then around the outside of the house to end up in the corner where the chair and ottoman are now. FYI, you can paint the cord the color of the wall. You could arrange the furniture in different configurations before actually moving the TV to see what would work the best for your family.

    • See 1 previous
    • Rymea Rymea on Jul 26, 2021

      I hope you are happy with the results

  • Judy Shock Judy Shock on Apr 13, 2021

    I would put the tv on the wall where it is and a tall console

    or tall dresser below it. I would put a nice couch or theater type seating in front of the tv, anchor with a rug. On side where french doors are I would put another rug with table chairs (4). In front of fireplace I would put either 2 love seats opposite each other or nice chairs for conversation . Perhaps setting up 3 different areas may work anchored with rugs to defined them. I also would paint with a neutral color, something light.

  • Agnes Chrzanowska Agnes Chrzanowska on Dec 31, 2021

    it is hard to advice without knowing distance . Can you make a sketch ?