Help please with the living room

Elizabeth
by Elizabeth
I am just moving into a home with a wide and living room. Not a lot of money to spare but please for god sake give me ideas or diy work. I'm home all day and I don't even know where to begin with hanging my art work
The entry from front doot
As soon as u enter its a square entry way to the dining room. Pic was taken with me inside the dining room
This is the view from inside kitchen and entry way
This is from the back slide door
The last few pics are from the tiny hallway entering lining room
The old furniture was left in the house this is being removed but it's an empty wall once it's gone
  28 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 04, 2015
    To be honest unless you show what you are referring to there is know way to answer that question.
  • Z Z on Nov 04, 2015
    Your best bet is to wait until your own furniture is in place. Then do one room at a time so you are not overwhelmed. 1. Take pictures of each wall and then one from opposite corners. All corners if the room has a lot of doors and windows. 2. Take close up pictures of the art you want in that room adding the dimensions of each piece. This will give us a better idea of how to help you place your art.
  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Nov 04, 2015
    My advice - if you can lighten things up, it will be a happier place to get comfortable. Can and would you want to paint? Paint isn't a huge investment if you are able to paint even one wall. My next thought would be lighting - you can use what you have, and rearrange it as you figure out the layout for your seating. Right now, your couch is huddled at one end of the room. How about moving some seating around the fireplace? Doesn't have to be fancy or match -use what you have, with maybe a small table? Or coffee table? Right now what I see is furniture spread out around the edges of the room. Play with it until you get the feel you want. It's a large area and could have more than one area arranged for visiting, reading, etc. I think you will be more comfortable decorating with your art, once you have your furniture arranged in a way that works for you! Good luck and use what you already have to make things homey for you!
  • Kayo Frazier Kayo Frazier on Nov 04, 2015
    Here's my 2 cents...Paint all the walls a light color w/ a hint of blue, grey, or green. Paint the fireplace white. Leave the mantel as is, it will have a great contrast to the white. This will brighten the room considerably during the day.i suggest dividing the room into 3 sections Pic #1 ~ I suggest putting the couch w/ a coffee table in front & centered w/ the fireplace. Then add a love seat on one side. A couple of chairs w/ a side table bet. them on the other side. Pic #2 1 ~ Put the TV in that corner somewhere else in the house. Add floor to ceiling bookshelves for a library keep the comfy chair w/ ottoman in that corner & add a side table. Keep the floor lamp where it is. Add artwork on both sides of the window next to the chair & ottoman. Pic #3 1 ~ Where the TV is place an entertainment center. Add a L-shaped sectional in front of it. Pic #5 1 ~ I suggest widening the doorway to the dining room that way it's not separated from the living room. Pic #6 1 ~ Going to assume the cut out in the wall has the kitchen on the other side. If it is not going affect the kitchen lay out or reduce the # of cabinets. I suggest widening it & adding a counter to make a breakfast bar. Pic #8 1 ~ Make that a gallery wall for artwork & photography Hope this helps..
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Nov 04, 2015
    Got a bit lost w the pics. First thing I would do is remove the mantle, if possible, and stuff from the fireplace. (Can't tell what those squares are.) You mention art. The front of the fireplace would be a good place to display a large piece. I'd group the living room furniture using the fireplace as the focal point, and dining room furn close to the kitchen area. The floors are great. Do you have an area rug to help define the living room area? If you have a lot of art that one bare wall could be used to arrange many pics in an attractive display.
  • Kimberly Kimberly on Nov 05, 2015
    There are some great ideas here, but start with a floor plan to help visualize the space and how much room you actually have.
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Nov 05, 2015
    Wow- what a big space! The pictures don't do it justice, I think. I am puzzled about your furniture arrangement...I think that since the fireplace is the first thing you see when you walk through the door, that should be the focal point. So your sofa and chair should be in front of that, on the rug, and not tucked in the corner with the TV. If you want to make the TV area separate (as it looks like you don't have wall space due to the window and door flanking the fireplace), then I would stage that separately. I would keep whatever furniture that was left behind- except maybe that blonde TV stand- and paint it with accent colors to create a cohesive space. You can always use a spare bench and console table somewhere in that big room. I wouldn't hang the art work until I had all the furniture in place. The big pieces need to anchor the room, then the decorative items are the dressing.
  • Danielle Danielle on Nov 05, 2015
    It's so great that you posted a lot of photos, it really helps. I think before anything else you need to do the thing that is the closest to free that you can: make paper dolls! No, seriously, I really mean it. Whenever I start to redesign a space I measure every wall, window, doorway opening etc, and I pull out the graph paper and make a scale drawing of the room. I find that 1 square = 6" usually works best. I mark where and how large all the non movable things like Windows, doors, and fireplaces are, then I measure all the furniture that I want to put in and cut out pieces of paper to size and approximate shape. Then, I start rearranging. Since I know each square is 6" I know how many squares to leave blank between pieces for reaching and for walkways, and whether I'm trying to fit too much in or not enough. Once I've settled that I start moving things so it only needs to be done once. (The hubby really only has patience for that since he considers anything that allows him to see the tv comfortably as good design. SMH)
  • Lynn Palmatier Lynn Palmatier on Nov 05, 2015
    First of all, take a deep breath and let it out slowly.... It is a takes that takes time. You are now in your new home and know that you are not the only one who has been in this position. Relax! If you can afford some paint, make the wall where your fire place is an accent wall. The fore place looks like it is a light natural brick color. You want that to be your focal point in the room? Make it pop with paint. With neutrals you can add accent a accent color (pic one from your furniture or one of the prominent color you may have with your accent pieces you already have. Use carpets/rugs to create rooms (TV area, game area, or what ever you envision. Remove or paint the mantle over the fireplace. If you make it disappear or look less contrasting, that will make a difference. Use furniture to create invisible walls. Once you get your floor plan settled use your art work to accent. Good luck... You have lots of options and good suggestions...
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Nov 05, 2015
    Dark dingy room. 1. Paint off white/cream. buttery color, use a satin finish.. 2. stack pictures in vertical groups on major focal wall. 3. Remove stuff off mantel and us one to two things. 4. Consider painting fireplace lighter. 5. remove as much window coverings as possible. 6. Consider replacing bulky fan/light with something 'lighter' looking. 7. minimize furnishings. Albeit a large room, use that to its advantage rather than clutter. 8. Consider more than one seating area or 'center' of the room.
  • Sherry Renfro Sherry Renfro on Nov 05, 2015
    You have a great multi-functional space! I think your furniture arrangement needs to be thought thru more. What I usually do with a room that has multi entrances (outside and inside doorways within the room) is to use painter's tape and mark off a 3 or 4 ft wide traffic path on the floor to each doorway and the large vacant areas remaining are functional/seating spaces. This should help you with your decorating concerns. Also, consider placing sofa or chairs with their backside to a traffic pattern to define the seating space and not necessary placed up against walls. If you find that you like that kind of arrangement but have no electric outlet for lighting for sofa table or end table, you can have an electrician to install a floor outlet. Once you have a correct furniture placement, you should not have any problems concerning how to accessorize.
  • Ren1806026 Ren1806026 on Nov 05, 2015
    I agree with all of the above. First thing I noticed is how dark it is. If you are able, I would spend some money on a light color and plaster those walls with it! It will lighten up the area! I would also paint the fireplace mantle white. Use just a few larger things over the mantle instead of many things! You have a huge space in that room, so don't place all the furniture against the wall! As others said, use your furniture to divide up the floor space into different usage areas (TV, reading, dining, whatever). Don't use heavy curtains or drapes in the Windows! You need light and airy! Just use valances or see through lightweight curtains pulled to the side. Accent with colorful pillows, vases, dry flowers to brighten it up! Thrift shops are great for finding these type things. I envy all of your space, so enjoy making it yours!
  • Vickie Vickie on Nov 05, 2015
    What a wonderful room! I have a long skinny room that is sort of hard to place furniture but we use our fireplace wall as the focal and with a sloping ceiling we aren't able to put the tv over the fireplace as seen in some rooms but I have heard that is NOT good for the tv if you have the heat below it. We have our tv "catty corner" next to the fireplace and looks like you have the perfect area to do that on the right side of the fireplace. And I agree with the other comments, leave a walk area behind the sofa if in front of the fireplace. In another area of our room we have a music area because my husband is a musician but so wish I could put an area on that side of the room for a table for games so that might something you could think about in the area you now have your tv. I have a friend that has a table with rolling chairs around it and they use that table for games, puzzles, extra eating space at holidays etc. But for now, move the furniture around, maybe put a couple of chairs in that area and just live with the space for a while before any big changes. Like don't paint your mantel until you live with it a while and see if that is something you would like. You might decide you like the wood and what a pain if you paint over it and then later regret it. I say relax, give yourself some time and if you are like me, I had to quit looking at tv, magazines and pinterest because it is overwhelming and just move furniture around until I found something I was happy with using what I had and just lived with it a while. I too like the airy open curtains and see you have your window next to the tv and over the patio door so sunshine can come in but I also have drapes thick enough to close at night just because I don't like it when I know someone can see into my house. So again, do what makes you comfortable for now and make those big decisions later and for now, have fun trying all sorts of different furniture arrangements and using what you have. Good luck and enjoy your new home, it is pretty amazing!
  • Carol S Carol S on Nov 05, 2015
    My house faces North and has small windows. Your house looks dark inside like mine. I've been reading about North facing houses. Perhaps you will benefit from what I have learned, because I see how dark your house looks inside. Are you able to remove your window coverings and let light into your house? Designers recommend placing the curtain rod up by the ceiling and have the curtains not cover the window, that is hang them on either side not in front of the window. I plan to do that to allow natural light to enter the home. Also, it is beneficial if the curtains are white or another light color to reflect more light into the house. My windows are small so designers recommend I use curtains the same color as my wall color. I think this would work for your house, too. Use mirrors to reflect light around the room. The best place for a mirror is directly across from a window so it reflects the outdoors (if you have a nice view). Try rearranging your furniture and brightening the room as you are able. You may not need to repaint. Don't be afraid to use white in your room. White (and yellow) brighten dark rooms. You might use sofa pillows in white or yellow. Frankly, your room is so dark I could't see your color scheme. Best of luck and warm wishes for happiness.
  • Liz Straughn Liz Straughn on Nov 05, 2015
    Lighten up with light-colored paint. Paint is the cheapest way to lighten a room. I agree with everyone else. Use mirrors opposite windows to bring in the light. Also, use sheer curtains. Make seating areas. Pull the furniture away from the walls and face walls to create "walls" with the chairs. I would recommend that you put everything down on graph paper first! Make furniture pieces by block size to get an idea of how to rearrange the furniture. It takes a little time in the beginning, but saves so much time later!! Also, if you want to rearrange the furniture in the future, you can pull out the graph and figure out what you want to do before moving the heavy furniture around, only to find out you don't like it that way. Use light accessories... throws (afghans), pillows and accent pieces. Add sconces for more lighting.
  • Ginger the farm gal Ginger the farm gal on Nov 05, 2015
    I would consider moving the buffet/desk/ dresser(that's now against the wall) to behind the sofa and have the back of the sofa coming away from the front door...the buffet would have a purpose ((or could be a stand for flat screen tv flat against the wall instead of caddy corner.)) ... Looks like you want 2 tv areas so try the tv ((that's on the shelf)) along side of the wall from the sliding glass door with the wooden bench in front of it for seating....., would add a couple matching chairs in front of the fire place or just another one with the floral print chair, moving the sofa would also allow heat from the fireplace to reach the whole room and you could see the fireplace from the sofa. I would put the sofa table along one of the entry ways for keys, purse etc.which ever door you use the most...it would be ok for it to be free standing and not up against a wall((like between the fire place and sliding door..... If you really want more light I would paint the walls,trim and fireplace all the same off white color Not sure what the piece is in the corner from the vaccum cleaner, but if it has no purpose may want to put it in the corner where the fireplace is, can't tell if it flat or caddy corner but would probably look good on the wall next to the fire place..... Move the bar stool chair out, unless you have a high table to use with it, might work with the sofa table at an entry way..... Try the round rug with the tv and wooden bench area, and the square one in front of the sofa.
  • Ginger the farm gal Ginger the farm gal on Nov 05, 2015
    If the tv on the shelf can't be moved put the round rug under the tv shelf and the wooden bench in front of it. If the window.or opening to kitchen on the wall where the vaccume is could make it a counter type bar or use the buffet desk setting out away from the window, if you're not interested in the above ideas. Good luck it looks like a hard space to make one room, think it's better to split it up with the rugs defining spaces.
  • Sus2624590 Sus2624590 on Nov 05, 2015
    The settee would be better in front of the fireplace, that is the focal point. And tv over there too.
  • Ellen Ellen on Nov 06, 2015
    As Lynette Jennings used to say, "Pull the furniture AWAY from the walls". A few intimate groupings of your existing furniture will fill in the empty space in the center of your room, like you did with your sofa. Perhaps a few small low light-loving plants (which WILL grow big for you) can be used to fill in empty spots, too. Once you have these things done, it should be easier to decide where to hang your wall art.
  • Ellen Beener Ellen Beener on Nov 07, 2015
    Very hard to tell with those dark photos also we need dimensions in feet.
  • Marsha Schwarz Marsha Schwarz on Nov 13, 2015
    I haven't read any of the other answers so if any of this repeats I'm sorry. I have one simple design suggestion. Don't let the 'walls' in a huge or odd shaped room define your dƩcor. Use your furniture, rugs etc to make several vignettes. Make it feel homey and cozy to you. Set your furniture/rugs to make the definitions and then hang art etc to decorate each little section. Don't let lack of walls limit your creativity. A couch in the middle of an area with a sofa table and plant behind it makes a wonderful 'wall'.
  • DebLynn DebLynn on Dec 19, 2015
    I think the very narrow sofa table would be better used at the small kitchen opening....I would use bright colored or White Shutters on either side of the Window to make it a focal point, or you could use the artwork on the fireplace mantel. The metal on one side of the "window" and the 2 heavy wood frames hung vertical on the other to "Balance" the wall. Could the wooden sofa table legs be removed and install just the wooden top to the counter height? The round rug does not work in front of the fireplace....HAVE FUN!
  • Marlene Haigh Marlene Haigh on Feb 08, 2016
    It looks like you need some color to brighten up the room. Your furniture should be grouped together make two sitting areas.
  • Sus2624590 Sus2624590 on Feb 09, 2016
    This is old, is it still the same ?
    • Elizabeth Elizabeth on Feb 10, 2016
      No I have changed around 100 times but got stuck with the curtains!!!!
  • Sus2624590 Sus2624590 on Feb 10, 2016
    You will have to lighten the walls, white or pale grey to giv a pallet to work with. Use your blank wall as a gallery for your art work. A large colourful carpet will pull it all together. Curtains could start on both side of windows on a large pole, making the windows appear larger. All matching rug/carpet.
  • Sus2624590 Sus2624590 on Feb 10, 2016
    I have used sheets on my windows with tab tops.
  • Marlene Haigh Marlene Haigh on Feb 11, 2016
    try picking up colors from the round rug
  • Sus2624590 Sus2624590 on Feb 12, 2016
    We're any of my suggestions any good ?