I need help rearranging furniture in my L-shaped living room

Question

My living room is also open to the dining room. Both rooms are narrow. My sofa and love seat are also quite large as is the lazy boy chair.

Helen · Answer

First of all, I'd say you need to remove to somewhere else a couple of the heavy pieces of furniture such as the 2 recliners or 1 and the love seat.  For the size room, they crowd out anything else.  There is so much heavy furniture in there & the dining area.  Plus, behind the love seat there's a dresser/table with a large picture.  Everything except the small chair is the same color as well.  I'd put a slip cover in white on the sofa and love seat.   Raise the picture behind it higher.  About 12' up from the sofa back.  Remove the Picture on the right dining wall by the china cabinet.  Center the china cabinet.  A nice rug under the coffee table to center it and add color to the room.  Lighten up and brighten up in the rug colors.

Susan Franks · Answer

The scale of the furniture in your living is far too large for the size of the room. I would take out the lazy boy chairs and put them in a family room if you have one. Placing the sofas facing each other on each side of the fireplace will create a cozy space. The other chair and the small table may work in the corner that is now free as a nice spot to read a book. The dining room table is a little small compared to the china cabinet and living room furniture. Possibly an area rug under the table would make it look larger. Remember to have room to pull out the chairs and still be on the rug. I might even turn the table the other way and please take the scarf down. The light is way too small and too high. Try twice the size and lower at least 18'. At the front door I would lay a nice runner, possible with the same colours or pattern as the rug in the dining room. At least that is what I would do. lol

Colleenlatta · Answer

Helen and Susan have good solutions for you, especially to remove the recliners from your living room (if you don't have a family room, how about in bedrooms for a reading spot?). I love the oval-backed chair - it needs to go in front of your window by the round side table, with your couches facing each other and coffee table between them out from the fireplace. 
If you like color, you could make the biggest change by taking some risks in these rooms. A large beautiful, bold rug can become the focal point in your living room, centered in front of the fireplace to anchor your two sofas. I would then pull one or two of the colors of your living room rug to select a complimentary rug for under your dining room table. (I've had good experiences ordering large area rugs online at deep discounts. They really make the room!). Take those colors and another color cue from the focal point rug to select fabric in a pretty geometric or floral for lined window coverings for both rooms (do you have a friend who sews?). Do hang your drapes just below the ceiling on pretty rods and extended out from window sides at least 10' if possible for more impact.  Add a few bright accent pillows in your new colors to your sofas and chair.
A large gilded framed mirror over the mantle with assorted silver, brass and crystal candlesticks would look pretty, offset with a topiary or large green leafy silk stems in an unusual vase. Be bold and enjoy your space!

Country Design Home · Answer

Hi Debbie! You have a lovely space with a lot of nice pieces in there. The suggestions above are quite on target- editing would be the best way to make the space work. However, if you really want to keep all of the pieces, then I would rearrange like this: Make the fireplace the balanced and centered focal point by pulling the sofa and coffee table back over- sofa should face the love seat flanking either side of the fireplace with the coffee table in between. I would find a small area rug to define that space.  Move the arm chair over by the window (now facing the fireplace) with a nice table and lamp. That furniture all works well together and complements the fireplace style. Take the two more modern style recliners and create a second 'reading nook' where the sofa is right now on that wall next to the china cabinet with a table and lamp in between them . Slide the china cabinet more into the dining room  to give it purpose to the dining room and define that space. Good luck!

Lindy · Answer

Spot on advice and I have to add that you've closed it in with the drapes unless they're closed for the photo shoot only.  Yes, the scarf in the dining room should go as someone else suggested as well as moving the hutch to center on that wall.  You have browned out the house and need color.  Adding the slipcovers on the sofas  in a light color as suggested is also a great idea.​  Think of it as  putting your living room on a 'diet' of less is more.   Guess we're all saying the same thing.  Good luck with the great ideas.  You can't go wrong with any of the advice from the Hometalk responders.

Charly · Answer

First of all let me say that your livingroom furniture looks very inviting and comfy.   Secondly, listen to the previous ladies because they absolutely have it all going on!  I want to know when they are coming to my house to fix my livingroom?  Good luck and let us see the final results.

Terri · Answer

Add a couple of area rugs. Maybe two 5x7's. This can anchor the spaces. Give each area a finished look. Arrange furniture in the rugs. This can also give an inviting look into the spaces.  Hope this helps.

Geri Ann · Answer

If the window is not centered use curtains across the wall larger than the window itself...

Catherine Bridges · Answer

My suggestion would be to move the dinning table closer to the was that does not have the China Hutch,  take the picture on the wall the China Hutch is on down-slide the hutch more center with the table and swag the current light fixture over the table or buy one to swag. Also, all furniture does not have to set against a wall, you could make move one of your two chair arrangements  where the large sofa is,  put the other two facing each other ( with end table with the smaller one and your other sitting arrangement at the end. Also I would opt for a larger piece of art hung higher on the wall that the large soft now sits on. Hope this helps.

C · Answer

Debbie, Have you tried floating your loveseat to seperate your dining space from your living room?  If you shift you couch a little closer to the front wall.... and place the loveseat  to it's left {as a divider} Add a sofa table behind the loveseat {on the dining room side}  Then you are free to position the lazyboys closer to the door {and facing the fireplace}
Good heaven's I hope I explained that ok?

Alice · Answer

Can you rotate dining room table 90 degrees?

Jackie Hendricks · Answer

Lovely room!  Albeit crowded.  I didn't see a tv in there so assuming that is not your tv space.  I would lose the recliners and the possibly chair next to the fireplace.  Next, I would work with floating the sofa and love seat into an L shape configuration with an end table cornering them together.  Make that a start and work the smaller pieces into that scheme.  There are really too many pieces of furniture in that room.  In the dining room, the hutch really should be where the picture is.  Moving the table and chairs even a few inches more away from the hutch should help.  Table can always be moved out more temporarily during a meal.  Good luck!

Jeanne Martin · Answer

Maybe remove the love seat or recliner.  Or leave those and remove the couch.  I love your furniture but it is large and I don't think it will all fit in a way that doesn't look crowded.  If you have a guest room or large master bedroom maybe you could use the removed piece in there for a small sitting area.

Cindy Hagemann · Answer

I agree with Jackie - too much furniture for this space. Decide what you do without and move it to another room or get rid of it.

Johnchip · Answer

The arrangement is not so bad. I find the pieces 'çlunky'. They looked glued down by Ozzie for Harriet. Everything needs to 'lighten up'. I would consider first painting the door to match walls. Next consider also painting trim and even the furniture wood to lighten it all up and make it 'float' in the rooms. The wood has kind of a 50-ish look.  White or even black would modernize it and lift it off floor.

Penny Stumpf · Answer

I too would take down the picture in the gining room and move the China cabinet further into the dining room. 
I would put the large sofa on the longest window wall and the live seat where the sofa is now.  That leaves the chairs angle to the inside of the mining room.  I think it would look less crowded upon entering the room.

Irk8415906 · Answer

sofa in front of the fireplace with the love seat making an L to the left of it.
the 2 recliners if you want to keep the where you have the sofa now with a table between.
 YOU NEED AREA RUGS IN THE LIVING ROOM  ( HAVE IT CLOSE TO THE SOFA AND LOVE SEAT.)   AND THE DINING ROOM. A RUG ANCHORS THE SPACE AND DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THE FURNITUREIS FLOATING AROUND.

Emily · Answer

It seems to me that the china closet is out of proportion to the table and chairs.  The wall to the left of the dr window is not shown, so don't know if there is room for the cabinet there.  You actually have the furniture arranged in the best way if you intend to keep all the same pieces.  The recliners also seem to be too large for the space and the other furniture.  Although this is something you do not ask about, I would consider painted the closet door and its trim to match the wall color.  One less thing going on.

Lizzy L · Answer

I have a similar floor plan. Here's what I did.

Helen · Answer

In order to center the cabinet I'd move the small table and pull the table, etc. away from the wall.  The small table could be better used elsewhere in the living room or elsewhere.  OR if you center the cabinet you could put the small table on the right of the cabinet.  One thing, if you can manage it, would to hang a nice chandelier over the table.  Stay away from ones that drip with crystal  on it.  Something simpler would help immensely to make a great statement there.   I wish we could use email because it would be far easier to do this.   As for the slip covers, I'm not a big fan, but in summer months especially, they add more flair to the room.  NOT the stretch ones though.  Try the cotton duck that ties.  If you have other questions, please let me know.  mhelenmh@gmail.com  Just for you.

A Reiber · Answer

I would also eliminate a few pieces.  Remember less is more.  I would eliminate both recliners, the rectangular table by the door, and both small tables or plant stands from the dining room.  It looks as though the fireplace is just decorative.....if so, I think my design that I have drawn out may work.  I would also anchor the new floor plan with an area rug.  Move around your pictures to see what works best with the new design.  I hope this helps!

Candiapple · Answer

I recommend moving the faux fireplace with the hutch.  Remove either one chair or loveseat.  Move sofa near door entry or under window.  Raise pictures 3'.   Place area rugs under dining table and seating and seating.  Add  decorative pillows.  Problem is too monochromatic color scheme and furniture.  Go to Houzz and look for ideas.

Michelle Geiger · Answer

I have the same style home as you and I change my furniture every season.  Yes I agree that you should take down the picture and move the china cabinet to  the middle  of the wall and remove the right chair and put it in the corner angled into the dining room do the same with the left chair on the left side of the window. move that table to the small wall between the kitchen and living  room and move the lamp from the right corner to the right edge of the dining room near living room. Now move fireplace to the middle of the full wall in living room and put the two large recliners on either side of the fireplace. behind the chair near the dining room is the lamp from the dining room and chairs are angled into living room on each side of the fireplace.Now move the two seater to the small wall where the fireplace was and the three seater to where the twoseater was. take that table under the pic and move it to the entrance under the mirror. leaving the table with the lamp and the captian chair  in front of the window. and you can put a picture on either side of the fireplace over chairs and if you want a nice mirrow above the fireplace. I hope I gave you some insight it was fun.

Sharon · Answer

I go to http://www.homestyler.com/designer to rearrange furniture, before I move anything. Give it a try. You can move things, to see how it fits and looks, before you move a single piece.

Diana Deiley · Answer

You have a beautiful home, but I agree, less is more.  The oversized dark furniture makes the room appear small.   I'd eliminate the fireplace and the couch.  I'd also remove the hutch to create more space, then  turn the table the other direction.  Space is priceless.   Stuff is stuff.  I've been in the same dilemma myself.    Mama always said material things are only important to the ones who  own them.    Letting go of stuff is 'freeing'.      Best of luck.

Bernadette Staal · Answer

I also support the 'less is more' theory.  You have too many chairs in a small confined space.  Work out what chairs you actually use e.g. the LazyBoy chairs and remove one couch or remove at least one LazyBoy chair and the lovely antique chair and foot stool.  Do not get rid of the antique chair as that is far to lovely and should be a family piece but something has got to go - maybe this will fit in a corner of a bedroom or similar.  The coffee table while practical also just seems to be in the way.  Open up the room - allow the room to breath.

Carroll · Answer

I would put the chesterfield  under the large window facing the fireplace and I think the love seat or some chairs have to go.  A love seat is one of my least favorite pieces of furniture I would get rid of it.  Your chairs will then fit on either side of the chesterfield.  Remember everything does not have to be against a wall.
Happy arranging.

Gwen Barham Loftus · Answer

My thought is to start 'small' and maybe get rid  of the two recliners...they are huge and boxy and unappealing in your living room. Once they are gone, I think you will find inspiration with the other pieces.

Liz · Answer

Debbie, I like your living room.  It looks comfortable and inviting for entertaining guests.   You have a nice amount of room for seating family and friends.   People who have suggested getting rid of your recliners don't realize how comfortable they are!  I like your couch and love seat, too.  The only thing that seems to block the flow of traffic from the L.R. to the D. R. is the beautiful chair by the fireplace.  Could you possibly move it to the D.R. or to a bedroom?  Pretty area rugs in the L.R. and D.R. would serve to 'unite' the furniture in each room.   Have you thought of adding a couple of small tables with reading lamps on the right side of your couch, and between the recliner and the loveseat?

Debra Lynn Kime Venezia · Answer

Yes, I think I would put the love seat in another room...maybe a bedroom?  I think the couch is always nice opposite the fireplace...it kind of grounds everything.  Then try putting your recliners where the love seat is now.  Maybe put the white upholstered hard back chair over by the little table or desk you have as you come in the house?  I agree with Liz that an area rug in each room would help pull everything together.

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