Q: My boyfriend and I are moving into a new house that has a huge, awesome living room. But there’s so much space that we don’t know how to fill it. We were thinking of making two seating areas here, one around the entertainment center and one by the fireplace....

Eventually, we might put the entertainment center downstairs, but not at this moment, since we don’t have extra furniture to put down there. Right now, we have a big comfy leather couch and chair with an ottoman, a coffee table and side table, and that’s it for living room furniture.

Also, our living space opens up into the dining room off to the side of the kitchen—there’s just so much space, we don’t know how to separate everything effectively without making it look too cluttered.
Any suggestions?
Sent by: Ashley
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Comments (3)
I would create a cozy seating area near the fireplace, perhaps with the couch facing it, and other seating nearby. You could break up the space, if you want a sense of intimacy, with an open bookshelf, at the back of the couch...or if you really wanted to break it up, you could hang some fabric.
If you want to keep it wide open, then I'd still choose the cozy seating area...but then draw attention to the sides of the room rather than center with shelves, plants, etc.
There's no need for clutter...you can also use art on the walls to create each space. Something particular to create focus in the seating area and the dining area will help.
You might also consider painting the window wall of the dining area to create a point of focus.
I would definitely break it into "zones." A seating arrangement around the fireplace with your sofa, chair/ottoman, and tables. If you can't furnish the other part of the living room immediately, treat it like an open gallery space. Hang interesting art on that big wall and place a low bench facing it, at least until you can furnish it into a cozy reading or hobby nook.
I like Rev.Mother's suggestion of a bookshelf as a separating device. A console table or small bar would also do the trick. Add some color, some texture, and it will come to life. Good luck!
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If the TV has to go on the entertainment center and it can't be near the fireplace, I see the only choice being two seating areas. For now, you could put the chair and ottoman by the fireplace and the sofa in front of the entertainment center.
Color might be the best way to divide the space - or different color/shade/style furnishings.