apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I love space planning! Couldn't resist messing with your plan: http://webpages.charter.net/kolaks/idea.jpg
I would create a clearer traffic path from the door through the apartment. While I'm not usually a fan of furniture against walls, small spaces sometimes call for it. I suppose the sofa arrangement could be flipped so that the sofa faces the wall, provided you have a focal point there. That may define it more as a "room." I like the console where you placed it originally, seems convenient and takes advantage of space under the stairs that might otherwise be wasted. Turn your dining table 90 degrees and snug it closer to the wall. Lastly, a small freestanding or ceiling-mounted screen might be nice to buffer the seating area from the door, positioned on an angle there next to the brown chair. Good luck and have fun!

I like what farmhousemoderne has done and would propose two further changes:

- a round table, to give you a variety of shapes in the room
- a single/integrated unit of some type instead of a separate desk/console. You could make interesting use of that space while avoiding having two small pieces next to each other, which might seem cluttered.

I like the layout that farmhousemoderne came up with, as I find it a bit strange how the sofa in your initial two plans is facing the door. I kept picturing somebody opening your front door and people just sitting on the sofa staring at them creepily... maybe my mind is wandering... Also, personally I find furniture/rugs on angles looks a bit odd... Placing your sofa on the long wall is probably your best bet. How are your stairs constructed? Are they open with space underneath or is there a wall there? If there is a wall you may be able to fit a slim console/landing strip there.

I like farmhousemoderne's plan, too, and had one other idea: how about getting rid of those stools on the other side of the counter and putting the dining room table there, near the kitchen? Then you can move the LR arrangement closer to the door, keeping f'housemoderne's plan.

You'd probably have to move the hanging bike somewhere else, but I'm not so keen on it hanging over a kitchen counter, either.

I can't tell if the wall between the kitchen and stools is in fact a bar. If it is, you have two dining areas, when it sounds like you're actually looking for more lounge seating.

1. If that is not a bar, suggest moving your dining table opposite the kitchen wall, and doing away with the stools. It seems odd to have two lone stools against that wall. Put a smaller console/buffet along that wall. You could put the stools on either side of the buffet if you must keep them -- but if you're looking for more seating, I'm guessing that either they don't get used much, or your dining chairs don't get used much bcause they're way over on the other side of the room. Eliminate the stools and you'll use your dining chairs more often.

If it is a bar, then you have a built in buffet/server in the counter itself. Move the table opposite the bar, and put a narrower, taller storage piece where the bikerack is. Use your vertical space instead of using up all your floor space. The console you're thinking of is utterly *huge* and dwarfs your dining table.

2. The diagonal layout is ok, although I think it may waste some space -- but have you considered getting a smaller sofa? it's a big black hole in the room, sucking all the energy to itself. Also consider replacing the coffee table with an ottoman -- which can double as seating. Finally, consider smaller accent chairs and you could add two instead of one.

3. I think a round or oval dining table would add a much needed curvilinear shape to all those angles.

Agree with the comments and the sample plan...

1. Define an entry space. You may need to get another small area rug for that area right in front of the door. I also agree with moving the console against the stairs to serve as a landing strip Maybe even add a plant there. That would define an entry space.

2. Focal point. It seems like you lack a focal point for your living space. So with the farmhousemoderne plan - maybe a great piece of art or two behind the sofa? The height of the pieces will be important.

3. Dining area. I'd move it closer to the bar/kitchen. A round table would be good, too.

4. Desk. Could you put it immediately to the right (above) the entry door - facing out? Are those windows next to the entry? It might be nice to have a desk with a view. And move your bike rack closer to the front door instead of by the dining area.

Good luck!

farmhousemoderne has done a great job - it's what I would have suggested too.

I wonder if the OP owns this space? If so, I'd urge them to consider removing the bathroom door from where it's currently located and moving it around the corner to face the end of the bar (opening to face the bathroom sink)

The resulting alcove behind the staircase would be perfect for a built-in L-shaped banquette and dining table - allowing for the seating area to be roughly centered on the long wall opposite the staircase.

I'd also consider replacing the cedar chest/coffee table with a round cocktail table and pick up a couple of little round ottomans for extra guest seating.

Wow. Awesome suggestions so far. As for my two cents: There's a lot going on here. The floor plan needs more room to breathe so it's not wall to wall furniture. Either nix a few pieces or add something glass. For example:

(1) Nix either the desk or buffet/console or buy something that can do double duty.

(2) If you absolutely need both the desk and console, buy one in glass/steel. This would open the space up. Pottery Barn's Tanner console table might be a good option. I have one and it doubles as my landing strip and a desk. Plus, some nice baskets on the second shelf make for good storage of office suppliles or small tool items.

(3) Do you really use those stools? I'm biased against the use of stools in small places that already have a dining table. If you can cut them, you would be able to push the sofa back and give that conversation grouping a little more room to breathe. You could move the dining table there as someone else suggested but that option is a little obvious. I kind of like where it is in either plan sketched above.

(4) Keep the plant! It adds life to the room.

(5) Not sure about mounting the bike rack over the bar. Kind of an "ick" factor knowing what those tires are rolling over and then having that hang over a food prep area. Can it be mounted under the bar (is there a ledge)? (Another reason to ditch the bar stools.)

(6) If you haven't purchased the dining table yet, this looks like a perfect place for a round dining table. If you've got the one sketched above, it will work. Just keep the round table in your inspiration book.

Send an update once you're finished. Good luck and have fun!

You've got a shotgun style, go with it. You should NEVER have to weave in and out of furnishings to reach the kitchen or bathroom. And the sofa is too large for the space.

Double or triple the duty of everything. And make it as easy as possible to move parts around as needed.

Stools are rarely comfortable. Table where the stools are. Bike under the stairs.

Get a table with casters, here are some legs at IKEA:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50105556

Browse the office chairs, yes, office chairs, for chairs on casters too:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80121649

That have height adjustment. So that you can pull them around, into the living area, or push them into the dining area. Some may adjust up enough to use at the kitchen if there is a bar there.

This means you could have four chairs at the table. Or, two chairs at the table, two chairs at bar. Or the table can be pushed back (as it's on wheels), and the four chairs moved into the living area.

Do the items HAVE to come from IKEA? No. You can probably put casters on many different kinds of furniture. If they have wood legs, you can put all kinds of casters on them. Remember that some of the types of furniture are NOT meant to be scooted around on, like office chairs, so folks should stand and pull or push gently.

When not entertaining, you could have the table at the wall by the kitchen and a pair of chairs facing the kitchen wall/bar. Another chair by your sofa. And the fourth chair by the window and your landing strip.

Your landing strip can also be a short table/bookcase. Allowing you to read and relax by the door. A small ottoman can be used to put up your feet, and that can easily be stored under the stair in a narrow spot that would otherwise have no use.

Scale the furniture to fit your room. Yes, I know this is bigger, but look anyway:
http://www.socketsite.com/archives/2007/11/weekend_wrapup_and_reader_recommendations_525_jersey_no.html

That's one arrangement idea, using a small love seat that would fit by that front window. And use a narrow console table that might partially tuck under the stairs (and the bike can go behind it.

Neither of the posted layouts will work, in practice. People do not like to vault furniture to go to the bathroom or stand in line to get around the room. LOL!

And the behemoth console in the angled floor plan, it serves no useful purpose. Nobody can get to it from the outside if the table is occupied.

People get VERY uncomfortable if they feel trapped. The poor soul who gets the stool farthest from the kitchen is trapped.

Do you hate it when you go to the movie theater and there are people wandering back and forth with "excuse me, pardon me" trying to get by problems? Nobody likes that.

People don't even like sitting in the middle of a sofa. They have no place for their arms, and talking with the people ON the sofa is like a head-bobbling tennis match for the middle person.

If the middle person is talking to the end person, the other end is left out. Just about completely. I hate sofas. Ha!

Put a pair of small chairs by the window, with an arc out lamp going over the coffee table area. A love seat facing those chairs.

Behind the love seat, a SMALL console can be located. And serve as a place for an additional pair of lamps to light the center of the room without anyone tripping over cords.

Behind that, a small table. Best bets are tables with leaves, so that you COULD reduce the side to small for most of the time, only expanding it for a buffet or big dinner. This dining table makes perfect sense for your space:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50116809

This is an example of a sofa table (with a pair of chairs or ottomans) behind a love seat:
http://www.bhg.com/bhg/story.jsp?storyid=/templatedata/bhg/how-to/data/2381.xml&categoryid=/templatedata/bhg/category/data/house_home.xml&page=7

Hopefully this makes sense, and some of the ideas could be used. Either now or some time in the future. My very best friend when shopping for furniture was a tape measure.

Nothing came home without being measured. Because there is a big difference between "I think it will fit" and "I know it will fit".

What do those stairs lead to? In the picture it looks like it just goes down at one end and back up at the other end -- it doesn't seem to lead to another floor (the type of stairs you see in British television shows).

If this is correct, I would fill that area so that it is level with the rest of your apartment. This will open up your apartment and give you more options.

"What do those stairs lead to? In the picture it looks like it just goes down at one end and back up at the other end -- it doesn't seem to lead to another floor (the type of stairs you see in British television shows).

If this is correct, I would fill that area so that it is level with the rest of your apartment. This will open up your apartment and give you more options."

Its obviously a loft apartment - the stairs lead to the bedroom/sleeping area...

bepsf, that makes complete sense. thanks.

Thanks for the comments everyone! I will read through and ponder all the great suggestions.

farmhousemoderne - thanks for the alternate floorplan! I moved my table closer to the window, I'm leaving it there a bit to see how it feels. I liked being able to access the table freely, but since I am ususally the only person home, that might not be necessary. I can always pull it out more when I have guests.

canadian in swedish clothing - the only real window is next to the door. It's nice to sit on the sofa and be able to look out the window at the courtyard with plants, so it isn't so much to face the door, as the door happens to be next to the window. The stairs have an open space underneath them, no wall, right now the console is in that space.

viola - it may be necessary to get rid of the stools as you suggest. The kitchen is so small that only 1 person fits. Usually when guests come over, they sit on the stools and chat when I am in the kitchen, esp. overnight guests and casual friends who hang out there while I'm cooking. But you are right, that may be a necessary tradeoff.

jenpdx - the space under the stairs is open, so you can't really put anything next to the stairs.

micnyc and bepsf - the stairs lead to the second floor, where the bedrooms are. It isn't a loft, it is a traditional 2 story apt. I don't own the space - so no doorways are moving and no built ins are happening. I'm not even allowed to paint. :-)
But, I do hate that the bathroom door opens directly to the living room.

kimg924 - it is a counter between the kitchen and the rest of the room. underneath it is the dishwasher and a small cupboard. The console is less to act as a serving station, and more to provide storage. There is a lack of cupboards and closets in this house.

dcaries, Taureg and TRUE BLUE - thank you for all those ideas! I will have to look through them all when I have more time to think about what works best.

a few more ideas. if you want to have stools, get two that can tuck under the counter, or get pulled right next to the wall when not in use. probably something without a back.

perhaps you could hang panels of fabric or matchstick blinds from underneath the stairs and park the bike behind there.

there are many types of wall storage systems that can also incorporate a drop down desk. perhaps something like that could take the place of the console and the desk.

put a standing screen between the bathroom door and the living room to give it a bit more privacy.

farmhousemoderne - is it ok if I copy your floorplan to my flickr so I can save it with my other floorplans?

So far the most common suggestion is move my table closer to the window (Abby, you and tanrazz all gave that feedback). I'm giving it a try.

mrs yow - those are good ideas also, esp. like the idea of a screen or something similar for the bathroom.

kimg924 - what do you think of the bench as coffee table idea? Just asking since you suggested an ottoman. :-) Similar to this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24635463@N07/2330030439/in/set-72157604105907640/

Thanks again everyone, I really do like to hear all the suggestions!

SanDiegoAT: Go for it! It's your plan. I just had a little fun with it. Plus, I'll probably trash it from my space soon, so take it. I hope it works out for you.

start with putting your dining table closer to your kitchen. then move stuff around and see how you like it. when you're entertaining, you don't want to carry a hot pot of soup all the way through your living room! and then have to go back 'cuz you forgot the spoon :)

Joan in SB: Yeah, that does happen with the table by the window, but I'm willing to live with it. Due to the size, even with the table on the otherside of the room, the table is closer to the stove/fridge/dishes than in my last house, where I had a dining room. :-)

I made an updated floorplan based on comments from this thread (thanks again!). This is what I am currently thinking:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24635463@N07/2369852533/in/pool-460301@N24