So, here's the problem: I'm frustrated with my living room. Specifically with the window seating area feels like dead space: I've moved the coffee table to another room (where it actually gets used!), and the dogs have taken over the window seats.
So, here's the problem: I'm frustrated with my living room. Specifically with the window seating area feels like dead space: I've moved the coffee table to another room (where it actually gets used!), and the dogs have taken over the window seats.
After sifting through all the recent house tours, I've been inspired to mix things up a bit...but I'm not exactly sure how to utilize that space. A sitting area for two? A solitary spot to read and spy on the neighbors? Ideally, I'd like to make it both company and dog friendly. Should I move the window seats to another room (they are Ikea lack shelves with custom cushions made by my mum), and get a bigger rug? And I keep finding myself drawn to this lovely chaise, wondering how I can style it to make it work...
Why not put a round table there with a pendant lamp above and a couple extra chairs and use it for dining?
view bepsf's profile
I'd love to see a reading corner there. You'd have enough natural light too.
A baby grand would look perfect there too!
view siongchinchan's profile
maybe a smaller coffee table? or two small round ones that you really love for each of the window seats. then find a very eye catching object to put on the new table(s). otherwise, i think it's pretty much there. i like it.
view BB's profile
What a lovely space! I'd be tempted to move the lounger so that the head of it is pointing toward the Vertigo poster, and the feet are pointing in towards the coffee table (which, as I believe you mentioned you've already done, I'd eliminate). I'd then either use the window seats as additional seating for a great conversation space, or as ledges for plants (I'm a fanatic!) I'm not exactly sure what I'd do with the couch... depending on the layout of the space, you could probably leave it as is... that seems to be the best option to me now.
view kittyj's profile
siongchinchan is totally right - you need a baby grand! :-)
view kittyj's profile
I like the idea of putting the Lounge somewhere in between the 2 areas. That way you can just pivot it to face whichever of the 2 is currently in use.
view dollarvines's profile
If you can, why not start by turning the sofa toward the Vertigo poster? Then everything else might fall into place. Folks are more likely to gravitate to those lovely windows if the furniture orients them there. No need to get a bigger rug, either: the current rug already defines one seating area.
view bradfjordCA's profile
You need some vertical elements to balance out the low things...there is too much chi flow behind the dcm chair...earlier commentor had a good idea about putting the eames lounger by the vertigo poster or a desk under it would work too....
or how about swapping the coffee tables...so you have the ethnic element in the field of the modern stuff?
also I think you need something green in there to balance out the purple/blue/magenta/red.
view debbieeastbay's profile
You've got three seating elements just staring at each other but with no focal point and no relation to each other. The round coffee table isn't convenient to any of the seats.
I agree about moving the sofa to face the windows. A piano would fry by those windows, by the way. The curtains look too lightweight and the color has no relationship to anything else in the room.
view Palmetto's profile
I agree totally with debieeastbay!! You really need something to anchor the space under the vertigo poster. You could put the red chair under the poster. The first thing I thought when I saw the pic is to def swap the coffee tables! You actually have a lot of the same pieces I have. I know the CB congo table (im guessing thats what that is) will be perfect over there in the reading nook. I also think that nook would make a beautiful dining nook if that should fit with the rest of ur plan. If you choose to keep it as a nook, which is great, you def need a light fixture to designate that area as the rug does in the other area. Though some people have been saying to face the sofa towards the reading nook, it looks as if you might have a fireplace or something across from where the sofa is now so thats a focal point u need to keep. The biggest and easiest change will be, as debbieeastbay said, to incorporate some green or yellow into your room. I'd get rid of those big dark blue curtains and get something a little lighter, maybe a green and white print, and then add some green throws, although a turquoise might be even better! The curtain change as well as the coffee table change will be a major improvements. If you want to make the nook as inviting as possible, add a pendant and some more throws or seat cushions.
view maugust3's profile
oooh!! I dont mean to hog the blog here, but I just thought of something really cool (or at least I think its cool...) The areas seem great because there is a lot of seating and conversation area, but they also seem separate. What if..... you were to do some curtain panels between the two spaces? You could get a couple of track systems to make taught panels to slide back and forth or just hang them loose with one track system. But either way you could have a divider that makes one area a living space and the other a reading/lounging space. When you have guests you could just pull/push the curtains back to the walls. Also, when the panels are in their places in the middle of the room, you can put the chaise u are looking at on the reading side against the curtain/panels. This green/white look would be great over there with similar curtains or shades on the windows as well. Just a thought.
view maugust3's profile
http://www.blindalley.com/portfolios/paneltrack.html
view maugust3's profile
Move the window seats out.
Slide rug toward windows to create sitting area closer
to windows.
Couch should turn to look toward windows. (back to us if photographed from the same perspective.
Modern shelving unit with unit where couch currently is would offer balance and pull the room together.
Lounge chair with head near window/vertigo print.
Round coffee table a communal element in center of sitting area.
Red chair by window. Perhaps a plant or mobile?
Room for a beautiful dog pillow along the right window wall.
"Library, reading area behind the couch utilizing the window seats/lack shelves.
view bethsworld's profile
The room looks lovely. Let the dogs have their area too.
view JonD's profile
The window seats are too small, and as there is no back to them, they don't look comfortable. Consequently, people will avoid sitting there. Move them out.
Three options for this space come to mind. It's a lovely, bright spot for a small dining table, if you need one. I personally would love to have an office space in a bright corner like that. Or you could make it into a sitting/games area, with smaller scale armchairs, a round table for board games, and a cabinet under the Vertigo print to store games.
I think the dark blue of the curtains is overwhelming the space. If you love the color, consider sewing panels of a different color onto just the bottom third. You could use a pink/raspberry if you choose the shade carefully; or play it safe with a cream.
view greer's profile
Un-obstruct the tall windows by moving the window-seat ledges to a windowless corner. Angle the lounger and a side table into the window niche. Float the sofa into the room to face the lounger, with the round cocktail table between the two. That opens space on the current sofa wall for tall shelves or a vertical anchor piece.
The rectangular table and floral throw pillow look out-of-place in this setting.
view holland's profile
Am I the only one who thinks that the long blue drapes are too dark and heavy for the room? I suggest at least removing the bottom quarter of each panel and adding on a solid panel in a lighter color to break up the heaviness of the drapes. I think that there was a nice reference to drapes with different color bands the other day.
The seating area near the window is not inviting to company. I agree with many others that a dining table with chairs would be more inviting.
Alternatively, I also see the merit in having a chaise lounge in this location for a reading nook.
view Doris loves art!'s profile
I would move the current seats elsewhere, place a tall, striking plant/ potted tree to add a vertical element in the corner proper (or maybe a tall sculpture if plants aren't your thing). Then a chaise and small table, to create a reading/ day dreaming spot under the tree.
view J. Cipa's profile
Thanks for all of your suggestions!! I worked over my living room a bit this weekend and I'm loving it already. Once I put up the new drapes (yes! new and lighter drapes!), I'll take some photos and post 'em.
I popped over to Anthropologie this weekend and check out that chaise, but they didn't have it on the floor. I'm a bit hesitant to plunk down that kind of cash without ever sitting in it though, so if anyone has that chaise, can you give us a review? Is it comfortable?
view grace's profile
Oh, and the reason why I didn't put in table and chairs in that space is because that room is connected the dining room...you can check that out here...
view grace's profile
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