Where to go from here?
Hi!
We've been working on refreshing our family room which adjoins an eat in kitchen. The room is not large - 17'6" x 10'4" but has a corner fireplace, a large window, and a large entrance to the kitchen, limiting the useable space. So far we have replaced a loveseat with an armchair/ottoman combination, gotten a new rug and lamps. The sofa is being replaced with a new more streamlined one which is longer (see attached photo) in a dark green velvet. In addition we have a large screen tv on a media cabinet, and a corner computer workstation.
I need advice on where to go from here.
1)I need a new coffee table, preferably something long and narrow to anchor the couch, but I'm not sure about the style. I like the one we have, though it needs refinishing, but it won't work with the new couch.
2) I need some type of table/chest/console for next to the armchair that won't block too much of the window.
3) I need storage to accommodate the kids' (and hubby's) assorted paraphanalia.
4) I'd ideally like to get rid of the computer but that's not feasible. I would like to find some way of minimizing it's presence in the room though.
5) I'd like to have some means for displaying some decorative items. I could remove the photos from the fireplace mantel and use that space as I've been thinking of doing a photo gallery in the upstairs hallway.
6) I'm thinking about adding stationary side panels to the window to dress it up a bit but I'm not sure about fabric.
7) I'd like to replace the ceiling light fixture. I'd love pot lights but that would require ripping out the ceiling which I'm not prepared to do. The ceiling is the regular 8' height so I can't put anything that will hang too low.
Any suggestions would be greatfully appreciated!
We've been working on refreshing our family room which adjoins an eat in kitchen. The room is not large - 17'6" x 10'4" but has a corner fireplace, a large window, and a large entrance to the kitchen, limiting the useable space. So far we have replaced a loveseat with an armchair/ottoman combination, gotten a new rug and lamps. The sofa is being replaced with a new more streamlined one which is longer (see attached photo) in a dark green velvet. In addition we have a large screen tv on a media cabinet, and a corner computer workstation.
I need advice on where to go from here.
1)I need a new coffee table, preferably something long and narrow to anchor the couch, but I'm not sure about the style. I like the one we have, though it needs refinishing, but it won't work with the new couch.
2) I need some type of table/chest/console for next to the armchair that won't block too much of the window.
3) I need storage to accommodate the kids' (and hubby's) assorted paraphanalia.
4) I'd ideally like to get rid of the computer but that's not feasible. I would like to find some way of minimizing it's presence in the room though.
5) I'd like to have some means for displaying some decorative items. I could remove the photos from the fireplace mantel and use that space as I've been thinking of doing a photo gallery in the upstairs hallway.
6) I'm thinking about adding stationary side panels to the window to dress it up a bit but I'm not sure about fabric.
7) I'd like to replace the ceiling light fixture. I'd love pot lights but that would require ripping out the ceiling which I'm not prepared to do. The ceiling is the regular 8' height so I can't put anything that will hang too low.
Any suggestions would be greatfully appreciated!
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can the TV go where the tree artwork is?, can the new couch float in the room facing the other direction? the back wall could then be it's own space for the computer work station, add shelves for more storage and display. Tables with storage either in a shelf or drawers are excellent to keep clutter down too. the chair and ottoman you have in the corner might then fit nicely in the other end of the room. Can't see the light fixture. Sounds like you know what you want so just start moving things around. OR use an online furniture placement site. What fun !! good luck with your new space.
Family room and kitchen
Modern Sofas N' Modern Spaces
I think drapes would be nice on the window. I would suggest moving the TV to above the fireplace and also possibly getting a low back small sectional for the right side back corner. Where the chair is now put a small desk. Across the the sectional you could add a sofa table or buffet for storage. On either side of the buffet you could add small chairs for extra seating. For a coffee table, I would get a rectangular ottoman.
movethisnotthat - it is a tight room and with the window and corner fireplace it makes furniture placement tough. The house is 20 years old, before the time of widespread home computers and wide screen tvs. I had thought about putting the tv above the fireplace but I think it would be too high and I would have to replace the mantel with something lower. While I was prepared to do that, unfortunately moving the tv causes wiring issues. We have hd satellite but the house is not wired for it. Currently the wires enter the house in back of the computer station and run along the floor to the tv. The only other place I was thinking of moving the tv would be to the short wall across from the couch. The wall there is just long enough before the opening to the kitchen. It would mean running the tv wires even further along the floor though. The only other alternative would be to rip out portions of the wall to be able to bury the wires in the wall (where they rightfully belong). As for the couch, the wall opposite has the opening to the kitchen and moving the couch there would partially block the entrance. I've attached another photo that shows the entry.
emzc - the chair by the computer station is actually one of my dinning chairs and belongs in the dinning room. I'm just using it because it's better than the leather executive chair that was there before. I could definitely get something else and move the chair back into the dinning room. In terms of the coffee table, it would be ideal for storage, but the new couch is 94" long so I would need something fairly long.
Then, along the wall where the TV and your computer desk are located, I'd visit Ikea and get a system that will hold both TV and your computer, and maybe some bookshelves and closed cabinets also. That keeps all the storage on that wall.
For the table to go beside the chair, I would select a small one such as you see below. If you could consider a glass coffee table, it too would offer a more open feel.
Regarding draperies, I would not want to have a drapery panel so close to the fireplace, nor would I want to cover even part of the window with drapery panels when it's the only window in the room. A roman shade mounted at ceiling height could work.
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID
San Carlos Residence Two
Contemporary Renovation Norwich VT
Tailor Made
My other idea was where the TV is now. If you had a way or someone handy could build a built-in for the TV, with shelves and maybe on one end could be a desk area. The space below the desk could hide the hardware and maybe have a pull out keyboard. It would give you storage also for books and decorative accents.
A question about the draperies. The stack back is narrow, that's why I was just thinking about stationary panels maybe 24" wide, just to soften the window but not block the light. The fireplace is gas but it is used frequently.
I agree with you about kids and glass. You're right to worry about thin glass. I don't worry as much about 1/2" glass which you'll find on some tables. But getting a non-glass table will eliminate some worry in a world that has presented parents with too much to worry about already.
I think the chair at the computer desk should go in a bedroom; get a more modern chair. And, I think the ottoman should be removed from the room.
p.s. I like your lamps!
carolesch - I believe that the half wall you are referring to in the kitchen as a suggestion for moving the kitchen table, is intended as a breakfast bar and as such the counter actually overhangs it. In addition, moving the table there would block access to my back yard via the sliding glass doors. I would love to move the computer elsewhere but still have it within the general vicinity of the family room. My goal is to be able to have everyone nearby but still able to pursue their own activities. I have even seriously thought about re-purposing my kitchen pantry as a built in work station. I love the new kitchens that have built-in desks but revamping the kitchen is a project for sometime way down the line.
I like the idea of a shelving unit running across the back wall to house the computer and TV and provide storage. I'm not a big fan of Ikea but I'm sure if I look around I can find something to suit my taste. A built in arrangement would be ideal (and maybe I can sell the cost to hubby as having re-sale value).
If I replace the computer chair (which belongs in the dinning room anyway), should I look for something to blend in or use it as an opportunity to tie in more of my accent colours?
I was thinking white for the unit to match the trim and fireplace and keep the room looking light, but black would make a nice statement against the camel walls too and give it a bit more of a modern feel.
Thank-you all so much. Now I'm off to browse Houzz to get ideas for what I'd like the shelves to look like lol.
My inclination then would to not go with a dedicated chair for the computer and just pull one in when needed. That would reduce the "clutter" factor. I could then find a small side table for next to the arm chair and a open style coffee table, maybe a long bench would could be used as a table and seating. As for the window I'm now thinking about replacing the blinds with a bamboo shade. I'd still like some decorative side panels but will see. Once the couch is in place I'll have to see what to do about the table lamps.
Thank-you everyone once again.
http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/blinds-toronto/roman-blinds.html
https://www.google.ca/search?q=roman+blinds+top+down+bottom+up&hl=en&safe=off&tbo=d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=Vvf_UJbaNYPk2AXrr4GADg&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAA&biw=967&bih=951
I'm in Canada now and neither of those retailers are here so I'll have to look around to find something similar. I have been noticing a definite trend in Chinese style accent furniture lately, though mostly in brightly coloured lacquers like orange, yellow, and turquoise.
Thank-you once again for all your wonderful input.