hi guys! Im in desperate need of your help. I own a 1930’s home and even though i love the house im lost when it comes to designing the living room. Not sure what i should keep and what i should remove, and also add. The rug for sure need to be tossed, would love to get advice on what kind of sofa (color too) and rug (color as well) would fit better in this area. I love my ladder shelves and i dont mind moving it around. Sofa needs to be changed. Im not sure about the closet in the entry way. Do you think the stairs need carpetting? What about the walls? Thank you in advance 🙏
Hi @Rachsplace 👋 I love what you're working with here! I have a couple of questions that will help give us more insight into your style and needs. Do you feel like the living room is serving all your needs right now? Meaning, is there something else you would like to be doing in this room that it's currently not outfitted for? It seems like you have a decent amount of space to work with, which is why I ask. My immediate suggestion would be to play around with the proportions of your furniture and decor in here. If you're already wanting to get a new sofa, I would consider a sectional or something larger to fill up the space (this could be especially great if you like to host and have people over in this room!). The size of the sectional will also impact the size of the rug and coffee table you have in here. Your current setup makes things look a bit small
On the entryway closet, is this functioning for you right now? I think every home should have a nice landing pad, whether it's an entryway table or something simple for mail, keys, etc. You have that big wall to the right of your arched entry to the dining room — what if you got a big vintage armoire to store the things you have in your current closet? That would open up that space for a mirror, a shoe rack, and a landing station (whatever you might need before you head out the door)
Whether or not you carpet the stairs would depend on your style and needs. I have clear stair treads on my stairs because they are so slippery, but I painted them a really fun cobalt blue so they became part of the overall design. You could do that, or get a fun runner if you want to add personality to the room. Lots of options 😊
hi Daniela, thank you so much… with how it is right now, I feel like its not working for my needs. You’re right about the space looking small with how I laid out the furnitures even if its actually a big living room. I will get a sectional , does it have to sit in the rug? Or can I just place the rug in the middle of the sectional ? The closet by the entryway I was thinking of getting a much taller closet or would it be better to just get one of those bench with a backing that has hooks and then some shoes storage under the bench? I do have another closet space that is located on the foyer right after the main door ( we currently store our shoes there right now but I can definitely make space for the coats if I add a tension rod. I was thinking to get a peel and stick stair tread carpet.
What do you think? Do I move the ladder shelves ?
I think if you're going to change the sofa you should also remove the extra chairs and replace with a sectional or a matching sofa and loveseat with a pop of color to draw the eye to the center of the room. Either that or get a neutral set and use accessories like a throw blanket and throw pillows for color to coordinate everything. Maybe also curtains with a pop of color that coordinates with that as well. If you don't change the sofa, I'd get a new rug with a statement color and then add small pieces that tie into it.
If you want to keep all existing furnishings, consider a statement piece that you can place prominently like an artwork or larger piece because I see you have a lot of very small items like sconces and bits and bobs all around which can end up looking a little cluttered and nothing really stands out or draws attention. It ends up looking "noisy" even if all of the small items are cute or in a nice style.
I recommend you replace the shoe containers with one shoe cabinet with flip drawers that hide all the shoes. This way it will blend in as furniture instead of looking more like disconnected storage boxes. (They come in all kinds of styles and types; I have one that looks like wood and I keep handbags etc. on top since the flip drawer is a panel that opens in front.)
Something like this would hold 24 pairs which is what it looks like you've got there in the boxes:
This is a nice way to create an entry way in a space without one. You could have two sofas with the second one having its back to the window. This would allow you to have two focal points the fireplace and you could move the tv to the wall between the arch and the stairs.
I think your need more closed storage as every surface is full. Right now the biggest detractor in the space is that there are a lot of little surfaces that are full and decor is mixed with everyday stuff like coats, shoes, umbrellas, mail, etc.
The ladder shelves, sofa, and rug are all are fine for now and the floor is gorgeous. Don't put carpet on the stairs, it's more slippery than wood.
Start by relocating sofa table to wall next to the coat storage, clear everything off of it, then place as many of the shoe containers on the bottom shelf of the entry table as you can (likely 3-4 boxes across and 2-3 rows high). Spare shoes/slippers can hide under the bottom shelf directly on the floor. Place catchall trays/square baskets on the upper shelf as a landing strip for mail, keys, gloves, etc Put a small bowl for keys and 2-4 upright magazine holders on the top shelf to sort/hold mail (moved from the miniscule coffee table, mantelpiece, and ladder shelves).
Take down the clipboard, hang the octagon mirror above it. Then collect all the silver framed family photos (at least 5) and hang around the mirror in the entryway.
Pull the couch back about 1-2 feet to expand the actual living space. Move the white round table as a side table next to the couch & IKEA chair.
Take down the too high art/lanterns. Move the weights elsewhere.
Group plants by window (in trays/lanterns atop the books) or hiding the pipe in the corner.
Longer term buys:
Buy a much longer coffee table with a bottom shelf or drawers to hide remotes, games, etc. Reuse current table as another end table.
Buy a beautiful antique mirrored door armoire and put all the coats & shoes & umbrellas inside.
Buy a long low credenza with doors or drawers to hide all the games & stuff & paperwork and place against the back wall (similar to the built in in the dining room) with a huge piece of art hung much lower on that wall and decorate the top with your lanterns/orchids/books.
Good luck - its just an hour or two of decluttering and it will look great !
thank you for this 🙏
Hi @Rachsplace - jumping in here with a little AI fun. I think this quick recommendation is not bad! I particularly like the bigger rug and also the light green color of the walls.
AI Design Advice:
holy cow! I mean thats refreshing! I never tried placing the tv there before. That set up is nice. The only problem i have is that thats where the radiator is. It can get really hot which is a bummer coz i really like the look of it.
Glad you like it. Great. You could do it if you move the console a little bit off of the radiator in the winter, and then it can always slide back in the summer.
