I need help remodelling my living room
We live in a semi old french flat with wooden flooring and high ceilings and a couple key elements like marble chimney. we’ve arranged it 3 years ago and really need a refresh.
Mind the kids stuff (play area, modular couch, bookshelf) that is there temporarily (keeps getting moved around).
The constraints are the following: chimney + storage cupboards on each side of the chimney, two windows, one radiator, means little « wall space » for furniture and decoration (art, frames, shelves, lamps).
We’d like to change :
- coffee table - maybe for a round one ? Has to be lighter than current one that is impossible to use
- Rug - not sure what shape or style
- Sofa - not sure what style or color but definitely something smaller
- Add an armchair or two - or pouf style seating
We’d like something comfortable, stylish (old and new) and kid friendly.
Any tips or advice or brands / styles that you think might work are welcome.
Thank you 🙏🏽🌟
Comments
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You have a beautiful space with a lot of characters!! here are some changes you can add:
Coffee Table: A round, table would be ideal and no sharp edges make it a little kids-friendly with maybe a marble or glass top.
Rug: A neutral, subtle pattern rug (maybe round or geometric) would anchor the space
Armchairs / Poufs: Light, movable armchairs or poufs (think velvet or linen) would add comfort without taking up too much space.
I hope it was a little help to you!
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I think I'd lose the coffee table, it seems to far from the seating to be of practical use, is an obstruction, and is totally incongruous. You might consider several small tables that can be placed/moved as required (to your taste)? As far a seating goes, bear in mind single chairs are more comfortable than sofas (and easier to move), unless the latter's social uses are desired. A chaise longue + 2 easy chairs would be more in keeping with the room, and, if they were raised on legs, a oblong oriental pattern rug, might provide comfort and a more aesthetic impression.
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You have a beautiful neutral palette with which to start - even if you didn't get all new furniture, I would at least replace the coffee table with something warmer (natural wood) and smaller. Don't get a round one; it will take up too much space and you won't be able to access most of it from the couch. Consider painting the wall with the two sets of French doors (double windows?) - choose an accent color that you would also have in a new, colorful rug. Those floors are fabulous! I wouldn't want to cover any more of them than I had to. Get a few pillows whose colors come from the rug. Rugs and upholstery should be as durable as you can afford. Since space is at a premium, you might consider a sofa on the smallish side and a couple of smaller chairs - you could get two or three very small cocktail tables to place in between the chairs/sofas. That marble fireplace surround is gorgeous! Consider painting the wall space behind it (behind the mirror) the same color as your accent wall. Artwork is so personal, and you have some great space where you could hang it. I would go large or do a gallery wall. This is such a lovely space - thank you for sharing it, and good luck to you.
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Oh I love the character with all the moldings, fireplace and window/doors! You could add a bit of drama with wallpaper above the molding on the window wall and couch wall. Or you could go super dramatic with a color drench for the whole room. Either way, artwork will help draw the eye up and create movement in the space. Your current furnishings lean quite modern in a cool palette so if you want to keep the walls neutral, I think you could do with a touch of natural wood to warm it up. The color of the playpen is actually lovely and the honey tone would be a good jumping off point. I'm guessing by the baby stuff you have littles, so maybe an oval coffee table (or you could look at keeping/refinishing what you have and bringing in warmth with art, fabric and side tables). I'm a couch person so I would do one medium/small sofa with 1-2 small chairs that maybe swivel so you can turn to enjoy the view. I hope you post an update … would love to see it! Congrats on an already lovely space.
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The room has wonderful features. You should definitely play them up.
First, how do you want the room to function? Is it mainly for sitting, reading, entertaining, or playing games? Is it multifunctional? Do you need additional storage for children's toys or anything else? It looks like an extension of the kitchen, so perhaps it's more of a family room. Do you like the neutrals, or would you prefer to add some color? Those are all things to consider when designing a room.
I like the idea of smaller furniture that is easy to move and reconfigure, especially as children grow, Consider nesting tables, stools, poufs, and floor pillows. Armchairs with a wooden base and upholstered seats and backs are comfortable and flexible. Be sure to choose fabrics that are easy to clean and care for. They can be neutral or covered in a fun pattern. You can add more interest with throw pillows and an area rug. Make sure the rug is large enough for the space. The front sofa legs, coffee table, and side chairs should all rest on it.
A note on pattern mixing: The main colors should relate to one another or repeat, and choose different scales for the patterns. For example, if the rug has a large pattern, choose a medium-size pattern for the side chairs and a small-scale pattern for the pillows.
Consider painting the doors and window trim in a deep color such as black, charcoal, or even navy blue to add drama and play up their features. And add art above the sofa. Gallery walls are lovely and flexible, but they can also be busy and hard to get right. One large painting, print, or black-and-white photograph over the sofa would be stunning.
Can't wait to see what you do with the beautiful space!
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I had inspiration from a photo I saw online a while back. All the walls and curtains were pale grey, a little darker grey for the sofa in a simple modern or transitional style .
I would go modern and simple with a little traditional french flair.
I saw several items on wayfair that would give life to this lovely room. I will list them after describing how I see this room.
I would ditch the love seat and put a moder/transitional sofa on long wall. I would add a rectangular area rug with greys, beige, orange and royal blue. Two deep grey upholstered poufs near kitchen. A walnut oval modern coffee table. A pale grey storage cabinet between the windows topped with a gold horizontal statue. Pale grey sheer roman shades on windows or floor length curtains (if not a hazard).
A vertical painting between the windows. A set of 3 antique looking neutral paintings over the sofa. Clear off the mantel and put a clear vase with one leaf on stem, or olive branches. Blue and/or orange throw pillows. A bubble ceiling fixture in black with clear bubbles replacing the low hanging white fixture you currently have.
Here is the list from wayfair:
Annabella Rug by Kelly Clarkson home (rectangular).
Marge Accent Cabine in antriqued grey/oak.
Berglind solid wood single coffee table.
Dasa Uplholstered Pouf in Venga Antrazite Performance Basketweave (2)
Semi Sheer Roman shade by Symple Stuff
Painting for between windows: Altered Classical Portraits Whimsical Chic Retro Finae Art Classical Victorian lady Woman with Birds Framed Canvas Print Wall are by idea4wall.
Vintage Forest Tree Sketch Rustic countryside Landscape Pitcure, black frame by idea4wall. (set of 3).
Maryamawit 3 light dimmable clear glass semi flush mount with 13 clear glass balls with black hardware.
Mandey Textured throw pillow in blue.
Molinarie People figurines & Scuptures by Wila Arlo Interiors (for top of chest between windows).
Leclair 32.5" Faux Olive Tee Branch.
I hope you like these. I think it adds color, but keeps with the modern/parisian style you have.
Good luck!
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This is a beautiful room! I especially love the wall with the cabinets, mirror and fireplace (chimney).
You might consider pulling the sofa away from the wall and putting it and the coffee table closer to the fireplace. Someone sitting on the sofa should be able to put a drink down on the coffee table without getting up from their seat, so I think as you have it now, the coffee table is too far away from the sofa. For a good conversation area (if you want to talk in this room!), you can add two comfortable chairs facing each other at right angles to the sofa, with the coffee table centered between all three pieces of furniture so that everyone can reach the table to set down drinks or books without standing up. I think the person who suggested not using a round coffee table is probably right; you want something that can be reached by people on both ends of the sofa.
You could put something tall (shelves? art?) on the wall between the two windows.
I personally love color and pattern, so to me the room looks empty without it. If you want to use colors but need help choosing, one way is to pick an object with colors you love (a painting, a rug, a scarf), and pick 3 colors from it to use in the room. Let's say you pick the colors red, yellow, and blue. (I'm not recommending this — it's just an example!) You could keep the neutral shell (white walls, wood floor) and color the furniture/rug/small accessories (pillows, art) in those 3 colors. For example, the sofa could be blue, the chairs a yellow and blue print, the sofa and chairs could have yellow and red pillows. Or you could paint walls and trim too.
Have fun!
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I have seen people use a coffee table similar to this one with child sized wooden chairs on one side, doubling as a play table. Add pretty storage baskets underneath for toy storage and two comfortable arm chairs. Others have mentioned adding a tall bookshelf between the windows and I agree perhaps with closed storage on the bottom for messy items. Add some art over the sofa and some curtains to soften the space.
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Wow - what gorgeous architecture you have! The floors and windows and fireplace are beautiful - France so often does such things so much better than in the USA!
Less is more when you have such limited space and when you need to use it for multiple purposes. It looks like your room is maybe open to your kitchen and dining area, so I can understand this is your multipurpose room - your "formal" living room as well as a family room and playroom all at the same time. It looks like you prefer contemporary furniture rather than any older styles, and that will work great in there. I'd suggest you bring in a sofa that has enough texture or mottled color/mottled pattern to hide dirt and stains easily. Something in a charcoal gray that will coordinate with everything would work great and would create a good visual anchor for the room. Upholstery that is a very stark plain color will show EVERYTHING, and you don't want that nightmare - really look for a fabric that is cleanable, of course, and that also naturally hides the realities of family life usage. Such fabrics are often called "performance fabric", so you could seek out that term when choosing. If you can fins a sofa with a single long seat cushion rather than 2-3 cushion, it will look more streamlined and create the illusion of less "things" in the room. Replace the coffee table with two smaller coffee tables, either squares or rounds, to retain the amount of surface area you need to use while being visually smaller and less bulky. Bring in a cozy chair with arms that will be comfortable for reading in, and have that be in an alternate, but coordinating color to the sofa. Maybe bring in some color with that chair. Add pattern to the room with a large rectangular rug - right now your room really needs some pattern and a break from the monotone. Add a large format art piece over the sofa, and you're done! And the art doesn't have to be an expensive painting - it can be as simple as blowing up a treasured photograph into a huge format (and if it gets blurry due to the large size, that can even be cool.) I'd suggest the size should mimic the height of the mirror, and be a bit wider than the mirror is tall.
I doubt this will be obtainable for purchase in France, but I suggest you look at the Interior Define website. They have many nice sofa options, and you can customize your own from their offerings by choosing the length and depth dimensions, seat firmness, number of seat cushions, leg style, and upholstery fabric. If done on a phone or tablet, the site also allows you to use your camera to place your finished sofa "live" in your room, and move it around and such to "try before you buy". Even if you cannot ultimately purchase from them, due to location, you can start to know what you like and what works for you, and try to find similar locally. https://www.interiordefine.comOh…I'd love to get my hands on such a great space as yours! Have fun!
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