Advice for pony wall/open floor plan living room
I’m not quite sure what to do with the pony wall in our living room, or how to fill out our living room with furniture/decor to make it feel less bare. I’m fairly minimalist so I like that we’re mostly uncluttered but I feel the corner of the pony wall area especially looks too empty. Any advice for the living room would be so appreciated!
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Without knowing anything about how you live in the space, it feels like the perfect nook for your pups to me 😆 A big dog bed, a basket of toys, maybe moving the lamp to that corner to leave more room on the right side. I could also see it being a low-bookcase situation. Add a large piece of art to the left side of the wall or a mirror to reflect light and open up the space. Just some ideas!
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I love those suggestions, thank you!
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So glad to hear it! You're welcome 😊
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To me, a large plant or tree (living is best, but fake is fine if you don't want to have to care for a plant) gives so much life to an empty corner and also serves as a bit of a screen. (This would still work even if you decide to put the dog beds and basket of dog toys there. And in fact, a plant would kind of disguise those things and draw attention away from them.) An uplight hidden behind the plant would add even more coziness to the space and could also serve as a nightlight in the room.
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A low cozy chair facing towards the window and couch, small table and lamp. A nook (and prob where the animals will curl up, too) to chat with other people or be solo.
random ideas: https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/latitude-run-chenille-oversized-accent-armchair-with-ottoman-w111014931.html?piid=20408773862 -
What a great space, but if it contains enough storage for your needs, I'm not sure you need to fill it. Sure, Art here and there on walls, but it's less bare than monopolised by that huge sofa; it looks like it breaks up, I'd suggest you experiment with doing that (1-2 small sofas and chair(s)?), spread it about and see how it looks/feels to you.
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That cabinet being sited diagonally in the corner is not a great look. It would look better on the wall that fits it properly, to the left of the TV. I do see you have baseboard heating there, so make sure to give that some space behind it. That will achieve several things: making the corner where it is now look better, fill up some vertical space, which is desperately needed, and making some use of that side of the room, as you are seeking to do.
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I'm going to agree with the person who said break up the couch into its sections. Try for 1 couch-like piece facing the TV, and 2 chair-like pieces facing each other and placed near either end of the couch, with a coffee table centered among all 3 pieces so that everyone can reach it without getting up. With this arrangement, everyone can talk to everyone else or watch TV with minimal twisting. I'm not sure what effect this arrangement would have on the pony wall, but I think it would fill up the living space and make it more usable.
The tall cabinet in the corner is the only tall piece in the room. I think moving it to the left-hand side of the TV would help balance the tall windows/doors on the other side.
I'm also a fan of color and pattern, so I don't know how to advise you since you seem not to care so much for those things. I'd love bright-colored pillows on the sofa and chairs, a colorful throw, lots of art on the walls, a colorful rug, and maybe an actual color (not gray) on the walls themselves. But that's just my taste. Whatever you do, have fun!
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It looks like you have a large light over the stairwell, with light from the landing window as well. I would change the pony wall to a full wall to the ceiling. Or buy some free standing screens that are wall height and mount flat to the wall. Paint or leaveawood grain or mount a wallpaper on the screens. Then you could put the tall cabinet on that wall, away from the baseboard heater, nearer the stairwell. I agree a chair, a side table and lamp also on that wall would improve seating options, and adding the same on the window side would also balance the space better.
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I LOVE that room! It's got lovely bones, and you have done a great job with it.
I'd say maybe a throw (draped over the pony wall) or a nice room divider? You can get one of those that are filigree and see-through, so it does not block anything.
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Thank you so much everyone, I really appreciate your feedback and advice!
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I love these suggestions, thanks! I want to incorporate color into the room more but have opted to stay neutral for now as I'm still new to styling/figuring out my style. and it's easier to play with neutrals than colors at first. It's hard to tell from the photos, but the wall colors are actually Valspar in the color earthy beige from the previous owners and it has a pretty greenish look in the lighting of our upstairs I definitely want to repaint though, and would love any living room color suggestions you have.
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Thanks! Happy if I could help. Lots of good ideas here!
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Your space has a great open feel, and I love that you’re keeping things uncluttered! For the pony wall, you could turn it into more of a feature maybe add a slim console table or floating shelves with a few simple decor pieces like a plant, framed artwork, or a small lamp to bring some warmth without adding clutter.
For the living room itself, a large piece of art or a gallery wall above the TV could help fill out that space while keeping a minimalist aesthetic. A round coffee table or a textured rug could also add some softness and make the layout feel more intentional.
The corner near the pony wall might benefit from a cozy accent chair or a tall plant to bring a bit of balance. If you prefer to keep it really simple, even a floor lamp or woven basket for blankets could add warmth
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