Combined living and dining room needs update

user4661011 · 2025-01-22T10:12:21+00:00

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Dear community,

we like to make our living and dining room more stylish and also better to use. Right now, only 3-4 people can sit together in the living area. Also, everything looks a bit cluttered and not really making use of that room and the nice view of the outside.

If you have any ideas on how to improve with furniture/arrangement of furniture, making use of the walls, plants, … would be highly appreciated.

Best regards!

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Comments

Zephy

Beautiful room! Love the windows.

I was really surprised when you said only 3-4 people can use the living room at once. It certainly seems large enough to hold more! So I remembered one "recipe" for a conversation area. They recommended placing a couch plus 2 comfy chairs in a U shape around a central coffee table. I think what I'm seeing in your room is that the couch and coffee table are so big that everything is too far apart. As a suggestion: center the couch facing the TV or the view (or whatever you want to be the room's focal point). Put the 2 side chairs facing each other at either end of the couch, in a U shape, and center the coffee table (or a smaller table, if you have one) between all 3 seating pieces. That way, at least 4-5 people can sit and see each other to talk without twisting, and everyone can reach the coffee table without getting up. Optional: Separate the lounge end of the couch from the rest, and place it across from the couch, on the other side of the coffee table. It's low and won't block the view of the windows, but it will seat more people.

Hope this helps! I don't think the room looks cluttered, but that's because I'm used to smaller spaces and more clutter ;). I do think it looks hard to have a cozy conversation.

ITSMEBETH2211

I appreciate that the photos show the room from different angles, but it is a little hard to determine exact dimensions, so I could be making a suggestion that won't work in the size of the room, or it might work perfectly:

I suggest relocating all bookcases to the long wall behind the dining table, and then, because you'd need to, push the table out further from that wall. Place the couch with its back facing the dining table, facing the TV wall. The back of the couch will effectively make a "wall" between the two "rooms", and bring it closer to the window than anything currently is. Put the chairs further apart than you have them now, and place them on the end of the rug that faces the window. If you have the budget, I'd actually suggest replacing the chairs with ones more substantial and comfy, but work with what you've got right now. The coffee table looks full different in each picture: square, rectangular, and even longer rectangular. And it seems disproportionate to the other furniture in size. It may or may not be best replaced - I can't really tell its size.

You've got a lot of tiny framed artworks and the one larger one between the windows. The larger one needs a larger wall - try it where the bookcases now stand, and then move the TV unit a bit closer to the window and arrange the pictures currently over the TV together along with the ones over the I-think-it -is-a-keyboard, so that the black screen of the TV is balanced along that wall with the equally weighed mass of art.

chrispcreme

I think the primary issue is that many of the pieces are pushed against the walls- bring them into the center, while leaving foot traffic paths. I would definitely place the sectional opposite the TV, with the small C table in front (coffee table looks longer than sofa?) Accent chairs could be placed alongside. Try moving the dining table in front of the windows- much better view! (But lighting would need to mive as well). Get the bookcases out from behind the door- maybe try them with the other 3, all on the one long wall, freeing up the corner for another seating area, or a play area. You could also create a small reading area in front of them with the chairs and the plants. A few area rugs would help anchor each setup. You have a ton of space to play with- good luck!

hollynlh760904

https://community.apartmenttherapy.com/discussion/690/combined-living-and-dining-room-needs-update

Wow, what a beautiful space! What I see is a lot of wasted space; everything is too close together. I agree with the comment about moving all the bookcases—that is definitely the first thing you should do. Move them to the dining area, to the back wall with the other bookcase. Move everything on that wall; even if there is room after relocating the bookcases, they should start and be snug against the corner where the peach and white dresser is. The mirror seems unnecessary in either area; consider moving it to a smaller room. That little (white and peach) dresser also looks awkward. I would move it to the next room, along with the other items around it. Then, reintroduce them if there is space where they will look good. Removing certain items completely eliminates the need to figure out what to do with them and the frustration. I would also move all freestanding chairs to another room until you are finished.

Next, I'm trying to figure out how to arrange the seating in the living room so you don't kink your neck watching TV. I personally would love to be facing the window, but there's got to be a way to accomplish comfort doing both activities. I suppose it depends on how often the TV is watched in that room. What I would do is move the couch to where the chairs are, facing the TV. I'm stumped on where to place the chairs. The small pictures above the TV make it too busy when the TV is on; I personally could not focus on the TV with their current placement. Consider moving them to the wall where the bookcases were. Since there are five of them, they need to be centered above or below whatever is there. You can also make it fun and hang two, one centered below, then the other two. It's not as important for them to be perfectly straight; there are plenty of ways to mix them up with other frames or decor. But if you choose to hang them in a straight line, they must be centered with everything above and below and in the center of the whole wall. My rule for hanging pictures is that it always has to be an odd number of pictures; I typically use groups of three. The only time I use an even number is if I hang two above and two below (in a square).

You have lots of good advice above, so I'll keep mine limited to the most important details. I honestly think that the biggest issue with both rooms is that the furniture is too small; it looks swallowed up by the space. The only items that look good are the bookcases and the dresser by the door, but everything else is workable; it's just how you place it, like an illusion, similar to what a mirror does for a smaller room.

The best thing you can do is space your living room furniture more, and after moving the bookcases, turn the kitchen table so its long side is parallel with them. Remove all pictures from the walls until after the furniture is arranged; this is important. If you hang pictures before moving the furniture, you will find yourself moving them repeatedly. It is best to wait until all the furniture is arranged, and please consider not putting pictures above or around your TV. To add personality, buy a sticker pack of something you love from a craft store and put the stickers on each corner of the TV, or in any arrangement you like. This is not distracting and shows your personality. I like elevated and flat stickers; they are removable and can be changed often.

In the living room, the furniture needs to be moved to the edges of the rug, not off. I see you have your couch half on and half off; that doesn't work. I'm guessing it's that way to hold the rug in place. I have one rug that, no matter what I do, will not stay put, and I have heavy furniture on every corner, plus rug tape. Your room will look best with all your furniture on the rug; trust me, your rug is large enough to make this possible.

The wall where the bookcases were (if you choose to move them) can be a feature wall where you can hang pictures and other decor, shelves with plants and/or knick-knacks. A group of the smaller pictures you have, with the large one next to the TV, could be hung to the left of the TV, at least 2–3 feet away, mid-wall. It would look best to space them a few inches apart.

I could go on, but I better stop here. I love designing spaces and things, so I get a little excited sometimes. I'd love to see it when you have finished! I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. Good luck and have fun with it! If you start to get stressed out, take a break until you are no longer stressed. Keep a positive attitude, and the end result will be fantastic!

Beth_C

What a beautiful space! The windows and the view are the stuff design dreams are made of.

Your layout generally works well and takes advantage of the view, and I like that you painted the TV wall in an accent color. You don't say how many people you would like the space to accommodate or what they would be doing (watching TV, chatting at a party). I would add a couple of airy armchairs across from the sofa with a small table in between. I would also replace the existing coffee table with a round one.

I echo the suggestion to move the bookcases to the wall behind the dining table. I would also replace some of the dining chairs with a bench that you could pull out into the living space. A basket or two could hold toys, throws, or other smaller items.

The small pieces of furniture are making the space look cluttered. Remove them and put a smaller cabinet between the doors. I'm sure the one that's there is functional, but it's crowding the doors and making that area feel cramped.

I suggest centering the TV on the wall, if possible. Add open or floating shelves on either side of the TV to make a real statement and add storage.

Finally, I would get a larger rug to really delineate the living area.

Here's a little mock-up:

Obviously it's not to scale, but it gives you an idea.

I hope that helps. Please share the finished version!

hollynlh760904

Another option if you're low on funds is to join your local Buy Nothing Project group. If you don't know what a Buy Nothing Project group is, it's a community group where you post things you no longer use and ask for things you need. Money is never allowed to be mentioned; everything posted is free of charge, whether "Giving" or "Asking" for an item or items.

The purpose is to build a stronger community and reduce spending and waste. I mention this because you could potentially get the furniture, etc., you need from your local Buy Nothing group, if there is one in your area. To find one, search “Buy Nothing” on Facebook and choose your local group.

The best way to describe a "Buy Nothing Project Group" is borrowing a cup of sugar from your neighbor, only on a wider scale—you can literally ask for a cup of sugar. In my experience running a Buy Nothing Group for over nine years, members are very generous and willing to help. The purpose of "Buy Nothing" isn't just giving and receiving; it's about helping your community and developing strong relationships with community members you otherwise wouldn't have met. Just a suggestion.

If anyone is interested in starting their own local Buy Nothing Project group, I would be happy to provide you with the information you need to get started.