Hello friends! I’m physically back from my girl’s weekend, but don’t quite have it together yet. The bounce-back rate isn’t what it used to be! But the shakes and dizzy head are all worth it for a few days of non-stop laughing. So today we’re taking things at a slower pace.
I recently showed you the updated wall color in the Den….huuuuge improvement over my previous choice.
Then I showed you the unexpected purchase we made during a big holiday weekend sale. We’re still trying to figure out how to mount the TV, where to place all the components (we started the new shelves here), and what to do with all the wires!
I’m sure some of you wondered why we didn’t just place the new TV in the old TV’s spot. For starters, it wouldn’t fit in the cabinet. Our old one was 32-inches, and the new is a beastly 50-inches.
Some of you suggested mounting the TV to the wall with a cabinet below it for components. Problem with that, is the odd size and configuration of this room. Every wall has either windows or a door opening, which doesn’t leave many options for furniture placement. It’s also a long room, so with the TV in it’s old spot, there was really only two seats with a good view. I made this crude rendering to give you a better idea (update: using this site)…
The TV and sofa were originally swapped, but I hated seeing the back of the TV from the Living Room. The room also feels cluttered with so many individual pieces of furniture, yet there’s not enough places to sit. We have played musical chairs with this room for seven years, but I think we’ve finally found the best layout.
A single sectional replaces the sofa and a chair, yet provides much more space for wallowing (this is the Family Room, after all). Placing the larger TV above the mantle eliminates the TV cabinet, and gives every seat a direct view, yet the room doesn’t look like it’s centered around it.
I like the new plan and am excited to pull it together, but I’m still a little leery of a sectional sofa. I know they’ve come a long way in the last few decades, but I’m worried it will overtake the room. Do you have a sectional? Have you ever launched an entire room makeover because of a single purchase?!
Absolutely I've moved a whole room around for a single purchase! I think the new layout looks fab, and sectionals come in a whole myriad of shapes and sizes now. What program did you use to make the layout renderings? They look great!
The delayed bounce-back is rough, huh? Oh, to be 25 again… đŸ™‚
We used to have the same problem, and it also felt like we were trying to cram to much furniture into a small space. We finally got a sectional 2 years ago and it finally looks good. So much more sitting and the room looks "right". Good luck.
I'm liking the new layout. Cannot wait to see what kind of sectional you pick out. I'm sure it will be perfect!
I really like the new layout. Looks fresh and easy to clean too. I don't have a sectional, but I'd love one! I love the idea of everybody curling up together.
Hi Cassie,
I`m Beatriz. I`m starting to plan the layout for the room for my new house (call me ansious – I´ll just be able to get my hands on the house in about a year…). I would like to know how/which program you used to design these layout floorplans!
Tks lots for the help!!!!
Beatriz
We bought a couch with a chaise on one side so it's like a mini sectional, which is all our small TV room can handle. It's great. Almost like a smaller version of the one on YHL. I think your room would do fine with one since it's not going to be the only piece of furniture in there! I'm sure you can decorate around it just perfectly!! đŸ™‚
I will never have anything BUT a sectional! WE love ours!!!!!!!!!!
I LOVE my sectional! Best purchase ever and perfect for the family. Can't wait to see how the room turns out!
OMG – I LOVE my sectional. We can all crash together on the couch and throw a few friends or grandparents on too. Our room is small (like yours) and I looked high and low and settled on the Lee Industries sectional which I love. but purchased sight unseen (or un-sat?)!! More info in this post – http://www.houseography.net/2012/03/family-room-sectional-love.html
We have a super tiny living room with lots of doors and windows and a 55" TV (thanks to the hubby). We found a awesome little sectional that fits our little room and gives more than just 2 available seats. It's great for a family.
Sectionals have come a long way – there are so many options now. We have one in our basement and love it. It's perfect for tv watching!
I really like the new floor plan – makes SO much more room for you guys. Excited to see progress!
I completely redecorated my living room when I switched from a huge old tube TV to a new 50" flat screen. Everything switched placement and I also got new furntiture and painted! Ha!
Yes, I love our sectional! It serves our needs of providing a lot of seating and being cozy while we watch tv/movies/football! I know it's not always the most chic look, but we wouldn't have it any other way. The sectional along with the tv over the fireplace is exactly how our living room is, and I don't think you'll regret it. (You can see pics on my blog!) Good luck!!
Absolutely go with the sectional! Our family room is also a difficult one with very little wall space and I finally figured out (much like you did!) that a sectional was the only way we'd get a decent amount of seating that works for TV viewing. I love it and even though our family room is small, the sectional doesn't overpower it. Good luck with your redo!!
Love the sectional idea! Your rendering helps alot too! Another thing you should try is to move all your furniture over to "replicate" the size of the sectional so you can visualize it in your room.
I too am debating over new livingroom furniture. Sectional or Sofa w/ chaise lounge..??
I'd love to know the program you used to create your rendering – so I can use it for my space! đŸ™‚
Love the color, love the sectional plan! and I can't wait to see the TV up and finished đŸ™‚
Looks good to me! I love the Ikea sectionals – I think they definitely look modern and fresh. Oh and PS. I'm back from Paris and starting with a post about food! We loved Brugges so much, so thanks for the recommend!
http://voyage-on.blogspot.com/2012/07/bon-appetit.html
Haha, sectionals are super great in a lot of regards, but the thing that bugs me is how you can't really have a plan b with putting them in another room too often – you know, should you want to change things again. And, I hate breaking up a sectional because the single pieces don't quite look whole. But, having said that I have one and may want another for the media room… haha.
I'm liking your new plans! I don't have a sectional but I'd like to get one in the future. Can't wait to see what you get!
Thanks guys!! I'm excited about the new plans, too. The site I used for the floorplan renderings is http://floorplanner.com/
xo. Cass
That sounds like you definitely had a great weekend…it makes it so hard to get back into the swing of things! Looks like you all are hitting the ground running, though! I'm sure the hubby is *REALLY* happy with the new TV (c;
Love this idea! We really want a sectional for our living room, so I totally support this idea!
We have the Ballard Baldwin sectional. It's a wonderful piece! Has held up great over the last 4 years and is slipcovered too. The best part is you can easily separate and change the layout if you ever tire of the sectional look.
Oh, yes. . .it does take quite some time to bounce back these days!!!! I love the new layout. We are a huge fan of our sectional in the living room. We did it because of the size of the room and we wanted plenty of seating. Have never ever regretted it. You'll make anything look great.
We have a sectional and I love it. Our family room is large and open to every over room in our house. We thought having individual sofa and loveseat would look to small in the room. Going with a sectional filled some space and gives so much seating.
I love my sectional! Everyone fights over the corner spot.
I held out on getting a sectional for as long as possible, but finally caved a little over a year ago. I'm so glad I did! I think if you have another "fancier" room (like your living room) and use the sectional for your less formal room (like your den) it totally makes sense.
crude rendering?? really? LOL – the plan looks so comfy cozy!
I love the new floor plan! I think the flow and TV viewing is greatly improved. Now the hard work of making it happen… đŸ™‚
To all of you wondering which site she used. I've used http://www.planner.roomsketcher.com a lot and it's seriously amazing!! And free and super-easy! Just a tip đŸ™‚