help decorating an oddly shaped room (fireplace, color, walls, green) - Home Interior Design and Decorating - City-Data Forum

decorating help · 07-01-2010, 10:05 PM

I just moved into a split level house, built in the 60's...and I'm really struggling with decorating one room. It's the most important room in the house and can be seen immediately after you enter through the foyer. I have purchased two brunswick and fils chairs that I love that I really want included... all of the rest of the furniture can go.... anyone have any ideas for me?

I like the yellow color scheme with hints of red and maybe green...

The room is 18ft long and 15ft wide. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

golfgal · 07-02-2010, 05:03 AM

I would put the new chairs flanking the fireplace and put the couch parallel to the fireplace. Get an area rug to put in front of the couch to anchor the spot. Then do another grouping of furniture, a desk, something at the other end of the room.

Your problem is that your furniture is too small to put against the walls and that is what is looking out of place. You could also put the 2 chairs on one side of the fireplace with a small table between and the couch on the other side, again with an area rug between them. At bare minimum, pull all the furniture away from the walls about 2'.

Hollytree · 07-02-2010, 06:14 AM

Golfgal- you nailed it!

If you do as she suggested, you could also put a long "behind the couch table" piece so you wouldn't just be seeing the back of the couch. Nice for flowers, a table lamp, or some books. Alternatively, that could be a place for a writing desk to integrate that end of the room into the rest of the space. Don't add too much furniture though at the risk of overcrowding.

So many somewhat traditional houses do have the fireplace as a focal point that shouldn't be ignored , but it does often dictate decorating. I struggle with this in my own LR - also a long rectangle.

sanrene · 07-02-2010, 08:26 AM

Quote:

I would put the new chairs flanking the fireplace and put the couch parallel to the fireplace. Get an area rug to put in front of the couch to anchor the spot. Then do another grouping of furniture, a desk, something at the other end of the room.

This.

Do you have a sofa table to go in back of the couch?

I would put those matching chairs on each side of the couch, in line with your coffee table. The other larger chair I would put on the other end of the room with a little table, kinda of where you have the two chair now.