If you’ve been following me on Instagram awhile then you won’t be surprised to learn that I’ve decided to scrap my existing new family room furniture plan to begin again.
Let’s be honest… This room has stumped me from day one. My biggest mistake was ordering all of my furniture before moving in. Knowing it can take up to three months to receive everything I took the risk and jumped in feet first and went with what I thought was the best furniture placement plan.
What I have since come to realize is that what I had planned for initially… simply doesn’t work. (affiliate links used in this post)
Click here for Family Room Sources
I have never had such a difficult time figuring out the seating situation for a room as much as I have with this family room. The layout of the room is all wrong as far as I’m concerned. The TV is tucked in the far back corner of the room with the fireplace in front of it. The room is rectangular and tiny therefore furniture placement has a big impact. While someone may be placed in the ideal TV viewing spot, they may not be able to see the kitchen. This makes it awkward for guests who are trying to take part in conversation with those behind them in the kitchen.
To be completely honest, I would have changed the entire layout of this room during the renovation process but the cost was simply too much.
To accommodate for the funky layout I have decided that a sectional is what I think this space really needs.
I’m actually excited about starting from scratch because not only do I love a good challenge…
I love second chances.
You can see the layout issue straight away in my photos. I placed two chairs with their backs to the kitchen. In doing this I’ve not only blocked the flow of the space, I’ve cut the room in half.
This next time around, I would like my guests to be able to face the kitchen and the T.V, thus allowing a warmer more conversational look and feel. I’ll also plan to add a smaller sized occasional chair where the chair on the left sat originally to accommodate more seating.
With so many different styles of sectionals available I really want to research everything I can to get it right this time around. My family likes comfortable sofas but it’s also important for me that they have an elegant tailored appearance in a small space such as this. Often times sectionals are large and cumbersome looking. It’s important to me that this small room doesn’t look like it’s been taken over by a sofa.
English Roll Arm Sectional – RH
I haven’t decided whether I want this new sofa to be slipcovered like my last or upholstered.. The thought of not being able to send the covers to the cleaners every 6 months makes me cringe a little.
We live on our sofas and now that we have a little rescue cavalier who also shares the sofa with us… it’s important to be able to keep things clean.
Another aspect I need to consider… sectionals are huge with lots of fabric. If it’s slipcovered it may not look as tailored and elegant as I would like. I love seeing the feet of furniture on larger items and this may not be possible if it’s slipcovered.
Slipcovered or upholstered, tufted or cushion seat back, seat back height and seat cushion fill.
I originally thought that if I were to get a sectional, it would be a classic tailored Chesterfield. My daughter has just purchased a small Chesterfield sofa (photo above) for her new apartment and while I love this style, I’m not sure that it’s the right seat for my husband. My husband loves laying his head back while watching TV and with the lower seat height of the classic Chesterfield… this may not work.
We may have to test Emma’s sofa before making a final decision.
Enjoy the many beautiful choices and please leave any input if you have a favorite sectional.
Image via Blackband Design
image via Bloglovin via Life With Me
via Ideas and Homes
image via Design Loves Detail
image via Anthropologie
image via Chango & Co.
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I think Blue #4 would look amazing in your living room. Clean, tailored, and the chaise on the end looks like a perfect spot for Jeff and Maggie to relax while watching TV!
Thanks Rachelle! I love that as well… :) xx
Kristy, I love Lee industries as they are so comfortable! I have a small rectangular living also and I got 2 rolled arm apartment size sofas. Check out the sectionals 1583 series.
I’m sorry, I meant C3583 sectional series.
Thanks Trisha! Love your help.. :)
First thought is that any sectional with an arm facing the kitchen will read like the chairs you sold: creating a wall between the two spaces that you may not like. I like the ones that are armless on that side for that reason, and the ones that have ottomans on that end, for a seat, a tray, and an easy transition between the two (i.e. No. 1 in Tufted, No. 4 in Family Friendly, No. 1 in Midcentury Modern and even the Bloglovin one, reversed for your space). Good luck!
Thanks Nicole… I’m actually placing the sectional under the window and mirror with an armless on the tv side. I’m leaning toward a coffee table and two small x benches or something similar in front of the fireplace. I may also possibly use a smaller chair where the others were. :) Hugs xx
Hi Kristy,
I think the blue/gray sectional under Ideas & Homes (at the top of page) would not only harmonize well with your white/grey/blue scheme but also looks so comfy for your sweet dog and your family.
Thank you for the suggestion Avery! I love grey sectionals.. I think that is the color I’m going to end up with… Xo, Kristy
Hi Kristy
Have you given any thought to having the two chairs the cut off the room from the kitchen be swivel chairs? That would allow for lots of flexibility for use. Many swivels are available with a ‘return’ that brings them back to the original position when no one is seated so you aren’t left with an untidy look. Just a few thoughts I had….good luck on your fresh start!
Anne
Hi Anne,
I have thought a lot about the chairs… the space is so awkward that I just am not sure.. I am thinking the sectional is the best way to utilize the space, as well as maybe having one chair. I’ll keep you updated. Thank you for kicking in some great ideas.. I love the swivel feature on them..
xo,
Kristy
Lately, I have had a sofa crush on this newly designed Chesterfield. I also love the idea of a chaise at one end but only if it works in the space. I am downsizing from 3000sq ft to just 1400sq ft and a bit terrified how will I fit in all that matters to be comfortable yet clean ans stylish! I think I have narrowed it down to this Chesterfield because I am enamored with tufted sofa’s but with a clean edge. They offer different legs as well which gives a different style to each sofa. While this tends to be on the more modern side, I can’t afford the space of the large, rolled arms of a typical Chesterfield so this one works well and the fabric choices are pretty amazing. You can also supply the company with your own fabric especially if you have a huge crush on those from RH.
Here is my current crush:
Hi Brynn,
Thank you for the comment.. I love chesterfield sofas too. Since Emma just got one, it really got me thinking about all my options.. I love RH too.
xo,
Kristy
Hi Kristy,
The one in the photo by Bloglovin is amazing. I am dying to know where that is from. The whole room is just gorgeous. I also like the light grey #4 midcentury from Overstock and at that price $998.00 you can’t really go wrong!
Good luck in your search.
BB
Hi Brandy,
Right?! Absolutely gorgeous.. Me too! Wish that we had the links for that. I LOVE the light grey from overstock. They have the best prices.
Thank you :)
In our family people are 5’7″ to 6’6″ with enormous difference in leg length. We have chosen a sectional w fairly high back cushions to give support to tall people (hubby and son) and w proper armrests. But the main point for us was to have seat and back cushions that can be turned around,upside down and are interchangeable. All the various cushions are equipped w cleverly hidden zippers so that you can actually remove the covers and machine wash them on a gentle cycle. Pain in the b… to get them back on, but it works. Dark blue sofas are NEVER reentering our house! Every speck of dust/hair/crumb is just super visible. I’d go for a grey or blue-grey one, or even a muted green. Good luck!