Living Room Layouts

Happy Monday to you! Last week before Christmas. This week's to do list is probably longer than usual for many of you, so I wish you all the best in stroking things off of it. Sorry for the late post today. I didn't get a start on it last night so it had to wait until nap time!

After chatting with a friend about her living room last week, I've had furniture layouts on my mind. (She has a long, rectangular living room that we thought would look best with two sitting areas.) Coming up with a good furniture layout can be tricky. Thankfully there are really no rules and the only limitation is your creativity. But it's always helpful to have a look at what the pros are doing. I found this article on House & Home to be really helpful. I was quite amazed at how different the space looked by simply rearranging the furniture. Here's one room, three ways.




The fireplace is the focal point in each of the arrangements, but you get a different "feel" from each space. The first has a more casual air. The third seems more formal. The second feels roomy and more asymmetrical with the mismatched coffee tables.

Here's a look at some more living rooms. First, a few rooms where symmetry and balance are prominent.




I like how the two armchairs face each other


Rooms with one sofa and a collection of chairs.





Large Living Rooms: Divide them up to create more than one sitting area.





Using a daybed in your furniture layout increases your options. It's a versatile piece because it looks good from any angle; there isn't really a front or back to it.

Right smack in the middle

Off to the side

To divide a space

Stools (or a bench) can substitute for a daybed

Two and Two (Two Sofas Paired with Two Chairs)






Yes, that was long, but (believe it not) not at all comprehensive. There's really no end to layout options you can come up with. The main thing is to consider your space, choose a focal point (or focal points), think about who uses the space and what it's used for, gather inspiration and then go for it! Simple as that (he he).  

Hope your day has been fabulous so far. Catch ya' later!

-Sarah

all images via pinterest

My Office is Moving...

Yeah, I've finally had time to sit and start concepting my next project--my new office :)

Ryan and I started to move my current office (seen here) downstairs to get the room ready for our baby (due Mar 30). My office will be combined with what is now our downstairs guestroom (seen here), which is practically all white...and with my desk and bookcase also being white...I LITERALLY have a white canvas to work with.

What to do...what to do?

I need to come up with an idea fairly fast as I'd like to paint at least one of the walls next week when I'm off for the Holidays.

I've been dying to create a room with grass greens for a while--see my previous blog post about my love for grass green here. Most rooms in my house have a very gray/charcoal tone, so I think this can be unexpected, feminine and refreshing.

Here are some inspirational photos that are tickling my fancy...



I am a green paint virgin so I'm going to have to test a lot of colors...but Benjamin Moore's Green Thumb looks pretty good so far...

I also have to think about how I want to dress the guest bed. I like the idea of keeping the bedding in soft and neutral tones like this...


Maybe it's all white bedding with pillows in soft patterns (like above) and a great throw at the bottom?
Another reason to keep the bedding simple is I might be using this awesome rug I recently purchased. I planned to use in the baby's room but now that I'm "making" an orange chevron rug, this oh-so-fabulous rug needs a home and the all white room might be the perfect spot!


Of course my eyes keep darting over to this ridiculous awesome blue--but since my dining room and bathroom are charcoal, my baby's room is navy, my bedroom is gray blue, and my family room ceiling is light gray...I'm thinking I need to move a little out of my comfort zone!