Designer's Eye: Possibilities are plenty with narrow room
LIVING ROOM | Seek help hosting 15 guests in rectangular space
Dear Larry,
Quick-change artistry can make your long, narrow living room function beautifully whether you're giving a neighborhood party for 15 or spending a quiet evening with family. Your home's open design already looks spacious, and with this flexible design you can start with an intimate feeling and in a twinkling, add extra seating and rearrange the room for a larger crowd.
Tracy Grosspietsch
We have a narrow living room. Would like to entertain 15 guests. Focal points are the fireplace and 40" LCD TV. Plan to remodel soon.
Larry Cope
1. GET IN THE ZONE
Start by creating separate "zones" -- defined by area rugs -- for conversation and TV viewing. Keeping the conversation and TV areas separated by a traffic pattern will give the room a cozy and inviting look for everyday use.
2. DOUBLE DOWN
Use multifunctional pieces that can expand seating as needed. Here an upholstered storage ottoman does double-duty as a table and a bench, and the coffee table hides upholstered seating cubes beneath.
3. KEEP IT CLEAN
Your tailored couch and chair have exposed, square legs and slender arms, perfect for providing a clean uncluttered look. To minimize "visual space," we've added an armless lounge chair to the TV grouping and four similar chairs surrounding the coffee table. Accent tables with open bases reinforce the airy feeling.
4. MIX IT UP
We suggest similar tones for fabrics and wall colors. Use a variety of textures and small patterns to add richness and subtlety and get a big splash of color from artwork and accessories.
5. SWITCHING THE TV
We've placed a flat-screen TV above the fireplace, which now sports a decorative hollow mantel to hide cabling. Relocating the TV gives you a single focal point whether you're watching the Super Bowl or luxuriating before a crackling fire.
If your couch can seat three, this design will provide comfortable seating for 15 without bringing in any other chairs, but when you're not entertaining, you'll never feel there is too much furniture in the room. Try it. We think you'll love it.
Tracy Grosspietsch
Studio G Interiors
980 N. Michigan, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 988-4822
www.studioginteriors.com
