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Living Solutions blog

Ideas & Inspiration

The Design Process-Floor Plans

June 5, 2012 By Living Solutions Interior Design

A while back I wrote about re-thinking our home, and using the “formal living room” as our everyday family room, and turning the room we are currently using as our family room more into a library/den kind of a space. I wanted to share with you the next step in the design process:

After deciding the function of the room or space, the next step is putting together a floor plan and seeing how the furniture layout and traffic flow work best. 

Here are some pictures again of what will most likely be our “new” family room. 

{Notice the white shelf that now lives in our command center?!
Hope to share some more pictures of that soon!}

I’ve been thinking about this space quite a bit lately, and we’ve decided there are a few things we want in here: 
  •  maximum seating area 
  •  an entertaining/tv viewing area
  • somewhat of an open and spacious feeling
  • our leather recliner and at least part of our entertainment unit
I’ve decided there are two ways the furniture can go in here…

{Our fireplace opening isn’t centered on the fireplace as it’s shown in both of the floor plans. It’s more to the left of the center of the fireplace, which makes more of a difference in OPTION 2.}

OPTION 1

In the above floor plan, the stairs are parallel to the back of the sectional. You would possibly see part of the back of the sofa through our stair-rail, which I’m not thrilled about, but it could work. 

OPTION 2

We are leaning towards OPTION 2 due to the fact that we can possibly have more seating as well as a more open feeling in the room. Our boys, who have gotten used to this big empty room, would have a bit more open space and we could add a little table for games, puzzles, extra seating, etc. I also like the fact that we could have more lighting and another end table with OPTION 2 than with
 OPTION 1. 
However, there are a few concerns that need to be addressed. First, is our cable is on the wall to the right of the fireplace, so for OPTION 2, we would need to make sure our cable could be moved. Second, we would need to split up our entertainment unit and find another spot for the side cabinets; possibly as a “china hutch” in our dining room or staying in the family room alcove for now. Another concern is that although we could get more seating in OPTION 2, that is the only place the sectional could go. If we opted to go without the single armless piece and have the sectional even on both sides, we could fit the sectional on either wall, and it could even fit in our current family room if needed. 
As you can see, there are quite a few things to think  about when “re-thinking” your home! Sometimes we just make the best decisions with the information we have. And sometimes it’s an easy switch-a-roo.  But quite often, it takes considerable thought and planning to make sure you aren’t making expensive over sights. 

What do you like best? 
OPTION 2 or OPTION 2?

You May also Like:

Tuesday’s Tips ~ Design Resolutions A Laundry Room In Progress Cedros Avenue Design District Re-thinking your home

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Hi! I'm Gina and welcome to the Living Solutions Blog! I'm a wife, a mom of 4 little kiddos and the owner of Living Solutions Interior Design. My family and I recently moved from San Diego, CA to Nebraska and this blog is where I share inspiration, design tips and ideas, projects and every day life! Thanks for stopping by!

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