Attention Stagers - Ideas needed for awkward space (occupied home)

Judy, that shouldn't be too hard, just get rid of half the furniture! Including that TV.  Otherwise the space doesn't really look that awkward, just too much stuff!

I agree that cleaning out the space will help greatly. I would pull the sofa away from the wall and bring it closer to the fireplace so there is walk space behind it. Move the matching chair to the side where the Christmas tree is and put a small table and chairs near the patio doors for a breakfast/eating area. Can you paint the wainscoating on the lower wall to modernize and soften it up?

Judy, I see what you mean.  Its hard to think what to do by looking at pictures, but how bout a nice tall plant in each corner?  I like to use faux bamboo for corners because they soften the space, take up the room, without spreading out into the room.  You might be surprised once most of the furniture is gone.  Maybe just some artwork will be enough to fill the space.  Please post after pics so we can see how you handled it!

Is there room to make two seating areas?  Maybe one around the fireplace then another "conversation and reading" area.

I feel like I want to see what is just to the right of the fireplace (facing it).. is the room wide enough to move the sofa perpendicular to the fireplace with the chair opposite at an angle facing into the room?

Add the end table next to the chair, center the coffee table in front of the sofa... this is of course just a guess since I'm not there to see scale, etc.

Another option, if you like the current placement of the sofa would be to move the chair to the back corner - where the rocker is - to create a second sitting area.

I highly recommend bringing some furniture slides and play with what is left using standard redesign principles (empty room, add back largest pieces one at a time finding the right place for that specific piece... etc)

I can't wait to see what everyone else says and the end product!  Thanks also for posting it in Sharpen Your Sword....

Can the top part come off of the desk? I was thinking that you could angle it in that corner, take away all the computer stuff, place some books with attractive bookends, add a plant and a pretty lamp and then put a nicer chair (not an office chair) in front of it. The rest of the walls have so many windows and doorways, I don't think you need much else! LOVE the chubby kitty in the last pic!!!

Firstly I guess its very much dependant on what your budget is.  If we take awy all the furniture I see 3 problems with this room, the fact that it is very long and thin, I personally think the fireplace dominates the space and appears very over bearing.  I also think that the room just appears too busy with the wooden cladding and the brick of the fireplace.  Would they consider painting the brickwork of the fireplace or having it plastered, I also think the wooden cladding should be painted.  I personally think if you address the issue of the far too imposing fireplace and the bsuy nature in general of the room I think the rest will just fall into place easily.  I would also consider painting the two end walls in a darker colour and as others have said if you have the room for two seating areas perhaps a small bistro type set of table and two chairs would work well in front of the two long windows.  I also think the end of the room near the doors to the back yard needs to be more open to give a better flow to the outdoors.

Judy, it appears that the matching chair is really BIG.  TOO BIG.  What about switching the chair with the rocker for a conversation area?  The chair may need to leave??? I agree that we need to see a photo straight on the fireplace.   Be careful that they don't take too much out so that you don't have furnishings to play with. 

Looks like it just might be a slider and furniture moving play-time room. 

Judy - Could you also have them leave the bookshelf and end tables? 

Given that the fireplace is the focal point of the room and an important feature of the home when selling, I would leave the sofa where it is and one of the end tables; move the big chair to the right side of the fireplace with an end table & lamp.  The placement of this chair would be such that you would see the back side of it when entering into the room where the tree is now would be angled facing the fireplace.  I would also go with your thoughts of adding two floor plants and place them to the left/right of the fireplace (which would draw your eye).  Move the bookshelf to the left of the french doors (it's on the right side now).  Place the floor lamp to right side of the sofa (when facing the sofa).

Hope that helps.

Kathy

 

Judy - You're right, it would never fit there as it would block the entry into the room.  I like your plan of placing it where the tree is now.  Sorry for the confusion.

Kathy 

 

Judy -

I'm not sure I'm understanding the placement of the room exactly, but would it be possible to put the sofa in front of the 2 skinny windows with maybe a sofa table behind it? I can't tell if that would be in the walkway or not. Then maybe a chair in the corner where the desk is now? Maybe you could get a smaller chair to replace the big one and use that in the seating area? I can't wait to see your after pictures. It's hard to know the scale when you haven't been in the room.

Hi Judy -  Just as everyone else mentioned, this is a tough question to answer when the scale is not readily apparent via the photos.  It is always a tough thing when homeowners do not want to paint certain things which date the look..and add into that, overstuffed, large chairs which hinder the whole experience!

One thing which people are sometimes hesitant to do..is placement of furniture which slightly encroaches on windows.  If you want to consider placing the large chair at an angle to the right of the FP (with a reading/floor lamp), allow for part of it to meld with the window.  I think a reading nook is perfect for that area...The opening of that doorway will view this reading area and perhaps 'invite' a person into the room. The sofa is what it is....and because the room is narrow, across from the FP is probably the most natural placement. 

How are the French doors (?) used??  Is this a nice view which needs to be 'opened'?  There seems to be too many door openings in the room....so it clutters the look right away without ANY furniture being placed!! : )  

Lastly, LARGER artwork with bold color.  Because the brick runs to the ceiling, larger scaled artwork will make the room appear larger.....I would stay with a solid singular color for accent pillows (w /o ruffles)...and let the artwork make the room shine.  Using larger art will downplay the furniture somewhat, allow the fireplace to breathe and further, will create a calm and inviting atmosphere.  A neutral rug with texture may work well under the coffee table...or opt for a glass-top coffee table to help the room appear larger. The wood floors play a role too! Though....all that wood makes the room feel like a cubby-hole of sorts.  In this case....less is more for the room!

Good luck! Let us know how it works out!  Regards-Kathleen G

Judy - This might sound a bit radical, but if I were working with that space I would ask the sellers to pack as much as they possibly could to get the room cleared out and then remove everything to just outside one door to give myself a clean slate to "see" the space.  From there I'd begin moving the larger pieces back in with just accessories, plants, and artwork.

I would very much encourage the sellers to get as much as possible OUT of that room, including the bookshelf and desk.  I'd also try to borrow other pieces if possible from other areas of the home rather than continue to fill the space with the more of the bulky furniture they have - it's just not working and I'm thinking it's made worse by having no *punch* in color.  Will the sellers consider purchasing furniture slipcovers and do they even make them in that size?

Jackie

All good ideas, I have nothing to add. I would probably do something with the fireplace.  A product called Fireplace RENEW works well, updates and easy and quick to do.

Terrylynn....what is Fireplace RENEW?? Paint? A Mantle? Color? Please descibe it a bit more if you come back to check this blog...thanks! Regards-Kathleen G