Sitting room without windows

[HerculesMulligan]

Our sitting room has a large lightwell in the ceiling and is open plan to the dining room which has full-height French windows, but doesn't have any windows itself.

Built in 1960 and doesn't have a fireplace or another focal point in the sitting room, so I'm thinking about what I could do to give it a bit of charm.

It's a decent size, wooden floor, white walls so I have a blank canvas. Any ideas!

[AjasLipstick]

You could create a fake fireplace. You buy and attache the fireplace and there are lots of different ways to make it look realistic. Google image "Fake Fireplace" or "Faux fireplace"

[Birdie69]

I'd agree with PP about a fake fireplace to give it focus. Or put a large picture of outdoors on one of the walls.

[diodon]

When and what do you use the room for?
e.g. just tv at night or all day with the kids?

Does the lack of light bother you, how much do you use the dining room, could you fit a sofa in there by the windows and a dining table in the lounge.

[HerculesMulligan]

Sorry, I should have said that the lightwell in the ceiling means it's bright - lots of natural light, but nothing on the walls to work around.

We are trying to decorate in a way that's sympathetic to the fact it's a mid-century house (from the outside it's a candidate for The Modern House but inside previous owners have removed all the original features). Not sure what sort of fireplace a house of that era would have had.

[sprinkleofsunshine]

Fake fireplace, stud wall to create a chimney breast so you have a focal point.

[MrsLettuce]

There are some great reclaimed mid century fireplaces here www.c20fireplaces.co.uk/ofpc_search not cheap

[HerculesMulligan]

This isn't my house but is the right period/style, to give you an idea what it could have looked like if the 1980s hadn't happened to it.

www.themodernhouse.com/past-sales/166-10-templemere/

[BikeRunSki]

We have family friends with that style of house (and an original Eames chair and Sarinen dining table, it’s fabulous). No stick in fireplaces! They have tonnes of book shelves, a big mirror and a stereo.

[DoAsYouWouldBeMumBy]

Lots of bookshelves, some big 1960s/70s style lamps. Maybe make the focus the centre of the room, like Ercol sofa and chairs facing each other in the centre? Some big candles on the table in the middle to give you that glow in the evening.

[Noloudnoises]

I would get a carpenter to build some interesting boxy shelving with books, arty things, interesting lighting and a Tv so that other furniture can be pointed around that. So that would be the focal point. Will trying and have a google.

[Noloudnoises]



[Noloudnoises]

These?

[spacepoodle]

Fake fireplace 😱

I would go for lots of shelves all along one wall (maybe String), some nice big houseplants, mid-century sideboard, sofa & chairs and a huge rug.

[beeefcreep]

The idea of a fake fireplace gives me the chills don't do it on a house like that!!! I can't see how a fake fireplace would work for a house of that era. They need to be built in and would often have no surround so I don't think there's much point.

Break up the walls with a mid century sideboard/ book cases and the like or even benches. The decorate around these.

[DonDrapersOldFashioned]

God, do not put on a stick on fireplace . I’d expand on what you’ve already done and look at exemplary 60’s design on sites like The Modern House for inspiration.

Yes to a lovely G plan type sideboard. Some big paintings.

[DonDrapersOldFashioned]

Don’t know your budget for furnishings but Vinterior has some nice original pieces.

[Fishforclues]

Isn't plain good to draw attention to the lightwell?

I'd be tempted to do string/ Danish modular style shelving, and some sort of statement chair or two. Egg chair, ball chair or something. But I may be a decade or so too late. Low leather sofas would go nicely. These are all way more expensive than putting a feature on the wall though.

We had that parquet in our 1960 house. Was fab.

[CurlsLDN]

Ooh look on eBay at 'reclaimed fireplace'. There are gorgeous surrounds on there at Reasonable prices that would be sympathetic to the age of your house

[lll77]

If you wanted a fireplace (and I agree with others that you shouldn't put a fake one in!), a freestanding log burner could look great with mid-century furniture and decor

[IdaDown]

What do you do in the room - chat / watch tv / kids toys?

I’d go for interesting ‘period’ (50s, 60s, 70s) shelving and furniture.

Sofas and chairs grouped together under the light well.