It’s a layout one

[Twoshoesnewshoes]

Internal layout
we have a large lounge, open plan to the dining area and then the kitchen.
i don’t like the open plan at all, as I really struggle to feel settled and cosy in the lounge.
DP loves it though, so we ‘compromised’ by having a room divider shelf unit in the archway.

the issue for me is, firstly, I can never feel settled. We have to walk through the lounge to get to the stairs so it feels like a transient space somehow.

also, the room is large, and the gap between the bottom sofa and the side sofa is quite big - too big to comfortably chat really.
i feel like we may be missing a trick - any ideas?

all furniture can be moved, including the fireplace.

Also, I’m wondering if a corner sofa in the top left corner would be better, then bring the bottom sofa further in - but then there’ll be a big empty space behind the bottom sofa?

How many people use the lounge all at once, do you need all the sofas in one area? Do you have a TV that needs to be visible from the sofas?
Where does the door in the dining area go?
Is that a kitchen to the left of the dining area?

Totally get why you feel like this as it is a room and a passage way in one. My initial thought is to create a conversational area but the answers to the questions above will help.

Hmmmm so there’s usually 2 to 4 people but sometimes we have lots of friends round.
no, no tv
the door in the dining area is to a large porch, then outside
yes, large kitchen on the left.
wherever I sit I can see the door to the stairs, or the dining table.

Watch some videos of Julie jones she does space planning. Any more than around 10ft doesn’t make for nice conversing, same for distance to tv, mark your paths of travel on and they need 3ft. The room does look big, do you need anything else in the room, a small reading nook, small table and chairs, music area? Other than that, draw everything to scale and draw the furniture to scale on separate paper and cut them out and move them around.

the door on the bottom right, where does this go? I might be tempted to move the divider up a bit to make more of an area as you walk in to drop bags etc but if this isn’t a front door then might not be necessary.

Have you considered making the space smaller? Have 2 sofas facing the ‘view’ with the fireplace in the top right corner. That would avoid the feeling of being a corridor and let you appreciate the view.

Then you’ll get a space between living and dining which could have a small desk and bookcase and decorative lamp and a comfy chair. So a reading nook or similar.

These are great ideas, thank you
@lifetheuniverseandeverything42 yes the door at the bottom goes to the porch which is full of shoes- could definitely add more storage there.
@parietal i can’t put the sofa against the left hand wall as we need to walk through to get to the stairs door, top left corner

I think I’ve got some graph paper

Vague first thoughts, I’d add a coffee table, move the divider up and move the fire to the opposite side. Very rough. It keeps the paths of travel nicely, sofas are a bit closer for conversations, entrance area and dining feel a bit more spacious.

@lifetheuniverseandeverything42 oh yes that’s an idea
means walking in front of the fire a lot though, do you think that would be okay?

Would be good though, if I’m on the sofa with the back to the right hand wall I wouldn’t be looking towards the dining area which would feel more cosy

I was going to suggest this sort of thing too. Also try uploading a photo to chat gpt and asking it for a new layout. It worked wonders with my living room

Oh okay, my DP has the paid for one so I’ll do that

Do I take a photo of the current living room with the furniture in?

Yes, then you can describe what changes you want (if you have any idea) or ask it in general terms e.g. style this in a minimalist style with a cosy conversation seating area around the fireplace with space to walk through on the left. Might have a try a few options but if you have the paid one you can probably mess around with it to your heart's content

This was basically what I was going to suggest too. I think it's awkward currently as you're looking into the kitchen from the sofas. This way would feel cosier.

Here is an attempt to sketch my idea. The view is now the focus with sofas around that end of the room.

Open plan costs more to hear and I can never get warm. The Victorians had the right idea. The walls give insulation, not such a big space to heat and you can have privacy. Our second reception room is a study which we wouldn't have if it had been knocked through.

Thanks @parietal thats great.
i have made a start and moved the back sofa in - I can move the sideboard from the left wall to go behind it.
i will try the fireplace in the corner, it’s a wood burner ‘style’ do you think it will look odd?
I bought it from the tip for £50 years ago, it’s very warm as a bio ethanol fire but owes me nothing- I could probably splash out on a Scandi cylinder one for the corner.