How would you furnish this space?

[Thatsajokeright]

I've been struggling to make my front room cosy.

The room is, unfortunately, a thoroughfare to the kitchen/diner. So both doors need to be accessible.

I've also got it in my mind that I'd like to get a log burner or fire of some description even if it has to be an electric one.
We're also open to replacing any/all the furniture.

Other that completely refurbing the downstairs I'm totally stuck for ideas and inspiration.

TV on the wall photo is an older photo. We've since rejigged the room and put the TV on a TV unit.

I'd love to hear ideas from other people. 🙂

How many people do you need to seat? If you can afford to lose a sofa I would add cabinets with the tv in the middle and shelving above along one wall. This would allow you to add more decor and so personality to the room.

Alternatively look at adding plants and art on the walls, plus a few throws and cushions. Also I would consider getting a larger rug.

The colours are nice, I don’t think you need to replace. A multicoloured bright rug of this ilk would be warmer than the grey and yellow one and draw the sofas into the room: www.irugs.co.uk/multi-4x6-felt-ball-area-rug-33155842?gclid=CjwKCAiAo4OQBhBBEiwA5KWu_-2pkR9rHlD3dkIl7FS1zk84P-VqrxjfIWFiamFjPY0e4_nuT09KwRoC3SIQAvD_BwE

I’d agree with losing one of the smaller sofas unless you need it for regular family seating as I think so many of them is giving the room a bit of a waiting room effect. A coffee table would also add a bit more of a central focus, but appreciate if you wouldn’t find one useful and it would just take up space.

We have the same door configuration (though the mirror image) and have our chairs at an angle. I like having sideboards in corners and then chairs in front as I find it gives the room depth, instead of having chairs/sofas against the wall.

On the left of where the photo is being taken, next to the chimney, I have a longer sideboard and a Poang chair in front of it in the corner. And behind the sofa in the corner on the right, I have a standard lamp and a console table.

A rug also helps to anchor a sofa and make it feel cosy.

I'm sorry but I think the chairs in front of sideboards looks like you can't fit everything in the room and very cluttered.

Op I would put an L or chaise sofa in front of the kitchen double doors, an armchair where your TV unit is and then tv in the corner opposite hallway door. All of this on a big rug to zone the room and force people to walk around rather than through it.

The furniture is ok, but the rug doesn’t match so get rid of it. The tv is in a odd spot - can it go on the wall instead? In the centre?

It’s hard to see without seeing the whole room but I’d move the larger sofa against the back wall, facing the TV/fireplace. Maybe get rid of one arm
chair too.

The window dressings won’t help. You need a lovely think lined curtain which works with your colours to bring it all together.

I love your sofas. I prefer the 'before' picture where the blue ones were paired up, inviting people to sit and chat. I think the room needs to be a bit more sumptuous to match the sofa.

It's all a bit square/rectangular and mono-colour at the moment. It needs:
a focus / purpose
but also some life - some objet d'art and luxuriant plants
some pattern and texture
a window-dressing

one big L-shaped sofa on the wall with the windows (L)

TV in the corner nearest the middle of the house

bookshelfs (B) / decorative stuff behind the TV, possibly even a small fake fireplace

smaller chairs (C) that can be moved as needed for guests

I have no advice, but where are your sofas from? They're lovely!

Yes I’d do similar to parietal, big L shaped sofa in that corner opposite the hall door. You can have a slim coffee table nestled into the L.

Then on the opposite wall, TV (I might put it on the wall next to the hall door) and maybe a desk or reading chair in the top right corner.

Storage in that corner behind the hall door.

Decor wise I’d say you want a bigger rug, a wider drum shade ideally (that one is not bad though) and maybe a roman blind .

Hi @Thatsajokeright I also love your sofas!.

I think a fireplace would be nice idea as it would be good to create a focal point. I also think that to free up space it might be worth you having your living room door re-hung so that you open it into the hallway rather than the other way round. We've done this a few times in awkward or small rooms and it makes a massive difference to how the space works and doesen't cost more than a few hundred pounds.
I would then maybe get a bio ethanol fireplace as you can put those on the wall and mount the tv above it then have an l shaped sofa and chair. That way people will walk around the back of the sofa rather than through the living room.

Terrible plan attached, the grey box is the fireplace/tv and the grey blob in the corner is a lamp!

Thank you all for your ideas. It's been really helpful.

For those asking - the sofas were from DFS, they were from the Joules collection. THey're enormously comfortable and are possibly the best thing I've ever bought.

I've rejigged the front room now; photos attached. One of the double doors to the kitchen is effectively out of use now but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for the improvement in the front room space!

I think ultimately we will get rid of the blue armchair and either make that corner the 'dog' corner or we'll put some bookcases there or something.

The room still needs softening up with plant and arts as other posters have suggested but I'm so much happier with the layout.

Thanks again everyone!

WHOOPS. forgot attachments. haha.

Argh! Why didn't they post? trying again...

Well, this is embarrassing...

Last attempt... 😂

@Thatsajokeright

Well, this is embarrassing...

If in honest, I preferred the earlier photos. The arrangement now feels very clinical with the sofas back to the walls. It also doesn't look cosy and comfortable for TV watching. Sorry!

@ChoiceMummy - I can see what you're saying.

It works better for us - the 'front room' space is protected so it's not a thoroughfare for the kitchen anymore! The tv easily seen from the blue sofa. I don't watch much TV so the pink sofa is mine for ignoring the tv!

This is clearly the rug you need!
m.therugshopuk.co.uk/nourison-passion-psn10-sunburst-rug-nr1111.html

I don’t suppose there’s any chance of moving the door? Your layout is exactly the same as my daughter’s, but their door is in the corner by the double doors, so you only have to cut across that corner to get to kitchen/diner.

Clutter, OP, you need more clutter!

A reasonable amount of clutter makes any space look cosy. And I say this as someone who would give my right arm (metaphorically!) to have a clutter free living room like yours.

FWIW I also prefer the original setup, with the TV on the wall...

looks good

now get some pictures on the walls. posters in IKEA frames or a group of family photos or something to make it look more homely.