Furniture choice and placement help needed

[thisisme]

I've been thinking about furniture for our living areas and realised that I've got no idea what I'm doing . I am hoping you can help

Floor plan is further down the page.

Dining - what is the maximum table size that would comfortably fit in the 3.7mx3.8m space. Would you recommend having one or two pendant lights over the table? Keeping in mind that there would be a fair bit of traffic on the right hand side of the room.

Sitting - in the plans it goes all the way up to and "above" the double doors to the sitting room. How far up would you actually place furniture? What kind of lounge/s or sofas would work best for this space?

Family - do you think it would be awkward having a lounge/sofa facing the sliding door? Or would you just have one on the left hand side wall with a chaise in between the meals/kitchen and family?

Meals - would our meals table have to match the dining table style considering it's all open living? And would it have to match our modern kitchen?

[Eli]

I too am having a furniture palcement issue and it is driving me insane - has never happened before. I want to get it right as I would like the removalists to move the correct lounge suite upstairs so that we don't have to bother with it. We get the keys on Thursday and move in fully on the following Monday so maybe I can get it sorted then.

[clp]

Starting from the top - I would put something modular in the family area with as you say maybe a chaise facing the doors (or at least the shorter side).

I think you could have a fairly long dining table running parallel with your walls.

In the sitting area I would place 2 couches facing each other under the fan area and have two arm chairs with their backs to the dining area so they look out the window if that makes sense. I would go for a large round coffee table between your chairs (only because thats what I love at the moment). This is if you wanted to go for more formal or Hamptons-style in this front part of the house. Look for inspiration in those American movie houses - try http://hookedonhouses.net/ for some inspiration. Mind you none of the living rooms in the movies I went and looked at were anything like my suggestion.

[rosierose]

I would not match the two dining tables......In fact I dont feel that two dining tables are needed as you have a large island that I pressume you will have stools on. To me that is your meals area...but if you want to put a table there then maybe something small say 4-6 seater. There is no point replicating this a few meters down in the dining area so if you are having a proper dining room then you should have a large 8-10 seater I think..which will fit here.....
Everything should look cohesive and complimentary but that is not too say they should "match (be identical in style).......

I think I remember you saying ages ago that there were some pieces of furniture you have already... what are they and maybe some pictures so we can make suggestions that compliment.....

Does Mr Thisisme have some ideas?

I agree with clp.....the family should have a large sectional..... the sitting room is large so that would need to be carefully planned...and you will need maybe two sofas and some nice chairs.... Are you going out and buying all your furniture now......ooo this is the exciting bit...u r almost there.....

Do you have colour scheme.......have you saved any pictures of what sort of style grabs you....., do u have any artwork...? all are important at this stage?

[rosierose]

Was just checking to see if your q's were answered:

Meals: At first I was going to say that the kitchen table and kitchen do not need to match but I think there should be a common link between the two, so that the eye sees this area as one......

Dining: The dining table I would have one pendant .......8-10 seater

Family: The couch would work either way.... as sectional could be moved around to suit. But it would not look bad having couch facing doors. Is this where you will watch most of TV...is TV going somewhere there...

[clp]

I didn't see the bit about meals/dining tables matching - no I wouldn't match (although as Rosie says nothing too disjointed - I wouldn't do completely different styles). If you do need a meals area table I would maybe have it smaller and round perhaps.

Yes show us some pictures of what you have to work with and colour schemes you like.

[thisisme]

Originally Posted by clp

In the sitting area I would place 2 couches facing each other under the fan area and have two arm chairs with their backs to the dining area so they look out the window if that makes sense.

Although not straight away, but eventually Mr Thisisme wants a TV on the RHS wall. Do you think the two couches and two armchairs could work with this layout as well?

I really like your suggestion but really need to make something that will be adaptable once the tv goes in there.

[thisisme]

Originally Posted by rosierose

In fact I dont feel that two dining tables are needed as you have a large island that I pressume you will have stools on. To me that is your meals area...

I was thinking that too rosierose. We will be using the island most of the time... But I am a bit worried that it would look too empty and "unfinished"? What do you think?

[thisisme]

Originally Posted by rosierose

Family: The couch would work either way.... as sectional could be moved around to suit. But it would not look bad having couch facing doors. Is this where you will watch most of TV...is TV going somewhere there...

You are right, the TV is going on the RHS wall of the family room.

[clp]

I think you will need something there and it may as well be a table - just nothing too big or grand.

My arrangement would be a bit funny with a tv as you would have to look over one couch to see it.