How to Decorate a Long Narrow Living Room
A long, narrow living room can cause quite a decorating challenge. No one wants a living room that resembles a bowling alley, but it is difficult to find other ways to arrange a long, narrow room. You can, however, design a delightful decorating scheme if you follow a few simple rules. All you have to do to decorate a long, narrow living room is to think of the room in sections instead of as a whole. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Put the focal point on a side wall, and not on an end wall. Remove the main focal point from any end wall and move it to a side wall. Having a focal point on an end wall, whether it be a picture window or a fireplace, will only serve to make the room look longer. You can install a large flat-screen television to refocus the attention of the room from an end wall to a side wall.
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Consider different functions for the room and create stations. Visually divide the long room according to possible uses using smaller furniture arrangements. For example, you can have the main sitting area in the center of the room and then add two chairs on the fireplace end. On the other end, you can add a game table or a desk and chair.
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Use multiple area rugs to further divide the sections. An easy way to visually break up a space is to put down separate but coordinating area rugs. Each rug will define its own space and break up the bowling-alley feel of the room. You should, however, avoid using runners and stick to square and round area rugs.
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Consider the traffic pattern of the room when deciding how to arrange your furniture. Avoid placing furniture in the way of obvious traffic patterns, and group your furniture according to those frequented paths. You will not want to place a television on a wall where there is heavy traffic. You will also want to avoid having a traffic area cut through a main seating area.
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Tips & Warnings
Sketch the room and draw several different furniture arrangements before moving furniture around. It will be easier on your back.
Resources
- Photo Credit Living room image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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tryingtolearn10
Aug 19, 2009
Hi, Thank you for your reassuring suggestions. Our living room is 24 x 11 with a fireplace centered on a side wall. Oe end has a wrap around bult in bookcase that competes as the the focal point. Entrance into the whole space is near the other end on the side wall opposite the fireplace wall. We have been treating the room in three sections: 1)Bookcase/library work area with smaller table.2) Center fireplace with wing chairs left and right facing sofa on opposite wall. Must walk through that space to reach opposite sidewall to reach bookcase area. 3) entry way section open with adjacent twin windows and clear path to opposite double wide entry to small sitting room/music room/sun room (no exit). Three area rugs define the separate spaces. For the center living space, I am experimeting with shifting the walkway to the side wall (about 4 feet wide) to reach the bookcase area withou...
