The Long Narrow Room

Hi,
I have been googling and googling how to decorate a narrow living room. Finally, I came to your site! I am so "stuck" in my living room. It is a long narrow space. What I would really like is a space for watching TV and a space with a chaise to read, take a nap, or to just enjoy the natural sunlight (I would like the reading space by the French doors, only one door opens). The colors are set, so I cannot change the wall color or carpet (it is an apartment). I have no idea how to set furniture, and divide the space into two areas. The only furniture to stay is my leather black couch and the 46" TV. We also like the color red. As you can see in the attached pictures, the area is open to the kitchen. I hope you can guide me on how to arrange furniture and where should I place the TV and art work.
Thank you,
Martha
Dear Martha,

I wanted to start by giving some general information to anyone that has a long narrow room.

1. Divide the space into two areas. Don't try to have it be one seating area. Unless you are working with a dining room and have a very long table- this is never a good idea.
2. Whenever you have a long - solid, windowless, doorless wall like the one above- you need a case piece. Generally speaking- I would say go large- the larger the wall- the larger the case piece. This can be an entertainment unit, a bookcase, an etegere, something that breaks up the large wall, and helps to define the two separate areas. Trying to decorate that long wall with two sets of wall decor is rarely going to look good without a case piece.
3. Help to define the two spaces further with the use of an area rug.

Now- I wanted to say a word about your chaise. I will start by saying that I am not a big fan of the single furniture piece. One piece of furniture, floating out there by itself is a hard thing to pull off. A chaise, of course, is not a conversational piece- it is a sit by yourself piece of furniture. Find a good table that goes nicely with your chaise to help ground it, and make it feel more like a furniture grouping. My opinion is that only when a piece of furniture is also a piece of art, can it sit by itself- otherwise- you need at least two pieces of furniture. Sometimes it is easier to pull off a chair and ottoman than a chaise. That is something to consider. I adore the Eames lounge... sigh... Notice the picture at the top of the post. This room seems to be even narrower than yours- but is a great example to look at. The desk is on an angle. In your room- this will be your chaise. In this room the sofa is against the wall. I think that your room is deep enough to not have your walkway right through your seating area. - like I showed in the floorplan. This would be ideal- but would depend on the size of your furniture. Notice how I made it a long seating area with the use of the two chairs? That helps it to fill the space nicely. Keeping your TV on the wall where you currently have it- is asking for a very awkward space.

Thanks for writing in- you have a tricky set up here. Let me know if you have further questions. Also check out this post on another long and narrow room.

Thanks,
Christine