Late last year, I shared all the different ways I would design our very challenging family room and received plenty of feedback on the options I shared in the comments section. I was going to wait to tackle this room but I’m itching for a project and decided now is a good time to really make an impact with this space that we use so much, so here we go, my new personality is now the ~*family room~*
We have a few local gas plumbers/fireplace experts coming in a few weeks to give us quotes for the following:
- completely removing the existing gas fireplace and not doing anything else – this will be the cheapest option. One company quoted me on the phone that it’s a simple job and he charges by the hour ($200) and it shouldn’t take that long
- removing the existing fireplace and adding a new fireplace on the left (exterior) wall. Not the ideal spot for a fireplace but am curious about costs
- removing the gas fireplace and adding a new fireplace on the center wall (this might be complicated and pricey as the center wall is not an exterior wall, there’s a closet behind it)
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While I’d love to move forward with option 3 or 5 in my original blog post (fireplace + built-ins, or either or), I’m also trying to be cognizant of the large sum of money we’ll need to spend this year on fixing our pool (new liner, new heater, etc.).
I did plenty of research on the costs of installing a new fireplace a few years ago (which I outlined in this blog post) and I know it won’t be cheap.Â
(Not pictured is an option with the combination of the fireplace and built-ins)
Essentially, if the cost to install a brand new fireplace + cost of built-ins is going to be $$$$, we’re going to move forward with just removing the current fireplace and doing the built-ins/fireplace down the road – that means I’ll likely go with option 1 from my original post, with a sectional in the back corner:
(ignore the design, this is just to show the layout)
Not the most favorable option but I think it’s still a good one. I inquired with my talented friend Connor about the layout and he confirmed the fireplace removal/sectional in the back corner was the best option because it sucks to walk into the back of a sofa, and I agree. A big sectional would be more useful and comfortable for us, too.Â
Then he shared this photo by Cece Barfield and it got me thinking…
A sectional and built-ins would be AMAZING!Â
Regardless, I think the existing fireplace does us a disservice when it comes to maximizing the complicated floor plan. We really enjoy using it during the colder months, and while I’d love to have some sort of fireplace down there, I also want the room & floor plan to make sense for us.Â
The positives to this room: it gets a decent amount of light from the sliding doors, its southern facing (praise be), and its spacious. Can you sense that I’m really forcing the potential?Â
Here are our family room must-haves:
- Comfortable performance seating/enough seating for our family
- A TV (will likely get a Frame TV)
- A large, custom, durable performance rug that covers all/most of the Pergo flooring and somehow wraps around the pole. With a fireplace gone, a large wool rug will help keep the room cozy & warm.
- Plenty of accent lighting to avoid the overhead lighting
- Storage for toys and other stuff in the form of chests/skirted consoles/cabinetsÂ
Unknowns:
- Where the TV will go. The beam would slightly obstruct the view if you’re sitting off to the side in an accent chair. Connor had an idea to put the TV in front of the railing, but I’ll need to measure and see if the TV will be too far from the sofa.
I came up with two rough concepts that I’m sharing below. Ultimately, this will change about 328 times/I’ll end up using elements from each idea, but clicking to vote is fun? The biggest difference between the options is the walls; green paint/green ticking stripe wallpaper, or ivory vinyl grasscloth. Both options include floral drapes because I am who I am
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I’ll be sharing more updates via stories. Have a good weekend!
Hi, no comments on the design, I know if you design it it will be beautiful. Just thinking, is it possible to fill in one of the spaces with wall so that the post is no longer by itself, but part of a longer wall. I don’t know functionally how that works in your space, but it could give you wall space for the tv too. Just a thought!
Thanks Jenny! I need to think about how that would be possible, but I love that idea! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I was thinking this same thing! Maybe it will cut off your space too much and create a hallway you don’t want, but if it feels okay in the space then you won’t have a random pole to work around!
I always appreciate how you share your thought process and your ideas. I do agree that the sectional in the back corner is a good solution, I wonder about where the TV will go because of that damn beam. The stripe wallpaper might help with the weird walls too. Looking forward to seeing how this comes together!
thanks Christina!
Voted for option 2, however would switch out the wicker console for the skirted console. More classic and lasting… also provides some of that hidden storage you mentioned.
I’m thinking you GOTTA replicate that yummy chocolate paint color! You can pull it off with Design Option #1’s drapes! Just a cozy, cozy feel!
Dark green walls would look superb in this room. I agree with the above commented, a skirted console for sure
Just spitballing here, as I have questions, but what if you did wall in from the beam to the (second) staircase, creating either built ins or a storage situation? I was questioning if that would interfere withe the primary stairs and whatever is through the pocket door?
I love your design aesthetic and both options have wonderful options, just wondering if it’s a little formal for a family room? I know you have a more traditional aesthetic but these two designs seem too formal even for a traditional home.
Looks great! Could you remove a staircase? Not sure if that’s possible or helpful for the design but I saw CLJ do it so now I’m like ????????
Both designs are beautiful! Just wanted to share that I recently installed grass cloth wallpaper and it instantly made our house feel warmer. So if you’re concerned with it feeling cozy enough down there, grass cloth would be a great option!!
Can you share where it’s from? I’d love to install!
Love following your thought process bc you are so thorough and thoughtful. One idea: cover the entire floor in wall to wall seagrass. We do it all the time in CA and it is very sturdy and easy to clean even with pets. You can layer area rugs over it. I love the idea of the bookshelves with the sectional in front of them. If you have to live with the support column you could use a great looking casegood /cabinet or large trunk with a hydraulic lift for the TV.
I also love the idea of doing a strip in the room and that would help absorb the unwanted angles.
I am concerned about you eliminating a fireplace altogether. If you are following the current events, the PTB is wanting to eliminate fireplaces and wood stoves altogether. This is concerning, especially because weather patterns are changing and if we have a really bad winter and the power goes out you would have no source for heating. Fireplaces are fine but inefficient at adequately heating a room since much of the heat goes up the chimney. I personally consider a wood stove a necessity. Your little wood stove can put out a lot of heat and could make a very big difference if it is the only place to get heat. I would keep your stove and simply relocate it to a different wall. Better to be warm than to worry about whether it looks elegant or not. You might want to check and see if you will need a permit to relocate it to a different area. That could be quite expensive also.
Love your home and both of your options, but wondering about the seagrass mat, it seems a bit coastal for your house?
this may have already been mentioned, but what about one of those non vented electric fireplaces? They’re sort of like space heater with flame. Check out decorhappy ca 11/2020 instagram for her basement renovation where she added one of those fireplaces. as mentioned, add wall from post to closet door and put built-ins w/ faux fireplace, bookshelves and tv space. like everyone has said, whatever you do, it’ll be gorgeous.