So I have a problem; I like going on real estate websites and looking at fixer uppers, and then thinking what would I do if this was my place. That’s how I found this 1970s condo living room. This space has a lot to love, but it also needs some work mostly due to the space just being dated and lacking defining features.
There are two big features of this space that I love. I love the huge window, which brings in so much natural light. This windows helps make the space brighter and more welcoming. The second feature I love is the fairly open floor plan which allows for a nice flow in an out of the living room. Together these two features are good bones to build off to create a unified space.
Since this is a condo I am making a big assumption that the space is owned. So change the floor (which you most likely won’t be able to do if you rent) to some kind of hardwood, laminate, or wood-look vinyl in a grey, which should be continued through the entire first floor. The brown carpet is dated and it is reflecting an off white light onto the otherwise white walls. The floor also changes midway through the stairwell which divides the space up oddly and makes the floor seem out of level. By changing out the floor the space will feel more unified and larger.
The next element this room needs is a low visual impact partition wall to take attention away from the stairs. In some spaces, this division can be achieved with the stair railing, but in this space the railing doesn’t do enough and feels odd. This division, however, can be achieved by taking inexpensive furring strips, painting them black, and attaching it to the soffit at the top and to another furring strip on the floor to keep them up straight. Then take a 1”x12” that is painted white and attach it to the furring strips so it looks like the landing is extended to the end of the room divider. This partition will give some division between the room and the stairs but it won’t prevent the light from entering the stairs which will preserve the open feel of the space.
The popcorn ceiling is also ugly and needs to be changed. Again, if the space is owned, have the ceiling scraped off and replaced by a professional. It is worth the cost since it probably contains asbestos, but if the space is a rental just be careful not create a large amount of dust and wear a mask. Take more of the black furring strips and have them go across the entire ceiling to seem like they are beams which will dress up the ceiling and give us a place to hide cords for the lights later on.
Since we are taking away the two biggest acoustic elements of the space, we need to add some new ones in. While fabric furniture will provide a large amount of sound deadening, a large floor rug and curtains will provide even more. A circular floor rug will help define the space create defined traffic flow. Flat curtain panels hung from a track system will also cut down on echo as long as the track is attached to the ceiling. A curtain track system will also look cleaner and more modern since the curtains are flat panels instead of bunching up when pushed to the sides.
The next piece is the creation of a conversation pit in the living room. In the center of the room would be the perfect place for a circular coffee table which would preserve the open feel and allow people to move around easily. In the back corner by the partition would be the perfect place for a tuxedo couch like the IKEA Norsborg Sofa, just be sure to change out the legs to something more modern and less stubby. In the front corner by the window would be the perfect place to put a media center and TV that is understated and out of the way but still usable. Finally, on the other side of the pit would be the perfect place for two wingback chairs like the Strandmon from IKEA. Just make sure the furniture isn’t all the same color or else it will look too much like a set which is boring.
On the back wall, would be the perfect place for a gallery wall. This area needs something that will fill the space nicely but won’t be overly heavy since the room is so open. This rules out any kind of shelving or built-ins, since those would be too visually heavy. A gallery wall is a nice place to display things that are important to you, without being too in your face. There is no right or wrong way to create a gallery wall, and they can be as simple or complex as you want. This wall will be a feature and it will finish up the room.
Finally, lighting will put the finishing touches on the room. IKEA has amazing plug in spot lights, which would be perfect to use on the gallery wall. They can be screwed into the ceiling to wash the gallery wall with light and then the cords are run along faux beams and the partition wall to a receiver for a wireless switch and they will look like they are permanent lights, but they won’t be. Then on the partition next to the couch would be the perfect place for clamp on light. This light will provide task lighting when on the couch. Finally, in between the two wingback chairs, would be the perfect place for a streamlined cigar shaped floor lamp which will provide task lighting at the chairs without being too intrusive. The lighting is the final touch for bringing together the room.
Together these details come together and create a cohesive mid century modern look for the space which uses the light and the openness of the space to its advantage, instead of fighting it. By making these few changes the space is now more cosy and functional; exactly how a living room should be.