Is your Greatroom a blank slate and you don’t know how to start the design process? Confused about how to create separate spaces and contrast? Don’t know what your style is and feel overwhelmed with all the possibilities? Here are some hints to get started!
Measure out your spaces and decide where your “room” parameters are (ie. familyroom/dining/ kitchen island bar chair area.) The easiest way to do this is to see where doorways are placed to determine the spaces allowed. Decide which direction your rectangular (or round) dining table will sit and then work out your maximum sofa or sectional size.
If your dining area is near your bar chair-worthy kitchen island, make sure to have enough space (7’ minimum) from edge of island to edge of your dining table. The reason for 7’ minimum is: 3’ depth is needed per bar chair and dining chair and 1’ minimum extra to pass by.
Be sure to allow space for passage (15”-22”) between your sofa/sectional and coffee table, and measure out your rug size needed. You will need at least a 8’10’ and most likely a 9’x12’ or larger. Your family room rug can sit an inch in front of the sofa OR just behind the front legs. Ideally you can walk in front of the tv without stepping on the rug, and in this case more of the rug can go under the sofa/sectional. Make sure each seated person would have their feet on a rug when sitting. Give each sitter ample room to stretch out legs without crossing theirs over their neighbor’s.
Keep in mind where your external focal point is. If you have a beautiful view you may opt for a set of accent chairs on that side rather than a view-blocking sofa. A small table between these chairs is ideal and if those chairs are swivels, a round accent table is necessary to avoid hitting table corners.
So what’s the next step? First map out the seating types of items in your Greatroom. Then find a beautiful rug in the colors you love, identify your sofa/sectional style and a neutral fabric, and perhaps more colorful accent chair and select a fabric matching a color in your new rug. You are now well on your way!
Your next project would be to create feature walls that enhance your family room and dining area. Is it a tv over a fireplace, flanked with lit niches? Could it be millwork in a contrast color behind a credenza? Or framed accent wallpaper highlighting the furniture against it?
Finally add your pillows and throws, sofa-backed credenza or console table, coffee table, floor lamps, table lamps and pendant lighting, dining and bar chairs, and all those accessories that make your heart soar.
Remember to add organic elements that remind us of nature and of our humanity: trees, plants, floral arrangements or shells.
Check out the before and after photos of our Longboat Key elegant client’s new condo:
The family room feature wall became a linear electric fireplace with large scale porcelain tile and lit niches highlighting accessories, with a warm wood hearth that determined the wood tone for all the organic grained furniture.
The dining area featured subtle blue grasscloth on it’s single wall with a stately credenza flanked by glass accented floorlamps and of course dramatic wall art.
We matched the rugs in both spaces and it worked! We used the same style chairs for the kitchen island and dining, yet taller and armless for the counter-height island.
No matter your style, color preferences, or how you live day to day, these design insights are just the beginning of what’s possible. Thoughtful design transforms not only your space—but how you feel in it.
If you’re ready to elevate your home with a space that feels curated, cohesive, and unmistakably yours, we’d love to guide you from concept to completion. Whether you’re starting with a blank canvas or refreshing an existing layout, our team specializes in translating your vision into elegant, livable design that stands the test of time.
Let’s create something extraordinary together.