For the second home, I'd have flipped the dining and living spaces. I'd have moved the light fixture, put my dining table in front of the fireplace. Put my living room where the dining room had been (it looked like a larger space). But you're right, very awkward space. I've noticed these sort of poorly laid out spaces more with new builds/open concept homes. Really tough to actually live comfortably in them. So glad you're drawing attention to this. I think too many people walk through the home, get wowed by the shiny surfaces and don't really think about how they're going to arrange their furniture. It comes as a shock when they move in and realize that there are doors on every wall and nowhere to put a sofa, let alone a tv. Have you ever considered working with architects/builders? They really need your help!

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! They are welcome to book consultations with me, but I don’t have time to do extensive on site services and very expensive.

@mooshie79

2 ай бұрын

This is exactly what I would do.. though, swapping the door opening with the right-hand window would be ideal. Not obstructed by the fireplace in front of the door. 😊

Well Garrett, I've learned so much from your videos that my neighbours across the hall, who live in an apartment that's an exact mirror of mine, are upset because they think my apartment is bigger than theirs. 😄 Love you, love your channel, and smooches to Cornelius from me! ❤ Edit: if you're taking requests, I'd love your take on awkward outdoor spaces, like narrow balconies and small patios! 'Tis the season!

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Glad to help! Thanks for all your support. 🐶🐶🐶

Loved this video! Also, I booked a consult with Garrett last weekend and he was so kind and it was so much fun. He gave some fantastic tips - including telling me to remove a mirror and mantle over my fireplace which had never even crossed my mind - I thought it was drastic at first but it intrigued me and after the call I discovered I could pop both of them off pretty easily and when I saw the result I audibly gasped and started doing a giddy happy dance - it changed the vibe drastically and in such a good way! Can’t wait to implement more of the suggestions! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Peri! It was great speaking with. Glad it was helpful.

White outlets stand out from the gray walls like post-it notes!

@gailwilliams5278

2 ай бұрын

Although furniture, artwork, etc will cover some of them. And there are paintable outlet covers etc. Not a deal-breaker compared to layout issues.

In the first layout? I wouldn't even have a sofa. Three big chairs with an ottoman arranged circular for a conversation pit, and maybe a coffee table in the centre. I like where you put the TV.

Our family room has a fireplace. My husband wanted to mount the TV above the fireplace, and I told him absolutely not. That same room also has double sliding glass doors on one wall and another slider on an adjoining wall. We put our couches along the one solid wall, tv in the one available corner between the glass door walls. The fireplace wall has a built in book case on either side of it. The glass doors give a beautiful view of the pool with a thick growth of Areca palms, giving us privacy from the neighbors.

HA! That first one is so close to being the exact layout of my living room, I don’t have a TV so that’s a giant 5x5 Kallax serving as a room divider, no fireplace but there’s a buffet/console table thing there. The back of the couch is to the windows, which stretch the length of the room. My plants are behind the sofa. I’ve rearranged it 20 times. Love my round coffee table. I have a long straight couch but I hated having an appropriate length coffee table, it just got covered in crap. The round table opens it up, and stays clear. 🤷🏼‍♀️ This was validating!

Please give us more of this! I love how you broke down the issues and gave us graphics. The first room, since you're not using blinds, you could put plants on the balcony, and any festive lighting would be seen in the living room. In our living room a painted ceiling brought it all together. ❤️

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! I’d love to, but I have to see how the views work out.

I love the furniture placement you suggested! Sofa in front of window allows access to view and conversation when curled up in corners of sofa.The chair could be swivel to enjoy the view and/or the TV. I would avoid TV above fireplace if at all possible.

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Yes! Thank you!

The most awkward space I have is that the front door walks into the living room. So when you walk in, the living room is on the right and tv on the left. The space between the area rug and tv console create a walkway to the kitchen. I really like the idea of a round coffee table, tho. That could make a real difference in my layout 😊

@rebeccajordan4491

2 ай бұрын

Same. Long narrow living room with the front door on one end, a walkway through to the entire rest of the house directly opposite the front door, and the door to the kitchen in the center of the short wall on the side. The family room is exactly the same behind it, but with a giant fireplace just off-center from the picture window. There’s no good layout without a walkway across the middle and the sofas pushed up against the walls.

@mhughes152

2 ай бұрын

I think a round table is often the answer

This video has emboldened me to consider flipping my bedroom with the living room. I live in a closed concept 1952 bungalow but thanks to a poorly thought out addition, my bedroom is the only access to the back yard. I've always hated it. Flipping rooms is easier than moving doors...Time to book a consult with Garrett!

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Look forward to doing a virtual consultation. If you book and pay for a consultation before 12am PST on May 28 you will be saving an additional $50 for either a 30 or 60 minute session. Savings has already been deducted from the price you see and session does not have to occur before May 28, 2024. intro.co/garrettlechic

The most intelligent comment that I could possibly make about this video, is: Thank God for people like you, Garrett. These layouts would be awful to deal with.

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!😊😊😊

It’s wonderful that you always mix pragmatism & beauty in your design tutorials. This video is so helpful as not all spaces are ideal to work with. Thanks 🦋

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

Those really were awkward spaces.

Our living room is a really weird shape. I was having trouble making it feel comfortable and functional. My husband, however, who is NOT normally about that interior design life, was suddenly struck by inspiration after we mounted some new bookshelves. He moved the couch and TV to a small, awkward space where I never thought it would fit. It actually fits perfectly. The space is SO MUCH more comfortable and cosy now. I went from hating that room-which was sad, because it gets such beautiful sunlight-to wanting to spend time in there. There’s still a lot to do to make it “right.” We need to finish repainting. We need a new coffee table. We also need two more bays of the bookshelves to finish the wall, and since the set was a vintage FB marketplace find, we’ll probably have to build them to match. And there’s an awkward triangular space behind half the sofa, but we’re building a specially-shaped console table to fit there and for right now it’s home to a cat tree. The point is… I can visualize the room now, and it’s a comfortable, beautiful, happy room.

More of these videos please!!!! I have a living room with the almost exact set up as the last home you showed. I've been scooting things around to try to make it work, but now I have a framework to try things out with. This video was one of the most helpful videos I've seen on home decor because you're taking real houses with real life awkwardness and helping people figure out a better way to use the space they have❤❤❤

With the second one, I would have put the dining table by the door and fire place. And a round one would give plenty of room to get around the space. Whoever thought of this floorpan for this house...we need to talk!

I have a small real wood stool used as a coffee table with my L shaped sofa. It makes such a difference, however being a boho girl it really works. Looking handsome as ever Garrett. Love from Australia.

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, and thanks for sharing!

The first thing I thought of in the second home was, with the hill so close every time it rains, the runoff would be straight into the back door. A big no for me, without even taking layout into consideration.

WOW, tricky, for sure...Great ideas and points you make.

Love these solutions! Really making the most of these tricky spaces. What I find difficult are spaces that have to serve multiple functions. My living room is quite small but also has to function as my dining room and fit my electric piano. I've got round this partly by not having a sofa. I've got two armchairs instead and the dining chairs and piano stool function as extra seating when I have guests. I also ditched my TV years ago and don't miss it at all. Modern TVs are typically monstrous: it's so freeing not to have to design your space around them.

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed.

1st house- perfect layout 2nd house - I would make the living room the dining room ( fireplace in dining room would be nice) 3rd room- I would turn your design 90degrees so the couch faces the fireplace( I would move it over to the left a little) just make sure you get a couch with a beautiful back since you will see it. Console table behind it and the dining room

Really seems like these new builds are big on space and low on usability.

Garnett you are such a person magnet.i love your videos

@GarrettLeChic

7 күн бұрын

Thank you so much! My videos get posted on Thursdays at 1pm and Sundays at 10am Pacific Time. I appreciate your support and if you can help us with channel growth by watching as much as possible within the first hour of videos being posted I would be very grateful!🤗🤗🤗

All three suggested solutions: GENIUS!!!

@GarrettLeChic

Ай бұрын

Thanks so much Terry. 😊😊😊

Good stuff, Garrett.

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Hi Garrett, I'm a long time follower and a Realtor. I'd love to hear your opinion on my biggest pet peeve with newer construction: enormous primary bath (still hate that term) and gigantic walk-in closets with tiny living room. Usually, they skimp on secondary living space in favor of more bedrooms. What's the benefit?

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

I like a large primary bathroom as long as it doesn’t just have a big shower and no bath tub. Big walk in closets are great. However, that being said, the rest of the rooms can’t be tiny to make up for it. Thanks for all your support!

@leec5170

2 ай бұрын

I agree, but builders do it all the time. I see it even in custom homes. I just wonder if people plan to spend all of their time in the bedroom (good for them, I guess). Everyone needs living space and I always advise my clients to look carefully at that.

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

@@leec5170 I’ve read that the greatest amount of time is spent in primary bedroom and bathroom as well as the kitchen.

@leec5170

2 ай бұрын

@@GarrettLeChic I guess I need to re-evaluate my life...😂

I have the weirdest living room. I’ll tell you now that ‘nobody’ can fix. Whoever come up with this design needs a flogging, but there’s nothing we can do with it now. Love your show.

@GarrettLeChic

Ай бұрын

Thank you! I appreciate your support.

I just found you and cant stop watching. I have a very small house 1000 sq and no storage. So odd because my 900 sq foot condo actually held more because of the floor design. this is such an important topic because I have been at a loss for 20 years as how to deal with my house and its problems lol lol.. most likely I will book a session with you soon. thanks so much for doing this I am learning so much

@GarrettLeChic

Ай бұрын

Yay! Awesome. Welcome to the channel! It’s great to have you as a part of our very valued subscriber family. 😊😊😊

To see these awkwardly designed new homes makes me sad. It doesn’t cost more to build a well designed home.

We are getting close to retirement and plan to move to NC. I have begun looking at homes online in NC, and I saw so many home with layouts that are just like the first living room you discussed in this living room, right down to the awkward placement of the fireplace. I'm not a fan of long narrow rooms to begin with, and the new construction homes all seem to have them (along with extremely open floor plans, no bathtub in the primary bathroom and shower inserts. Ugh). Do builders ever consult designers before they come up with these floor plans? We're probably going to have to have a custom home built which comes with it's own set of unique problems and additional expenses.

great advice thank you

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

This video is fantastic! More please!❤

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

Wow, you are so good Garrett

@GarrettLeChic

Ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

Really appreciate this video!! So many spaces are so awkward

@GarrettLeChic

Ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

Another great video🖤

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed!

Loved this!

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

😊😊😊

Genius!

@GarrettLeChic

Ай бұрын

Thanks so very much!

Garrett, they are throwing up houses all over our area with that awkward door/window situation shown in the second layout. I have always wondered how you could make that look good. The same layout over and over!

Oh man! My living room needs HELP! We only have 2 bedrooms (master and my daughter’s room) and my husband has to have his heavy desk with his computer and other stuff of his in the living room. We bought one of those room dividers to hide it but it just looks so ugly.

Hi, great video and ideas😊

@GarrettLeChic

Ай бұрын

Thank you! 😊 I appreciate you supporting the channel by subscribing and watching.

Great minds think alike! I came up with the same solution for room 1.😊

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

That is awesome!

Good evening Garrett, Thank you so much for this vlog. My head was spinning thinking how could I have done it if I had to be in a space like that. Oh the open concepts with dining and lounge jumbled together in not so big size, pheww. They can be set up once but you cannot keep moving around a lot of furniture as and when you want to do a different set up:( I personally like this kind of challenging videos 🙃brain taxers!! You have a wonderful weekend and see you soon🤗

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Enjoy the weekend.

@1khwab

2 ай бұрын

@@GarrettLeChic thankyou!! it’s always a pleasure to learn from you..xx

I agree with the others, more videos like this please! Thank you 😊

@GarrettLeChic

Ай бұрын

My pleasure!

@jrs3359

Ай бұрын

@@GarrettLeChic why does your response to my comment make me feel so special lol

@GarrettLeChic

Ай бұрын

@@jrs3359 Because I actually read comments and respond to my subscribers. I appreciate you all so much. 😊😊😊

@jrs3359

Ай бұрын

@@GarrettLeChic well you are awesome and so helpful and a joy to watch! we’re building a small house right now and I get to design the whole thing so I’m bing watching your channel lol

@GarrettLeChic

Ай бұрын

That’s awesome! Congrats. If you want my opinions on the finishes or other interior decorating questions, please feel free to book an appointment with me at intro.co/garrettlechic It’s easier to troubleshoot issues before you do it and spend the money.😊😊😊

👍🏼

❤

My 1950 house has a walk-through living room with the door to a screen porch on one side. Front door on opposite side in an open foyer into the main room. Large opening into this main room to the bedroom wing at the foyer, another large opening into what was used as a small dining room but is now a den. Small fireplace on same wall as opening into foyer to bedroom wing. Technically the fireplace is centered but because of the larger opening on that wall, it really isn’t. It’s so odd.

My bedroom is weird. Imagine an L and flip this L 180 degrees. Thats what my window looks like. So there is a narrow window just below the ceiling going across the full length of the wall and then on the left is a connected window that comes down but not all the way to the floor. Very little light in the room. So I have a shorter wardrobe under the narrow window and because the adjacent wall to the left is taller because it has no window, I have a taller wardrobe there. The room feels off because there is no symmetry.

So I have an awkward 18' x 50' space. Deck and view along that side. I am thinking to open it and put the kitchen in the middle? Have a formal up front, then in back, dining and lounge space.

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Interesting. I’m glad to do a virtual consultation with you so I can give opinions/discussion dedicated to your specific space. Bookings can be made at intro.co/garrettlechic

Great suggestions for awkward spaces. Would love more videos about furniture placement.Feels like sectionals are all the rage right now! I find I am not a fan of them though. It seems like they are all huge and the corner section is a wasted space unless your alone curled up with a book. If your entertaining, no adult is sitting in that corner of it with their feet dangling. Just my opinion.

@GarrettLeChic

Ай бұрын

Glad you are enjoying! I appreciate you supporting the channel by subscribing and watching our videos.

Hello 👋 I have an awkward living room because it’s located in between my dining room and family room so there two large openings leading from one room to the next so it basically divides my living room into two spaces so I’ve treated the space as two separate seating areas but it looks like I’ve just pushed furniture towards each opposite side to clear the path to family room and it drives me crazy 🤪 I enjoy these types of videos Thanks 😊

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!! If the video does well I will make more like it.

👏❤️👏

Hi Garrett I just booked a consultation. Should I measure the room?

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Hi Lisa! Looking forward to the consultation. Sure the more information you have on hand at the virtual consultation like measurements is helpful. 😊😊😊

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

This came at a perfect time for me. I have an awkward room that should have been a acreened in porch but became a sunroom due to minimum sq foot requirements. May I book a consultation for next month now with your generous discount offer or are the appts dates time limited to just the next week please? Edit: I see June dates so now what time zone is represented please? I don't see an option for converting into local time. Are you west coast time?

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

It would be awesome to do a virtual consultation with you! The booking must be booked and paid for before sale end at 12am Pacific Standard Time on May 28, 2024 to get the discounted rate which has already been deducted from the price you see, but can be used for anytime after that you see available online. The times you see available are based on the time zone you are in. I am in the Pacific Standard Time Zone.

@TheStipple

2 ай бұрын

​@@GarrettLeChic happily booked for 6/1. Thank you I'm looking forward to this!

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

@@TheStipple That’s awesome! Look forward to the consultation. 😊

I have had two homes with corner fireplaces. So difficult! I’m not Garrett Le Chic.

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

I’m sure I could help you through that dilemma if I could see them and discuss it with you! You are always welcome to book a virtual consultation with me at intro.co/garrettlechic

Excellent advice and thank you for sharing your knowledge! I would definitely check on the flow of a space before purchasing a home. What happened to good architectural design in some of these modern homes? And let's finally get rid of television over fireplaces! 🌴☀️🦩😊❤️☺️🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰

@GarrettLeChic

2 ай бұрын

Totally agree!