Have you ever been away from your home for a while and when you immediatey walk in the front door, you begin to notice all the flaws in your home? Ok maybe not immediately, the smell of your home is ALWAYS the first thing that you notice!
We were gone for 7 weeks this summer, and as soon as I walked in my front door, (and passed the smell test) this living room just didn’t feel right! It felt way too cold and blah!! We have lived here for almost a year, and I am just now realizing this? Not really, but I had convinced myself it was good enough and was not a top priority for a while! Well guess what! It is now a top priority! I know that once it is complete with a rug, new curtains, and new throw pillows that it will feel more cozy and warm!
The first thing that I realized very quickly, the teak chaise in front of the sliding glass doors was quite not right!!! It was pushed too far against the sliding glass doors and was apparent that it was blocking the doors! I thought ”what if I move the chaise forward and get it further away from the doors?” The doors could still be useable but with a walkable space between the two. Then the chaise will look like it belongs there! 
“Maybe I can hang sheers in the middle of the glass doors to give it the appearance of large windows”? Something like this? That would help fade away the outdoor furniture! Because right now, that outdoor furniture is an eye sore!
I couldn’t wait to get settled in and get my hands on this room! My wheels were turning! Because of the shape of the teak chaise, it really needs to be up against a wall. However, I have my teak cabinet, AKA china cabinet, up against that wall!
So the chaise really needs to stay put! I decided to pull the chaise out from the sliding glass doors 2 1/2 feet.
I rearranged the chairs and ended up using one less chair! Still not sure! But that poor little plant needs to find a new home! I need something much larger in that corner.
I plan to replace the red and browns (accessories) and use the newest color trend- yellow and grey. Maybe some pillows like these.
But to be honest, this room will never look good until I get the ugly off white-peachy ceramic tile up and replace it with beautiful dark hardwood floors! I just don’t understand why someone would put this particular ceramic tile in an entire house! I mean not only are they ugly, but they are slick! We have a pool!! And they are a safety hazard! Ok, now you know how I really feel about this ceramic tile! 
I am just grateful my husband hates this ceramic tile as much as I do! I am even more grateful that he is willing to use the extra money from this deployment to replace the floors! That makes me very happy!! I just don’t know how long it will take before we will replace them! In the meantime, I have to live with them and do the very best that I can! And knowing that most of my neighbors have the same exact floor helps a lot!!
I need your help here! What are your thoughts about the chaise being in front of the sliding glass doors, but moved 2 1/2 feet from the doors?
What do you think about using the sheer curtains to “soften” the sliding glass doors and to hide the outdoor table? I mean the the view of the pool is not very good from that door anyway.
UPDATE!! Shortly after I posted this, I was asked why didn’t I just move the chaise to where to two matching chairs were? Well I actually tried this when we first moved in and my family did not like it at all! However, I quickly slid the furniture around and here is what I have now!
So now what do you think of this furniture placement? I like it best, but not sure what to do with that back! It is just too much! Any ideas how to camouflage it? Maybe I should just sell the chaise and get a regular sofa for that space?
Linking to debbie-debbiedoos
Wanda why don’t you swap where the two matching chairs were and put chaise there and two chairs in front of door that would give more walking space to the door maybe.
Brilliant Kelly! I actually did that way back when we first moved in and my fam did not like it!! BUT I redid it just now and I think it looks better! I will post pictures!
This is such a fun post! I love all the pics to match your thought process. And the new layout is very nice. I think a sofa table would be a nice touch. Did I mention how much I learned from watching your thought process play out?
We are adding on to our house, and I’ll have a lot of decorating to do soon. I’ll be all over your blog for good ideas.
Hi, Wanda! First, I want to tell you I love all the furniture pieces you have in this room! Very pretty! I love the last few pictures where the chaise is away from the window. It makes the room seem even bigger and your beautiful glass doors are not blocked. I see what you mean about the outdoor furniture. It doesn’t look bad to me, but if it bothers you, is there any other space on your back porch where you could move your table and chairs? That may give you a full view of your pool area and I think it would be gorgeous!
Thanks Maria! The outdoor furniture can only go there!
a view to the pool would be incredible! I am holding out on rugs! It will depend on how I use the furniture as to size and shape of the rug! I like the room the way it is now with the chaise turned sideways, I just don’t like the back of it being seen! Eventhough it is finished, it is too much brown wood for me!!
I know what you mean about the back of the chaise. I have the same problem with my love seat in the family room. I forgot to tell you I have a project going on with the yellow and gray colors you mentioned and almost the same fabric pattern. I think they look so pretty together and those colors would look lovely in your living room.
I will be checking it out!
Love the new look.
It’s funny how we get so stuck in our head that this is the way the furniture goes. I really like the furniture moved around to give access to the doors. I definitely like the idea of a rug to warm up the space. Tiles are great in a kitchen. I never understood them being throughout the whole house either though. You have a beautiful home!
Thank you! We have found ceramic tile that looks just like hardwood floors, with no grout! I think we will put that in kitchen and bathrooms, as long as it is not slick!
just found your blog from a linky party – I really think that moving the chaise has opened up the room more and is letting in more light…if you dont want to see the patio furniture then I would say go ahead with adding the sheers but only if you dont use the door to go outside often…otherwise they might get in the way – I am going to continue browsing around your blog – but so far I’m liking what I see…
Thank you very commenting and for visiting my blog! Hope you enjoyed all of it!
I love the way you placed the furniture – it def makes it look larger. If the back of the chaise is bothering you why not try a sofa table – they are wonderful for hiding what we don’t want to see and giving some merchandising area. Also think sheers at the doors would be a wonderful addition especially since you don’t like the view. Also love your chairs… stopping by from Debbie Doos….
Thank you! I had thought of a sofa table, but just was not sure how it would look with the shape of the chaise. I am going to try it. Then I can add more color and pretties on it! The chairs were a spontaneous decision I made at 3am one morning when I could not sleep! One of my regrets because now I have seen so many beautiful ones I like even more! They are from overstock.com. Once again, thank you for dropping by!
Personally, I like the back, and I love the placement. What a pretty space you created. Great drapes too. Thanks for sharing with the newbie party.
Thank you very much!
Love the last arrangement best. Because the chaise is so interesting, I think it needs to be in the center position like that. It draws your eye to it and shows how the other chairs complement it. I just found you through Debbiedoo’s. I’m your latest follower and a fellow newbie!
Thank you for visiting, following and commenting on my blog. I will make sure to pay your blog a visit.
I love the furniture and the placement. I would love it if you could share this wonderful post at our WIW linky party. I hope you can join us.
Paula
ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
I would love to link up but I am having trouble viewing your page. I will keep rechecking.
Thank you for the invite and for visiting my blog!