This was DH's idea. The largest and sunniest room in our house is the living room. We've lived in the house for 19 years and have rarely used it. We don't entertain a lot but when we do, we use the family room since it's more inviting - we've very casual people.

So, he suggested that I move my sewing stuff there so I can have another sewing table with my new machine and a separate cutting station. Right now, I'm using a corner of an upstairs bedroom that is also shared by a computer and TV with two recliners (the kid's man-cave when he's home from college). Can't leave anything out - what a pain!

Has anybody else done this? How did it affect your home?

Thanks. :)

I'd go for it. You don't use the room and have another place for entertaining. Sounds like a good solution to me.

I think there's several members on here that do the same thing. I've thought about it too(instead of one of the extra bedrooms I'm using now), but when you enter our home you enter the living room(our home is an open concept floor plan). Maybe I should use the family room instead.
When I lived in Indiana, my living room was completely closed in and that would have been perfect for a sewing room.
If your DH suggested it then go for it!!!

Go for it! Especially if the room is not being utilized now.

go for it
dar

Sounds like a really good concept. My theory is it's your home, so do what you want. More space, sunny cheery room, happy days!

Two of the longarmers I use have their machines in the living room. They also both had a separate family room, and "lived" in it more than the living room.

Another quilter (not a longarmer), did the same as you're contemplating - moved her fabric storage, sewing machine cabinets, cutting table right into the living room. And she is thrilled with room (and light).

That's what I did over a year ago. I've never regretted it, not for a second! :D Have to keep it a bit neater than some I've seen, but that's a good thing I think. And there's no closet or door, so consider that in your plans.

I think it sounds like a great idea! Go for it, especially if hubby is on board.

I think it's a great idea. I'm doing something similar except I'm using the formal dining/junk room...lol

I would love to do that, we never use ours either. The only reason I haven't is the front door opens right into it.

Why not? It's your home! It should serve you. Why keep a little used room set up for a function it doesn't serve while another important feature of your life is restricted by too little space.

Do it! I would love to have that much room!

LOL - the only time we use the front door is on Halloween! A nice screen could be used to block the view from the front door area. The only negative is that the bottom half of the stairway is open to the living room so you can see into it as you come down the stairs.

Boy i wish i could do that.We only have the living room and bedrooms.Connie in CO

I think you have a wonderful husband to suggest it. If you're not using the room, then why not be more comfortable.

When I stared quilting I moved everything out of the den/game room used by our teens as a media/computer room and turned it into my sewing room. DH has a large shop behind the house so he felt I should have a space too if I wanted it. We told the kids if you want a hang out room then be sure the house you pay for has one. LOL.

I say "Go for it". It's your space. You should use it to suit you, not the original floor plan. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

I used my very formal living room as a run over sewing room. The only problem my hubby had was it was the first thing you saw if you walked in the front door and it was always messy looking to everyone but me. Only business people use the front door. We too use our den for family and friends- it's more homey! I also didn't like it when someone would walk in there and start to pick up stuff and just nosey around. I never said it but I didn't like it. I finally put it all back. I went to our rec (wreck) room over the garge and made it as my sewing room. It's got a door and everything I could want. Just my story

I'd have my stuff moved in there so fast his head would spin LOL. We don't have a family room, just a living room, so unless I boot DH out then I'm stuck with what I have.

Susan

Mine is open to the front door too (which we also never use).
I don't have people come there often enough to worry about it though.
The other thing is that I've lived long enough that I don't care...lol
I figure it's my house, hubby doesn't care...and that's all that matters!

You guys are funny. Thanks for the encouragement.

Bellaboo, what a great idea!!

My quilting room is the former formal living room and I love it! The only downside is that this is the 1st room you see as you walk into the house. I do try to keep it picked up so it's not too bad. Here are a couple of pics...it's not completely finished yet.

Diannia

Sounds like a winner to me.

My close friend is a professional long armer, and her living room is now her quilting studio. She and hubby and daughter only use the family room, and she ran out of room in the small bedroom she was using for her sewing room. That room is now her fabric storage and cutting room, and her domestic machine is also in there.

Another guild member I know uses her dining room for her long arm studio. They have an open floor plan, and she has a large eat-in kitchen, so didn't need two dining tables.

Hurry and move in there before he changes his mind lol.

Since my husband passed, I use the living room for sewing.

I would go for it if I had a seperate livingroom space.
I have through about moving my dewingroom into the master bedroom since its larger then the sewing room.

Great idea since you have a living room too! Why not put that large space to good use, & with DH's approval too! Enjoy!...

I would jump on it in a heartbeat, our house is so tiny, just a two bedroom so I have my sewing area in the living room anyway, but obviously I just have a small area, have fun with yours!!

To me this would be a no-brainer, especially if hubby suggested it! I say go for it before he changes his mind.

Great idea for a sewing room! Puts your personality front and center, and you show an independence of spirit!

My hubbie and I have always used the rooms in our house for whatever we needed at the time. I started a business in one corner of our bedroom, then took over the dining room, then added the family room to that! Finally moved the business out of the house because we needed to hire help that wasn't just family members. Those were great years and we remember them fondly. So now I'm using a bedroom for my quilting AND selling estates of antique dolls! And I'm having a ball..
This is your life.... enjoy it!

I feel like you but hubby likes ONE ROOM that's always nice- lol. He also is a consultant and works from his office in our house. I did feel bad when clients came in and saw mountains of material and tables and all the sewing stuff laid out on everything! This works for us. I say what ever works for you -Go For It :)

I have my sewing macine in our living room. I have it in such a way it's by the tv. When I would put away the machine after using it. (taking it back to the spare room) My DH and FIL were talking and they both said, why don't you leave it set up here in the living room. So my sewing table and machine are in the living room (plenty of sunshine) just great. Storage is in the spare room

That is what I plan to do. My occupied Japan sewing machine is already installed with cabinett.After DH gets my singer up n running I'll get a cabinet for it, rearange my lounge chairs and furniture. will also go inthe livingroom.Theresse

I have had my sewing things in many different rooms. Right now I have my machine quilting frame in my living room along with my nephews big screen tv, and my living room couch plus the desk top computer. It works for us.
I had planned on moving my sewing machine quilting frame to the back bedroom but my nephew is now using that bedroom.

My sewing room (with my favorite sewing machine) is my daughter's old room so I've left the bed in there for her to sleep there when she comes home to visit. Because I want to continue sewing while she is here, I have a 2nd sewing machine set up in the dining room....so all-in-all I have 3 rooms with sewing machines. :lol:

My family is very ecletic and they don't think this is strange since they get involved with their projects too.

When company comes, they may look at the sewing frame a little strangely but that is okay. It's my home, not there home.

Wow, wish I could turn my living room into a sewing room. I think that is a great idea. If you don't like it, then turn it back.

You should go for it, your DH suggested it and I'm sure he will help you set it up. The only thing I would want is a door so I could close it off if necessary. Sounds great.
Sue

go for it. I would do that too except the teenagers would object because they couldn't get to their video games.

My sewing room is for fabric storage, and I sew in my dining room. The main table is 17 feet long, which makes it nice. I think it's better than having a room that's sitting there rarely used, but I make sure that I have a big party 3 or 4 times a year so I have to clean periodically!