Living room as studio
 

DH and I have decided to arrange our house the way we use our house. That means moving the sewing and quilting machines from the lower level to the living room where all the space and light are. We were only using the living room furniture 4-5 times a year, so we moved our 'gathering space' to the lower level and we'll make it cozy for gathering. We'll see how this goes for a while. Has this worked for anyone else?

I think that is a great idea! I suggested that to my DH once, and he said he didn't want my "stuff" to be the first thing that people see when they come in the house. My feeling? Do what you can to make the room useful for you and then you'll actually use the room! Enjoy your new space. I'd love to see pictures.

Whatever works for you will be best. I was happy to have space finally in the 3rd bedroom. but now since I'm all settled in that room people have a need to come see us after 19 years. Oh well!

I have my cutting board and sewing machine behind the couch in the living room. The fabric...is..ahem...in many places in the house..out of immediate view. I can keep track of the DH and still sew while he watches the boob tube.

For years my sewing studio was in what's supposed to be the dining room, and the gaming room had taken over what's supposed to be a family room. Worked for us. Recently, with the oldest dd moving out, we moved some rooms around. Still need to tweak a few things, but we'll see how it works.

I live by myself and my quilting studio is in the living room of my very small 2 bedroom apt.

I've outgrown my sewing room and the overflow has made its way to the dining and living rooms. I remember when I was young and thought my Mom was too picky about having everything in its place she told me when I had a home of my own I could do it the way I wanted. So that's what I'm doing. :)

That is where mine is!!I have a U shaped area made by a couple of sewing cabinets, computer desk, cutting table and ironing board. My swivel/rolling office chair sits in the middle of it. I can see the TV from my sewing area and therefore get to spend "quality" time with DH and not feel excluded from family life!! I absolutely love it!! I'm sure you will to.

I have a separate room for my longarm and fabric collection, but all my piecing is done in the living/dining/kitchen area which is all open with an island in the middle. My cutting mat is on the island, my ironing board is along one wall and my sewing machine sits behind the love seat flanked by drawer units. And just a couple months ago, I turned the wall behind the sewing machine into a design wall! I love the design wall there because the "decorations" are constantly changing and, if I want to hide a miss-mash of quilt blocks (from working on multiple quilts), I can just hang a quilt or top right over what's there. I figure visitors just come and go, but I Live there!

My guess is that might depend a lot on what type of quilter/sewer you are. If you are like me ... an very untidy quilter, then it might eventually bother you to have that "view" . I like my basement sewing room.. I can walk away and no one knows its there.

use your home how you like.our dining room is our living room and our living room is my sewing room.The house has a weird layout anyway-it works for us

It'll work...ask me how I know. You will have to be okay with folks coming into it if your front door is there. Doesn't bother me a bit. Most folks that come here know I sew and quilt and the ones that don't see as soon as they walk in. I don't worry about the mess cause when I'm working on a project it's messy....most folks enjoy looking and are quite amazed at what they see.....even our mailman has had a look-see when he delivers packages and anytime we have work done they want to look, even guys seem to enjoy it...

I am in the process of buying a HQ Avante and have decided to put it in my living room. I barely use the room and like quilts4charity said, "most folks enjoy looking". The front door to my house is in this room so that is what people will see. I will only have the Avante and frame set up in there. It will still have two or three chairs in there. The rest of my stuff is in a quilting room (extra bedroom turned into quilting space). I am so glad I came across this thread, it just reiterates what I was thinking of doing. I am So excited to get my HQ.

I thought about turning my living room into a sewing room and would if it had a door so I could shut the cats out. I will stay in the larger of the two spare bedrooms. It is completely set up for just sewing and it works for me. Course it would make it difficult to have our holiday dinners as we seat people in the kitchen, living room and family room. You should be able to use your home the way you want!!

I agree with you about little used space. We have a livingroom and two family rooms. I cannot remember the last time we sat in the livingroom! When guests come they like to sit at the kitchen counter or the TV room so we rarely use the livingroom. I would like to get a longarm and plan to put it in the livingroom

This is me too......have always had my " crafts" out of everyday living areas.....extra bdrm, little attic, and now part of lower level of this house. No one sees it but me.

I can see the convenience of having all your stuff on one level, just be sure you're not going to completely stop using the stairs. My dad, age 71, intentionally uses the restroom in the basement to be sure that he continues to get the exercise from using the stairs several times a day. His father retired at age 70, and quickly stopped doing much beyond moving from the bed, to the recliner, to the kitchen table, and so on. Soon enough, he couldn't do much more than that without being exhausted from the effort. I remember him coming to the basement once in his mid 90's to watch the grand-kids play ping pong. We all about fell over because we were so worried that he would... fall over, from the exertion.

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I'm tempted. But I know my husband wouldn't go for it because it's the first thing you see. I knew I should've put in those french doors to close it off! At one time I used the dining room as my cutting and ironing area, but it was kind of a pain to run back and forth between the bedroom (my sewing room) and the DR. But we never use the DR, so changes may be in its future!

My quilting studio is in the formerly formal living room. It's the 1st room you see when you walk into our home. I try to keep it tidy and we are thinking about getting French doors for it. Right now my LA is in there but DH is going to fix up the garage for my LA and batting. Once that's moved we're going to get a couch for him to come join me when I sew!

I think whatever you use a room for is what you should call that room! If you sew in it, it will be your sewing room. If you have a bed in it and sleep there it will be a bedroom. So, I hope you are enjoying your larger "sewing room" and I am sure your guests will enjoy being in whatever room they can sit down with you and enjoy your company. It is your home and you should have the freedom to live in it to suite you.

I did that about a year ago. I was moving my sewing stuff around all the time because I had no place to keep it out. All the bedrooms are taken and the master is to small to sew in (the master was bigger in our old house, that is where I had my stuff). I told my DH I needed some space for sewing where I was not moving all the time. I told him I wanted to get rid of the dinning room (we hardly ever eat there) and move the living room in there. I like the living room much better now also. I put my sewing stuff in what was the living room I love it, I have space and do not have to move things all the time. I sew most days and it was getting frustrating always moving and looking for things. I say use your house for what you do the most. An added bonus is I stay much neater because any one coming to the door can see the sewing room. I am so glad we did this! My DMIL thought we where crazy, and I was
not sure I would like everyone coming in seeing my stuff (not always neat) but it was a great choice!

We have a hobby room in one of the bedrooms. DH and I share it, but we have in what is suppose to be a formal living room, my mid-arm machine on the frame. The frame is a little over 12 foot long and was the best place to put it. We also have storage down the other wall. We put up bi-folding doors that goes between the room and the dining room. As you come in the front door there are curtains we put up ( DH made a curtain rod to go all the way across the room.) I know it looks odd to some people, but we really don't care! If I'm working on a quilt, scrap-booking, candle making, jewelry making, weaving or what ever ( sometimes I forget what I'm doing) in there we can close the curtain and go on. Our house isn't perfect, but it is ours and we use it as we need it to be used at the time. DH does wood and leather work it doesn't bother me in the least if he works in the hobby rooms or at the kitchen island. As long as he is smiling, I'm smiling too! Our kitchen island has gotten scratched some, DH was upset, I told him "Don't worry, it just gives it personality." We have marks from the DGD and the kids and it's just fine with it. It is like butcher block but has a glossier top.
Penny

Our dining room is my sewing room...works for me.

We specifically searched for a retirement home that had a living room large enough for a studio. The room opens to the front door and I put a screen to block some of the room off. Visitors immediately peek around the screen to check out the 12 ft quilting frame & machine, cutting table, 6 sewing machines, commercial embroidery machine and an office cubicle. This is a perfect arrangement as I can do my thing while the laundry is chugging along or cookies are baking. I was on the quilt guild's studio tour last year and still get requests from members who want to bring a relative or friend to check out my studio. So use your home and not let it become a shrine to a seldom used dining set or velvet couch.

We inherited our house. When we moved into our house, it had a formal living room/dining room area (almost as large as our master) and I was in one of the bedrooms that was set up as a TV room (no door and a 1/2 wall). However, we don't entertain in a formal manner and I wanted a LA, so we decided it made sense to move me into that area and DH took over my old space. We do have an eating area off the kitchen that has space for a large dining room table (which my MIL brought when she moved in) and a Nevada room that we use as our living room.

In the former LR/DR, I have my desk with computer, a sewing area (used our old dining room table), cutting table (bought a clearance dining table and added wood risers to get the proper height), a CD cabinet with sliding doors that I use for thread storage, 2 cubby cabinets, my ironing board, my LA with 12 foot table, and of course, my stash. I would love to put in cabinets, but they would cost. My only regret is that the area is wide open to the rest of the house with no way to shut it off. Otherwise, it's a great space, especially since there are a lot of windows.

Go forward and enjoy!

I have a sewing room set up with ironing and cutting tables. The closet has drawers for fabric and I hang my rulers and templates on the all behind the closet door. My sewing machine is in there too, except when I am actually sewing. Then it is in the living room. I have a specially made sewing table for my machine. It is great and was made by my DH. I keep it on sliders for moving furniture so I can easily slide it from room to room. At first, I was the one who didn't want to "mess up" the living room with "my stuff." My DH told me is our house ad we can use it any way we want to use it. I no longer worry about it. I enjoy being in a bigger room when I spend hours sewing. So, it is your house. Use it any way you want to use it. :):):)

I am really trying to decide to move my things around. We have a formal dining which is actually the former living room. Our den is huge and would make a wonderful studio. It has concrete floor with beautiful laminate/vinyl flooring and lots of natural light and fireplace. All my sewing and long arm is in the single garage. All electrical outlets on one wall so extension cords are a nightmare. I do love my dining room but use it mostly for holidays and occasionally for birthday. Then I go back to the garage/sewing room and look at all the things along the wall and cringe at thought of moving all that mess. I have been thinking of doing away with formal dining and moving the den into the now dining room. Your comments of relocating just the long arm are also very interesting. I have so many wonderful memories in my large rooms of times when my expanded family was very large. We had room for everyone in den and dining room. Yet when just my husband and i are here we live in half the den and pass through the dining room to the coat closet. My DH says whatever I want to do is ok with him. He is wonderful!!!



E former

we were not using our front room so I turned it into an awesome quilt studio. Love it! We have a family room also. All on same level. I try to keep the quilt studio cleaned up but you all know what a challenge that is.

Your dad's a smart cooky! What a simple way to keep his legs in shape, and frankly, I'm not sure I ever would have thought to do that in the same situation.

I sew at my dining room table, have my cutting table in the LR, ironing board behind my computer desk. Fabric is stored in some cabinets and plastic bins in my DH computer room and a closet in LR. I also have another cutting table in what was my sons room (he moved up north and my dog took over the bed). If we have company for a meal my machine is easy to just move off of the table.

Yes, do what works for You!

I'm a messy quilter and have a messy sewing room, a very large room where I have a 4ftx8ft sewing table, love it But I hate not being downstairs with hubby in evenings when he relaxes and watches tv. So, I watch tv with him and do not sew. My sewing machine is very heavy and it sits in my sewing table, removing it, carry it down and up the stairs is no fun. Wish I had a featherweight so that I could sew at the dining table that looks into the family room ... I would get so much more quilting done And spend time 'near' hubby.

I am fortunate that my condo has a spare bedroom that is my quilting studio. But if I had to use my living room for quilting, I sure would. And if it is messy if someone comes over, that's OK too. Quilting has gotten me through some tragic times in my life and it will fit into my life any way I want it to. I grew up in a home where everything had to be in it's proper place and had to be properly used. I can't tell how many times I heard "what will the neighbors think". Well, it's my house, my life, my way. Oh, it so wonderful to be old, tee hee.

Sounds like you've thought it about long enough to make a good decision about relocating your sewing area to a more suitable spot for your lifestyle. I think all of us see our sewing room as always evolving, never stationary--or at least we're always tweaking, rearranging, reorganizing for more efficiency and enjoyment.

As nice as it is to change things up, isn't it exhausting? I always feel I deserve dinner out after a day or two of moving things around! LOL

About 5 years ago, after all my kids left home, my daughters room became the guest room/sewing room. A 10x11 room with a double bed in it, didn't leave much room for a sewing machine, cutting table, and all the other paraphernalia I used. But since I had always just had a corner in a room, or worse, the dining room table, I was thrilled to be in my own room. The problem was when company came I always had stuff to put away, a lot of stuff!! I have family come visit often enough that I do need a guest room and I want it to be inviting. Our house has a "formal" living room just off the front entry, and a family room with fireplace and tv, where we live. The computer is in the formal living room and that is the only thing we go in there for. Soooo we are now in the process of moving my sewing room into the living room, the computer into the back bedroom that is for the grand kids when they stay with us and the guest room will be just a guest room. I am putting French doors at the opening of my new sewing room since it is right at the front door. I am planning for it to be pretty and inviting, not strictly utilitarian, but when I'm in the creative process things can get messy!! I can hardly wait!!

Thank you for posting about moving your sewing room where you wanted it, Annie Sue. After reading this thread, I took the plunge and moved my sewing machine table and cutting table into the living room. The light is 100% better and I get to watch T.V. while I sew. I live alone so I can do whatever I want, whenever I want which is kind of fun. This is the second time I moved my sewing stuff and I think I found the perfect spot. All I have to do is get rid of that old sofa and I will have a great room to sew in.

We bought a house 34 years ago that was built in 1918, so it had a formal 'dining room.'
We kept it like that for a few years until the kids came along, and then it was a 'toy room.'
Then we added on and during the process, it became the 'catch all room.'
For 10 years, it then became the dog maternity ward, the room where the moms had their puppies.
After my accident, when I decided I could no longer be the kind of breeder I wanted to be, my husband turned it into the most wonderful, awesome, near-perfect- for-me sewing room.
Through all these changes, it has always been a room where things are eaten!

It is nice to see so many people have husbands that are so compliant! I used to be jealous of single people who could make their own decisions, but now I have just given up and am training my husband. Slowly, we will change...

Make your house for you and use it for you instead for company. I use to have just chairs with out foot rest. when you turn about 45 or 50 you need a recliner.

This has been a fun read for me - I'm in the progress of making this move myself!

With us, I was the one that was hesitant to make such a "messy" room the first thing people see. But my DH convinced me that nobody that we would invite into our house would ever care. And he's right!

We need to get some painting done and some cables re-wired - the room has been my DH's movie-watching room (he's taking over the never-used family room) but now it is going to be my super awesome sewing room. I can't wait!!

Benefits in my case (besides more space in general) will be that I can have all both my quilting and embroidery machines set up and on the same floor, laundry on the same floor, and everything in one room rather than bits in 3 different shared rooms. Plus I'll have a much larger design wall, woohoo!