First house purchase and a blank slate! Your ideas pls...

[davisneil]

Hey everyone,

Im moving to Torquay......

I have at last broken free of the constraints of renting, and am about to have a lounge to mess about with. Sadly, it aint the easiest lounge, kinda 'L' shaped, and always something in the way or looks plain ugly, with the exception of the layout i have modelled below.



Of course the space behind the nearest sofa is still to be planned. This is the only way it can be arranged without a radiator, ugly off centre meter door of dodgy sightline/sound field!

The TV is a SD plasma (Philips) which was a wedding present 3 yrs ago. No HD yet as we would like to keep the sentiment element

I have purchased some Tannoy EFX pods, very impressed with them , and my other kit is a Sony 940 DD/DTS amp, Samsung DVD HD950, and a V+ box.

I will install a HDMI lead for future proofing, as well as:

VGA connection to a wall plate VGA somewhere for quick lappie connection.
Same with S-Video/Component to TV,
V+ via component scart and optical audio
DVD via HDMI to a DVI adaptor then into TV (TV only has DVI) but HDMI lead in the wall in case we go HD (hopefully), Audio via coaxial dig.

So, I am open to any handy ideas and I plan to give you all pics of progress. Ive looked at some truly great installs, especially Groove's floating wall (the best Ive ever seen with the resources, budget and previous DIY experience. Seriously buddy, it looks like a pro has done it.

Luckily enough, the wife also wants the minimalist look to the lounge, all home cinema, no kids stuff. Hurrah!

[velvitjester]

Originally Posted by davisneil

Hey everyone,

I have at last broken free of the constraints of renting, and am about to have a lounge to mess about with. Sadly, it aint the easiest lounge, kinda 'L' shaped, and always something in the way or looks plain ugly, with the exception of the layout i have modelled below.

[IMG][/IMG]

get an l shaped couch to go on the wall where the couch is in the pic and then accross the window aswell

[davisneil]

Originally Posted by velvitjester

get an l shaped couch to go on the wall where the couch is in the pic and then accross the window aswell

would luuuuurve to! but our budget is minimal after all the carpets and paint, the leads brackets and bits I gotta buy! Thought about arranging our 2 sofas like that but wife doesnt like the window blocked as it is a ceiling to floor window....a great asset to the lounge.

[davisneil]

here's the actual piccies of the lounge as it is in its 70s glory!



Looking toward window at front of house.



Looking right toward stairs, complete with Dad and my daughter!



Back wall complete with stroppy estate agent...

[ballyg]

Piccies are not there mate!

[davisneil]

sorted i hope.

[ballyg]

That's better!

[davisneil]

Anyone? A slightly slow start to the thread!

[Dr Force]

Hi D and welcome to the housing market

I like your original set up but i can't help but think that you will be wanting a PJ & screen after a year or so.AV kinda gets you like that

Why not have an electric screen fall down over the large window?You can hide them in pelmets very easily without compromising whatever look you are aiming for.

This way you can use the TV for everyday viewing/gaming and the PJ for the big screen wow factor.

Its best to put it in now whilst you have a blank canvas thus saving on re-decorating.

I love my Plasma and its been great for all my needs but I love films and you just cannot beat the PJ, especially in HD.

If your up for it and the boss agrees then have a tinker with your design, you could have the TV infront of the window with the screen coming down over it, so no need to reposition the lounge for each experience.

If I had my time again with my house i would have done what I am doing now straight away.

Keep the pics coming and dont wory peeps will be joining in soon

Dave

[SG-22]

if it were me i probably put the tv more to the centre of the wall with the two sofas side by side. think your current plan may make the 'TV area' a little to boxed in.

have done a VERY simple sketch for you just to show you what im on about lol.


(i know its shockingly bad but only spent 2 mins on it!)

[davisneil]

i like the ideas...keep em coming!

as far as the pj goes, i already 'hinted' this at the wife. but its a def no-no sadly. Was thinking i could kind of future proof by having layout as it is, but aligning the front right and rear right pods on the walls, so that if a screen were to go in, it would be simple for me just to change the configuration of the speakers by swivelling them back out from the window. of course the rears would need re doing.

as for the central arrangement, yeah also possible, im gonna put the sofas in the actual lounge in that layout, and see how we like it

Also still toying with idea of an l shape for the sofas but along the window just to ease the 'boxed in' feel. I agree with you there.

Thanks guys at least i got some more ideas!

[davisneil]

Yay! Just got completion on the house and moving in Easter weekend. Will keep posted on any AV developments. The bracket for the plasma has arrived so hopefully will go up fairly soon

[Dr Force]

Great news,well done

can't wait to see this progress fella

[SG-22]

congrats

will be great to see everything take shape

[davisneil]

Have ordered:

Thor Scart Lead

Some thin speaker cable (Gale i think) from Richers to be routed either under the carpet of under floorboard, then channelled in to the rear wall.

Going to get:
The IKEA Besta Burs Cabinet and DVD Rack.