If you are keeping the full sized sofa I would leave it in its current position with the addition of an area rug, coffee table and small chair to the right of the archway. Otherwise two loveseats in an L-shaped configuration could work without impeding traffic flow into your room.

Do you have other photos showing your windows and the area where the large cabinet is ?

I'm wondering if the door to the foyer is necessary? Keeps the room warmer or?

I really like the loveseat idea! That would work really well. The other issue is where to fit a TV, ideally we would have one in a bureau so it could be out of sight sometimes. But the room is so small, I don't think there is any space besides above the fireplace.

This is the only other picture I have, showing the living room windows from the outside. These are the realtor's pics, and we haven't moved in yet :)

There are two 'front' doors to keep the room warmer. The house is in upstate NY, so it gets quite cold in the winter.

Thanks for your comments!

What great idea! I would like to float the sofa where you suggested, I was just worried that it would block the path from the front door to the dining room. But you are right that a smaller, apartment sized sofa would leave room to walk around. All the furniture, curtains, etc in the pictures are not ours, they belonged to the previous owners and will soon be gone! I was thinking of putting a piano where they have the armoir, and also knocking out the wall blocking the staircase to open up that space a bit (we'd install new railings). Some funky artwork over and around the piano would be very cool. Although I do love the large canvas idea, so perhaps the piano will go somewhere else instead.

Also love the idea of an accent wall over the fireplace. I'd hate to put a flatscreen TV up there, we're still trying to figure out if a small TV cabinet or the like can fit anywhere. What do you mean when you say 'install a new surround' around the fireplace? Does that mean just updating the surrounding furnishings and decor?

We will definitely get rid of the wall light fixture. And thanks for the collage, I think we will stick with lighter colors with a few bold prints thrown in!

Hi, ebethellen. Sorry, I didn't know those weren't your furnishings. They seemed on the traditional side so that's why the collage has that vibe.

I LOVE pianos in living rooms! If you knock out the armoire wall, you might have room for one AND be able to float the couch. Kind of depends on how much room the knock-out will give you.

I'm with you on not putting the TV above the fireplace. You'd lose that sweet little arched niche. A smaller flatscreen, could go on a low wall mounted shelf to the left of the fireplace. In fact, if you change out the surround, you could incorporate a built in for it.

A fireplace surround is the face of the fireplace. Almost any material can be used - wood, limestone, brick (as yours is), marble, ets. Usually a new mantle and hearth is necessary.

Here are some visuals:

Awesome ideas! I'm hoping there will be room to float the couch with the piano against the armoir wall. I'm intrigued by this idea of a built in to the left of the fireplace. That could include a cabinet with doors to put the TV away when we're not watching it. Changing the surround sounds pretty involved, but I'll definitely look into it.

Thanks for all the great ideas, I'm really excited about decorating the living room now! And thanks for the visuals.

Hi ebethellen,
I feel your pain with the cold... We're based on Long Island (so it isn't as bad as the upstate weather can be) but we definitely understand cold NY winters.

As for the earlier mentioned ideas of an accent wall above the fireplace or resurfacing the fireplace/changing the surround, we've had a number of customer photos sent to us that could show a decent example of how you could change things up. We do have fire-rated panels so there's no need to worry that the "fake" stuff would cause your house to burn down. Here's a few photos to show how you could add a little something new with artificial stone or rock paneling.

And here's a link to our fireplace gallery if you'd like to see some other ideas: http://www.fauxpanels.com/portfolio-fireplaces.php

That's so neat, and those are some very good pics! I will definitely keep looking into this idea, thanks for all the inspiration!

Love the fireplace update ideas by faux panels - take it all the way to the ceiling for drama, and make the fireplace the centerpiece of the room. I personally would never do a TV above a fire....there are so many better options.....I would lose the niche above the fire in a heartbeat and add a more contempo element. A beautiful large rug will warm this space.....add a warm neutral wall color and your on your way! Best of luck!

I love that stone surround, plus it matches the stone on the front of the house. Love the simple, rustic mantle as well. I'm trying to figure out how to do a built in for the tv next to the fireplace, because the fireplace would have to extend further into the room for that to work...

It also seems to make sense for the TV to go to the right of the fireplace, since there is already a plug there. Then maybe some artwork to the left of the fireplace, with a stack of logs underneath.

Thanks for the ideas everyone! This room is coming together! Changing the fireplace surround will be the biggest project, has anyone done it themselves? Or is it best to hire a professional?

Hi, ebethellen. I'm glad you got some useful ideas. Regarding the fireplace surround - you'll probably want to leave that to a professional due to potential fire hazard if done incorrectly.

Although, it wouldn't hurt to research the process.