First move your sofa way back you have a ton of wasted space between the DR and LR Take that puny little lamp off the T.V. stand That wall is really unbalanced with the bookcase on one side either get a matching one or move it to under the stair rail on the right. or find a new home altogether, maybe replacing the stand between the 2 windows.Try to find a matching lamp for the other side of the T.V.The rug you have is really not doing anything for the space move the sofa off of it and then see how it looks, The drapes should match on the windows and you need a large piece of art on the DR walland the whatever it is to the left of the DR drapes has to go.Can't seem to see the ugly outlet so can't help there. As far as drapery figure out what colors you want and if buying new furniture wait then get drapery to go with what you choose.

Could you swap the dining and living areas? It looks like the dining side has a lot more space and relatively few, less bulky pieces of furniture.

Could you draw out a floorplan? It does look like there is a lot of wasted space.

Wow, thanks so much!!! Lots of great advice. Yes, the bookcase is out of there, for sure. The rug will go when I get a new sofa, then I'll get matching curtains for both rooms.

I've attached a view from the front door (the stairs are to the right). You're right, there is a TON of wasted space, but I thought I needed more of a straight path because of that middle wall between the two windows. I thought it would look weird putting the sofa too far back and blocking that in-between wall?! I'll will go play around with it shortly.

I tried the bookcase under the stair rail -- still felt heavy. That may have to go but I would like a little book storage....hmm?

In the DR, that's a storage unit that is headed to the garage today! Once I get my sofa, curtains, I'll look for art for the DR wall.

@makaloco That is an option but I don't know if I would want to necessarily be right next to the kitchen. I'll give it a shot, tho. You never know. Thanks!

@Madden, Slick & Bontempo, Inc I'll try my best to do that shortly. Thanks!

Here's the view when I stand in front of the DR window into the kitchen.

Don't flip living and dining spaces. It will be inconvenient and who wants to look at the kitchen while watching TV? You want to relax, not be reminded that there's laundry to do.

When you get a new sofa, get a rug that hangs out about a foot on each end. Matching curtains in both rooms will help the space cohere.

In the living area, try moving the TV console and the sofa both to the right. Then angle a chair in front of the floor lamp on the left side of the console. Leave the top of the console bare, except for the TV, of course.

I don't have time to do your room properly right now, but you might try something like this, and yes, move the sofa back.

Groveraxle, I have to agree about looking at the kitchen. Haha. Great ideas! Thanks so much for the visual -- that is so great.

I've already removed the lamp off of the TV stand and centered the TV, in addition to pulling the sofa back and that has made a huge difference. I feel like I have so much more space. My current sofa is 84" in length so I'm hoping to find something a bit smaller and the chair addition looks great. Thank you again.

Floor plan attached - this is the first time I've done this (used Excel) but it's pretty accurate, plus or minus a few inches.

Try moving the sofa with its back agains the stair well. Then put a comfy chair with its back to the dining area with an occasional table next to the sofa if there is room and the chair can share it.

I like the TV on the wall next to the stairs, as in groveraxle's image. I see what you mean about the kitchen, but I didn't know its location or size when I suggested swapping the spaces. That's why a floor plan helps soooo much!

Pat Carfango, Thanks for the suggestion. I tried that when I first moved in but the TV won't fit on the wall next to the patio door and it's a neck strain if the TV remains where it is now.

Makaloco, So true. I'm glad I finally took the time to create a floor plan, good to have when asking for help. Thanks!

Try the bookcase where the blue table is near the dining area with that art 5" above it. Put the blue piece where you have the floor lamp right of the door. Put the floor lamp by the stairs. You've already pulled the sofa back and centered the TV. Just upgrade to an apt/loft sized sofa, a new rug and you're set.

Changed some things around based on suggestions. I moved the bookcase to the middle wall between patio door and windows. If I keep it there I think I have to change out that picture because the ceiling lowers right above it. I'll have to double check that.

DR - moved the blue table from where the bookcase is now to the dining room back wall. What do you guys/gals think? There's at least 24" behind all of the chairs. (That white cabinet is just there for the moment, it's headed to the garage or the front closet later.)

LR - Pulled the sofa back and closer to the front door. Moved the TV stand closer to the front door centered with sofa. Removed the lamp off of TV stand. The teal colored cube with the lamp on is just a space holder for a floor lamp or maybe a small round table for that lamp. I do like the current floor lamp and since I found that on Craigslist, I won't be able to find a matching one.

Thanks. More suggestions welcome.

dining room

It looks like you are moving in the right direction. Of course, you need more furniture and artwork, but how does it feel to you? I would move the "freedom" art work to over the blue table and maybe put that little lamp on top of the bookcase. You could also do a narrow console table behind the sofa.

Much improved. Try the floor lamp in the corner where the blue cube is. Put an armchair in the corner where the floor lamp is now. (If you don't have an armchair, try a dining chair for now just to see how it looks and feels.)

The rug has got to go. It's too small and completely distorts our sense of the space. Better rugless there than that one.

Your dining set is totally mid-century modern. I think this space would look fantastic if you aimed for a mid-mod makeover. Keep your eye out for a mid-mod TV console. If finances allow, get a sleek mid-mod sofa. If not, look for some retro pillows.

You're getting there.

Madden, I love that room. The layout is great and the table behind the sofa looks good. I've saved the photo for inspiration. I was thinking a chair or two like in the pic as well.

As far as the dining room, I was thinking the blue table that I moved there is too small. I'm thinking a larger sideboard in width and height, somewhere around 35" H and 4 ft wide. (current one is 31L x 30H x 14 D). Is there a general rule for sideboard height and width compared to dining table? Thanks!

Thanks, groveraxle! The rug helps make the sofa easier to slide around while rearranging. It will be outta there ASAP and I'll take new pics.

I don't have any other chairs to test in the corner but I'll try a dining chair for now to see how it feels until I can get one or two new ones.

I'll check out the mid-mod style. I just happened to like those items so it's good to know that it's an actual style I can build off of.

thanks!

I don't know if there is a quintessential midcentury modern room, but this one could be close:

Ikea has a great collection called Stockholm which might appeal to you also. This console comes in a beige lacquer and a walnut veneer. Here is also a nice smallish (72") sofa from West Elm that you may like.

Groveraxle: Oohh, I love that console it makes the room feel so much more sophisticated and I would get some much-needed storage. I’ve found a few on the site that I like, looks like that one is up to $700 now :/. That is a bit steep since I must get a new sofa but finding something similar shouldn’t be too hard. That lamp is so whimsical, I do like the bottom half of the shade. :)

Wow, I’ve never noticed that table at Ikea, I would’ve never guessed. I don’t know how I feel about the chair. I’m not sure what style I like as far as chairs go just yet.

Madden: The sofa you posted from West Elm is EXACTLY the size and style I’ve been looking for. I really love that color but I think something lighter may look better. I see there are tons of choices on their site so finding the right color shouldn’t be an issue. I’m going to check out the website more in just a bit and it looks like there’s a store 30 min away so I’ll be making a trip very soon to see if it’s comfortable.

I like the clean lines of that console too, and the legs. I’m really liking the legs on the sofas and consoles, it doesn’t feel so heavy.

Thank you, thank you. I’m glad I finally decided to ask for assistance. I usually have so many ideas and can’t decide which way to go with them. Thanks for taking the time to help.

Pictures: Someone suggested a lamp in both corners - found the one on the left in the garage -- not permanent -- just there to see what it would look like. I realized that I definitely need two lamps in this room, otherwise it's too dark at night.

Rug is gone! Looks much better. I do want another rug, the floor is too cold without it, but I'll wait for the sofa.

I was just playing around with the dining chairs per groveraxle's suggestions just to see how it feels. I like having a chair or two there, for sure. Due to space, it may only be one chair.

Just a couple of ideas for the TV wall. And I definitely think a chair would look great there
.

The Stockholm console from Ikea is close to mid mod and the price is right. The Strandmon wing chair has iconic mid mod legs, as does the end table whose name I forget, but you can find them both on Ikea's website. The Dudero lamp is reminiscent of the iconic Akari paper lamps.

I used your old tripod lamp and substituted an iconic midcentury modern shade, custom made for under $100. I was trying to keep costs down so you could splurge on the Peggy sofa from West Elm. Or maybe even the Nixon from Thrive: http://www.thrivefurniture.com/sofas/nixon-sofa.html

FYI, West Elm sofas are on sale through today.

groveraxle, Yes, love the price and style of the Stockholm cabinet. I really like the Peggy and Heath sofas from West Elm, I'll check them out in person this weekend. (Too bad I'll miss the sale!) I bookmarked that table from Ikea yesterday, the Lovbacken, I believe. Great price on that too. I would have never looked twice at the paper lamp but I actually like it a lot in that corner. Thrive has some great pieces, a bit pricey for me, but not too bad with the sale.

I think I'm the only person that doesn't like that chair, I've seen it all over the blogs but the wide upper part doesn't do it for me. I like this Frankie chair better (pic attached) but I'm not convinced it is worth the price (or very comfy) because Urban Outfitters don't have the best quality reviews.

I do like the pops of orange in the pillows and lamp, would have never considered that before. THANKS so much, I love having the visuals.

Just don't get a boring chair. Wait till you find the one you love. And don't get a slipper chair either. Get one with arms.

You made me go to Urban Outfitters where I found the Dagmar, a decent copy of the quintessential Danish modern chair. The turquoise looks pretty nice here:

With a more appropriate atomic lamp shade. OK, I'll stop now...

Nice! I like that design and color! Like this royal blue one a lot but there are only two color options that wouldn't work for me. After seeing this, I'd definitely like a pop of color like in the Dagmar.

This grey chair is nice too but it seems very straight up and down.

No slipper chairs for me. Someone gave me 2 once and I never used them (or really liked them:)) Sold them on Craigslist.

Atomic lamp shades. Haha.

I would suggest you place the sofa on the wall that is perpendicular to the staircase. In other words, this would be the wall where you now have the TV. Then, put the TV and its table on the wall where you have the little blue desk. With the TV in this location, people can see the TV from the sofa and from the dining table. You will need to experiment in moving the small tables to other locations for the sake of variety or even perhaps to use the pieces in other rooms of your home.