When I have this type of floorplan I like to try and differentiate the spaces with furniture. One way to do this is to use console tables. For example, if you place a sofa next to the DR you can turn the back toward the DR and use a console table in back of the sofa so there is something nice to look at from the back, but the sofa creates it's own space from the front. You can also do this with room dividers, such as bookcases and screens. The idea is to create two spaces visually from the one big space. Rugs can also help define two spaces. Hope this helps. Charmean Neithart

It depands on the shape of the rooms. If it is a big long retangle, then the furniture in the living room should be positioned to define that space. For example the couch faces away from the dining area.