Break it up in to two spaces.... Try a sitting or TV area by the doors and another area on the other side.... Like a reading area or a family game space. Use coordinating rugs to separate the spaces.... yet pull them together! Hope this helps!

Where are the windows placed and what are the dimensions of the room? This I'll need to offer a suggestion. Any pics?

As stylishhome said, dimensions and door/fireplace location would help. And what sort of area do the doors lead to? Who are the people who will be using the space? And what will the primary use be? Off the top of my head, I'm thinking put the TV on the short wall at the fireplace end for two reasons: you can face both the fireplace and TV at the same time, and also with the TV away from the doors, you minimize reflection on the TV screen. Maybe even build that wall out with cabinets and shelves and that may kind of make the room look shorter. Then a big cushy sofa along the long wall facing the fireplace. Near the doors, some sort of sitting area, small table and chairs, or depending how much space and whether you're a family of couch potatoes, maybe a swivel rocker recliner.

Another idea, depending how narrow the room is, is keeping the TV on the short wall, and place an L-shaped sectional along the long wall with the "L" facing the TV, then behind the "L", a sofa table with a lamp and maybe a Windsor chair or deacon's bench nearby. Or a play area for kids. Or a tall freestanding chest and hutch to use as a bar/serving area. Just a few things off the top of my head. Good luck with it!

Dear chocolate365 and stylishhome
Many thanks for your interest. The room is 9feet wide by 21 feet long. The double doors are from the dining room, they are 6' wide (3' each) and open into the room, not out from it. They are 2' away from the corner of the room. I will try and add pictures. There is a large window on the short wall near the fireplace so no room for a tv there. I did think of putting a window seat in to make the room look shorter but there is a radiator under the window (but that could be moved if necessary). The room is the main sitting room of the house, there is a dining room and a separate kitchen. The room is not too bad when there are just the two of us but when family and friends are here its horrible - all sitting almost in a long row. ANy help is most gratefully appreciated. I am happy to rearrange, or even build an additional area on - I am really struggling to know what to do.

Dear Seafinddesigns
Thanks so much for the ideas - I am really finding it hard and had almost given up totally, but I have seen so many talented people's ideas on houzz that I thought I would try once again to do something with this room. We love the village we are in, and the garden is fine and the other rooms, although needing updating, are OK for size and shape but this room is terrible. Many thanks for your ideas and kind thoughts.

Snowychris, I feel your pain! We are in the process of renovating our son's new studio apartment in New York City. The entire apartment is 11.5' x 30' including bathroom and kitchen, two windows on one short wall, entrance door on the other short wall. Feels like a bowling alley! I'm going to think some more on your room. Nothing like an interesting challenge.

Dear Chocolate 365
You found the perfect simile for my room - a bowling alley!
Best wishes for your son's apartment.
Thanks, xx

I found 3 photos of your new living room : ) and put them in the ideabook "snowychris living room". In all three the TV is over the fireplace and there is a big comfy L-shaped sectional. Let me know what you think.

Great input from everyone on this question, plus an ideabook created by one user for another! Love the Houzz Community!

Me too! I'd be lost without this site.

chocolate 365 ,my suggestion is to sell your sons appt and start again.

I wold suggest placing the TV on the wall between the fireplace and door to dining room at a normal viewing height. Over the fireplace in such a narrow room will place the viewers neck at a very uncomfortable angle. Then place the sofa and love seat at an angle with the corner centered in the wall across from the fireplace and TV. There should still be room to add one chair to this grouping. The remainder of the room on the other side of the DR door could have the additional chair lamp and table as a reading corner. Remember empty the room of almost everything before starting to place the furniture. Do this before you decide on TV placement.

Thanks Graceann, I will try moving the furniture around and see if that works. I like the idea of the t.v. fairly low as the room is so narrow.
Houzz has been a Godsend over this problem, thanks to all that have helped.