I would ditch the idea of at least one sofa and put in a couple chairs instead, area is not very large. Another Idea is to run the shelves further up the wall. What will you be placing on the shelves? what will you be using the space for? what is behind the half wall? helpful but expiring minds really want to know? lol

remove the mantel that goes across the front and let the fireplace be .
couch should float facing the fire place, two chairs in front of the shelves, tv on long wall opposite the bump out. the kids space could grow up in to office/reading nook with chairs or a desk low book cases. up date the fan and lower it a bit.

i kinda like the no mantle effect. if you put chairs in front of shelves, you could store things like read materials or games in the bottom. lovely things like china, family pics, or glass where it shows. or you could put a small bottom cabinet or desk in that spot, across bottom of shelves, you know computer, where mom and dad can watch.

Oh my gosh, I love all of these ideas! behind the half wall is the eat in kitchen so it would be our kitchen table. This space is actually larger than it appears. Albeit not huge. I was thinking of floating a small sectional in the center of the room facing the fireplace but I'm kind of liking the idea of the couch and two chairs idea also. My husband can't wrap his head around "chopping the room off" but I think it needs to be brought in closer. Shelves will have books - possibly DVDS, I will try to keep them orgazined and cool looking but also functional. This will be our family room so a TV is pretty essential. Keep the ideas coming! You guys are great!

And yes, agreed on the fan. That one has got to go but we will replace with something more updated and better looking.

How deep are the shelves? Definitely remove the mantle. It chops up the fireplace.

Tell hubby that floating a sofa is not cutting the room off. If the smaller area was to be part of LR, then having the sofa back to it might not work but since you are considering an activity area for kids or even an office/computer space, then having it separated with the sofa is good. The floor plan will give good viewing for both the TV and enjoying the FP. You can also add a storage bench for more seating on the half wall or where I put the console table. Lining up seating against the walls is not a good idea. Too much space wasted in the middle of the room and does not invite conversation or friendliness.

Leave mantel but paint the shelves from there down the same as the wall color to look like built-ins.

Paint adjoining room in the same creamy shade or in a sand tone.

About the furniture………….place couch opposite the fireplace with console table behind it and one chair to left . Do a glass type "light" coffee table and 2 leather cube ottomans to the right and diagonally.

Swap the other couch for cozy cocktail area………….one small round bistro type table with two low but elegant chairs. You could go modern or a bit more contemporary here………..or mix it up and do hang a delicate pendant light from above for ambiance.

Plasma tv on the rocks?……………………Perhaps….

HOuse MOuse

Miriam Mainieri, Miami

no sectional.

If the fan is not needed, I would consider a great chandelier for the room. Sometimes when you float furniture, there are problems with outlets close to lamps. Check these out, with a dimmer, they can be wonderful for lighting area.

I vote same, put couch facing fireplace and i still like chair to each side, especially at an angle facing couch. they are your warm cozy, read by the fire chairs. If you are storing books and cds in shelves, paperbacks, which I read tons of, are messy looking. use nice storage baskets or containers to hold them on shelves. I would not get a large ottoman for the center. you can use 4 small, with large tray give a good size table, easy to break up. extra seating for kids. or a couple of benches. Also often contain more storage. I have an inexpensive, but decent looking black leather effect one, padded, is storage, put a towel on it and the pup uses it to get on the bed. Stores current mags and books, they go in a box to go out when done reading. I go through them too fast, to have a pretty storage spot.

oh yeah, I have to say, I quit the whole overhead fan thing several years ago, had high ceilings, did not get much air. Prices just kept going up and up. I have ac in every room, but I try to be conservative, I find I get the most bang for my buck with regular fans. Just try them as soon as you get them. some really move the air, some are like limp. also, try pointing away from you instead of toward, also aiming across your feet. amazed how much better it works. Also works with heat.

With placing sofa facing FP, no access to TV. Don't think HO wants it above FP and I would not recommend they put it there. FP and TV's are not a good deal.

minka aire wave fan moves air. buying fans that are cheap do not. by good solid name brand, and not hunter lowes... anyway, fans can be decorative and push air. The wave for example is under 250$ and has a life time Warranty. but i do agree, if you dont need the function of the fan, then hang a chandelier and swag it so it is centered to where the coffee table ends up.

.... just because the sofa doesnt face the tv doesn't mean you cant see the tv from the sofa. and the arm chairs would be nice swivel style. so i never meant for the tv to be over the fireplace. The focal point of this room is the fireplace. not the TV.... also it would leave some room to view from the adjoining play area for the kids, they could even bring out their little chairs and face right at the tv.

We both hate the fan as it's unsightly for that room. I like them in bedrooms but not living spaces. However, there is an ugly electrical box up there so we figured best to keep it. I love the idea of a cool light fixture but was concerned about placement since it's in a totally off-center, random space in the house. I like this idea of "swagging" but an embarrassed to admit that I don't know how to pull it off!

PS love the look of the fireplace without the mantel but sadly the stone was placed around the mantel. It's not on top of it. Not sure how we would remedy that in a cost effective way.

Lila, moving a light fixture is not really a big deal. If you currently have an electrical box the wiring can be moved. I have had it done in my kitchen and bathroom. You have to patch the hole, but again not a big deal. By Swagging the light just means to place a hook in the place where you want the chandelier to hang and place a hook, (would have to be on a beam if light is substantial) and swag chain from box to hook.

BTW, the chandelier would not really have to be centered in the middle of the room. I would hang it over the seating arrangement. Make sure the bottom of fixture is 7' above the floor.

Here are some shallow bookcases to inspire...

Orinda Family Fun Room · More Info

Transitional Living Room · More Info

Fire Place · More Info

I think the second pic would work best. Try to find molding that resembles the top of your half wall, something more substantial than what you have now, and run it in piece across the bookcases/fireplace.

susan, those chandaliers look kinda big and formal for a family room no? how about a 3 pendent or something like that?

ok, how about making the mantelpiece thicker but not run across top of bookshelves and or different color. disassociate it from shelving?

Look at the size of fan in comparison to the room. If the room is 16x14 that means a 30" dia chandelier. It needs something substantial or it will look out of place.

The shelves are not a problem. They just need to be accessorized properly. I believe Patterson said that the mantle stays the way it is. Cost factor.

ok

Yes, stone was placed around the mantle so it's cemented in. Not easily removed without having a space where there is no stone. I'm hoping painting it white and the shelves as well will update the space considerably.

I love the shelves just as they are, they blend in with the flooring so nicely and add a warmth to the room. With the right wall paint color and accessorized this could look beautiful.

If you truly wanted to paint them, another color to consider would be black.

The downstairs will be painted accesible beige (SW) with Snowbound trim (SW) - Was thinking of doing the back of the shelves like a slightly darker beigey grey such as etheral mood or jogging path wondering if maybe I should do the shelves and the mantle that slightly darker color or would this look totally weird?

I was thinking something along the lines of this....beige walls, white trim and darker inside of the bookcases...https://www.houzz.com/photos/hgtv-home™-by-sherwin-williams-traditional-home-office-columbus-phvw-vp~4156811

Hi - The nook is actually making it hard to put sofa chairs on each side of the fireplace. But maybe with a bookshelf or a room separator you can still see the nook while creating a barrier that allows you to put a chair with its back towards the nook... like this.

Channing Way, Sausalito · More Info

Or this... a room separator that allows the light in...

30's Glamour · More Info

Or maybe a glass separator like this one...

Contemporary Living Room · More Info

Or...

http://homedesigns.today/room-separator-ideas/room-separator-ideas-2/

Good luck!