What if you got another 2 seater, black or red, something that will go with beige lounge suite, flank the fireplace with chairs, side tables and lamps, pull your 3 seater up further with back to dining room and put 2 seater out from the kitchen, it all looks a bit matchy if not two seater, two ottomans in a nice fabric incorporating the colours a stripe perhaps, all adds interest and cosy up the area

Wow! I knew I could count on you guys :) Tremendously helps me see things from different angles. @alimarie- you are absolutely right, in my zeal to get all the pictures I forgot to rotate the rug:/ @Susan2494- you are right about the plug ins, I do want to keeps lamps on either side of the couch atop side tables and placing my couch there will mean some sort of electric work, which I really don't want to get into. This is by far not our forever home and I dont want to meddle with the flooring by installing plugins on the floor and we don't have a basement. @havingfun- spot on about the TV, unfortunately, most of the homes are designed keeping in mind that the TV is going to be the focal point. I was thinking about installing a canvas there with abstract art to fill the gaping hole, but then I like Soosan2's idea of installing shelves instead. I am unable to understand your wild idea though, are you saying to have the sofa's back towards the wall unit? @Soosun2- wow! I absolutely love your ideas- I too feel like the chairs with their back towards the dining table has a better look and feel. Primarily because when I walk into the house I don't like to see the back of the couch, back of the chairs doesn't feel that bad though. The problem is with the shape of the living it is a narrow space:/. The red pillows, I knew I was doing something wrong and I feel that might just be it..I need other cushion colors..Oh! and the rustic addition, that sounds so good to me. What do you think of a side table like this one?

I want to do everything that you suggested- get a plant, curtains..Oh! and the play area looks like this, it doubles up as a reading nook for us adults so don't want to move the chair. However, can keep something like the purple stools, in your picture, on the opposite sides.

The entire placement of the book case and the two chairs needs to be centred to the wall. Waiting for the handyman to come in and centre the wall art, it will also go up by at least 2 inches on the wall.

@blenheimnewzealand- don't want to get any more chairs, since, we move a lot and could even move into a small apartment so want to make sure everything I have is also apartment friendly. I would love to get the ottomans in a nice fabric to put opposite the chairs..

I like the first picture of the lower four. What I don't like in it is the area behind it, to the left, next to the kitchen. Is that a repurposed dining room? It's too visual and distracting as is. I would put a dining set there if that's it's intended purpose.

Hi Jim- Do you mean the play area? Well, that area was meant to be the breakfast nook but since we don't have another area to convert into a play area. We converted this space into a play area plus reading nook. Our dining is on the other side of the living. But you are right, there is a lot going on in that space and that can be distracting but we get a lot of light there and my baby and my husband like to lie about in that area to read and play...Any ideas on how to make it less distracting? If somehow I could manage to camouflage the toys etc I think it might be a warmer corner. The idea was to create a more relaxed space where the family could chill!!

plus, since I already have a dining area I don't want any more tables and chairs.

Scarves come to the rescue- Actually like the look of purple and navy instead of red. Any thoughts?

You have a pretty house and lovely furniture! Since you don't use the tv much, can you relocate the tv cabinet to the wall in the play area where you have the chairs and bookcase? That would give you more room and flexibility for a better arrangement in the living room. It would also make the fireplace the only focal point which would help with the furniture arrangement.

Hi June- That is a built in :) I am thinking of keeping the furniture like so and adding to stools/ottoman/pouff to the opposite side. How does that sound?

The red cushions have started to hurt my eyes now :)

Ah, well then the builtin stays! It is very handsome. I vote for the turquoise! :)

NI think you could do two of the round drum tables on either end of sofa with lamps and just run your cord behind sofa; an extension cord works well for this. It doesn't look like you have enough room to be a walking area behind sofa so no one will bother the lamps. I suggested tape to keep the little one from pulling on them as babies do get around but you can teach them not to touch some things.

I love your play area. Some big baskets or bins for toys in fun colors to match what you decide in the room for your accent colors. I see your have turquoise in the play area rug so you could do turquoise and purple in big beanbag pillows or floor pillows for flopping on floor with little one.

Wall lamps can go on either side of wing chairs for reading, about 65 inches for height; you just hang them on a screw, plug them in below and put metal cord covers over them to make them look sleek. I am thinking Home Depot or Lowe's wall fixtures that are reasonably priced. And they can be very cost effective.

Also you can find a fun wicker chair to put in the living room to give your more softness and find a print cushion in vibrant colors that match the room.

I think you only need three pillows in the living room on the sofa. One in your main accent color and two in another fun color; maybe turquoise? Not sure what you like but contrast.

A colorful cushion on the extra chair with a pair of kidney pillows ( rectangular and small) in the same colorful print on the reading chairs in the play room.

I am imagining a chair from Pier 1 with some fun pillows also from Pier 1,but then realized not sure if you are US or not?

Point being that two things that are similar in a room can relate to each other an add weight and design impact. Becomes specific and not random.

Hi Soosun- Let me start by thanking you for your wonderful insight :) All your ideas have been so good and helpful, I didn't even think about the storage bins to match the decor-Duh!! I think that will automatically make the place less cluttered and weave into the rest of the decor..I could move the existing storage bins to my son's room(with a 12 month old there are always more toys to store)...I am in the US and my table between the chairs is from Pier 1 :)

I really dont want to buy any more chairs, we move a lot and I just want to make sure I have apartment friendly furniture too...any ideas on what sort of ottomans or pouffs might look good instead of a chair? Thanks again :)

Hi I am back. Remember I spoke of pointing your couch differently? Ok, I take that the wall unit does not move. That is fine, but that does not mean you have to anything face it or you could put a small library area there with a 30x50 inch table/desk. This can double as a homework/eat in area when you do not wish to use dining room. you can keep shoved up against kitchen island when not using. My thought was to put the couch at an angle looking at the fireplace, often the focus of a room, just not yours. then put the chairs on either side - not able to see sizes, angled to face each other and your couch. Just a thought, not there so can't see measurements.

I think if you key on a one two or three possible colors for bean bag type chairs then it will be a matter of finding what you want in the color. Color is first consideration and then the shape.

Home goods, etc. or even etsy might be a good source.

I know you wanted placement help, but previous posters handled that.

That rug has got to go. It does not work. You need something with pattern and a bit more subdued.

Ideas: I like position #4 for the furniture

Ikea has pillows & pillow covers starting at $3.00. Check them out.

Thanks again Soosun, in terms of colors I am thinking purple, rust, turquoise and even navy. For cushions, I am thinking of prints with hints of these colors on them sort of like the ones Sharon suggested. @Sharon- thanks for the recommendation. I will check out these stores and hopefully get some inspiration :)

Hi Krismay- The rug is brand new and I actually love it. I understand the color is quite bold for a rug and hence am trying to subdue the look with other colors...that's why my furniture is all neutral colors.

So far I think everything is a ok. Just needs that last accessory push !

Hi Soosun- So, I bought a trunk that matched the decor and stores my babies toys- I am so glad that its clutter free now and the storage bags I had earlier look great in his room :-) Now working on the rest of the living..hopefully, will post pics soon

Just keep it up; you are getting there! Love it and you sound so much more relaxed. ( I hope the trunk has a slow closing or stop hinge....tiny fingers.)

Very nice home!

Thanks Soosun! You are so right, I do feel a lot more relaxed now :) I have a feeling it was all the red pillows fault;) my couch is bare right now (while I look for the perfect colors for the pillows) but I prefer that look to the red pillows..
And thanks so much for your concern, it's not really a trunk- the top comes off so when the baby is around he has free access :)

I am late to the party, but would like to chime in! I prefer your first or second pic for chair arrangement, you should never have chairs with their back to the FP, in my opinion. I also really like the bold use of red! However, I feel it needs one more accent color, but not sure which. Maybe purple! Purple and red can be really cool! I think this room is coming along very nicely, can't wait to see it finished!

Thanks Turid! I am going for the first arrangement just waiting to find something to keep on the opposite side of the chairs as that space does look bare..And I am going for deep purple to add as another accent. I have always loved purple!! here are a few pics of the cushion covers that I have liked so far- will love to hear your thoughts. @Soosun- Looking forward to your opinion, the kidney pillows are for the reading chairs in the play nook so that purple can weave in...

Ok, so I finally went with these colors golds, orange, chocolate, yellow and even some black..still have to get end tables, plants and drapes..will love to hear thoughts

Another angle

Looks very nice!

I think when you find the end tables you will snug up everything a bit closer just for reading light, conversation etc. I am also hoping you can find a pair of small benches to put adjacent to that killer cocktail table; Or even a small two seater type bench in a fun color; one of your accent colors for sure!

I couldn't resisst looking on Houzz and found this. Not sure if it would work, but it would be safe for Baby! Comes in other colors. I just looked in Houzz living room benches.

Thank you Ann and Soosun. As always Soosun, love your ideas- the bench looks wonderful. Did you notice the yellow pillow on the play mat :)

Still trying to make do with existing furniture :)

The dining chair with the yellow pillow isn't working. The scale is wrong for the living room - too small.

I think I would leave it as is and just pull out the winged reading chairs in the play room when people come to visit! Better nothing than too small.

For the best conversation just set it up with an arm chair on each end of sofa like you show it above as one furniture option and then find some inexpensive small stools, think TJMax or Pier 1 and put the benches in. Small investment and small pieces that can go anywhere! And the baby will love walking around them eventually!

Thank you ladies! I agree the chair is small for the place, I love the yellow in there though- chalk it up to whimsy..no budget to spend on additional items- I guess, till I have budget again :)

Well, I'm with soosun2 - better nothing than too small. I think the room was nice without that chair, so I don't think there is any hurry to buy more stuff.

Just trying another way to organize seating, very curious to hear your thoughts

I think l more is better in thes pics! You need brighter pillows or art. You do not have the 'accent color' that you add at I believe 10% quantity in the room. Generally I have read that 3 areas of accent color in the room is a nice start. So art, end tables, lamps, glass anything, can add the intrerest that you do not have now!

In the Tillbury picture above you have purple in the benches, the kidney pillow and lightly in the area carpet plus a touch in the painting. And there might be other touches you cannot see in the pics......

Drapes

Lighting:

Ooh Sandra nice accents! Really pretty and varied.

Hi Soosun- I did not understand your first comment- do you like the chairs? I agree about the one additional accent color, I guess to give it that pop, right? I love the drapes that Sandra posted...

like you suggested- I have to buy side tables, drapes and one more piece of art- I am thinking of hanging it up on the right side of the couch- I also want to add some greenery but not sure where I would keep the flower pot- any suggestions there?

I dont have the budget to buy any additional items right now, but I think I could invest in some nice greenery at this point.

I do love the chairs. they add texture, symmetry/ asymmetry to the room. Trees are always classic and wal mart has great prices; you just need to make them tallllll! haha. the room looks very well done. Enjoy it and add things as you come upon them! They will find you slowly and you will enjoy adding things one at a time or so.

I ahve been waiting a whole year to approach a living room and dining room and I have more months to wait, but that is OK. Don't let your rooms own you so to speak!

ooh! I would love to see your projects- you have such great taste and a great eye for details...

I do like that chairs too but wasn't sure, now I am :) I am just glad I was able to use my dining chairs, given that when we do have people over they hardly ever sit around the table...Thank you so much for all your insight so far...

I don't like the dining chairs (one or two) in the living room, but I do think it's fine without them at all. To me, they just really look like dining chairs in a living room - too upright, too stiff and too narrow for living room furniture.

I think this is the look you are going for and maybe a cushion on each chiar will add some color!

Hi Ann- While, I get what you are saying about the chairs- to me, this is the only look which seems to complete the space in some way. All the other arrangements make it seem somewhat incomplete. A bench will probably look much better but to me these chairs seem more comfortable and functional as opposed to a bench. I have a budget that I am working with and I think with the drapes and end tables this room will come together more smoothly. Really appreciate your insights though, please do keep them coming

Spot on Soosun :)- I wonder what this look is called- eclectic? For me it's all about comfort and warmth- I wonder if this reflects.,

I like seeing "works in progress" pictures. You have done a nice job with the arrangement and adding varying textures. Well done. I see that some people have recommended window treatments for this space and I must disagree. I would hate for you to cover up the stunning wood work around the window. Not only that, stationary panels are going to eat into your window since you don't have enough space to really frame the window. AND they will not function correctly with your bi-fold plantation shutters. Skip them.

My suggestion would be to paint the back of the bookcases red.

Round end tables will keep the space open and more airy. Think about clear glass lamps with black shades to add drama.

Have fun decorating!

Thanks Mary Lou- you have given me more to chew on..