Hello Hello:) I am in San Diego as well and understand your dilemma. Looking at what you have I think that the layout is as good as you can with with the pieces you have to work with. Here is the issue I see, no amount of toss pillows, side tables or an area rug is going to make these sofas work well together. They are very different in style and color. I understand that buying large pieces is not an option with the situation. May I suggest a couple of ways to go about this that are very budget conscious:

1. remove one sofa and purchase a couple club style chairs that can move with you to the next residence

2. can the TV be mounted on the fireplace and the cords hidden under the base boards to change the focal wall in the room

3. purchase a ready made inexpensive sectional that if it doesn't fit in the next house you can sell on craigs list

4. Yes area rug and toss pillows as well as some accessories

5. add some low potted plants for color and texture

I am happy to chat more with you if you would like to get a local designer involved:)

I think you have done a good job with your furniture and space. With just a few years to go I would hope that you will make the best of it and not buy any new. Save that to celebrate your new retirement home. I would suggest a couple of things. Move your décor off the bottom of console and put on top.

Invest in a longer TV console, one that reaches to the hearth and same on other end. (You will be limited on length because of room) Move the table and lamp to the corner where the floor lamp is and the floor lamp to the right of TV. Find some nesting tables (that you can pull out if needed) and place on the hearth under the window with another lamp. and relocate the big vases. Your coffee table is really too big for the space, but it is beautiful, so I don't think an area rug is necessary, you just won't see enough of it for the cost.

Take some colors from your picture and add some pillows on the sofas.

I have an idea. How about a white throw on the black sofa and a black throw on the white one?

Thank you InterMix for your suggestions and concerns about the room. The TV cannot be mounted above fireplace( I wish it could for this situation, however it's a rental and the owner said no). I like the idea of a couple of club chairs...I just peeked around at warfare for some ideas. As I mentioned, I do have the leather love seat that I can bring back into the room and swap out the white sofa(at least the two pieces would be the same style and color lol!!
Glad to hear that you are in the area, and I will definitely keep you in mind if we decide to hire a local designer! (By the way, your rooms look beautiful!). Thanks again

I would totally say bring in the matching sofa that will make a big difference. Darn it on the fireplace TV mount. Another idea would be to hang some drapery rods with one drop close to the wall at the fireplace. This will bring in some color. What are your colors I can take a quick look and see about a rug. The cocktail table is out of this world amazing!!! Pleas never get rid of that make it a staple piece!

Susan2494, thank you for taking the time to comment! Yes, we are ready to retire and find a long term home!
I really love the TV stand, so I want to keep it, but what if I just place a smaller TV on it instead? We have 4 flat screens to pick from-this just happens to be the one the husband put in the room :-).

I'll move the table and lamp to the other side of the couch and swap it with the floor lamp to see how that works!

And your right, the coffee table is too large-but it is a beauty and we love it! It didn't look that large in our last house lol!

I would remove the side table to the right of the white sofa. Move sofa closer to wall as the walking space is tight in between the two sofas. Add two lamps to the console table & use it for the remotes. Snug the coffee table a little closer 18" to the white sofa. Add soft grommet top or clip top drapes on all windows. Use off-white. No area rug needed. Oh add pillows to both sofas, just one on each end.

You

could remove the pots by the FP & add a lovely plant for that window. Yes, go smaller w/ TV

Okay InterMix, I'll have the boys swap out white couch with the leather love seat. Then hopefully there will be some cohesiveness to this room!
We agree, The table isn't going anywhere! We love that it is a statement piece and love the natural organic feel it brings to the room!
I haven't really thought about colors. I have used warm reds and greens in the past, but I think I'm starting to like the "less is more" feel to the room. I just purchased some 96" drapes in a sand, linen color before we moved, they are still in a box in the garage. But as far as colors that would help bring out some art in the house would be nice! I've only unpacked a few pieces of art so far but I think they all seem to have the same overall colors to them(I guess I'm drawn to the Reds, blues and yellows!).
Here are a few of the art pieces, I haven't decided where to use them yet, and the one over the fire place is just there for now, it may stay or not.
I'll post back with pics of the exchanges sofas when the boys get home! Thanks again!

Thank you Sandradclark! Yes the space between the sofas is tight! I'll have to take 2 legs off the leather sofa to fit it-back about 10" and about 12" more toward the fireplace, in its current location. I'll get to that in abit, but that will give some more space between. I'm also going to swap out he white couch with a love seat and that should allow more space as well.
Lamps...I never seem to buy the right ones! I have three sets sitting around and I don't think any of them work there! Guess I'm going to buy some more :-).
Thanks again!

So, I guess there isn't a room that can be dedicated to the leather - a man cave perhaps! Loveseats are for lovers and others rarely want to sit that close. I like the light sofa but it doesn't appear to be centered on the FP. If the leather one can be centered I think switching them is a good idea. Right now the leather looks to have a "muffin-top" overhanging the step and railing. See if you can clean the soot from the FP brick. I'd hate to have that kind of updraft under that nice picture, so maybe in winter you can hang a mirror instead.

No man cave space in this house Decoenthusiaste. This house is quite a bit smaller than our last...6500 to 2800 sq ft! And that house had room for the man cave! I will say however that the leather sofa has worked out well with children and the zoo of animals I have lol!
I wish I had known that you don't have to purchase the whole set you see when furniture shopping-I just figured you buy the sofa and the love seat, two matching end tables, a coffee table and matching lamps! Boy was I wrong! I will not make that mistake again-either two sofas, or sofa and two side chairs etc. I'll chalk that up to being young and ignorant.
The leather muffin top sofa is not pushed back in or toward the fire place yet, I have to get creative with the feet to make it fit in that spot...we will see.
Thanks again, and I'll google cleaning soot off fire places! And possibly switching out art for mirror in winter......
Wait, does San Diego get cold? I can't imagine really needing a fire place here in winter-people told me I would love the weather, "especially in the winter when on Christmas its 76!" Guess we will learn.

I am a bit conflicted on the sofas Lila! I do like the white one, it's shape and color, however I've never even let the family sit on it! As we are in the military it's been in my bedroom most of the time, in the formal living room in the last home. As this room is the family room and the primary TV watching room-the leather sofa seems to fit our lifestyle better(kids, pets and lounging(lying) while watching tv. Btw, the leather is brown, not that is much lighter than black :-)
I do think you are correct about adding in accessories, pillows and curtains that will help make the room. I'm getting there, slowly! Thanks again.

Oh, I am all about relaxing in your home. If the brown leather suits the kids, pets better then that is the way to go :) You're room looks great either way.

Okay, we tried living with both leather sofa and love seat for a while, but as this is the family room we needed more room for lounging while watching tv. It works for just the hubs and I to watch the news, but we have three kids ranging from 17 to 11.
So, I brought in a sectional from the kids game room as @InterMix Interiors had made a suggestion to to do. I doubt that she was referring to this type and size of one, but it's what I have.

I exchanged the big TV for a smaller one and for now placed it to the left of the fireplace. Trying to keep the fireplace wall the focal point (and can't mount TV above). I also threw in a couple of dinning room chairs to see if purchasing either one or two side chairs will fit and look nice. I know the coffee table is too big, and I may have to move it to another room( if it will fit anywhere else) and bring in either a square ottoman or square table that I have in two other rooms.

@Lila, relaxing and hanging out is the goal, lol! I'm just trying to make it comfortable without looking like my bedroom ha! Thanks again

What are the thoughts,opinions and suggestions on this current layout? Again, thank you in advance!

I think the sectional was a great purchase:) The large scale of it works well with the style and visual weight of your stunning coffee table:) I really don't think you need to add any more chairs to the room they feel crowded with the railing. My suggestion would be to move the floor lamp that is blocking the bar set up that you have, it really feels to short for the room. Maybe the bar set up needs to be over where the chairs are with a 36" high potted green plant. If you want light put a lamp on the console behind the sofa. On the other side of the fireplace leave it on with again another plant and the colorful pottery you already have. Large piece of art on the wall over the sofa:)

Thank you for returning @InterMix Interiors with some suggestions! I'll move the side bar and the dinning room stand in chairs!

As for a large piece of art over the sectional on the wall, how do I go about hanging it? Do I center it on the wall or the sofa( which would place it too close to the window? And I am considering hanging curtains on the windows and having it stack on the wall but that would also change the "middle of the wall location).
Maybe curtains are out now that TV is covering the left window..idk :-)
Thanks again!!

Update: family room

Okay, so I believe I'm making progress! I placed rods over all windows (height determined by the lowest area by fire place) and also allowed room for stacking.

Unconventionally, I mounted TV to wall nearest to fire place-my reasoning...can't mount over fireplace, can't create enough seating with TV on wall by large window, and this way I can "put it out of the way" when not watching. After placing the TV to the left of fireplace and keeping the focal point on fireplace wall, I liked the viewing angle and seating arrangement, but the TV blocked the left window-so I thought that this idea may work best. Thoughts?

Now on to other ideas? What are the thoughts on the metal piece over fireplace? Does it work, or should I be looking for something else? What to put on the hearth? And I'm about to hang the pic up above the sofa, is that a good pic choice? And lastly the space in front of the railing, across from sectional and next to TV, what should go there?

Bunch of finishing questions, so thank you for your help and time!!!

Until moving to San Diego I think the sacrifice the military families make flew under the radar for us. When you live in SD you see so many military families that are constantly uprooted and spouse on duty that it is an eye opener.

My kids make friends and a lot of times they are military kids and it is heartbreaking to see them move in 2-3 years and loose their friends. I know they get used to it but for someone who doesn't move that often it is hard to see.

Sorry, I am just trying to explain that while you are posting a simple help with my rental post you are doing a lot more then that. People should know that as they are sitting in their permanent homes you have sacrificed your life and lifestyles to protect us. I have a greater appreciation and can only say thanks!! I am sure this is about the 5th time you have done this and had to buy new stuff.

These families make huge sacrifices for us and go through their day as if it is no big deal!

I like your less-contrasting furniture look / seems to allow more eye-ing of your wonderful table! You're doing so fine... how do you like the rain today?

Love your progress. Hanging the tv was terrific and the drapery look good.

Although our housing index is tough, the advantages of climate and our diversity will grow on you here. One great thing for families in transit, most people in SD are from somewhere else, so you aren't excluded from feeling a part of the community. Military families are especially embraced at the informal connections we make with kids (school foundation / kid sports / mom circles). I'm SD too and am loving the rainy days - yes, you will enjoy the fireplace - on rainy days and cool nights in the 50's. We have a lovely backcountry, terrific summer YMCA camps and programs, and lots of wonderful neighborhoods. Welcome fellow design fan -

Nice changes. Scoot the two hassocks over under the TV and bring your bar back to sit by the railing. Would the LL let you paint the railing black? You can always paint it back to white when you move. I don't care for the metal work over the FP. Have you tried it between the windows, hung in a diamond config. Prop it there and lets see before you hang the art.

The metal piece on the fireplace disappears. Hang the painting there instead. The rest of the space looks great.

Thank you @wannabath for your kind words! Yes, moving around a bunch comes with its own set of difficulties, as you mention. Growing up as a military brat and now being a spouse of an active duty member, this is my 22-24th move. This is our 11th move with children.
It is difficult for the children to uproot every couple of years, and it becomes more trying the older they get. At times, they wonder what the point of becoming friends with other kids is for when they will only be around for a short while. But, it usually only takes a few months for them to acclimate to their new surroundings and make some really great friends.
The deployments and always being so far away from family can also be very trying, but individuals such as yourself, great neighbors and friends become very important. As we say, just doing our part and its a choice and a lifestyle we chose to be a part of.
Thanks again!

Thanks for stopping by @everdebz! I'm enjoying the rain over these couple of days, esp. less heat. As long as it doesn't continue too long!
I agree that this sofa is better than what I was trying to do in the beginning, but I'm not sure if you noticed, I moved my burl table to another room. It did look great in this room, but bc I don't let anyone put their feet up, or place drinks on it we figured this square ottoman from upstairs would fit the bill and I don't really care if the hubs or kids sit/spill/scratch it.

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement @libradesigneye!

I can absolutely see how many people pick San Diego as their home, beaches, mild weather, and too many family activities to list! The cost of living though is a huge adjustment!

We are enjoying our location, the middle and high schools are some of the best and our community hosts tons of fun family events(movies in the park, symphony in the park, and of course the little farmers market). And you are right, we have been openly welcomed by all of our neighbors and community!

Thank you again!

Is that what those little square ottomans are called @decoenthusiaste? Lol! Love learning new words, wait until I say that to my husband.
Do you mean for me to push them down the wall or up on the brick part under the window? I'll try both.
Switched art and metal thing-better? I don't have to use the metal piece, I just pulled it out, would two art pieces be too much(on wall and above fire place?)
As far as painting the railing...I can ask. Never know.
Thank you again for your help!

The art looks great! The room looks great. Some more art over the sofa would definitely NOT be too much!

Thank you @groveraxle! Swapped the two!

Great to hear @drdeb1234!!! Thank you. Last night my hub suggested hanging one of his plane pics up...maybe I should unpack it and see if it would work and have it hanging for him when he returns.....

I have had metal pieces I liked. Though large, it's open work, so it might look ok turned to be square on. Seems it'll poke us when we come over, and lift our hand for whatever reason... gosh bad joke... but yeh, I'd try it rotated.

You can never have too much art.

If you have it, hang it!

Never, Grover???

Like the art at the FP and metal seems to fit that wall space very well, yet is airy enough that it won't be so noticeable that is isn't centered with the sofa.

Try the stools under the tv to help hide the cords.

drdeb, you can never have too much art. You CAN, however, have too many ornate gold frames. ;-)

I really enjoy waking to witty humor @drdeb1234 and @groveraxel!

I pulled out his favorite plane pic to see how that looks....but I'm not sure I like the pic, but idk.

@everdebz I'll also try the metal thing rotated...wouldn't want my guest to feel like they are going to be poked every time they come over. Lol

@decoenthusiaste I knew the position of the sofa was not centered on the wall....but after reading your comment, that's all I can think about now! You mention that due to the metal piece being airy enough it may not be so noticeable....but do I have any other options? Is there a better way to make it feel/look properly placed?

@Teresa Harrison thanks for your comment. Moving the stools to hide the cords presents an issue...the TV wall sits half over carpet and half over a 4" brick height, the brick from the fire place extends to both walls on the side of the fireplace. I am planing to purchase those cord hiders and mount under the TV on the wall to hide all that stuff, so the cords will be a non issue. Thanks again.

the plane pic would be great. It's the perfect size for there

drdeb and I agree. I also think the blue in the plane picture will add a nice note of coolness to the room. And FTR, I am not a fan of scrolly ironwork pieces that look mass produced; I will always choose art, even in an ornate gold frame. ;-)

Thank you @drdeb1234! It is settled then, Plane pic will go up!

@groveraxel glad you are in agreement with drdeb1234! After reading countless dilemmas, I knew the scrolly iron piece would be problematic for you, and art should always trump mass produced items....not too sure how I feel about overly ornate gold frames though lol.

Thanks again!

I'm guessing:

art with nice frame > art with ornate gold frame > nothing > scrolly hobby lobby thing

(Not certain, but I have been following Grover for a while now...)