So I'm thinking Country French here. The thing I always think of when going formal is molding. So I would add a deep crown molding. Next silk. Add floor to ceiling faux silk drapery panels. Wool rug if possible. Next up - leather. I would replace the recliner with a light colored leather chair and ottoman. Then i would replace the current ottoman with a glass and wood round coffee table. I would move the whole seating area off the wall and closer to fireplace. And finally, add a chunkier country French pendant light. I want to live here!!! Love your doggie-sorry I had to cover him up.

Forgot the ceiling. Once you have crown molding up, I would paint your ceiling the lightest version of you wall color. Helps the crown molding to pop and adds formality.

Adding drapes will help. Replace leather ottoman with glass/wood. No leather in formal LR, Unless it is white and tufted. An oriental rug. As suggested move the sectional in closer to FP and add an accent chair. Your sectional has a very casual style. Nothing to be done about that. Your chair has a contemporary fabric . Your tables and accent pieces are fine.

You need to lower your art work. 5-7" above item they are hung over. Lower clock on mantle also.

I think the lamp on your Bombay chest is too big, The shade is covering too much of the picture.

When I grew up folks had woven shades on their back porches for privacy. They were cheap and ugly. I still think so....just my opinion. Your gorgeous room should not have any " cheap and ugly" elements. I would remove them and add drapes.

I would also replace ceiling light with a more appropriate chandelier. You can't go too formal as the sofa will look even more odd.

While I much prefer the very welcoming comfortable look you have to a more formal look, there are ways to accomplish what you seek.

Adding doors to the built ins around the fireplace would be a necessity, including solid doors that cover the television when it is not in use. (As long as the television is visible, you have a family room rather than a formal living room.) Glass doors are needed for the rest of the upper shelves to create curio cabinets.

The very idea of blocking all that natural light is loathsome to me, I very much like the shades you have; however, if you really do want formal, you're going to need formal floor to ceiling drapes with sheers on a double rod and a cornice at the top of the drapes to hide the top of the drapes and the blinds - which you should keep for light/privacy reasons.

Whereas I'd prefer to swap out your overhead light fixture for a practical ceiling fan with light, if you want a formal look, you need a much more formal center overhead light fixture -- something expensive and upscale.

You'll also need to lose the comfortable looking sectional. While I'm not usually a fan of sectionals, in this room yours works well. Formal, however, pretty much always needs to look (but not necessarily be) uncomfortable unless you're investing in some seriously expensive leather furnishings.

Your ottoman, which I very much like, doesn't say formal. A kneeknocker coffee table would be more apt to do that.

The carpet would need to be replaced with hardwood (my preference whether or not the room is intended to be formal); however, for a formal look, you'd then need to invest in a large expensive rug. (For a room not formal, you could just enjoy the hardwood floors and easier time cleaning them than cleaning carpet.)

You appear to have a smaller sitting room to the right of the television. Is it possible to alter the entry to guide traffic physically and/or visually into that smaller room first and make that room more formal instead of mucking up the good thing you have going in the very livable living room?

In fact, would it be practical and within budget to actually move the front door -- a very formal looking one, of course, to enter into that space as a formal entry?

Please reconsider wanting formal or at least just go one step at a time: perhaps add the doors to the built ins around the fireplace and/or change out the overhead light fixture and/or add the cornice and drapes first -- rethinking wanting formal at every step.

Why is your sofa in front of the window?

Your television seems so awkward to me. Can you hang it on the wall above the fireplace? If desired, it looks like the "wings" on your built-ins would allow doors to cover it when not in use. Look for a hanger that tilts and swivels and hang low so the cord and cables can lie close to the mantel itself and can be tied into the electric source in the built-ins. You can then hide the wires with a simple piece of trim on the mantel. A hole saw bit will let you run the cords into your built-ins and you can tuck behind your shelf displays.

I say long hanging curtains a must. Make the fire place the focal point by moving furniture in the middle of the room. Adding a chandelier would do much also. Splashes in decor that say elegance like chrome, suede, silk and a mirror that pops like above the fireplace. And another low cost fix would be an elegant coffee table. For more expensive fixes, all new furniture.

Coffee table not too ornate or bulky and shape would matter based on your preference of course but also if your room needs some texture, if you will, if it's all boxy I would go with first one. if not the second is not as ornate.

Oh and as I just read comments I would have to ditto the TV statement. it creates imbalance. I do prefer over fireplace but really prefer especially if trying to go formal on a stand not as the focal point if possible. But I am also very practical and feel the room should still be used.

Do you have a sketch of your room shape and size? That would help. Looks like you have everything centered around the TV. Another person mentioned centering your furniture around the fireplace, by making it the focal point. You can get a more balanced look by doing that. Then I would move the TV to a place that works better with your furniture placement.

I agree that TV seems awkward position---but over a fireplace is not a good idea--you have to cram you neck backwards to watch it up so high---would make more sense on the other side.

If you lived near me in southern Michigan, I'd help you push and shove what you have, as I see lots of potential to use the elements you already own to achieve a more formal look! While the leather may not be most ideal, there are ways to jazz it up! And, you have lots of great pieces and accessories that just need to be rearranged and used differently.

Get your furniture off the wall. The room is lopsided. Float the sectional in the middle. Place a sofa table under the window. Paint the walls white. Paint the fireplace a dark grey, make the built ins pop by doing this. Add a dark gray curtain just to the ends of the beautiful windows. No need to change furniture.

Consider mirroring the space above the fireplace.

Looks like you have a nice view out your windows - try arranging your furniture so it embraces that view and the natural light. I hate seeing rooms - formal or informal - designed so most seating has one's back to the windows.

Put the sofa in front of a side wall so the people sitting there can still see the windows/view from the side, and put chairs across from them so they too have a side view of light/nature.

And, think of having no window coverings. I mean, do you really open and close them? I don't like to give up one drop of sun light coming in if I don't have to - not unless it's direct sun coming in in the heat of summer.

The TV makes the room unbalanced, as does the furniture all to the left side of the room. How about this arrangement? Formal lighting and floor to ceiling window treatments will give a formal look to your space.

I'm in agreement with making the other room your formal sitting room and simply upgrading this comfy TV room. May we see it and the furniture there? I'm thinking some pieces may be flipped to achieve what you're looking for.

I think this would work in your home, it is sophisticated, stylish, and it brightens up the space so much. The other thing I love about it is it is still very inviting. Your room I think is a little dark, I would paint it a lighter color and add lighter furniture or accents. Hardwood floors would be lovely if that's an option. I think your couch is too 'comfy' to have a formal look. If getting a new one isn't an option, I would for sure change out the blue throw pillows. Also, if you have a handyman around I would cut the top fronts of your bookcases to a regular open square. I think they make the room look outdated. Last, I would not ever cover up that beautiful window and view, it is a beautiful asset to the room! In fact, you might want to add some natural materials and decor in your living room. Good luck to you! If you redo it please post pics!

The sofa is in front of the window because there is no real wall in the room. Open to the dining and kitchen area.

Need new ceiling light & lamps. Face the sofa to your window not all chairs & sofa should be against the wall. If you need privacy get some roman shade. Its important to have a good view where ever you sit. You can even loose one of the chair & get a sleek daybed again the window. I can't really tell what color wall you have but you need good ceiling light & table or floor lamps.

When you don't have walls, float!