a couple more pictures looking from foyer in. As u can see I look at back of sofa from entry, but this arrangement opens up living area from living room to breakfast kitchen area. Which area should I be the most concerned about opening up

Actually, I like both sofa arrangements. Both look cozy and intimate for good gatherings. The only problem I have with the ottoman is if you have several people over -- the middle person on the couch will have to put their beverage on the floor for stability.

Ah, now that I see foyer entrance -- I would prefer not to have the back of the couch facing the foyer. It can be against the kitchen/breakfast area better.

Now you see why I struggle. I like it both ways. Looking at back if sofa as I walk into living room dies bother me. But when I am in kitchen and breakfast area, it looks so nice looking into living room area.

Could you switch the sofa with the 2 chairs that are in front of French doors? and if need be, move tv cab to other side of fireplace?

Great idea,jennava19.. Problem is tv cannot be switched....otherwise, I think that would look nice. That tv causes me problems...ha

Since the room is for TV viewing I would put the sofa in front of the fireplace. With the sofa to the side, viewing the TV looks awkward whether you're in the chairs or sofa. It would also look better from the foyer. Pretty room!

Ok..since you can't move tv, then I agree with joanie

This room is for TV watching? Really? From what chair? I am not seeing one chair orientated for TV watching. If it were bigger I could understand one would be watching TV while cooking, but like this the TV seems like a WHEN WE HAVE TO situation--and that is not all bad. As it is now the TV begs to be over the fire place..if it is truly meant to be watched in this room. Open concept homes do not lend themselves to traditional furniture lay outs. I would be tempted to nix the sofa all together to increase general flow. Why isn't the sofa table visible in the doorway view? Perhaps just adding that would give us more of a view than the back of the sofa?

Arcy_gw....it really isn't for the family sitting down together and watching tv...more for just early morning drinking a cup of coffee, evening cooking dinner, just have the tv on while keeping up with the world... Room is used for when we entertain... We have another room upstairs to sit as a family and watch tv in. I really want to,have built ins on each side of fireplace. I enjoy having a mantel to decorate and don't want to put the tv on mantel. I placed the little table behind sofa as it is now. Below is a picture ...thanks so much

Hi Toltray, I like this arrangement; seems to give breathing room to your space. I realize that the view from your foyer may not be ideal but it could be greatly improved with a larger sofa table and perhaps a few interesting objects on the floor under the table. Right now we are just seeing the back of a sofa but if you layer more interesting things there
It can look very appealing. I'm glad you decided to LED go of the coffee table. To much furniture. A large tray on the ottoman should suffice for drinks. I know you don't want the tv over the mantle! It's almost sacrilege on this site to even suggest it! But I must tell you I have done it many times! It is very difficult to make a fireplace and tv work , as they both vie for focal point status. I always feel a tv off to the side throws the room off balance. I prefer to hide it in some way or put it over the fireplace. I have had them recessed and had hinged doors with artwork install and various other treatments to hide it and at time nothing at all.

I meant let go.

A few examples for you.

Lynartist, it is cold here and I am bored and playing house....can u tell??? My husband says I should have a job arranging furniture! Ha ...this arrangement really does open up the room from the kitchen, breakfast area to the living room. I especially love the last sofa table picture you posted with all the accessories. I can see that it does hide the back of sofa and sure makes the view from foyer into living room more interesting. It seems to make it work. Great idea. I would love to conceal that tv, either in built ins that I hope to have done or somehow on the mantel. Great ideas, especially liked the shutter ones...built ins there were nice also. I also moved some lamps around...rotated pillows.....from pillow stash! Ha.

HeeHee! I know you have a few pillows:) Did you get a lot of snow? I know it takes a lot of tweaking, do like this though , as long as it is comfortable for tv viewing. It certainly is a nice conversation grouping! Love your new lamp!

Just a dusting here of snow. My daughter in northern Virginia had 34 inches. She has a real case of cabin fever today.

I prefer the sofa facing the fireplace. I'd angle the two chairs on either side toward the fireplace, and then make sure there's a small table in reach of each seat. You have a very pretty home!

Lynartist and anyone else, I really think I need new end tables. To me, my present ones don't do a thing for my living room. Could you give me some suggestions? I so appreciate it...

What type of end tables do you think you might want? Something less traditional, maybe painted wood in a dark finish? A bit larger perhaps!

Yes, definitely less traditional. I do love painted wood. Something that fits in better with my furnishings....

Been looking at a few things. I know you like to entertain in this room so I think a set of nesting tables are always practice. You can pull one out and move it to were you need it. Some examples of other end tables .

Also a couple more in a light finish. Also a couple large trays for your ottoman. You may find one at a consignment shop even!

Love that large brown tray. The light tables are gorgeous. Great inspiration, lynartist. I think I really like round tables.

Love the second down nesting tables. That is a great idea. Always seems like one always needs an extra table when people are over.

What arrangement did you decide on? I have a very similar set up in my house, I will tell you that we have tried both and been much happier with having the furniture placement open up to the other parts of the open concept room. Couch on one side of fireplace not facing the fireplace. It allows for much more interaction with other areas. Beautiful space!

Ballon, it is with sofa on side of fireplace with it being open into living area. However, each day that passes, it is really bothering me looking at the back of sofa from foyer. This room has a,ways been a challenge. If it were just a bit larger, problem would,be solved, or if tv wasn't an issue,,,ha

Put a gorgeous sofa table behind and dress it up with some of your lovely accessories! Lovely room!

I agree with some of the other comments. Either just put a sofa table with beautiful accessories. Or move sofa to other side. I like to sit in chair and watch TV anyways!

If it were my space, the sofa would definitely be on the other side. I would at least try it. I think the eye has no where to look except the back of that sofa currently. If sofa stays there, put beautiful sofa table with accessories. High high is the ceiling, what about anchoring the seating area with a cool hanging light fixture?

Look at some of the examples lynartist provided. There are a couple sitting areas that have chandeliers/ lanterns overhead. I love that look!

There isn't an ideal solution to this Toltray as your room isn't large enough to put your sofa on an angle anywhere. I think you have to think in terms of were you spend the most time and were this bugs you the least! If you love the open feeling this arrangement gives you now and you see it from your kitchen/ eating area and that's were you spend most of your time viewing this space then I believe you have your answer. Now you have to make the view from the foyer mor palatable. I have a floating sofa in my living room too. Never liked looking at it till I bought a cabinet to back up to it!

I can't imagine you spend much time in your foyer looking into the room. I'd place the furniture where it is most comfortable and where you'd be viewing it most.

Here are some ideas for sofa tables. Go to shop Houzz" narrow sofa tables". A few. The links are in my profile under furniture.

Maybe you could put a large footbath on top of that table for all your beautiful garden flowers!

Wow. While I have been away looking for tables etc, you guys have been posting away on here with great ideas ....thanks so much. Lynartist, love love that footbath. The sofa table inspiration was fabulous as well. Attached are pictures of tables and a painting I fell in love with for above my fireplace. I really think when I replace my mirror, I want a scene up,there rather than floral. Opinions on any of the tables and your take on the painting. No matter how I end up arranging the living room, I need new tables and a painting for above the mantel. Also, saw a few trays for ottoman. Here goes!

Another table

Toletray, just looked at these on my computer and thought of Mark when I saw the red. Have you heard from him at all?

I liked the black nesting tables. I'm not sure the scale of most of these are big enough. I could be wrong, it helps to take measurements first. The round tables , although nice seem little to me. I think your room could handle a bit larger.

I always like a table with a drawer! A place for coasters, cards etc!

The painting is pretty , I would rub some gold wax on the frame tho!

I just want to make sure to have you measure the height of your sofa arms. I like a table that is tall enough, usually29,30" . To short is an annoyance!

Today was a day of just looking around. I did really like the painting. I like a table with drawers..I need all the storage thst I can get! Maybe I will get out in a day or so to look at sofa tables! Thanks for your help,and inspiration!

Keep us posted on your progress!

Hello Toletray, I haven't seen you around the neighborhood lately and thought I would check in to say hello and hope all is well with you. As spring is upon us I am sure you are busy in your beautiful garden and looking forward to Summer's bounty!

Hi lynartist. Great to hear from you. I think of you often. My yard has recently been taking up much of my time. I have been busy getting fresh mulch out in the flower beds and doing just a general clean up of everything. We are in the midst of pollen season here. Everything is coated with the yellow pollen, mainly from the pine trees now. After pollen season I will be cleaning up and getting the screened porch ready for summer. The decorating has been put on the back burner for now. I tend to do everything in spurts! I did move the living room furniture right bsck where it originally was. Ha. I hope you are doing well!

I'm well thank you. We are covered in pollen too! My yard and neighborhood is full of live oaks and they shed their leaves this time of year also. Kind of messy but they are beautiful trees. I miss hearing from you and my old Houzz friends! Thought I would touch base now and then:) keep well.

I'm sorry to criticize a painting you like, but it really is not very good art. The foreground especially is not very well painted, but I think something along the same lines but painted with a better technique would be very suitable. Your home is very nice but this painting would bring it down a notch, I'm afraid, and that would be a shame.