i think your stools just don't have the visual weight of a pair of chairs. generally they are used in addition to a couch and chairs, or 2 couches.

I think this room is really fabulous and you've done a great job! Love the ornaments on the mantelpiece and the close colour tones are so soothing. As a designer, I'd say you have the same problem I had in my last house - an off centre fireplace, and the viewers eye goes straight to that large space! It needs something big and bulky (even if open looking with legs etc) on the right hand side of fireplace. Could be a large pot with grasses (although I see you already have some lovely pots of fire hearth). Maybe a chest of drawers, large decorate trunk or set of boxes or baskets stacked one on top of another? Even a quite substantial floor lamp? You might have to remove the small table with lamp on left of sofa to another location for now. I would suggest you've got slightly too much symmetry with the two small tables and stools, and definitely need a more bulky something in the corner.

Nice room. I don't think you need anything. Move the pottery off the hearth to the right.

Maybe some rustic floating shelves sparsely decorated with framed art/photos, colorful decor.

Thank you both for the advice. I have been looking for something for that corner but can't figure out what to put there. Trisha, you answered my next question - so you think I should move the end table when I find something for that corner? I thought so but then I wasn't sure if it would look off-balance.

nnigrt - I had the same feeling about the stools. The living room is very small and I can't find chairs that small for the spot. Any suggestions? Should I move them out altogether or try them in a different spot?

Consider rattan chairs, like these stained to match your decor. In a small room they take up less visual space, are comfortable, give some texture to a space. I think you need two chairs to complete your seating area. Same goes with a coffee table, more legs than wood in a same space. Something lighter also, as a contrast. Fun to use a repurposed or rustic item in every room.Or strongly colored. Your space could use a painted piece, why not go with a pop of color?

Love your room...you did a great job! You could add a big plant to the right of your fireplace and a chair to the left of it and you will be done or..........

I had it arranged like this before! It may be hard to tell but the room is really small. That rug is an 8x10. I liked the couch across from the fireplace but it kind of cut the room off. I will try some of these ideas. Thanks!

Take drapes out and add textured dark roman shades or something... there is nothing visually attractive outside, so make cozy inside.

will do! I had ordered what you suggested but the size was wrong. I am going to try again. thanks

Hi! What a lovely space! I think what feels off to you is the balance of the room. All of the visual weight is on the right side of the room (window wall). Could you post a picture from the window wall so we can see the other side of the space?

It is a lovely space. Agree that the room seems heavy on the window side. More substantial chairs across from the sofa will help. There are a million chairs out there - plug in your desired dimensions and you'll get plenty of options.
Also, how about a few pops of color? Is the background of the rug gray or blue? Either way, pillows in orange, green, pink - whatever color you like - will go a long way. And some pattern to your window treatment. Good luck!! It doesn't need much to be fabulous!

Here is the other side of the room - it is the dining room/kitchen. The background of the rug is a porcelain blue

Please do not get rid of drapes! They add warmth....shades/blinds detract from the beauty of a room. You might want a different fabric for more color. I would suggest a pair of larger lamps on your end tables.

Your room is already very beautiful!

Would it be too much trouble to turn the rug and move the couch to face the fireplace? I know you said you have tried it, but I would love to see that arrangement.

I think it looks pretty good. The little lamps are throwing me off though. You need a floor lamp in that corner or something bigger on the tables. The stools also seem a bit too small, as others have already mentioned. They aren't bad though if nothing else will fit.

Here are a few ideas if you keep this arrangement. I would recommend that you find a chair you like and tape out the size on the floor with painters tape. Maybe consider moving the tv to the right of the fireplace over a console for easier viewing. Then find art you live for over the fireplace. If you do that, I would consider chairs with darker fabric to visually balance the room better. I included a lighter chair just in case you want to see how that looks, too.

Thanks for all of the advice. I played around a little bit. See pics. Is this any better?

Love it!!

Do you????????

I think so...I had it this way before and eventually changed it, but it was with a different console table and different stools. Maybe that is why I am liking this better...

Center the sofa with the firebox opening and get a smaller round coffee table (1/3 - 1/2 of the width between the sofa arms.) The rug is too big for the living area and the dining rug is too small, so the chairs fall off of it when in use. However, the main dining problem is the peninsula which doesn't allow you to center your table under the fixture. I'd be really tempted to remove the peninsula and cabinet above it which are eating your dining space. Can they go elsewhere - maybe in the laundry? Another option might be to put the sofa on the wall where the mirror is and move the sofa table to the window area.

I do like it better! Do you? I would center the sofa with the fireplace and post more pictures. Then measure to see how much room you might have for chairs. I am also wondering if the rug is too big?

I think you have several nice options, with what I have seen. If this were my room I would try getting rid of coffee table having one chair on either side of fireplace with the two ottomans available as to sofa or chairs. You would have to do narrow side tables. I've seen some wonderful one that are around 12x24 inches, so you only had about 12 inches to sofa length.

Looking great! Agree with Deco - pull the sofa down so at the very least the end of the sofa aligns with the end of the fireplace/wall opening. Now we can see the nice wainscoting under the window!! :-)

For the dining area - I would recommend a round table...

I wanted to advise a round table too, but I think the peninsula will still be in the way. If you try the sofa where the mirror is, you'll have room for two chairs at the window, the stools opposite the window and a chest right of the FP. Your rug may work better centered in the room with that arrangement.

I am going to move the sofa down so it is more centered to the fire place. What complicates things a bit with putting the sofa of the wall with the mirror is the stairs are behind that wall. So to get upstairs, you would need to cut through the living area. Not a big deal but you would need enough space.

Ah, I was wondering what was behind that wall!! Yes, you would need enough space to easily clear the turn from the stairs into the living area. Moving the sofa to be more centered to the fireplace might be the answer to everything! Deco is right, the peninsula and cabinet in DR need to go - they are interfering with your dining space.

Consider turning the arrangement so it faces the hearth, then add a chair or two flanking the sofa, I think the stools may work better in front of the hearth. If it becomes tight you may be able to convert the console to a sofa table allowing passage where the console once was. Ok, breaktime is over, time to move the furniture

You've done a good job. Negative or empty space is good to have in a room... Don't junk it up. As someone previously suggested warm up the drapery for colour contrast which will balance the room. Deeper & richer in winter, lighter like you have it in summer.

Hi, good news is that you have a great start here! Here are some suggestions for your consideration.

Move one stool to side of fireplace.....next to that, get a fiddlehead fig tree, they are so pretty and a bit tall. The fiddlehead will soften that corner while providing color, texture, and height. You can also up light it which will be beautiful and blow out that corner....you'll be amazed that one little change can add that much to a room.

Next, purchase a pair of armless chairs that have some height to them. They take up very little room, but add the needed scale and height that the room lacks.

An oval coffee table with a metal base and glass top will add a little bling, texture, and lightness to the room. It will also give the illusion of more space while providing a nice curve to balance out all the linear elements.

Add a pair of great pillows to the sofa...nice and large 22 inch, in a fabric you love, something with a little drama. Add a nice trim to the inside edge of your drapes, a 2-3 inch band that goes with your other items. Will add detail, and height.

It also looks like you really need lighting. I like to have at least five sources of light in every room. For end tables, use small metal and glass top round tables, put a pair of lamps on each. Next add a pair of buffet lamps on your console. If there is only room for one end table, then put a floor or reading lamp on the other side of the sofa.

Enjoy! All the best with your project,

Barbara Brown

Barbara Brown Interiors, Washington DC

It is fascinating watching this evolve. Moving existing furniture around to new positions is perhaps the least costly and most fun way to get started with a problem.

As several have observed, there is nothing wrong with an empty corner, but if you still feel a gap there, try a bigger picture on the wall; it may be enough.

Not that you were asking, but the rustic chimney seems very out of character with the formal wainscot. Have you considered sheetrocking the chimney breast, leaving only ten inches of exposed brick around the firebox opening, with a molding to separate the sheetrock from the brick? The absence of the aggressive texture might make the room feel bigger, simpler.

Good luck with your project!

Your sofa should face the fireplace with a side chair or two on opposite ends.

hmm never thought of that but now that you mention it I can see what you mean. I do love the fireplace, it is a bit strange as it has tile on it like I haven't seen in other houses.

It looks great. A plant in the corner would look nice. Here's one we staged with an similar layout & fireplace.

I love your fireplace! It adds so much character to the room.

You might try a round med size coffee table, so everything isn't square shaped / straight lined and it would give a little more room. ( plus it's a little more child friendly) Or you could try using 2 smaller size. I would get a comfy chair and set it to the side of the sofa, on the side where the window is, and you could use another chair on opposite side. The chairs don't have to be identical, but I would use a similar style, and or color. I think it would be a good opportunity to incorporate more pattern and color in the room, which adds more interest. Whether it be the accent chair(s) or adding throw pillows. A little punch of color can really change a room. You can also set a chair at the side of the fireplace, cornered as in a previous picture.

I know you've already moved the furniture, but this is what I would do (in addition to exchanging the stools for swivel chairs). I'm sure you will make some chiropractor very happy. ;-)

Nice space!