I thought of another idea as well...perhaps paint the walls a light taupe and paint the fireplace brick two shades darker so it pops. If you use white ( not true white, perhaps Dover White by Behr), n the trim the fireplace will rally become a focal point. I notice no mantel either- am I right? Search flea markets or ask around to find old barn beams and have one cut to mount as a mantel. That may help it look finished. Hope this helps!

I recommend taking a good look at the rug. Pick your favorite color from the rug and use that for your accent color by ramping it up in brightness. Take one other color and use it much more sparingly for a secondary accent. That spot between the window and the sectional would be perfect for a ficus in a large pot (echo the colors in the rug), large enough to obscure the vent.

What is the little thing hanging on the back wall? Thermostat?

Option 1: You might consider removing the armless loveseat from the sectional and moving the sofa and chaise together along the wall - towards the kitchen. Move the carpet as well so that the inside chaise legs are sitting on it. This opens up the view of that back space.
By opening more room in front of the window area you can create a sitting area with a round table and two smaller chairs .... I agree about the bookcases too ... there are many shown in this site that are amazing.
I like the idea of the nuetral shade on the walls using art and fabric for pops of your favorite colors as mentioned above.
Option 2: You might also remove the chaise instead, turn the sectional so that the sofa side sits along the back wall and the armless loveseat acts as a chaise. Then you can use the chaise in the sitting space by the windows along with bookcases, a small side table and maybe that smaller piece of art currently over your sectional.
I like the idea mentioned above about painting the brick a darker tone of the nuetral and mounting the TV on it. Your room would be cozy and inviting ... a great space to hang out.

Where did the sectional come from? Love it!

I suggest you choose funky pillows in purple,blue and orange,bright colors which have some pattern which is geometrical.
The curtains could be rose colored with creepers and the curtain rods could have neon red leaf shaped as in Ikea.
The color for the back ground behind the T.V could be terracota or brownish red shade close to the real brick stuff almost imitating the brick colors.Abright scenery which is rectangular could be behind the wall of the shorter sofa,just be careful not to choose a huge scenery,I would suggest the right scale visually.
Your kitchen will have a continious flow due to the color combi

Hi, sorry but the rug really disturbs me especially when you have a matching one with a different shape next to it:(
I would get a more contemporary rug.
Here is a great look and nice accent colors.

I will suggest COLORFUL Drapes ceiling high to create drama, and a tables, lamp,s big art photos or paintings. placed horizontally on the back wall to create a feeling of more space , and custom Tv unit

https://www.houzz.com/photos/525a-upper-changi-road-contemporary-living-room-singapore-phvw-vp~2630102

What a wonderful space to curl up in to watch TV..love the sofa......I agree w/Marie......reposition rug and sofa, centered with fireplace and pulled away from walls, rug is fine for me.....hang TV over fireplace,...possibly beef up the stained wooden mantle at a later date, a large decorative wood stained fan , LARGE piece of art as suggested, hung lower over sofa, and coordinating art on back wall in possibly a pair or more than one piece...I am not a fan of shelves as they tend to look cluttered and are hard to arrange even for a professional....a round wooden stained end table by kitchen w/ a very LARGE ROUND lamp for light for reading.........for a more contemporary look, (grays are the thing now) I would paint the walls a taupe or gray w/brown undertones, coordinating w/the rug for a clean contemporary look.....possibly using the same color pulled into the kitchen for a cohesive look.....IF you do curtains, try solid textured panels close in color to the wall paint.......remember less is more....as Marie suggested......you need a few items, and the items you choose need to be spot on...purchase from places that .let. you bring home on approval until you get the right look...good luck and enjoy...

Thank you so much for all your advises! Wow, so many great ideas!!!!!

Amplio: thank you for your honesty! The little piece (copy of the rug) is not staying;

cyndeefarrell:
Sectional sofa is from Macy's; name Kenton Sofa

Brenda Sjoberg:
the black tv stand/case is not staying; that behind "window" is actually a door, we are thinking to have the french doors to get more light in the room. Thank you for your advise!

Great idea with the French doors..

I would move the sofa even more from the wall and place a (computer) desk or as already commented book shelves. Although, I would go with sofa height book shelves and nothing taller. I like the brick as it is, because once the TV is hung it'll be less of a feature. Also make sure your TV is hung at the right height because it can also make the room look off.

Can the sectional be taken apart?? That would help significantly. You could then put the chaise on the diagonal on the left side (if you are facing) of the fireplace, and then leave the L shape where it is, but as another reader commented, put the TV on a swing out arm. That way, you have broken up the sea of beige, have a better feel for visiting, and the mobile TV can swing out to really face the whole couch.

maybe ditch the fan all together and do recessed lighting

Maybe you can place the ideas presented on paper and see what you would like from the arrangement or some add on help which will help you decide and go along as your budget allows you to feel comfortable

12aidyna, Shobha Bhushan's suggestion is an excellent one! I have used this on several occasions myself.

Use graph paper and make each square equal to one foot. Measure your room and then map out the size and placement of permanent features. Windows, doors, fireplace/hearth, and so on. Next, measure your rugs and furnishings and map them out onto another piece of graph paper and cut them out. You can even color them to match what you have. although this is not really necessary. Now you can move the furnishings without breaking your back and have a greater understanding of your floor space.

BTW, I vote for the ceiling to floor drapes, the book case(s) along that back wall behind the couch, and the large art piece or "wall tattoo" above the main portion of the couch. Oh yes, and definitely center the rug, then center the couch over it in front of the fireplace for balance.

This is going to be a gorgeous room when you are done. I hope there will be followup pictures!

I love your sectional,and, as you already decided , center it in front of the fireplace, again, as suggested the rug needs to be backed up towards the wall, I suggest equal wood showing against the wall and against the fireplace.
Position the wall unit that's in front of the door , against the back wall ,it looks as if you have a desk in that unit, if so it would work great adding an arm less chair facing the wall and unit , If not a desk, than would not work as well, but would do , try the painting from behind your sofa in the space in the middle of the unit.(or use unit somewhere else) if so I would do a wall of bookshelf units. with closed door at the bottom for storage.
I would add a sofa table behind the sofa part facing that wall , with a table lamp nearer the wall so no cord will trip anyone ,add a couple of accessories .
The fireplace needs a mantel much beefier than the imprint showing , a large beam (6"to10") and much lower , I'd say the top of the beam just under the bracket's imprint. If you put your TV there , only hang it a couple of inches above it (or just use the base directly on the beam) as otherwise you will get a crick in your neck watching TV.
I would add a low square tufted leather footstool in front of the sofa to be used as footstool and ,coffee table (adding a tray when needed as a coffee table) for the use of the people seating there. I would add a round side table on the side of the chaise(facing the kitchen), with a table lamp and a couple of small accessories.
Your art was much too high and too small for the size of the sofa, you need a few art pieces that will populate that large expanse of space, I would go for a series of print in like frames and sizes and do a row of them along the whole of the sofa length , measuring so they are at equal distance between each other ,and not place any higher than 6"to 10" above the back. It will balance that wall a bit.
As for color for your walls, you can choose anything because all your other items are neutral, How about painting the fireplace a creamy taupe , and your walls a brown red ,I just noticed that Mary Dobson had the same idea. That's the combination I was thinking. Great
The fan needs to be changed to a brown modern style one, this one dates the room.
I would do a single panel of fabric on each side of that huge window(position the rod halfway between the top of the window and the ceiling), to anchor the room , if you need privacy or light control, I would do bamboo blinds in addition.(position it on window frame).
The french door idea is very good and would balance the room, I would repeat the same drape/blind idea to it also.
The fabric for your drape should have a pattern to liven up the room and I would make at least 2 large cushions with it for the sofa corners and adding a couple more of the red/brown room color and cream fireplace color ones also.

have fun and good luck

pivoines: Thank you! Have a big project ahead of me!!!!!

llswink: Definitely, will have follow-up pictures!!!!!!

I have the very same sectional, and agree with most of the previous suggestions.
Repositioning the rug in the room more toward the wall and pulling the sectional
further down toward the kitchen will make a big difference! The painting on the wall is much
too small on it's own, I would look for something abstract in a larger scale or a grouping
of large to small pictures would look great too. Add some colorful throw pillows and a coffetable
and the room will look wonderful!! My great room is still a work in progress, as you can see
but I know you will love this sectional for many years !!

Most of all - you need to convince your husband that you have two or three times the size of sofa the room can handle. I gasped when I saw the photo. There's no getting around it - nothing you can do will improve the room unless you get rid of that sofa.

Good advice given. It's a nice room however the current sofa arrangement suggests to visitors "I watch TV all day " ..therefore, . split up the sofas, put the armless section with it's back to the kitchen...the armed section across from the fireplace and put the TV screen on a movable table- scoot out of the way when not using. I like the bookcase Idea on the back wall and a great piece of art on the longest wall centered over the sofa section with arms. It looks this sofa arrangement might work...Keep wall colors light but subtle -- using ochre to tone them down a bit....Good luck.

I would definitely center the sectional on the fireplace - i.e as everybody has said move it closer to the kitchen. Get rid of that piece of furniture in front of the window to the left of the fireplace. I would not focue too much on bringing in the colour of the backsplash fo the kitchen, although you could as the kitchen seems to be separate room. I love the idee that deco had of the orange and turquoise.

Paint your walls the same color as your couch, but a shade or two lighter or darker to help it "disappear". If you want an accent wall color, it should be only the wall at the far end. See if your thermostat cover is paintable; if so, paint it and the heat register the same color as the wall to blend in. Move the rug so it is evenly spaced between the fireplace and the opposite wall. Move the couch towards the kitchen so that the chaise part is past the edge of the hearth. I agree that the TV should not be above the fireplace, but to the viewers left of it, on a hinged hanger so it can be angled toward the viewer. This can be angled the other way too if the cook wishes to watch from the kitchen. Also, for the best viewing it should be close to eye level when the viewer is seated. Most TVs are hung too high. If you absolutely must keep the black shelving/desk unit, move it to the wall opposite where it is now, right between the corner and the sofa. At the far end of the room, you could place a large potted palm-type, or tree-type plant in the window wall corner. You could also place one in the other corner and hang your current painting between them. Use the accent color in throw pillows on the couch in a geometric and a large modern floral (not too matchy-matchy!). Place large pots on both sides of the fireplace using your accent colors, similar to the plant pots,but not matching them. If a custom bookcase is not in your budget, a console centered behind the far end of the couch with 2 lamps would give you lighting and a place to set drinks and snacks. An ottoman with a tray in front of the couch would be useful, but difficult to get the proportions right, and still leave space to move around. Try making cardboard cutouts of different shapes and sizes to trial one. The alternative might be two smaller leather cubes with storage inside, or solid ones in dark stained wood. On the wall behind the couch a large piece of artwork (or a diptych or triptych) would work if you can find one that contains all your colors. Another option is to look for an antique kimono to hang there, Keep the scale big! If you don;t do an accent wall, you can paint the fireplace a lighter or darker complementary color, but paint the room first and see if it still needs it. Install a substantial wraparound mantel, again trying cardboard dummies to get the proportions right before you buy. Accessorize it with at least one piece in your accent color, but avoid using pieces that are too small. A large round or octagonal black framed mirror above the fireplace will help ground it. (Again, try the size in cardboard first.) Consider changing the light cover on the ceiling fan to something a little higher end. Curtains in a lighter color than your walls, patterned with your colors in it, on a bronze rod with rings hung at least halfway between the ceiling and window top will help, with blinds behind them for light control.The look you should go for here is cozy, warm and welcoming,

I think you will have a terrific room. I like the scale of the sofa. It speaks of cozy times and comfort.
Book cases on far wall, large art over sofa [you can even frame great fabric or buy a big canvas and paint a simple abstract yourself-look at abstract paintings in a google search/images], and some good lighting and a nice big scale plant from Lowes or Home Dept in the window. I would paint the walls and fireplace the same color, maybe put something colorful - like a sculpture or big jar or set of big candle sticks on the left side of the hearth.

Lots of great ideas here...One of the things that bothers me is the lack of coffee table. The sectional is too cramped to really allow for a nice one so you have nowhere to put drinks and snacks. If you moved the chaise part of the sofa closer to the kitchen and put a low flat table inbetween the sections of sofa you would make the sectional longer allowing for a coffee table in the room. Keep it glass or something so it doesn't take up visual space. Put a dresser, sideboard or mini desk on the wall opposite the blocked door and move that black wall unit somewhere else so you can use the door. You can also put another low white dresser or narrow table to the left of the fireplace to hold more stuff. I 'painted' your room orange..just the one wall and the fireplace and added a lower, chunkier mantle to hold the TV. You could also run white wood down from the mantle to surround the fireplace leaving the brick exposed only on top. (check fire codes though!) That may make the TV too high for good viewing though so try it out first so you don't get a crick in your neck. You could put the tv on that far wall too (where i put the bookcases..which are from IKEA) but then you'd definitely need curtains to avoid screen glare and if you have a big family the viewing angle won't be good enough for every one. Hard to tell if that sofa is grey or blue but I thought some pops of blue would be nice. Make sure you have a bit of space to get at the bookcase behind the sofa...you'll have to measure this out to make sure it works and still allows you to move in and out of the room with comfort.

Center the sectional and use space behind for plants & floor lamp. Built-in bookcase looks good. Please, whatever art you get hang it no more than 8'' above the back of the sofa. It needs to be part of the arrangement not floating way above like a cloud. Several framed posters would lend color and add interest. While not a big fan of TV over fireplace you could build a frame around it with or without doors

SoCal Greetings-

The door and Window- If the door remains and will not be used (as indicated by the current shelving) try to balance window and door. with coverings of similar size, shape and texture.

Seating and Telly- Several have suggested moving the couch toward the kitchen and adding shelving on the far end of the room. I agree. Going one step further, you should consider more shelving and/or wall mounting the telly to the left of the fireplace. If the fireplace is not going to be used consider building shelving with a low shelf for the telly and space for cables and electronic gear. A dark color on the shelving and bricks will reduce the contrast of the electronics.

The fan- Paint is great but this room needs a more substantial piece. Put the one you have in a bedroom and splurge on this item with indirect or shaded lighting and remote control.

Let us know how it all works out !!

Could really be a great room. I like the sofa. I think a light modern grey on the walls would look nice along with a sofa table behind the sofa with a colorful lamp. The far wall would look nice with a nice modern geometric wallpaper and maybe an orange bookcase. I like white for the fire place. Maybe a nice desk or bookshelf next to the fire place. and a pop of color in the window treatments (placed high on both the door and window. Also How about something green, like a nice indoor palm plant by the far window. it would do great there .art work on both walls should be fairly big or a grouping of littler ones. I do have to say the rug is holding the room back. there are so many affordable options now for rugs (colors and shags oh my)! the fan light could be updated too check overstock. look forward to seeing what you decide.

Just send some pics after you have done a bit so we can help

I love the sectional, but would change the rug - unless it has sentimental value. Your room is very similar to this one on Houzz, just reversed: . I hope you skip the mantle, paint the brick, and hang your awesome tv just like you planned! I'd like to see a side chair next to the FP and something nontraditional as a drink table (maybe a small ottoman). All that really matters is that you and your DH are happy in the space!

Pattiegoode - great that you found such a similar and cozied up room as an example. Very nice.

If you are going to hang your TV about your fireplace, be sure you have at least a nine inch mantel so that your TV does not suffer heat damage.

Have you considered using a ArtScreen to hide your flatscreen over your fireplace. This works well when trying to keep two focal points in one location without having to look at the television all the time. Please visit www.islandartscreen.com

Easily create your own wall pattern in any size, and enjoy being surrounded by natural wall design. Look here for the endless possibilities, and please leave your feedback behind: http://eccidesign.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=messages7

Helen Poll what software do you use?

Sofa table behind short end of sofa for lamp. Tall ficus plant at the end in front of window for visual height.

Maybe you should consider knocking down (if not weight bearing), wall between kitchen and living/family room. You would be adding the illusion of a larger living space, also you probably would have more space to push the door more towards the kitchen area, thus, leaving you more wall space in the living/family area. Of course I'm only guessing that your kitchen might have a couple of extra feet behind the wall that divides these two areas. If you do, your room will have that open concept everyone craves AND you can go to town with your decorating!

Never have a hubby design your home unless he decorates like a champ.

With that said, your furniture sectional is beautiful. I too have a long family room with a fireplace on center side wall!

This is what I did: I bought a gorgeous wall entertainment display for my HDTV against the wall.

I used the mantle on the fireplace to really display art and accessories.

I put my seating furniture (no sectionals for me, they kill my space) opposite the entertainment center. It really anchored the room better.

I have no idea how wide that sectional is but if you can, (which I doubt) I would have the back of it facing the kitchen. Then add a sofa table behind the sectional. Then when you're TV, you're not watching the kitchen too.

You can also check for colorful pillow covers, like green, orange, etc. Google for what colors fit best with your sofa colors. You've got a lot of good and nice colorful ideas from the other ones.

your room looks good ,now the addons are the piece of the jigsaw puzzle

Hello Design Dilemma! You have gotten a large response here with lots of good ideas. I'll add my 2 cents now. I would split up the sectional. I would center the section with the chaise on the far wall. I would add a little end table with a reading lamp in the corner at the chaise end side. Wouldn't that be comfy for reading?

I'd center the other section in front of the fireplace. You could get a nice ottoman that could serve as an end table/coffee table/ottoman - whatever purpose needed at the moment.

I would put up a nice mantle for the TV. Add a simple bookcase or wall shelves in the space between the glass door and the fireplace. You already said you were ditching the black entertainment center. You could add some glass shelves in front of the door and display some orange glass bottles, pottery, etc. You could put something on the floor in front of the door, like a trunk or a small, low cabinet and display trinkets or candles, plants, etc.

You could put a tall plant in the opposite corner to the left of the kitchen doorway.

I would paint the two walls behind the couches a shade of beige darker than the furniture. Personally, I like beige and blue. Since your kitchen is going to be white with blue backsplash, I would paint the living room wall by the kitchen entrance a blue-grey. I would also paint the wall with the fireplace the same blue-grey. I'd paint the fireplace a darker shade of blue. Watching TV with the wall a darker color is easier on the eyes than looking at a bright wall.

I'd put art behind both sections of sofa. If art is not affordable you can go to a fabric store and find some prints you like and mount and frame them, or buy inexpensive scarves. Carpet and fan can always be replaced later if you want. I don't think it's critical. It's all about the biggest impact you can make within your own budget.

Have fun!

@Staged for Perfection I use Photoshop....it's really helpful for stuff like this! I use it to choose paint colors all the time. May seem a bit too troublesome but I'm a visual person so it helps me a lot.

Forgot to add...white trim/baseboards. For your orange accents, mix it up with white, rust, brick red.

What did you decide on doing?

I really liked the idea of orange walls w/ turquoise curtains, centered sofa, very few parallel book shelves on back, big piece of wall art on the long side of sofa, lighting -semi-flush drum.
with the baby on its way, it will take a little longer time to finish the living room.
P.S. I will defin post the after-picture.
Thank you everyone!!!!!

For more art ideas, please check out our Houzz page. Enjoy!... Raisa

The right mirror in that living room would help enhance the lighting and give the illusion of space.