It's always a challenge to work with an interior you don't own. I would ask the landlord about the blinds, it may be acceptable to remove them to storage and put them back when you move. This way you can install something much more to your liking, both the windows and sliding glass door should have the same length drapery, from header to floor to help balance the space.

For a layout, (without knowing the size or shape of your furniture), you could place a sofa facing the long wall and lining up the arm with the left side facing opening of the fireplace. A coffee table (not too large) centered on the opening and a swivel chair or too across from the sofa. This would give a comfortable functioning arrangement to watch TV and also enjoy the fireplace (if you use it). The area behind the sofa could be used for dining. In smaller spaces such as this I recommend using a round table rather than a rectangle. The round shape lends itself to a better path of travel and does not box in the flow as much between the different function areas in an open plan.

I hope this helps.

Oh I wanted to show one more view of the space and show the furniture pieces we are working with. A sofa, 2 arm chairs, entertainment unit (but just the console got rid of the top piece), a low bookshelf, 2 storage cubes, and a large leather coffee table ottoman. Although they are not the best we are not in a position to get new furniture at the moment but I do hope to get some new decor pieces (pillows, lamps, possibly a new rug, baskets to tidy up the book shelf).

Oh I'm so surprised I already got 2 answers, thank you!

@elle9, these are the dimensions listed on rental info sheet. LR: 20X12 Dinning: 10x16 (you can see the dinning room area in my second post). The doors open to the right, so you would go outside closest to the fireplace. My sofa is a little less then 7 ft. I was thinking that wall also.

@Katie, I will ask about the blinds and thank you for the great tip on making the drapery the same length, will definitely do that.

I like your idea but the area shown in the pic above is just the living room, so I dont have to fit a dinning area in that space. You can see the dinning area in my second post.

You can remove the vertical vanes and use the little clips that held them for some lightweight sheers or crinkle cotton treatment. I don't suppose the FP is wired for TV above. You'll probably have to install it where the connections are. If your two chairs were swivels, it would be much easier. Ideally, I'd like to see them flank the FP while the sofa faces it, but with the TV on one of the walls, I don' t think that is the best solution. Maybe you should get your stuff moved in, re-photo it and let us help you shove it around until you get the right arrangement. I do think you're going to need a large area rug, so shop for it first, letting the colors in it help you with accent color for the space. homedecorators.com is a good place to find one.

@decoenthusiates Your probably right, I will wait until I move in and repost this.

Both respondents have really good ideas. I don't think Kate Anderson meant to put the sofa on the wall but in the room, perpendicular to the fireplace. Did you mean to put the entertainment center on the wall next to the dining area to the right if you're facing the fireplace, or the wall next to the smaller window in the LR? If the latter, the sofa would be perpendicular to the right end of the fireplace, again facing the entertainment center.

When you get your furniture in and see the space the seating area takes up, you can determine what size rug you need to define it.

Since your rich chocolate colored upholstery is basically monochromatic, you have a great opportunity to bring some color into the mix, beginning w/ the carpet. There are so many ways you can go. Light blue or teal is always great and easy with brown and you can add a bright green or royal blue. Or you can go with coral and blue, or rust and green, etc. etc. A rug can help you decide on the colors, too.