I think wall mounting the tv and buying a buffet to go under it would make it look more finished and provide storage.

The pictures over the couch need to shift right to be centered properly, and could come down a bit (4"?) at the same time.

I like to go easy on TV walls, which are inherently busy and heavy at the base. You could maybe put your clear glass candelabra down there, for a little slimmer. Then I might put a floor lamp behind/next to the chair and call it a day. (Without the structure to the wall, maybe a print there, but that seems to be edged out physically...)

We are in a rental and can't mount TV there, even if it is the logical place in apartment to mount TV.

One of these depending the look you are going for.

ACM, thanks for tips on pics. I am going to rehang once room is done. What do you think in terms of floor lamp? Does it need to be same height as TV? I am not quite sure what you mean by structure to the wall, edged out. Thanks again for your insights.

Susan, thanks for the suggestions. As we are in a rental, I am trying to hold down costs on furnishings. If not the case, I would buy the second suggestion like that!

Other suggestions? Still stumped on what to do around TV, including the wall.

I would remove the chair and center your tv stand on the wall. The four pictures you currently have over your sectional would look great over the tv, and are the right size. Look for one large piece of art to use over the sofa, because you already have many small things on the bookcases.

Center the TV and credenza on their wall, moving the chair to the sofa side and opposite the bookcases. Style the bookcase with 1/3 books, 1/3 large decor items, 1/3 open space and a maximum of 3 photos layered in different heights per side and not on the same shelf. Arrange the pix behind the sofa, centered two over two with the bottom ones 5" above the sofa back. When you can afford it, get end tables that arrive within 1" above or below the sofa arms. When you add a table lamp the two should measure 58-64" above the floor. I think the rug is too large for the room. Is that red one in the other room too small to work with the sofa? More pix will help us offer more refined suggestions.

Thanks for all these insights and suggestions. The rug helps divide the room into two activities. The reddish one in the foyer is approx 5 x 8. Would that be too small for this area? Feels like it to me but fresh eyes may know better. I tried to place the chair next to the sectional but it is the same height and looked strange. Interesting idea to place pics over TV. Their current spot is in sight line from entry to apartment and many folks compliment in that spot.

So we're not seeing the other activity part of the room? You might want to let us in on the entire room's function. You may be surprised at how that could be improved. You need some visual height in the room, so stacking the pictures does that while they can still be seen from the entry. That may also alleviate the feeling you had that the sofa and chair at the same height were strange. Break up the "low" feeling with the vertical.

Thanks for responding! Here are few more views of the room - as I mentioned the other half of the room is our DR. Kids and DH also use table for HW, weekend work, review bills, etc - as we are in an apt, lots of our spaces have double, triple uses. New pillows arrived just now and I think they tie in with the photos above sectional unlike the ones I had before. Very interested in your thoughts now.

Have you tried your rug turned the other way? It may extend toward the doorway and may be in the traffic flow, but will fit the space better I think. Any plans to hook up a swagged chandelier to the overhead light and hang it above the dining table? Since the drop leaf table is too high for your sofa arm, try moving it left of the kitchen door and lowering that piece of art above it. Then bring the smaller table around to its place and add a slim arc floor lamp in that corner.

As this is a rental, I am trying to minimize costs, so chandeliers, etc are out for moment. Thanks for suggestion on moving drop leaf table. What do you think about the TV wall? That is what is really vexing me at the moment.

Have you tried to turn the rug to see if it suits the room better. It looks like that would be a start. After moving the drop leaf table, there is a small pedestal table near red rug in other room that can be used on right side of sofa with lamp and rust chair. Rust chair will look great next to new pillows and maybe put one new pillow in rust chair. Add floor lamp to left side of sofa. Centering TV console and removing "stuff" will improve look. Then you could look for a metal sculpture about 2/3 the width of TV to place over it. You might want to slide the sofa right a couple of inches if necessary.

And I forgot to add that an elongated candle sconce on each wall beside the TV would be an inexpensive way to add a little interest as well.

I'd add big artwork surrounding, but not centering, the tv. It'll visually hide the tv while adding interest to that wall.

Like the surrounding art suggestion though I don't really have anything that would work in room. Also, I can't get the TV flat against the wall, so worry that there may be depth issues with art on wall. Alternatively, what about an African mask mounted on a display stand on console next to TV, then place a floor lamp behind the chair as suggested by another commenter?

The TV wall is just that. Once the viewing vignette is centered that's really all I'd do. When it is on it is art; moving art with lots of color. If you want to invest, you might find a paneled screen to set behind it, or you could cover an old folding screen with fabric to add color and pattern. Another idea is to drop a long panel of cloth behind it. Find that at a fabric store sale. It can be stapled to the wall and staples covered with some glued on fabric trim. Easy to repair when you move out.

First I'd find a better place to store the random baskets on the floor by the TV. I'd add a floor lamp something like this, so it sheds light on your chair. I wouldn't clutter the wall behind the TV with anything. Your dining room is open and sparsely filled. I'd keep this wall open so it blends with the dining space. If you can, I'd turn that leafed table next to your couch so it hugs the wall rather than creating a somewhat awkward wall between the rooms. If you want to have 2 identical lamps on either side of your couch, you should have them at the same height. Right now, the one on the left looks crammed into a corner and is too low. Either replace the table for a taller one, or remove it all together, opting for a simple round little table and tall thin lamp.

Barbara, thanks for your suggestions. What would you suggest for style of lamps adjacent to sectional? Or keep those just level them?

Setting aside the great suggestions for the moment and returning to the TV stand side of room - what if I hung black/white maps in black frames on the wall behind the TV? Too stark in comparison to rest of room? If not that, then what might I be able to do on the cheap? Also thinking about mounting an African mask on a display stand and setting it next to TV.

The TV wall is relatively small and you already have art for this room. It really seems to be bugging you, so maybe you should paint it and then paint it back when you move out.

Here are two TV walls we did for clients. Perhaps seeing them will help you move forward with your own.