Hmmm I'm not sure. I like this new setup as a change of pace but I don't know. What are your thoughts on which is better? This way or L shape. You guys are the good sports for weighing in!! :)

How do you feel when you sit in the space. I just changed my living room around so that the sofa has it's back to the dining room. I then put a sofa table, and I do not understand why I did not do this years ago. I am much more comfortable in the space now, than I was before. My focal point is the fireplace.

Again, how do you feel in the space. This will help determine which arrangement is best for you.

Agree! You know what mkes you feel the best in your room.

Tried back to L shape...may make the room look a little bigger...more area for kids to play..because even though it isn't technically a play room they tend to hang out where we do. :)

What are you doing in that room? Are you reading? Talking? I know you have extended family but when its just the family?

Mostly reading/talking

So you need a comfy space with a great rug and a soft coffee table? How about some lights? Are you eating or drinking in there? If you got a chair with an ottoman you could have flexible seating.

Pull both sofas 16" to 24" from the wall, center the chairs directly across from the sofa on "the one window wall". The goal is to make a "U" of furniture for conversation. Either configuration works for the room, do what works for you and your family. Accessories and color will bring this room to life and you will have a lot of help on those choices! Target and Tuesday Morning also have good selections of rugs

I would add a large rug, definitely curtains, darken the frames on your art work, place a coffee table and add end tables with lamps to use instead of the track lights.

I agree. The book cases are too small for that room. Do you have four curios? A large framed mirror or two would be nice in there and a large plant or tree that the toddlers will not tear up and won't be harmful to them.

Go with the L shape, it is more spacious. If you can, purchase two comfy chairs and bring them closer to form a conversational area. You can pull one of the sofas away from the wall(you choose which one) and put a sofa table behind it - then add lamps and other accessories. This room has good bones(crown moulding, hardwoods, arched entries, finished baseboard mouldings, nice paint color).

I like the L shape and agree pulling the end chairs together and closer. Later you can add a slipper chair or two. Please remove book shelves with photo albums to another room. Leave curios flanking entry. Leather ottoman best choice. Neutral light area rug with texture. Add color and pattern through drapes, toss pillows, throws and art.

Possible end tables for sofa on back wall..Can start with one in corner between the 2. Since you are going with an ottoman, you need a solid surface to set drinks instead of a sofa table. Larger base for lamp. You can add matching on other side of back sofa or a floor lamp.

http://www.target.com/p/vennilux-round-end-table-black-signature-design-by-ashley/-/A-50393905

http://www.target.com/p/balinder-round-end-table-medium-brown-signature-design-by-ashley/-/A-50486929 - stone top more kid friendly

You can also just go with just the single chair on the small wall by the dining room entry.

possible lamps will add warmth

http://www.target.com/p/metallic-ceramic-lamp-base-large-bronze-glaze-includes-cfl-bulb-threshold/-/A-17299847?lnk=rec|pdpipadh1|related_prods_vv|pdpipadh1|17299847|0

Any ideas what to do with the books and photo albums I till I buy new bookcases? This is the best room for me to have the books right now.

How about a closed console?

I'm just afraid that if they aren't open to see, the kids will never touch them. Lol

Oh, we want your children to have access to books, says the retired teacher, so perhaps you could rotate them through into attractive baskets.

Basket idea can be nice, as long as we keep it to just books! :). For now I made a little book nook in the corner. I know it's not ideal but at least for now. I feel like maybe they are a drop more hidden there. (One of them is kind of "in" the wall)

Keep your eyes on Craigslist for a "barrister(s) bookcase". It would be ideal for your books (you can leave some of the the glass on the bottom shelves open until your kids get a little older) AND your collectibles.

It would go lovely with your existing furnishings (any furnishings really as it's a classic look)

What color would your sofas are? I'm thinking a bright rust/dull coral rug would be lovely...

Sofas are like a very deep olive (almost brown)

What about something like this? (Note the first one is the incorrect size....)

If that color scares you, you could safely do a red...

So I had actually purchased this rug at target once but ended up returning it cuz it wasn't big enough but and I never followed up...

Here is an example of rug and furniture placement that may help.

Isn't the rug supposed to go under the front feet of both couches?

Personally, I prefer the rug slip under the front 1/3 of the sofa and extend past the ends by a foot or so. With just the front feet on it I'm reminded of a fat lady testing the water before she gets in the pool. I want a committed and grounded look, myself.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/11-area-rug-rules-and-how-to-break-them-stsetivw-vs~222609

Generally, yes, but with some rugs it would conceal the unique pattern variations.

So you think my original rug could have worked. I see that you CAN possibly do no feet on rug but I thought that was a no no

Let's talk about curtains, side tables and chairs...colors, types? This is all so very helpful. Thank you everyone

I tend to break a lot of rules. I don't care for drapes that begin in the middle of the area above the window. I am not fooled into thinking the room is bigger if the furniture is "floating" (I totally get that it needs to be that way if you live in a castle or some other massive area, though, for ease of conversation...but most of us don't). I don't need my rug to be under the sofa, necessarily.

It really all depends on what LOOKS right.

Do you have anything in your ideabooks? Things you like or things that tickle your fancy?

Sometimes I'll put stuff together even though I know it won't work in a literal sense, because I can get the same "feeling" with similar items that I can afford/are the right size.

Bookshelves are too small, and art is too high. The room need a generously-sized rug. You might consider wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling drapes for the window wall.

Geez, the little shelves, bookcases, corner shelves, display cases, curio cabinets, etc, etc, etc...they all need to go.

They are crowding all of your rooms making it difficult to arrange the necessary furniture and giving your rooms a messy, busy feel.

No new drapes until you get rid of the the shelves loaded with clutter.

You might even be able to turn the dining table if there was more space without the cabinets in the corners.

Have you noticed a trend here? I think it is "get rid of the bookcases," and you must find another place for them if the books on them are indispensable.

I agree with Pennydesign, look through photos on Houzz to get some ideas about what you like. Think about where you would like to have pattern, in the chairs, the drapes and/or the rug. The picture I posted from Houzz shows how a designer can break the "rules" and still put together a very inviting room. The sofas are tight against the walls, not floating, the rug isn't under the furniture legs and the "too small" pictures are hung rather high, and look at that boldly patterned rug next to the boldly colored and patterned chair, but I certainly love this room! There are certainly guidelines that make rooms pleasing to the eye and more comfortable. Interior design is art and the beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Love that chair!! But would I be crazy to get s light color?? My little one finds pens and markers everywhere! ;)

Yikes Teri hold your fire. The kiddos are gonna wreck it. Maybe someday. Enjoy it now.

Teri, would you like to start with a rug? There have been some beautiful examples posted.

What do we think of this ottoman? It's really more cream than looks in pic.

Chair?

Or stick with leather for ottoman?

You need to decide where you want your main pattern - rug or ottoman. If you get a leather ottoman, you have patterned fabric options for the rug, pillows, chairs and drapes. The ottoman is going to get dirty - leather is more forgiving.

Do you live near an Ikea? They have ottomans with removable covers for washing...

Yeah maybe I could get around there some day...I was just strolling the home goods department of marshals lol :)

For those still following, here's where I'm at. :). Yes...still planning to get rid of those curtains...and still lots to do in this room... :)

Add a large rug--choose a nice one. Change the curtains--add color even print and texture. Get a nice coffee table--square and large. Opposite wall-- place a nice armoire and a dresser with marble top. Place a nice table lamp on the dresser and add accessories and match with a mirror or nice painting or wall art. Buy two nice arm chairs place opposite one of the couches. Add accessories to walls and coffee table. Perhaps a pair of sconces somewhere. I cannot see your room, but I hope it works.

You've done a good job in choosing your rug. It fits very well.