I would start with the rug. Go light and colorful. What are the dimensions of the room?

Suggest to face couch to TV, angle new chair or recliner slightly in front of that. If needed add a sofa table behind couch. To brighten the room you'll want a light color rug...Lush if the color of the year by Shaw Floors...green is in which will make it easy to coordinate. This guide will help you get the right sized rug: https://shawfloors.com/flooring/how-to/rugs/care-maintenance/get-the-right-size-for-your-space

For the window seats, use a pretty patterned material as a "cushion" then fill with fun coordinating pillows!

jck910 The room is approximately 17x16 with a long walkway between breakfast room and master retreat area. There is an open bar from kitchen to living room.

Floor Coverings International - Metro East The windows seats aren't really seats because they are right about the level of the back of sofa. More like a deep window ledge but needs desperate help with decorating.

Any specific run ideas greatly appreciated.

Floor Coverings International - Metro East - So you would just have the sofa and recline in a L-Shape pointing toward the TV? Would the sofa be back against the wall with the mirror or how far away? I'm concerned about width and the placement being too wide for our tiny living room. What about end table placement? I want new ones so open to suggestions.

You need to orient the items in the room so that everything makes sense. The sofas do not face the focal point wall (the fireplace and the TV wall). Do this first.

The problem you are having is that the room is dominated by the large and overwhelming amount of windows. Furthermore they do not look out to a desirable view. I strongly recommend you deal with the windows ASAP. In order to allow light into the room without darkening it too much, install shades which work from the bottom up. Meaning when you pull them up (and I would rec you leave them 3/4 of the way up at all times) you will be allowing light into the room from the top). Roman shades in a linen textured look in a light tan would work well as would a faux wood or stick style.

The large rectangle mirror is just another large mass which mimic the large windows. Replace this with a round mirror or metal work art or colorful art - anything other than another large rectangle mass with be an improvement.

Remove the two dark wood rectangles over the fireplace - if you do not use a round mirror on opposite wall, consider a round or oblong mirror over the fireplace.

Installing trim which mimics the detailing of the fireplace mantle would be enhancing and help mitigate the starkness of the windows.

Best.

the window overlook our backyard which normally is beautiful and lush. i had ehite wood blinds on the windows but it was even darker in the room because we have a large covered back patio which is wonderful. i need decor, rug, tables and lamps. suggestions appreciated.

The easiest place to start is rearranging furniture. Floor Coverings suggests moving the sofa parallel to and centered on the FP. Place the recliners where the sofa currently resides. The sofa should be 8-10-12 feet from the FP. (I don't know the size of the TV, chairs or sofa, hence the range of distances.) This creates a nice L-shaped conversation group. You are loosing about 1/3 of the room by creating the walkway with the two chairs as currently placed. The new arrangement will open that area. Would like to see a photo of the wall opposite the windows. Depending on measurements, the table with the mirror could be moved there so the mirror would reflect light from the windows.

thank you. the wall opposite of the Windows is a bar to the kitchen.

we couldn't put both chairs on the window wall because of it reclininh and needing to be away from the wall. another option? where would you put end tables? do yoy place sofa in from of mirrored wall directly or how much space should we leave between window mirror wall and back if sofa. awesome help and thank you.

I think your windows are pretty! I agree, rotate the sofa so it faces the tv/fireplace. Have you thought about hanging your mirror over the fireplace? I wouldn't put anything on your window sills, maybe hang those pictures on the wall as someone previously suggested. Definitely need a rug.

Center the sofa on the FP to determine how much space you have. Perhaps you can angle the recliner enough to put it on the window wall. Another option is to leave the sofa where it is and center the chairs on the FP.

thank you everyone. rug ideas? I'm pretty traditional but love the relaxed farmhouse look. i want something that builds my Foundation for decorating.

Maybe start with a rug like this, multi coloured, but contains some brown to relate back to the sofa colour, and also a light neutral that could be used on the walls.

Window sills, I would replace art above fireplace with a nice light painting

MarleneM suggested a great rug that could be the basis for a lighter, brighter look in this room. The current gold walls look rather heavy. Imagine instead a pale neutral pulled from the rug and lots more white woodwork from the new built in for the tv. Pretty. You might also update your lampshades--simple white drum shades--and remove decor from the window ledges.

@Irene, butting in to ask what the sources are for the two bottom photos you posted? LOVE those linen shades and the rugs (although not necessarily for the poster's room, I guess...)

If you're an amateur like me, the first thing I always need to do is empty the room of all clutter, including throw pillows, knick-knacks, framed photos, even lamps and smaller pieces of furniture unless I absolutely love them and know I want to use them, and then take a picture so you can really see what you're working with. Basically, strip the room down to the absolute basics and clearly see your starting point. :) And if you need the light from the windows and have a lovely view, I would keep it completely unobstructed, nothing at all on those sills.

For rugs, I would tape out an 8x10 and a 9x12 on your floor, to see what works best. Then, I would search Pinterest and Houzz for "traditional rugs," see what you like considering your paint and furniture colors, and post a few that spark your interest. You may also want to check Pottery Barn for wool rugs, Home Goods, and even World Market online or in person.

This room has great potential but you need a reboot. I've done by myself, it's a good workout. Get cartons and pack up ALL your small decor from the entire room, clear ALL surfaces and remove the lamps. Put the packed stuff, lamps and ottoman in the hall or another room temporarily. Take 4 clear photos standing in the middle of each wall, to show your current layout of the big furniture pieces.

Move your furniture as suggested above and take 4 photos of each layout that you try. You will most likely not use all the tables in certain layouts. If a layout works, keep in mind you can add one or two floor lamps instead of a sidetable/table lamp. You might need a different shape of coffee table/ottoman. The oval? table might work well in the corner of an L arrangement. Try both.

Add the photos to a comment on this post. Try your best to remove all the smalls so just the sofa, chairs & relevant tables show in the photos.

Don't buy a rug or sidetables until you figure out your layout. Use painters tape to mark the floor for the rug size you may need. Ideally, the front feet of the furniture should be on the rug.

Consider one or two wall hung frames for photos, similar to the Ikea Ribba that holds 3 photos, consider white frames. Stack them one over the other. I have mine in the hallway, not in the living room. I keep them updated, they are easy to change out. http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20243540/ 

Don't rely on overhead light. You need white or off white shades that are drum or nearly drum so light comes out the top & bottom and sides.

I loveBette P's advice and thing she is right on.

When I read your post I felt like you were looking for a new feel in your room.

Here are a few pics that might convey what you are looking for. They involve painting the room and I am not sure you want to go there, but for what it is worth here are pics that give a new look to leather furniture.

This is Farmhouse/industrial look. Paint walls Whiskers by PPG paint and chage out mantle, go with dark metal hooded lamps and wood/metal end tables and antique cocktail table....rug is to die for and adds brightness and the shag rug will hide dirt. Trim out windows as was suggested in earlier posts.

Again trim out in white, add white curtains on one long on inch wide minimum curtain rod. IKEA does white curtains and they are full and sold by the pair hem with iron on tape or go custom. Paint walls and add white furniture.

This room has white and navy in rug, natural wood lamps in like color, any type but wood I think, and pale blue additon of another chair and pillows and pale blue curtains and the art work in blue and white map....soft beige on wall or again Whiskers by PPG would work too....a more taupe tone.

I show you these because I think your paint is beautiful but will not bring you the look you want....painting is a pain but adds such a difference in all these rooms. You keep your large seating pieces and fill in with accessories for your new brighter look.

I totally missed the comment from northpoint2. Same tactic, empty the room of the small stuff to ponder.
For your TV area beside the FP, I would consider two doors on the bottom to hold components and simple shelves above the TV. What style door and color do you have in the kitchen? You could do a tight wire mesh inset in the panel of the doors to operate components with the doors closed if need be. Looks like the arch above would remain? I see you have an arched doorway. Maybe you need a transitional/slightly farmhouse style.
It would be helpful to add a photo looking towards your kitchen. It will help solve your TV area.

northpoint2, they are horchow rugs, not sure about linen curtains

Thank you everyone! I have lots to do and I plan on tackling things over the weekend. I moved the sofa yesterday to face the fireplace/tv. I have a question though. Should it be butted up against the window/mirror wall or how far away from the wall should it be? I put it about 4 ft from the wall with walking space between it and the sofa table below the mirror but it looks really strange. I really like the concept below and think this is the direction I'm headed. It is warm and inviting yet bright as well. The problem is that our room in rectangular with the walkway so I'm limited to the width for side tables and lamps.

Like that room a whole lot. If you aren't sure the do some tweaking and it will work out . Keep sending pics!

And side tables. One in all sizes think martini tables or Chinese garden bench.

Ditto Susan Davis' comment! Post photos after you have moved the furniture, state your concerns, and Houzzers will help you pull it all together!

You all have really opened my eyes to a lot already. I will post pictures very soon and ask for guidance. Thanks!!!

Hello Tina,

Can you show us an updated photo of the room with the sofa moved? That will help us get an idea of what looks "strange" about the placement.

Before you start adding to this room, I recommend taking out everything that you know you want to replace. That includes lamps, tables, stools...everything. This will let you see where the gaps are and what you will really benefit from in this room.

Since you already know that you want to do a built-in instead of a piece of furniture in your cubby, I would go ahead and start planning that, and even have it installed if you can, for more pictures. I also want to caution you against making any changes to the shape of the cubby - it looks like it mimics your door opening and those arches are typically indicative of 20's homes. They're an architectural feature, so it's okay to play that up instead of minimizing it.

Unless you need 2 chairs, you could do fine with just one. Something like this:

One recommendation: rather than spreading your photos all along your window ledge, try grouping them into sections. Right now they feel scattered and disorganized. Putting them in groupings will make them feel more intentional.

I'm such a visual and this totally helped! I will certainly upload some pictures tonight of the "odd" placement. Thank you!!

Here is a similar layout design for your living room that we used in a design of ours. Just exclude the one couch from the photograph below to make things work for your layout.

Ok Houzz friends. I've cleared out all the clutter except mirror and armoire. I'm going to tackle the fireplace once space is moving along. The mirror will not fit over the mantle because it is almost the exact same height as the space. What are your thought? i need to put something under the mirror wall right like the sofa table before or do i actually put it behind the sofa? The Ottoman can go but left it for placement. Please excuse the clutter that was placed in kitchen and bar area. Lots of stuff!

behind sofa

@nicolainteriors

Looking good! Center the couch on FP, it looks angled in photo. Pull the chair forward so you can walk behind it. I know it must be heavy, but play with it a bit. Also, measure mirror table, it MIGHT work back where it was. You are getting there!!!

PS. It looks like the doggies are having fun!

keep it simple! you have great pcs. like a designer told me once, just do what a magician does and bring someone's eye somewhere i'd say 1) super bold print fabric valences inside/top of each window. this can be done in a super inexpensive way with fabric from a fabric store. wouldnt even need a sewing machine or hardware if you get creatve. just think a pop of bright color/pattern 2) take away all the picture frames and small items off the surfaces 3) move the two pcs of artwork over the mantel to be just a few inches above it.

How about painting the tv armoire you have white, the walls white (Ben Moore, Dove White or Simply White) and place natural bamboo blinds with a nice finished valance in the windows. This would tie in your dark furniture and wood floor while contrasting with the new white paint. Some nice ivory, pillows (Irene's post) would look better on the dark furniture. Clear the window sills, add a mirror above the fireplace and a light coloured area rug (Home sense?) (Susan's post) Pick up a couple of white linen drum shades for the lamps so they look related and I think you are well on your way. Have fun! All this is relatively inexpensive and would make a huge difference.

Tina, the room is looking fabulous! With heavy dark colored furniture it can be difficult to "brighten" it up. A smaller mirror may make more sense...currently it's large with all large furniture... Some ideas as above for the window sills are great...clear vases, light flowers/plants (not thick leaved or dense) or candles.