Is this better? I can draw something later when I have materials available. We are a family of four but are hoping to host the holidays beginning next year. So we’ll have lots of family. I’m not stuck on sectionals... but we’ve always had them.

Also... I’m not keen on the tv being over the fireplace because the sitting area seems to be too close. The bottom of the stairs are only 13 feet from the fireplace. I’m thinking the tv maybe on the right wall separating the kitchen.

I agree - it's not too bad. Try to enlarge the plan if you can. We had one house where there was a huge family room that went from front to back of the house. You really just need to divide it up. Like Patricia said, have a seating group around the fireplace (add a narrow console behind the couch). But I would plan on that small area to the left of the stairs to be your tv watching space. Separate the built-ins to center one in each space and find some seating that will work in that corner by the stairs.

Though the measurements of the living space are 23x25... the space to the left of the stairs is only 16ft wide. I think it’s too cramped of a space for the tv. And I’d like the viewing area closer to the fireplace so we can enjoy both at the same time. I agree we’re going to need two different sitting areas but it’s the tv viewing area that’s giving me the biggest struggle. I’d like a large tv... 65in maybe. The built ins to the left of the plan are not set in stone. Only the outside walls have been constructed. So we’re working around... the French doors, two walkways, two windows on side and double window in front and the stairs.

I would go to a few furniture stores and look for an arrangement you think could work and then measure the space and see how well it works. Yes, it will be different in your home with walls and stairwells but you won't know until you feel it in person. Or like Foxy said use some boxes to block out not just the footprint but the bulk of the furniture.

Awesome visual mnmamax3... thanks for taking the time to work on this. I never thought of this plan. Thanks everyone for the thoughts and suggestions... asking for different point of views sometimes confuses me... but you’ve all been helpful. I appreciate your time for responding. Keep ‘me coming.

Are you set on having the doors to the outside in that space? If you're willing to lose that access to the outside, I might consider replacing them with windows that have a tall sill height, leaving you room for the built-ins underneath on either side of the FP. You could design the cabinetry so that the TV could be at viewing height in one of the units, and leave space for books, objects, etc. in the other. That way you have a single "focal point" for the room and can arrange the largest seating area around it. Then, next to the stairs on the opposite side you can have a smaller, more intimate seating area, e.g. a couple of large lounge chairs with a small table in between for reading, or a great space for board/card games for family nights.

Something like this, but with larger windows:

Happy to help. That's why this site is so useful - sharing experiences we have each had that can benefit others. It can be confusing and maybe what you end up doing will be some blend of what everyone has told you, or maybe something else entirely, but if one little snippet of advice helps you see something in a new light, it's totally worth it. If you really want to be able to see the fireplace from the other side of the room, you could also have two smaller couches facing each other on either side of the fireplace.

Sabrina... the house is framed. The French doors will be in next week. Our architect didn’t seem to think the stairs would impede on the family room as much as it is. I wasn’t happy when it was framed because it broke the room up into a difficult formation. We had to work with the existing foundation.

Ah. OK, thought you were still in planning mode. I think the two-zone suggestion still applies. As long as your cabinetry is being built in on the long wall, you might consider a window seat under the windows on either side. With a nice upholstered cushion and pretty window treatments, it could soften the look of all the built-ins.