The design style/arrangement may work for you. Notice the airy furniture on legs and angle of the chair that could be facing your fireplace. This is a small space with big style.

Mid Century Modern Living Room - Small Bungalow · More Info

You might want to keep going with colors already there: paint, brick, wood. This might not be your thing, but you could have other than grey sofa: oatmeal, beige, mushroom... ?

Surya Shadi 18"x18" Medium Square Pillow Cover · More Info

If you love soft grey sofa, at least bring in a bit of warm.... don't try to use too many colors, if it's small.

Safavieh Vintage Persian Collection VTP411 Rug, Grey/Multi, 5'x7'6" · More Info

If you have art or a pillow you love, probably it'll work. Post and we'll talk!!

Nourison Karma Ash Area Rug · More Info

One thing I like is the question: what do you want your room to feel like?: informal cheerful... elegant ritzy.... feminine dreamy.... garden fresh.... urban exciting?

here's another:

Kosas Home Marseille Printed 18" Throw Pillow, Red · More Info

There are other sizes and colors. Cinnabar 70 POLYESTER 30 COTTON Design Accents, LLC W 20" / D 14" / H 5"

Hand Woven Poly Nubs Funberry Twin Stripe Pillow, Cinnabar, 14"x20" · [More Info[(https://www.houzz.com/products/design-accents-hand-woven-poly-nubs-funberry-stripe-pillow-cinnabar-14x20-prvw-vr~54842414)

[https://www.houzz.com/products/design-accents-hand-woven-poly-nubs-funberry-stripe-pillow-cinnabar-14x20-prvw-vr~54842414[(https://www.houzz.com/products/design-accents-hand-woven-poly-nubs-funberry-stripe-pillow-cinnabar-14x20-prvw-vr~54842414)

"Just because your space is small doesn’t mean your sofa has to be....If your seating takes up space, look for coffee tables that are visually less weighty, such as ones that are glass, or open underneath."

Houzz 'stories' [articles] are very helpful:

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/5-decorating-tips-for-getting-scale-right-stsetivw-vs~67837057[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/5-decorating-tips-for-getting-scale-right-stsetivw-vs~67837057)

IMO without any measurements and a floor plan all we are doing is guessing and the pics don’t really help with all the boxes everywhere. Plants will have to added where they fit and where they will get light so wait for those until furniture is in

Precise measurements are going to be key for you. What are you hoping to fit in the space? Do you need a tv area? Eating area? Are you going to keep the dog crate in your main room or in the bedroom?

There are many easy online floor plan programs or you can sketch one to share.

Also, apartment real estate listings often have photos with optimal furniture arrangements. Do you know how the previous renters arranged the room?

Think first about the function of the room...will it be primarily seating? Will it be mostly TV watching? Do you want to read or game in a cozy chair? Do you entertain? How many guests? Will you want it to do double duty for sleepovers for friends? Once you figure out your primary activities and functions, then design the furnishings so it fits your purposes.

I'm assuming you'll have a TV. I would make that the focal point and ignore the fireplace. Find a rug you love, in as large a size as the room will accommodate, and then decide on your furniture placement, after measuring how many pieces will fit.

(1) Don't think you have to get a sofa if a loveseat or chairs will function better. Embrace the size of the room for what it is.

(2) In a small room, every detail matters, so only buy what you truly love.

(3) Wall space is key in a small room-- that's where you can add the most. Relative the rest of the room, it's often where you have the most space. Consider adding removable wallpaper or decals... think about how you want your art arranged, or maybe some sort of shelving.

(4) Before anything else, as suggested above-- think function. And then think: DOUBLE function. Again, since "everything" matters in a small room think about how furniture esp. can have more than one purpose.

Personally, I love small rooms. Please keep us updated.

This blue is cool and could go with green or turquoise pillows, with brick tone in a pattern.

• Loveseat Measurements: 37.5"L x 61"W x 22"H

• Seat Measurements: 44"W x 22"D x 11"H

• Lounging Platform Measurements: 75"L x 61"W x 11"H

• Ottoman Measurements: 21.5" x 21.5" x 10.5"

Zipline Convertible Sleeper Loveseat With 2 Ottomans, 3-Piece Set, Marine · More Info

• Made with pride in Atlanta, GA

Manufactured ByJaxx Casual Living

Always Ikea! Sofa offers new covers, so you can make a change later....

Karlstad Sofa, Isunda Gray · More Info

One or the other might be a good blend with 'dusty red brick' --

Mirage Medallion Capri 16.5" Throw Pillow · More Info

Laural Home Royal Blue Bohemian Tapestry 18" X 18" Indoor Decorative Pillow · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/mirage-medallion-capri-165-throw-pillow-prvw-vr~37243467

https://joybird.com/sale/#!sort_by=low-to-high&page=5

Angelic, I don't think your landlord will allow you to add a mantle but you can ask. To make the fireplace look less like a black hole, you can put large candles or birch logs inside and find an inexpensive fire screen.

You can Google for various methods to clean the soot and dirt from your fireplace brick. A cleaner fireplace will make your space look more fresh.

Are you going to keep your dog crate in that space? If you can't work out installing it on your fireplace , that little wall is also a good spot for a tv.

Mind your viewing distance if installing TV on the fireplace...shorter distance to the higher installed TV=bigger strain on your neck, vision, you name it. Everyone and its tolerance..but comfort and function should come first in every decision made, so consider your optimal viewing distance etc. Frankly I'd go with the adjacent wall for TV placement, but I'm extremely sensitive to such things.

I happen to like your fireplace. Nice room. Great challenge to have if you ask me.

Yes, as many mentioned already, some sort of rough plan with dimensions, and listing your main expectations from your living, for your needs and wants, would help a lot with specific suggestions.