First of all, I suggest you paint the walls a couple of shades lighter than the current color. This will make the space seem larger off the bat. You have a beautiful fireplace and right now it looks like you're trying to hide it. The room should be surrounded around the fireplace. If you do need to have a desk in this space, I suggest you put it against the opposite wall, where the two frames are hanging. The desk you currently have lpoks like a nice antique piece, however does not go with the rest of the room's aesthetic. Maybe something a bit more sleek and modern. If you would like to keep a desk in this area, I would put a sofa in front of the window (not directly against the window though). If you can get rid of the desk altogether, I woupd suggest a sectional running from the front of the windows to the opening that leads to the bathroom. Now, you have two nice sofa chairs, but they only seats 2 and although they look really comfy, are too big for this space. If you it's in your budget, replace them with smaller ones. Either way, place the two sofa chairs where the desk is now. One right near the fireplace, and one angled near the opening to the stairs. Keep the opened and inviting instead of showing the back of the chairs and hiding the fireplace. Perhaps have the stone on the fireplace go all the way to the ceiling making the ceiling seem taller. Or mount a TV above the mantle. Also, am I seeing things, or is the ceiling the same color as the walls?!

I think I would disregard the separation of carpet and wood and pretend it didn't exist. I would move the piano to the opposite wall, under the two paintings. I would get a curved sofa and put it in front of the fireplace. I would add some sort of rug under the sofa to obscure the line that separates the carpet and the wood.

That looks to be oak flooring. If so, then just have the rug replaced with oak that is feathered into the existing flooring. Strip the existing down and have all of it stained the same color. Then start with a clean slate. Can you use a larger dining table for entertaining? That one looks a little skimpy. A small sofa with end tables and lamps can go on the wall where you have the pictures. Hang a large new piece of art 5" above it. In summer, I'd gather 4 chairs and a round coffee table or hassock in front of the west window. When the fireplace is in use, circle them there. Or split them up, using two at the fire and two with the coffee table over by the sofa. Once the fabrics and textiles are chosen, you'll be able to pick the correct paint color to make a big change. If you miss the carpet, then add an area rug to ground the 4-chair group.

Perhaps putting sofa on a diagonal facing fireplace, perhaps desk can go on opposite wall

Our first suggestion would be to replace the flooring in that section that is currently carpet. This would easily fix the issue. If that is not something you want to do then we suggest moving the piano to the wall with the two pieces of art on it. Then you can put a sofa in front of the fireplace. There are many options to doing that when it is on an angle like this. You can put the sofa on a diagonal, you can make an L shape with a sofa and the two chairs you have, or you could possibly get a curved sofa.

Removing the carpeting to match the flooring is a great idea and would make the room look more cohesive, however if it's not in your budget, it really not the main issue here. I feel that it's the current furniture layout and lack of a sofa usually found in a living room area is. Another thing, is there really a piano in this room?! I see a desk, a guitar, but no piano. If there is a piano, definitely show that baby off.

Rachel, I must have missed the piano. Isn't that a roll top desk?

I go along line mentioned to try chairs around the fireplace... a cozy spot to gather, to read... and desk on other wall.

decosenthusiaste, I see a roll top desk as well. Others mentioned a piano. Was wondering if I missed something.

I have a very similar deal in my house....we just got more oak and had it all refinished....It was SOOOO worth it...

I agree with moving the desk to the wall where the two paintings are now and arranging the chairs around the fireplace. Are you hoping to add any other furniture? I think the gray paint is too cool for all the warm colors in the space and would look for a nice warm white to brighten up the space. I would also raise the curtain rods so the curtains are about 1/2" off the floor. You might double up the panels to add more fullness as well. You could hang one piece of art above the fireplace and put the second above the desk.

Hi everyone - thanks for all of the advice and ideas! I can confirm there is no piano :). Just that giant, heavy desk and a my son's guitar in that spot right now. And yes, the ceiling is the same gray as the walls.

We'd love to replace the carpet with the wood floors at some point, but that probably won't happen for a long while. Over the shorter term, I am planning to repaint a lighter color and replace the furniture. I have no love for that desk!

When we moved in, I tried our old 7' sofa in this room in every configuration I could imagine. I finally gave up trying. It just never worked, but this could be because we were limiting ourselves to the carpeted area. When we put the couch angled in front of the fireplace, it felt too close to the fireplace and it was difficult for people to move around.

Again, thank you for putting your mind toward my puzzle!

Just get an estimate in the time being...you may be surprised. Or you may be shocked :)

I agree it's a pita...we also have a carpeted area with a weird shape (but tile into the kitchen) and it is very limiting...I wish we could do that part also this year, but there are other things going on...like eating. And bills. :(

It feels to me like there isn't really room to do a sofa in front of the fireplace ? I think a better fit would be two chairs and a small table btwn and then put another seating area on the other side of the space
I think if you just take everything out? U may see a ton of possibilities that are hard to see now :) good luck! It's a lovely home

How many people do you want to seat in the room at once? How do you want the room to function? A place to sit and visit with a glass of wine before dinner? A reading area? A place to curl up with a book and a fire on a cold day? Do you want the desk gone?

Move the desk somewhere else.

Move the big desk to the opposite wall. Bring the chairs over to form a cozy conversation spot near the fireplace. Rearrange the tables, lamps and art. The dents on the rug can be brushed/raked out over time.