Remove the bookshelves and all the little photos, as well as the vase and flowers. Remove the clock over the tv. Extend the window coverings to the upper windows. I’d also consider replacing your entry light. I don’t see a great alternative for your tv placement unless you have another room you can dedicate to watching television.

I agree with everything you’ve suggested. I am not good at decorating so need ideas on what I should replace it all with. We want new everything in our living room. Here is another view looking down to the living room.

Are you keeping the built in sideboard and walls red?

Yes, for now but eventually We want to do something different with that also. I don’t think the wet bar can be entirely removed because we think they are supports for the upstairs. We want to paint over the red and completely re-design the “formal dining” room as well.

I agree with taller drapes also. I’ve included a photo below. Disregard the two chairs in front, but notice the other furniture. I think an arrangement of a chaise sectional and two chairs opposite it would work well in your room as it wouldnt block entrances. Since the tv stays above fp, I would suggest mounting it on an articulating arm so it can be angled towards seating.

Since you are limited on location for the tv, what if you added doors or art panel to cover it when not in use?

I never thought of putting doors or art to cover the TV when not in use. That’s a great idea!

I don't think raising the rod would matter. Wouldn't the window then look like a black rectangle sitting atop the rod ....

are you saying you won't have a nice round table in front of the patio doors?

How much do you use the fireplace? How long do you plan to be in this house?

Between the red walls - is the ceiling light directly centered over the wet bar?

We plan on staying in the house for at least 10 more years. We’ve lived in our house for 8 years now. The fireplace doesn’t work so we never use it. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind somehow building a wall in place of the fireplace but that will probably cost a lot more than I want to spend right now.

Everdebz I think I misunderstood you about the rods... i assume your talking about the curtains. I definitely want to raise them higher above the top windows.
The ceiling light between the red walls is centered directly over the wet bar. Behind that area is supposed to be a formal dining room but we are currently not using it for that. I would mind removing the wet bar to have a more open concept between the living room and dining room.

Oh, above them -- would you miss the light from uppers?

Does that mean also to cover upper window above patio doors? I know you said 20' long, but it's narrow at 10' [?] -- Would it seem closed in?

Brainstorming -

Between "posts" drywall and accent on DR side - banquette could sit against that wall [with regular table and chairs].

This table is where I'd try a banquette.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/jewell-street-addition-contemporary-living-room-austin-phvw-vp~101777

W 48" / D 32.5" / H 40" / for one side of a dining table....Neatly tailored / antique brass nail head trim / tall tapered legs. 100% polyester is durable and easy to clean. By R2H for $228.

https://www.houzz.com/products/upholstered-banquette-leisure-prvw-vr~49659387

Or extra seating on LR side? .... more casual than DR....

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/carnegie-hill-residence-breakfast-area-traditional-dining-room-new-york-phvw-vp~204857[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/carnegie-hill-residence-breakfast-area-traditional-dining-room-new-york-phvw-vp~204857)

And seems to me with already long room you don't need more length by connecting more with DR [and you said they support upstairs anyway]...

Ideas: a 2 way gas fireplace between red posts. Faucet there: a fountain.

The fp is nice, but....does it have fp on 2nd floor... your house isn't that old, but checking. :)

yes, it's red.... checking if upper windows have black metal frames, at all transitional?

[https://www.houzz.com/products/vitrum-h-red-freestanding-ventless-ethanol-fireplace-prvw-vr~68513907[(https://www.houzz.com/products/vitrum-h-red-freestanding-ventless-ethanol-fireplace-prvw-vr~68513907)

Idk what your ideabooks have for your style plans, etc... but better with your nice fp would be to close the red up, and place a wonderful secretary desk there. Or desk with upper sections.

Unless you want the extra seating instead....even a collapsible game table....

How many people do you want to seat in the room? What's your budget for furniture?

Taking drapes all the way up will require custom unless you sew. You can add extra fabric to the longest drapes you can buy, which is usually 108", or you can sew your own using enough yardage to obtain the length you need. How tall are your ceilings?

A couple of comments before I tackle this room. First, your curtains are too skimpy. If you're going to close them, they need to be 2 1/2 - 3 times the width of the window. Otherwise it looks like you hung sheets over the windows when they're closed.

Second, there is way too much stuff in this room. Remove everything from the sides of the fireplace. I would try reconfiguring the seating so the sofa faces the window and two chairs face the fireplace. Then I'd put a console table at the window with a few of the very best photographs you have to display. Put the rest of your photos in albums or an electronic picture frame.

Third, if your TV is not on an articulating arm already, get one that pulls out and down so you can position it for best viewing.

When you go to buy new furniture, take your room dimensions with you and measure measure measure. Before you actually buy, tape out the furniture on the floor to make sure it will fit.

Groveraxle will come up with the whole thing, so I won't make too many suggestions except to consider building in bookshelves to flank the fireplace to the height of the mantle.

I can't say enough about what lamp light does for a room. I could do without any over heads if I have
good lamps.

Everdebz I love the grey accent wall in the pic you posted and I really, really love that table. I can put a table that size along the wall of the stairway.

The photo with table was to show middle-of-room wall / to make wet bar closed up to look like charcoal wall. I think charcoal would be contemporary/ dark --- unless you added gold-framed art... even slightly ornate.

Might shine with light from uppers.

We don’t entertain much but we have 2 growing boys and 2 dogs. I’m going to buy a sectional couch that is bigger than what we have now so we can all comfortably be in the living room together. I think getting some chairs might be a good idea. I don’t want to box off my living room making it feel small and crowded. The ceiling behind the couch is about 11 FT tall. I have another window with high vaulted ceilings. That ceiling is a lot taller pictures here.

This one is better to see the ceiling.

Say grover's room had a 'backless daybed' across from chairs, would the boys roll over it for play, hey!? ;-)

"A backless daybed is a beautiful and functional piece. It’s perfect for all kinds of spaces. In the center of a long room, it won’t block the view, and those seated can face either direction."

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/guest-picks-20-backless-daybeds-for-divine-lounging-stsetivw-vs~20990306[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/guest-picks-20-backless-daybeds-for-divine-lounging-stsetivw-vs~20990306)

Groveraxle Thank you for your suggestions. I think having chairs in front of the window would make the room seem a lot brighter and allow me to put a couch opposite of the chairs with out the space feeling crowded.

$700 from Ballard:

[https://www.houzz.com/products/afton-daybed-prvw-vr~1913322[(https://www.houzz.com/products/afton-daybed-prvw-vr~1913322)

The tv area imo would close in with regular sofa, with back. Might not too! Surely other colors.

"Part daybed and part sofa — the back comes up if you need more support. I am in love with the color, the tufting."

[https://www.houzz.com/products/night-and-day-convertible-sofa-green-prvw-vr~7441817[(https://www.houzz.com/products/night-and-day-convertible-sofa-green-prvw-vr~7441817)

Add to your team's and art's red - a try for $165:

[https://www.houzz.com/products/gdf-studio-rafaela-tufted-new-velvet-chaise-lounge-garnet-prvw-vr~96262291[(https://www.houzz.com/products/gdf-studio-rafaela-tufted-new-velvet-chaise-lounge-garnet-prvw-vr~96262291)

A sectional will totally take over this room. Be sure you measure carefully and don't get one that's too deep. Or too long.

The dining room is about 17 FT by 11 FT. We are going to paint over the brown and we most likely painting over the red also. I know I need to get rid of all my silly nicknacks around everywhere in this house. Haha

Groveraxle it makes rearranging furniture impossible. There are not many options but my living room does extend farther to the right of the fireplace and there is enough room for a sectional couch or a chaise lounge as everdebz suggested. I think I do like the idea of keeping the area in front of the window open and putting chairs there maybe.

Housegal200 has a great suggestion to build in some shelving around the fireplace. I really like the way that looks and it won’t take up as much room as a book shelf does.

Have both brown of floor and white of fp? Excellent reviews:

https://www.houzz.com/products/nourison-karma-rug-ash-53x74-prvw-vr~33067492

Idk if a wash of some kind could brighten brown of DR.... is it expensive looking, quality texture, etc.? Another rug, indoor/outdoor practical.

https://www.houzz.com/products/oriental-weavers-caspian-3065l-blue-rug-prvw-vr~64904633

I see why you might paint over the brown! but have you any liking for linen with metallic threads, not tacky, but nice .. ? what sun exposure does DR get?

With the curtains open in the DR and kitchen there is a lot of sunlight in DR.