Are you planning to have a TV in this room? There is one shown on the plans but having the back of the sectional on the same wall as the TV is a major flaw. It also looks like there might be outlets for a TV above the fireplace, but if so they are much too high for comfortable viewing.

So if there is a TV in this room, I would put it to the left of the fireplace. Float a 7' sofa facing the TV/fire with an accent chair to the right of the fire. You'll have to watch the chair's scale carefully so you don't block the stairs.

If there is no TV, I would put a sofa on the window wall, two chairs facing the fire on the kitchen side of the room, and a properly scaled accent chair or two ottomans at the fireside.

Sectionals aren't my favourite...

It might be very hard to find a 105" sectional.

Here is the layout with a sofa and two 34" chairs. You can also place the TV on the staircase wall.

Thank you! I didn’t clearly label that TV - it’s for the screened in porch so is outside. The windows there open to that porch. Unfortunately the TV inside needs to be above the fireplace - agree it’s very high, I’ve done what I can to lower it by eliminating a mantel that was slated to be there.

Agree on accent chair size by stairs - I did measure and a chair I was eyeing at 28” wide, 34” deep would fit okay, I think. I have a toddler and a dog so we were hoping for comfy “together” seating but do know sectionals can get unsightly.

My advice is to place it next to your fireplace or put it on the wall where the stairs are. Ideally, a seated adult's eyes should be level with the bottom third of the screen. If you insist on placing the TV above the fireplace it should have a swivel so it can be tilted downward.

You seem intent on using a sectional, and here is a Houzz article on [sectionals[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/what-to-know-before-you-buy-a-sectional-stsetivw-vs~24686755). I, however, find them to be limiting. That square section in the middle will not be comfortable for anyone to sit in. Better to use a sofa and loveseat with a table in that corner between them.

Using some blue painter's tape mark off the space in this room that a sofa, loveseat and chairs would take up Most sofas are between 72" and 80" long. Loveseats are commonly 58" to 64" long and chairs can be 30" to 36" wide. Most upholstered chairs are around 36" deep. This will let you can see how much space is taken up by furniture.

I notice your drawing keeps even the sofa table within the wall-defined living area. There is no reason your sofa can't push back another foot or three towards the kitchen. You have a huge open area which provides more than enough space to expand your living area.

Thank you all. Good point about moving the whole arrangement back a few feet - we do have quite a few feet open between kitchen and living room. Bummer on the fireplace TV wiring - I was concerned about that and now know for good reason! Perhaps we could have shallow shelves on either side of FP and one large enough to accommodate a TV on the left? I do like symmetry.

Oof, are you sure you can't put the tv on the wall between the stairs? Little kids espeically will have trouble with a tv that high. Then I'd do a LAF sectional (the kind with no back on the chaise, not an L couch) with the back to the window.
Personally I'm also not a huge fan of the poufs in front of the fireplace because they block the view, and aren't very functional as seating anyway.

Sectionals can be limiting, but in our family's experience, nothing beats 'em! I sold ours a few years ago and we've been miserable ever since. My kids and hubby all love to stretch out and pile on one another for story time and for movies. That wedge in the middle was my favorite spot to sit cross-legged while I nursed all my babies and I could have kids snuggling on my left and my right while I was in that corner. It's way more comfortable than sitting in the middle seat of a couch if you're the type that likes to pull your legs up. We have not been able to duplicate that experience with our sofa and two chairs, which are technically equal to five seats like our sectional had, and everyone constantly complains that there's no where to sit! So if this is your family room and you want a sectional, go for it! For guests, I understand wanting separation.

As far as sectionals getting "unsightly"... not any more so than any other furniture. I sold ours after fifteen years and had people fighting over it because it looked like new. You get what you pay for and you have to take care of it.

Size-wise, many, many stores offer sectionals where you can order any number of armless chairs to go in the middle to make your sectional as long as you want it. It looks like you have enough room for the larger one but just check on the aisle space. Our sectional was next to a very frequently used through-way to a bathroom, den and garage and we had a 42" aisle that was perfect. Two people could pass each other and you could get through with armfuls of groceries.

Make sure where the sectional backs up to the windows overlooking the screened porch, you can get through with the vacuum or dust mop. Hope that helps!

Gwen, I love your comment. I think sometimes designers can forget that the primary goal of a space is to enjoy spending time in it with loved ones, rather than to act as stiff and unusable art.

Thanks for weighing in. Ellen, I like the idea of TV lower, challenge is that the wall of the stairs is pretty small (see pic) so TV may look awkward. Gwen, thanks for feedback on the sectional. I, like most people, struggle with idea of sectional for guests but see family functionality. Maybe I should live in the space for a bit with our current (small) couch only and. see how I feel. If I end up doing a sectional, there’s a 105x105 Bernhardt version or 103x103 Room & Board that would still provide a 51 or 53” clearance for walkway - I just wouldn’t have an end table there, but rather rely on coffee table for drinks. The walkway would be at least the width of between island and left wall in kitchen, which is generous (see pic).

Sounds like I really need to adjust TV placement, scrap poof idea, and think about couch + two chairs instead of sectional.

Hmm... how wide is the wall? I think as long as you have 6-12" on either side you'll be ok. You could frame it out in your trim color to make the transition a little smoother, or even get one of those fancy mirrored TVs.
I feel like I was kind of quick to be a judgey jerk about the poufs. Now that I think about it, my cousins kids all love to sit on the floor close to the tv so a pouf might work out good once your little one is a bit older.

Ellen - didn’t come off as judgey, I appreciate all opinions - that’s the beauty of Houzz! Not sure how many inches wide it is, I’ll check. Unfortunately the wiring has been complete already so we’ll be looking at running cords at base of walls if we go that route.

I don’t know why builders arrange rooms the way they do so often that makes it hard for furniture placement.

There are ways to get wire to other walls without running cords across the floor. Talk to a professional. You obviously have a basement to access wiring.

I don't think you need to worry about the sectional not being comfortable for guests. Is this your only living space (no formal room)? Guests that are friends and family don't mind one bit. Sitting on either side isn't any different than sitting in a couch and love seat that are perpendicular anyway. Don't design your family space around the occasional use (guests) versus every day use. You could always drag a couple of kitchen chairs over for those one-off occasions.

Also don't stress about TV over fireplace. Just browse Houzz photos - TONS of professionally designed, beautiful spaces put the TV there. You've already stated you went without a mantel so TV could be lower so just make sure you have the mounting bracket that lets you angle it down slightly and it will be absolutely fine. Seriously.

That being said, there is an outlet on the wall between the stairs. If after living with the TV up there you realize you hate it, it can very inexpensively be wired on that wall. But I think putting it there limits the space even more.

My friends have the tv over fireplace and just use a remote mechanism that lowers it when settling in to watch a movie. It works!

I think this room is way too small for a sectional.

@Gwen, no other formal living space as the other room in the house that could be formal is a dining room. We have a breakfast nook in that same room as you can see in the layout, and a basement which obviously will be pretty cozy.

@hiccup4 I will look into mounts that can adjust up and down - I hadn't thought of that, just thought about side to side.

@Anglophiia, do you have any layout suggestions where TV remains on wall with fireplace? I did like the layout Beverly had noted above, with two chairs, but I wonder how the couch would function for viewing there if I keep the TV on that FP wall (which my husband would prefer.)

@BeverlyFLADeziner, could the layout you drew still work if TV remains above fireplace?

We think that the best place for the TV will be on the wall near the stairs. This will allow you to have a console for the TV, but also you won't strain your neck trying to see the TV. We also think you might want to look into getting a sofa with two chairs instead of a sectional. Here is a layout option for your room from a design we did that is similar. The only difference here is that we have the two chairs where you would most likely want your sofa.

@Joy Street Design, thanks for your suggestion. I would love to have the chairs situated by the windows and couch facing fireplace, but unfortunately I don’t think there will be enough room. With 35” deep chairs being set 1’ off window wall due to floor registers, and 44” walkway I’d prefer on stair wall, that allows room for only 6ft sofa. Even minimizing to 3’ walkway doesn’t allow enough room for normal sized sofa.

I also spoke with my husband and moving TV from fireplace wall is a non negotiable. :(

If it’s too awkward to have couch along window wall with TV at fireplace, we may end up with a sectional after all.

I think you will be fine with a tv over fireplace and a sectional. MANY people do this and are perfectly happy.

I did end up purchasing the 102x102 version of the Room & Board Morrison sectional, in a light performance fabric. It’s a lower cleaned line couch so hopefully won’t look too bulky in the space. I’ll upload a picture once in arrives in August, in case anyone is interested!

Choosing rug size now - help! 102x102 sectional - would a 9x12 or 9x11 work? The orientation would be longer end running against window wall, with 9’ running from window to stair orientation.

I think 9x11 would look best. You want the rug to be under the couch by the same amount for both sides. You don't want it to be poking out from under the back of one side of the couch. Forgive my crude drawing.

They do make 9' square rugs but you'll probably have to shop online. 9x11 is a weird size too though so you might have to go online either way.

https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/charlton-home-gaines-power-loom-natural-area-rug-chlh1005.html

https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/mercury-row-artemis-area-rug-mcrr1029.html

https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/winston-porter-beltran-silver-shimmer-braided-area-rug-wnpr4112.html

Thank you, ElleN! So in your drawing the red represents if I get a 9x12 instead of an 9x11, which would look weird?

Yes... it could be fine if you have the clearance to have the excess length extend past the couch toward the fireplace wall, but if you don't and it has to stick out the back of the couch it would be weird. In general I think it's best if it sticks out beyond each "arm" of the sectional by an equal amount, no more than 1' or so.

We ended up getting a sectional from Room & Board 102x102" - I like the look of it in the space, but need to finish the room. We have this console table hanging here behind it, but it's not long enough. The cabinet to left of fireplace here will be gone too. I'm debating between a longer open console similar to what we have in picture here, or a closed one with storage (think RH Bezier sideboard) - anyone have thoughts on whether open or closed would look better? To left of fireplace we're hoping to do a bookshelf with a closed area at bottom and to right, a leather chair with art above it to balance the left hand side - thoughts? We clearly don't have lamps, end tables, etc yet. Thinking a table lamp on each side of console once we decide on one.

i like it! I think closed is better. Inevitably the "stuff" will creep in and having doors will give you a useful storage spot and less to dust, less overall appearance of clutter. If you want to keep the open feeling you could go with something mirrored, but honestly a clean face of a closed door visually takes up less room than a "open" console with baskets, etc.
You could also always keep the shorter console and add something on the side such as a plant.

Thanks, @ElleN - I do love the idea of storage being closed off, just don't want anything that feels super heavy there. It is SO hard to find the right length, size, visual weight, color, etc.

From the kitchen you can also see the breakfast nook area, for which we recently ordered this Arana table from Wisteria - http://www.wisteria.com/Arana-Wood-Dining-Table/productinfo/T19331 and Milano gray dining chairs from Pier 1 https://www.pier1.com/milano-portobello-dining-chair/3507194.html#internal-search-product&autocplt=milano.  I've included pic from kitchen view so you can see how the space flows. I've also included pic from bottom of stairs facing kitchen - don't mind the toddler and mess. :) Hoping it'll all work together and the console I choose jives with it all.

That's really cute!
I think I'd go for black or white or mirrored. It will tie in the kitchen and you won't have competing wood tones. Black is good because it fades into the background. White is good because it keeps things bright. Mirrored is good because it makes the space look bigger, but it will reflect any mess and make it look twice as bad.

Thanks! Sounds great - I will look for one.

Here are a few to get you started.

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/rosdorf-park-shoreham-4-door-breakfront-console-table-rosp8102.html

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/darby-home-co-hall-console-table-dbhc2339.html

Thanks! We are thinking something maybe more modern, like these?

https://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod7410119&categoryId=cat13640005

https://www.roomandboard.com/m/catalog/living/cabinets-and-armoires/linear-storage-cabinets - 29” high version

Those are both good! I like the styling of the second one but it's a little on the short side (not long enough width wise? idk how to put it lol). The RH one I wouldnt go in a wood tone because it'll never perfectly match the table and you already have a few different wood shades going. The black wood grain one is probably fine but I'm a touch worried it'll be too heavy for the space.

Thanks, ElleN! I do need to watch the wood tone mixing, have made that mistake in the past.

I just ran across this and hope your house is great - a 105” sectional and tv abobe fireplace would be great and actually finctional for a family. i read some od these comments with shock at how manh ”experts” dont undeestand how people actually live in a home or are so caught up on small things theyd take functionalty away when yiu can have both.