Thanks for the insight! At most times it would just be the 2 of us given we have friends with houses who would do the entertaining. I don’t see us having more than 5 people in there at one time. Most likely up to 4 people on weekends.

Agree with katinparadise about the small scale, apartment sized furniture.

Consider furniture that does double duty: storage plus some other function.

For the dining table, if you think you will ever have guests, look at extendable tables so you can adjust the table when you have people over.

Consider extra storage along the 8 ft wall.

You can have a beautiful space. Look at some of these insp pics of small places to spark your imagination

Instead of mounting a tv on the wall, place it on a stand which can double for storage.

I would suggest a smaller scale sofa facing the 15"6" wall. Add two chairs to form an L shape facing the sliders. A console with storage and the t.v. above on the 15"6" wall. You may have room to add a console table to the left of the door as you walk in.

What style and colors appeal to you?

I have a sketch to scale for you so you know sizes to go for. I will post shortly.

Here is one concept. Put TV on console on long wall with sofa facing TV. two small scale chairs and they don’t have to match. Then the rug would sit under legs of sofa. Probably 8’x6’. I wouldn’t do a tug in dining room because you don’t have enough chair push back with rug. A round or rectangle table will work but keep it small scale. You might do a drop leaf table so you could keep dining for more than just dining since it will be mostly the two of you. Make everything do double duty. Each square in sketch is equal to one square foot. Also, leave 3’ of walking space around living room furniture.

I love airy, modern and simple styles in neutral colors. Currently obsessed with southwest colors re: tans, greys, rust, oranges, with some black and white in there. I’m drawn to white and wood furniture. Open to some glass options as well. Below are items I have my eye on for the space.

Flo, that is a great idea for a drop leaf table for the dining so the OP can seat more than 2 when guests come. Rachel, this might be hard to see in this pic below, but each side drops down

No sectional in this space. I would keep colors neutral and add great accessories for your color. Splay legs on furniture are difficult to walk around and get in and out of.

Thank you so much for that sketch, Flo! Your tips will be super helpful as we try to fill that space. I was convinced we were gunna have to put the couch against the 15 ft wall, but both of your insights have me thinking more creatively!

I was thinking the wall mount would save us space, but I’m sure we will need the storage if we want to keep the living space nice and open without adding a bunch of shelving.

In your opinion, where do you recommend putting a desk? Kind of tricky in a apartment, but my bf and I both work from home on occasion (and he’s a gamer). I’m thinking bedroom?

Denita, I love that table! Could do so much with something like that. Have some fun and shop local second hand stores and antique shops. You can get some real bargains!

That is something to consider for how you furnish the dining area. You can also find wall units that house both TV and have pull down desk surfaces. Ikea has some interesting desk type small scale pieces with shelfs as well. Might be able to combine one of those with a night stand situation. Again, double duty furniture as much as possible.

Noted on the drop leaf table. That’s a great idea! So, I should be looking for more of a love seat or small couch it sounds like. Thanks ladies!

For one of your working desk areas, consider a coffee table that converts to a desk with storage (Ikea has a few). this one to show you how it works.

Whoa, I’ve never seen anything like that. Nice tip, Denita! Great multifunctional piece for a small space.

Guys love these pop up coffee tables! Pick carefully because he will never let it go! Lol. They are nice because you can use laptops and hand held devices, have small meals there so very versatile. Yes on 72” sofa but try to find ones you can sit in and try. Keep seat depth in mind. Some of the less expensive ones are shallow and that is not comfortable. Need 28-30” seat depth or 36-40” total depth of sofa especially if you are taller people. Avoid puffy stuff and “sets”. They cause loads of design problems. You are better off getting better quality sofa, coffee table combo and TV console and saving for dining set if budget is tight. I always think about “how easy would this piece be in a next home”. Lighter, neutral fabrics can work in many rooms and settings. Get what you love within your budget.

I pretty much echo all the advice except sofa seat depth is usually in the 21" to 24" range. And in a small space,I would keep the overall depth 38'' or less and make sure that the arms are not taking up your inches.

Also,right now 2nd hand wood furniture is going for a song in many places. Check out thrifts,consignments store and yes,antique stores. You will be surprised. Another bonus is that older furniture was often smaller and will fit into your space better.

This might help.

Thank you for the couch size suggestions Holly & Flo! My bf is 6’2 so my guess is we would want the normal 37 height couch with a 22-24 in depth.

We have a couple good furniture consignment stores here in Royal Oak, MI. I’ll be sure to check them out before jumping the gun on an online product :)

Don't forget Craigslist, Offerup and Letgo and similar apps. It is amazing what you can get for $100 or so.

Royal Oak! I lived there in my early twenties and loved it! Hope it is still pretty place. Yes, you should be able to find some cool stuff.