Thanks so much - this helps alot!! My husband and I are not good at this type of thing at all! :)

Here is a picture of the outside of our house. What would you do with the rest of the furniture in the living room? A three piece sofa where the built in is now and then would you keep the chairs where they are? I know its not ideal they are all matching? Are there pieces you would remove or change?

Thanks again so much

Pretty classic builder's special style home. Not really contemporary as the windows in the room you're working with seem to be. The chairs will find a natural home once the sofa is in place. If you don't plan to have TV here, you'll want to pull all the seating into a more natural conversational grouping with end tables or a coffee table within 18" or less of each seat. Lamps are needed, so where are your outlets? That will help determine placement.

I would get rid of the white bookcase. Then find a lower wider cabinet for the TV ( look at Besta at Ikea) If you sit in the chairs to watch TV they are fine where they are , I much prefer to sit in a chair than a sofa so it works for me. I think waht does not work with your type of design you like is all the dark pieces, I would leave that piece in the basement right where it is , a sofa and 2 chairs are much nicer for conversation. I think the TV needs to be where you really like it, I do not like TV in my LR so we have a media room in our walk out.I would be spending my money on a new dining set much more in keeping with scandinavian style. Maybe think along this idea for the LR with the TV in the basement
BTW a new front door and removal of the grids in the windows would help too. A new door needs to be simple and lots of glass.

thank you decoenthusiaste! We have outlets in the middle of where the two chairs are in the picture as well as on the wall under the window.

Thank you Patricia Colwell Consulting!! We will get rid of the builtin bookcase - hopefully there is matching flooring underneath and the wall isn't too damaged behind!! If we end up moving the tv to the rec room in the basement (which I think we will) - would you just move the sofa to the middle of the wall where the bookcase was. We just moved into this house and I feel guilty buying a new dinning room set as it is relatively new - but I completely see what you are saying with how dark it is. Perhaps stripping the table and chairs would be a good idea??

Thank- you for the suggestions re: the grids - we are going to take them out this weekend! Do you have any pictures for door suggestions? Rugs? Art?

Thanks!

Instead of removing builtin - you could just paint it charcoal or mid tone gray to echo a deeper tone in the stone. . even update the upper trim to be more simple / less ornate and . . .the fireplace stone treatment is more contemporary . . but offers tones that work with the rich wood floor. ..

wow. timely!