It usually pays off to bring in a pro, less frustration and mistakes avoided. It doesn't look like the TV can fit on a lower shelf. Maybe to the left of the window??

I, too, suggest placing the tv to the left of the window. The new sofa would face the window/tv. It would sit in the red area. The sectional is ratther bulky in the space, but you mentioned you were looking to get new furniture;

If you want to work with a pro, most of my business is virtual design with clients across the country. Please feel free to contact me at clare@cdrdesign.com. Or, check my website or houzz profile for details on packages. Just let me know if you have any questions at all or if I can help further.

I would put the TV on the wall between the fireplace and the windows. Float a sofa in the room facing the TV and a chair at the end facing the fireplace. That also gives you a walkway behind the seating area to access all your other areas, and opens the space toward your kitchen so you could add a dining table if desired.

Thanks for the feedback. Is this what you were thinking for the fireplace?

Yes, but with the mantle lowered to make room for the TV.

No to tv above fireplace!

Furniture arranged like your example photo above, with the sofa facing the windows, but with the TV and console on the small wall in place of the floor lamp and red chair.

Flip the couch and chair and put the TV here. It'll be a better height for watching anyway.

There are a lot of different directions you could take, depending on what your budget is and what style you like. Looking in your ideabook, you had several different styles.

2 things I heard you say are that you do not want the tv on the fireplace and you'd like to consider windows.

Here is a rendering I created for you with window and bookcases removed. This would really open up your space to the kitchen. You could also go with something more like Grover Axle is showing. I think I would put doors on the bookcases, though. This would give you some storage.

This rendering accents the red brick. That could be painted. Really depends on what style you want and your budget.

In would turn the big sofa around facing the window and put the tv on the side between the windows and the wall of the fireplace .. Your furniture is overwhelming for the space ...but live with it for a while ...then see what you can perhaps take into another room ...or exchange . I would put a glass table In The center ..show more of your house ...to gauge it better ...do you have a lovely view towards the garden ...always put furniture facing the view and fireplace ...rather than obstructing the Windows ...in my opinion ....

Thanks for the suggestions - it seems pretty overwhelming. I don’t mind spending money, but want to really love the result.

Question - has anyone taken a design dilemma like mine to a furniture store designer/decorator? Or, since one of my main issues is the fireplace, should I try a local pro? Would you be willing to share experiences (and costs)?

The room need a large carpet with a certain amount of lively colour) to anchor the seating pieces. Is this the only possible room for TV location? If that’s the case, remove the shelves on one side (leaving the mantel intact) and mount the TV on a swing arm.

I would not take it to a furniture store, as their motivation is to sell you furniture.

I'd look for a designer who has great reviews, someone you feel you can work with and someone who can actual show you a visualization of the plan.

What are you liking so far?

Here is the view from the sofa.

Costs vary tremendously based on location. Call a few designers and talk to them. I would look for someone to review your home with you for an hourly fee. They can give you suggestions for types of furniture and placement. At that point you can find things on your own or have them source items for you. But you’ve received some good free advise here and if you keep responding with what you do and don’t want or what seems to work for you then people will continue helping you.

My suggestion is that you

1) Start a Houzz ideabook. This can be fun! Post photos of family rooms you like. It can just be "I just love that space" or "I like the bookshelves in that space". (Example, the style in the rendering I created above may not be your style at all. A designer won't know exactly your style unless you can describe. Photos are the best way to do that).

2) Search for 3 designers that appeal to you: good reviews, like their projects, like their approach, etc.

3) Many designers offer free in-person or e-consultations. (That's a free 30 minutes or an hour right there. You'll get a good idea if you like the person and you can work with him/her) and you'll come away with some ideas.

4) She/he should be asking a lot of questions or offer a questionnaire you can complete Budget, style, colors, functionality, how you live, etc. Does the designer seem collaborative/interested in what you want or is the person trying to push his/he ideas?

5) You want to love the result. Does the designer offer virtual renderings of what the future space will look like and revise them until you like them?

6) Choose one without a huge $ commitment. So, ask if you can start hourly rate or purchase a package that isn't a huge commitment. This way, you'll get to know the person even better and you can always move on if it doesn't work out.

Have fun! If the designer isn't making this a fun and unstressful experience, move on.

Much success to you!

I also would get rid of sectional and get a sofa with feet to lighten up the heavy feel. Float it across from window (what is the space behind there?). Then 2 swivel chairs across from fireplace to open up that area entering the kitchen. TV mounted on so that it can pull out and swivel in case at times you want to view a little from kitchen/dining area. I like the look of bookcases flanking a fireplace but you may not. Regardless, I’d put doors on the bottom shelves for closed storage. And finally a nice big rug to anchor the space and a few lamps. Do you have recessed lighting?

Perhaps you can sell your larger pieces of furniture in an auction house ....? And buy smaller pieces that fit the space better ... ..or garage sale ..?

I am personally not one for allot of display items and feel bookshelves beg to be filled. If you are seeking to update the space think about the look you want ie your current fireplace shelves are overfilled- is it because you like to display stuff or you are filling an empty space. I would remove the shelving, re do the fireplace with a stunning tile and create a more edited room with new furniture that has clean lines.

If that opening left of the leather lounger is above a stairwell, consider closing it, lighting the stairs and having the new wall pre-wired for mounting the TV. You already have lots of openings and holes in the walls, so don't add windows at the FP. You need to style the shelves (1/3 books, 1/3 large décor items and 1/3 open space.) Add art where the TV is. Keep it within the footprint of the firebox below. Switch to 3-seat sofa and two chairs which are much more flexible for arranging.

Are you going to actually use the fireplace? Or could you take it out and get a new cupboard there that has the TV inside/on top?

following

Thanks for all the terrific suggestions. To respond to comments - yes, the fireplace is used all the time but I agree that it is in great need of an update. The wall behind the brown recliner is a stairway to the basement. The fact that the room has so many weird openings makes arranging furniture a challenge. I’m pretty sure I could get my husband to agree to close in the opening but moving the tv off the fireplace would be a harder sell.

Hi. So, what you are saying is you do not want the tv above the fireplace and your husband does. What I recommend is that you play with current furniture to see how you might like a future arrangement.

Can you please tell us why he wants the tv above the fireplace and why you don't? Is it aesthetic, functionality, etc? Thanks.

First to consider:

In order to consider lowering your fireplace mantle, here are the NFPA recommendations. (local codes could vary). It would definitely involve brickwork (if it could be done at all).

When you have a lot of openings in a room, it is best to move the furniture in and away from the open walls, creating "walkways". So, if you want the tv above the fireplace and facing it, I would recommend moving the sofa forward and centered on the fireplace. It would be a sofa, not a huge sectional.

For the tv on the window wall, I would recommend it set up as in the rendering I created above.

following

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/dont-mount-a-tv-above-a-fireplace/

I wanted to add the tv is mounted too high over the fireplace for the average person, even at the distance the sectional is now (and new sofa should be moved forward.

That being said, I have had clients say that don't care about that.....they like the tv high.

That is why I ask: what is the reason DH wants it over fireplace and what is the reason you don't. That will help inform decisions going forward.