(Can’t figure out how to edit my post to add pictures and it didn’t include them the first time...)

Fireplace that I have been told to paint but I just don’t know - I like the contrast! Paint the built ins??

Your room is lovely with a lot of potential. Yes, it would be a good choice to put a couch facing the fireplace and 2 chairs facing each other flanking the fireplace. Then you can get a coffee table to anchor this new seating area. Behind the couch, put a large picture or a grouping of smaller pictures. It is hard to tell the walls on either side of the double doors from the pictures, but dependent on need and space, some options could be a cabinet on each side or complementary pictures or mirrors on each side of the doors. The bistro table and 2 small chairs in front of the window look a little out of place in this room, so I would re purpose them in another space. Lastly, you may want to reconsider painting the fireplace depending upon what color furniture you get. Also, you can paint just the insides of the built-ins to give them depth and contrast.

Thanks! @patricia - We use the fireplace often. It’s wood burning. This is the only living room in the house as the basement is unfinished. Thoughts on where the TV might work better?! Not sure what you mean by “to scale floor plan”? With the fireplace centered there is no creating more areas. The built ins around the fireplace are covering the HVAC so not really an option to take those out either - they also are not styled as I’m trying to get my head around everything else first. So yes, literally filled with junk right now. @Sorell / thanks! I love the idea of painting the insides of the built ins!

You'll be much happier with a 3-seat sofa and two chairs. Swivel chairs would work well for watching TV hung on the wall opposite the FP. Place the seating perpendicular to the walls with TV and FP. If the seasonal room could be heated and cooled that would make a wonderful reading spot with the chaise.

Hi I am Neha. I've created a room layout for so you could actually visualize better.I agree with @Patricia Colwell Consulting that the TV is too high placed above the fireplace. You could instead place a media unit opposite the fireplace so that your seating space covers both TV and fireplace. A couch and two chairs opposite each other would work well for this. I've also placed a chair and a book shelf in the corner near the window for some reading space. I would also swap out the bistro chair and table to something more comfortable so it could turn into a second seating space.

Hope this helps. You could also move things around and make your own layouts in this interactive 3D build of your room here.