Well there are always exceptions to rules. However, the right size area rug is important and that size is not working unless you place it on an angle as if it were an accessory animal hide.

However, can I ask why you have positioned your sectional with it's back to the windows? Taking advantage of one of your long walls would certainly seem like a better course.

It would! This is the layout of the room though, so I feel like we were pretty limited. It was either put the back of the sectional to the windows or to the walkway, which made the room feel very small.

Why not try to finishe decorating the space before buying a rug . You need art on the walls , coffee table, lighting so many things to add to the space before a rug. This is a pic from your idea books and nothing like the stuff you have so maybe say what it is your like about this picture and work from there

@Renata, I surely wouldn’t mind that, but a), my husband has already anchored the TV to the wall facing the window, and b) the ‘wall’ to the left of it is actually an open space in the stairwell. Initially, we had tried to position the TV on the long wall you described, and I felt like it made the room more closed off and looked odd with the ceiling slanted down.

@ Patricia Colewell Consulting, I do love that design! I actually have done more of that in the downstairs living room. This is an upstairs space where small kids are gonna be hanging out a lot, so I thought something more patterned and practical would be safer 😬

Not the best location for the TV or the sofa. Can hubs repair the drywall? Opposite the windows is not optimal for anything but glare on the TV unless you invested in a glare free one. It is also mounted too high. Did you ever consider wiring the pony wall at the stairs for TV? If the pony wall is too short for your TV to fit, you could raise it to the same height as the opening by the front door and have it pre-wired when you raise it. Then the sofa can go on the wall opposite. Chaise sofa should have the rug under the front 1/3 of the 3-seat portion, and it should extend past the seating on both sides by at least 1-2 feet.

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I would prefer placing the TV on the pony wall as shown above.

Rig size guide

What about placing the sectional against the pony wall? Is that an option?

We rearranged some of the furniture just to see how it would look. I DO like the sectional positioned this way but I’m concerned the chaise part is in the way and inconvenient. Also, it’s clear by the way the outlets are placed that the builders designed the TV t go on the short wall. What do you all think?

Not a Pro.

I think above picture closes off the room a bit.

I think if you are going to keep the tv on the short wall, that's fine. You have a need to give this room color. I would not add an area rug here. I would get a multi colored ottoman or a coffee table with color. Adding some art on the walls and drapes will bring the room together.

Some inspiration:

Carlyle Cocktail Square Ottoman · More Info

vidaXL Coffee Table Multicolor Solid reclaimed wood, Steel Medium · More Info

Reclaimed Wood Industrial Round Coffee Table · More Info

Great attempt to try to bring the room closer together, but seeing the back of the sofa right when you enter isn’t ideal. Suggest to try the sofa on the current back wall where the tv currently is, and leave the unit on the long wall. Placing the tv low so it’s at eye level would not only make it more comfortable, but would it would better connect with the furniture piece under it. An arrangement of art of varying sizes around the tv could balance out the wall as well. Good luck!