That would be very uninviting and beyond that I need to see the space and I need a to scale floor plan with all meausrements marked. I also ned to see how the space relates to the rest of the spaces around it.

Room is about (within a couple inches) 13.5' x 15.5'. The wall that shows the sofa is where I have to put the seating and it's about 11.7'. opposite wall has my work desk and that can't move because I have to be hard wired to the modem for work.

It appears that you have room for an apartment sized sofa (yes, they are made smaller in width and depth!), and a comfortable chair. Side tables can be small...big enough for a drink. A floor lamp in the corner for lighting. You might even be able to squeeze in a smaller chair with its back angled towards the front door. Or...get two parsons chairs as end chairs for the dining table to move into the living room for extra seating. Two cube ottomans could also be placed in front of the fireplace (?) for extra seating. Check used furniture stores, Habitat for Humanity, antique stores, etc. for smaller scaled chairs and sofas.

What is the purpose/function for your living room?

What activities do you foresee happening in this space?

Jessica - based on that drawing you totally have room for a small sofa - ikea and west elm have a number that are much lower profile - even wayfair has a lot of options.

Question on computer - why is it required to be hardwired? Vs adding in a wifi?

Would a love seat or apartment size couch and one chair work? (Skip the idea of dining chairs). Don’t know your taste but one idea is below. Purchase love seat first and look on Facebook’s Marketplace for a great chair. The leather chair below is on Marketplace for $150 as store is liquidating. No need to spend $1,000 per chair.

If there is room add a floor lamp, small side table and light looking coffee table

Thank you for the tips, everyone!

To be honest, the main purpose of this room is to look nice. I spend most of my free time in the bedroom, since my bird prefers to stay in there. I don't own a TV, so I watch Netflix on my phone or laptop in my room on the floor while working on projects. Apart from working, when I stay in the living room it's just to basically relax. Either by looking out the window, or just looking at the room and enjoying the relative minimalism (still working on decluttering my bedroom so it's less peaceful).

I don't entertain often because I have nearby family members with larger homes. I've had people over only 3 times--once we had lunch and stayed at the table to chat. The other two times we sat on the floor (those were my brothers). Most of my peers wouldn't mind even sitting on the floor and my grandma needs firm chairs so she can't even sit on sofas. So my potential guests are few and not picky but I also don't want make them feel awkward.

I have looked at small loveseats as well as settees since they would definitely be a better fit size-wise and they look cute (and it would be more conventional than just chairs). My issue with that though (apart from cost and weight for the next move, which could be figured out)... Is that it would just be facing my work desk which is ugly. And, sitting right next to someone is awkward to me, maybe not to other people though? Is there a way to use a small sofa but prevent the ugly desk from becoming the focal point?

There's no real focal point in the room right now. It's asymmetric. The best potential focal point would be the fireplace, if I were able to use that as the seating area. But I can't because of my desk, it just makes that area cramped and too heavy.

I thought of floating the seating, but that blocks the window, and I'm already painfully low on natural lighting (to the point where it will be the reason whenever I move out in the future). I don't want anything besides maybe a hairpin leg side table to block the glass door.

I like the idea of ottomans by the fireplace! I'm struggling with the fireplace since there's no mantle (which for me is the only benefit of having a fireplace in the first place!).

I never thought of Facebook Marketplace having new stuff available, I will have to check that! Nebraska Furniture Mart re-opened this week so I'm thinking of going this weekend but I'm not certain what their quality is like so we'll see.

Sarah B: My company requires us to be hardwired because they said it's more secure than WiFi. It's also more stable and keeps the VPN from booting me out if the WiFi lags.

Why not get a more attractive desk? One which has doors so that you can hide the computer components and paperwork when you're not working. Then put artwork on the wall above it.

After reading the description of your lifestyle and needs, I was thinking you may like the idea of a couple of pouffs or bean bags. Just have one chair for your grandmother‘s use. Add a plant or two and a low table.

I love those colors! I guess it's not my desk itself that's necessarily ugly. It's a mission-style oak veneered honey-orangey color. Not quite my preferred style, but it was free and it's pretty sturdy. It's all the stark black electrical-ness that most ruins the cozy organic feeling I like. I do need to figure out a way to make the cords look less messy though! Some are very thick and inflexible so I have been putting it off. But maybe I should move that higher on my to do list!

Maureen, I did consider bean bags (a friend and my sister both suggested it actually). But I was picturing those plasticky ones that stick to the legs. I didn't realize they made nicer versions. I've thought about floor cushions and "hang a round" chairs too but didn't want to give the dorm room vibe. But maybe I should stop focusing on trying to making it look more adult and just go with what's most practical 🤷🏻‍♀️ I've always only used hand-me-downs and I've been excited about my first chance to choose my own stuff. It's stressful too though. Furniture is expensive! So I don't want to settle.

I love those beanbag chairs! and I love blue. As far as the cords and wires, you'd need something with a solid back or drawers on each side which could hide them. I mentioned this the other day: Pier 1 is liquidating and as soon as the stores open, you should be able to find some well-priced...stuff. My daughter, who is older than I want to talk about, has taken her papasan chair with her everywhere since high school, college dorm, first college apartment, first job teensy condo, first house, now whatever number of houses and husband and children later, it's still in her bedroom.

Can't you get your company to move your modem to your bedroom? I shouldn't be that expensive. That way you could have a relaxing living room with TV or laptop and perhaps a decluttering of your bedroom.

The modem has to be plugged into the fiber jack, which would require rewiring and probably opening up walls to move it. If I could choose to have my desk anywhere it would probably be the dining room!

I'm definitely decluttering my bedroom, but it's a work in progress. I finished the living room first since that's what other people would see first, and I just finally got it done last week!

partim, I've never heard about that dark wall trick! That's a good idea. I didn't think to research ideas for TV's to use for my monitors. I'll look into removable wallpapers

I really like the one with the blue gallery wall. It could make your wood desk stand out in a very nice way.

https://www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2017/1/9/z9w9en9dycom7si86vzsfug3lzhkhx

I think the product is called temporary wallpaper. https://www.thespruce.com/best-temporary-wallpaper-brands-4147444

By hardwired, do mean an ethernet cable from your computer to the modem? If so, you can just run a long wire from the wall outlet to the modem and another long cable to the computer. I ran an ethernet cable all around my den because the modem was on the wrong wall from my desk.

We run an ethernet cable from main floor to the upstairs office. It's long!

Spoonflower is another great resource for unique wallpapers (both traditional and peel/stick) and fabrics! https://www.spoonflower.com

I would arrange your apartment in the way most pleasing to you, and then determine how to wire your computer. Don't let the wires and technology determine how you live. Technology should serve us and enhance our living.

My son-in-law works from home and his company (federal government) would never pay to relocate his modem/setup. During this shutdown, many of his fellow employees who are suddenly trying to work from home haven't been able to do it well because of issues with wifi and equipment. He has 3 giant monitors and several computers dedicated to his job and they are never used for anything else. So, teleworking isn't always as easy as it may sound!

My daughter, also federal employee, is not allowed to work from home, ever.

I also vote for spoonflower.com. I can get lost for hours on that website, and have used peel and stick wallpaper in my laundry room and on the backs of tall bookcases. It's an easy peasy way to add color and interest. Currently considering something wild for the guest bathroom, but have to finish that Elfa project halfway installed in the garage - so much to do while at home! I

if guests are visiting for more than 1/2 hour, I do think it needs to be comfortable! I needed something small for my living room and found a really high quality Z chair replica for about half the price it would have been at joybird. it's very comfortable. with a small ottoman, I'd be happy to watch a movie in this chair.

this isn't the exact one I got, I will need to dig around to find the exact brand. but this is the general style.

found it: https://www.gingkofurniture.com/products/zach-mid-century-lounge-chair?variant=29508987145&currency=USD

I love this chair. the color is not represented well in the photos. in real life, it's more like a cross between navy and dark teal. it's small but not too small (my heavier friends can sit in it comfortably). be sure to look at the measurements since they can be all over the map!

this one costs more but it is very comfortable and seems really well made. the one I posted above might be just as good for half the price. (I just can't personally vouch for it.)

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