On another discussion (same photo, different questions), I've had a couple people tell me to keep the red sofas and bring red into other areas. Now I don't know what to do! Opinions?? Thanks!! (P.S. There is also a red chair just outside the frame, on the other side of the coffee table.

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For me the problem is not the red sofas in and of themselves, but the vibrant red sofas with the more muted rug. I don't think they work well together. If keeping the sofas, I would consider going with a more vibrant patterned rug, that would work well with the more vibrant red, and the vibrant patterned drapes in the dining room background. I would consider going for a square or round glass coffee table or light colored ottoman for the living room as the darker wood table makes the living room appear darker. A different option for the rooms might be to slipcover the red in a more muted neutral cream or beige that would coordinate with the dining room colors. In that case, you might want to change out the entry rug to a sisal similar to the colors in the dining room chairs.

I know how you feel as we had sofas in almost the exact colour as you and a feature wall to match! After ten years we had enough of the red and now have two off white leather sofas, we painted the walls Dulux Raw Cotton and the room looks like it grew larger. We also walked in to face the back of the sofa and it was like throwing up a wall so we turned the sofa which also opened the room up. I'm not sure you would be able to do that as you have the desk on the wall there. I think a taupe colour for the sofas could be nice as it would complement the colours in your dining room. Good luck.

My other post was about rugs (I guess I should've combined posts!). So far no one over there had suggested a different rug with the sofas. I'm off to search houzz for photos of rugs with red couches to see if I like. I really LOVE my LR rug, so I'm thinking best to switch out the sofas. Any other comments welcome! Thank you!!

I would recommend a leather sofa. I also suggest, not going so "matchy" with a matching love seat. It is hard to see the complete area, space, and scale of everything but it looks like everything is thrown up against walls. Maybe if you do a sectional, that would free up some space. You can bring color in with throw pillows, and by adding drapery over the window and door.

I really like the red furniture! Really like it! It is striking with your fireplace, too. Get some different pillows to bring other colors from the room. Is it possible to have the two pieces face each other and still keep a chair by the hearth? Can the desk be moved? Even wondered if the cabinet in the entry could come in to the living area....that small wall behind couch that would be open if the couch moved and the desk to the entry?

I tried REALLY hard to make the couches face each other, but I don't think it's do-able. I've attached a couple more pics so you can see better (sorry for the mess, and my son in the picture!). I have this gorgeous fireplace surround and don't want to take the focus off of it, which is why I was thinking of getting away from the red, but I do love red!

Note: I COULD have the sofas face each other IF I don't mind that it's not centered on the fireplace, but I assumed that was no good. Yes? No? Thanks all!

Nope, I do not think the couches can face each other now, either. BUT these views make me love that red even more!

The end table between the two couches does not fit. It is dwarfed right there. Is it needed? Could the floor lamp go there and not crowd the cabinet so much?

Do people use the bench by the desk? IF not, maybe the red chair could go there and really open up the fire place. That nice big basket could go there instead. IF the bench is used, it is crying for some red on it! A throw and a pillow maybe?

Seeing the great fireplace you have, I would consider going neutral with slipcovers on your other pieces. I think the brighter red in the furniture detracts from the more muted colors in your fireplace. Perhaps a beige or taupe.

Shucks, I was getting excited about them facing each other, off center of the fp! Oh well.
The end, coffee and sofa tables are very old and all need replaced. That's next on my list after figuring out the rugs and sofas! Do you agree that the rug is too muted for the sofas?

Do you use this room as a living/gathering space and actually watch TV? Or is it just a sitting room if guests come over?

living/gathering/tv/entertaining. :)

How did I miss your comment under the pics about them being off centered? I totally did not see that. I read your post and saw the pics and took off. I do not think it matters if they are not centered with the fireplace! Will you try it????? This could be fun!!!!!!! AND that entry to the room would be OPEN, unless the chair goes on an end, and that is fine! Would everyone be ok with watching the tv from a side view?

I hardly see your rug......and maybe that is a good thing as it must not scream at you. It seems to match the hearth perfectly. Does that count?

Trying the sofas facing each other. Will post soon!

Okay, that was fun. I took a couple of my DR chairs and put them at the end of the room, just to see. The "walkway" by the desk gets tight, so I'd have to put something different on that wall. Which do you like better--L-shaped sofas, or this way? Red, no red? Good rug, bad rug? Other furniture suggestions welcome too. Thx!

I cannot believe you switched it all that fast. I have to say it seems to FIT better the other way. Too much is blocked like this. BUT the good thing is, you know the L shape is the best for this room.

But now that I can SEE the rug.....is it RED on the red pattern? I like that the red is there, but in pieces since the furniture is the big red.

Yes, the rug is olive and beige with some red scattered around. I agree I think the L-shape is better, though I REALLY wanted to have them face each other so you can see the fireplace better upon entering the house. Thanks for all your help!

Because they are not centered with the fireplace it looks awkward and tight. I still recommend an L-shape leather sectional on your existing rug with various red throw pillows, with a red fabric round ottoman and red drapery flanking the fireplace. The sofa will allow for enough seating, the drapery will warm-up that back wall and help keep the room from feeling too vertical. Good Luck!

something like this then with kids and pets there is no point on investing a lot of money into it .

I really like the sofas opposite each other as it opens the room up and puts the fireplace on show but as this is your tv room it's not the most comfortable option. Is it possible to move the sofa facing the fireplace over more to the right to create a space between the sofas and take the table away that sits in the corner of the L? The rug is lovely and has a neutrality about it, which makes it versatile. I'm still for lighter coloured sofas (could these be slipcovered?) as the red really commands all of your space and detracts from the fireplace. If you kept the red chair and used red as your accent colour (love that red jug) in printed cushions, accessories etc. I have attached a picture to demonstrate how a lighter sofa doesn't command so much space.
http://houzz.com/photos/4131336
Play around some more and see what you like and what works for the family.