My idea: put the dining table under the t v.

Turn the rug and position the sofa in the middle of the wall.

Purchase another bookcase so two can flank the sofa.

Paint the coffee table to go with two new pillows.

What is the size of the room? What is the size of the rug? It's difficult for anyone to map out your space without knowing what there is to work with.

If you can change out the fan, a dimmable ceiling fixture that has some round lines could be nice.

And maybe hang the round mirror on the wall facing the window, to reflect the light. And perhaps hang some type of art in the dining area, itself. A framed poster could be one idea.

Etsy.com is a nice resource for art. All types.

The geometric art piece should be good over sofa. And you could bring in a tray and a plant or two on coffee table.

Real or faux is fine.

Will you be seating a lot of people in dining area? If you are only needing to seat a couple of people, a round bistro type table by the window might be nice; but would need to see the space there, and know how many people you need to seat on a regular basis, etc.

@elcieg Thank you so much for your suggestion. The problem here is I can't position/center the couch in the middle of the wall because then it becomes off centered to the TV. To explain better, to the left of the wall that the TV is sitting against is an opening to the kitchen. This forces me to move the couch to the left because the couch would be centered way off from the TV if I moved it further right. The second picture I posted was taken from the doorway to the kitchen.

As for putting the dining table under the TV...if I did that, I would not be able to watch TV except when I'm sitting on the dining table, meaning anyone else sitting on the couch can't see the TV. Not sure if this makes sense, as I don't really know the technical lingo for all this.

Try turning your rug the other direction. I would get a mounting arm for the tv so it can swivel a bit to be watched from other angles. You could then move the couch to the left a bit so things are a little more balanced. Move the bookcase to the left so it doesn't look squished into the corner. Not centered on that wall, but with a few (6 or 8?) inches on the right.

If you cannot mount your tv on a swivel bracket because of it being a rental, maybe look for something like this stand for it: Swivel console

You might be able to find something to add to the top of your existing console.

@freedomplace1 Thank you for your suggestions.The mirror on the opposing wall from the window makes so much more sense! Not sure why I didn't think of that. As for the dining table, it'll mostly be seating a max of 4 people at any given time, I may just go with a round table set.

Also, this is a rental so I can't change any fixtures or take out the fan unfortunately.

@mindshift it's a 227 sq.ft. room, I believe the rug is 8' 10" by 12'

I understand, but that can be fixed when you mount the t v on the wall, use a swivel arm.

By placing the t v on that wall, you still get your dining table, the living area will be larger...large enough to add a accent chairs. Lights for the sofa can me hung on the sides of the bookcases (as shown in the piicture I posted).

Too much open shelving can make a room look messy. Are you allowed to mount the tv on the wall? Then you can get a console with doors for under the tv. Paint the black bookcase and reorganize everything on it to look more cohesive.

@freedomplace1 Thank you! I like your mockups but remember the area where you put the floor lamp and plant is where the round dining table is going to be. I'd appreciate any links 🙂

@ShadyWillowFarm Yes! We're allowed to mount things but more holes in the wall means our landlord will refuse to refund our deposit. I'm considering mounting the TV anyways. After the TV is mounted, would you suggest a lower closed console? Or one that stands fairly high?

Don’t risk your deposit. It’s not worth it. The tv console you have now is absolutely fine, and a perfect viewing height. If you want something that angles, consider just adding a swivel piece to the current console, such as suggested by @Olychick.

I wasn’t sure if dining table was going to be placed right in front of window, or if there was an alcove area and/or more space on that wall - which is why I wanted to see a pic of the entire wall area there. The floor lamp and plant might still work there. Will you be using the dining table every day? Is there an area to eat in the kitchen? Will you at times eat while on sofa watching tv?

I am thinking some folding pieces might be convenient and useful..

(I haven’t forgotten about the links. :))

Here are some lamp links. I’ve included the two I posted, above - as well as a few additional/similar options.

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/rowe-black-and-gold-tripod-floor-lamp__321e0.html

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/manda-weathered-espresso-and-antique-brass-tripod-floor-lamp__41t26.html

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/cold-spring-oil-rubbed-bronze-and-rattan-tripod-floor-lamp__326r0.html

NOA Tripod Floor Lamp, Black · More Info

Tripod Rust Black Metal Floor Lamp, 64" · More Info

@freedomplace1 I attached a fourth picture to show the space I have for the dining table. It's the only available space I have for an eating area as there's no space in the kitchen or elsewhere in the apartment. The dining area will be used everyday, but we'll occasionally eat on the couch facing the TV. I'm also worried that if I get a smaller round bistro dining set, it may be too small for that space but I'll figure something else to put there.

Don’t worry about filling in the space over there. You don’t want it to be too crowded, anyway; and by the time you include the chairs and take into account the necessary room to pull chairs out comfortably, etc. - I think a small round table would be fine.

Also, since it looks like the front door is right there, if you wanted to, you could set it up with a round table that could also double as a grand entry table. :)

And if you use folding chairs, you could stash them when not in use.

I think you could still use a lamp on that side of sofa, and maybe a plant in the corner, too. But instead of a plant, another idea might be to use some type of divider screen in the general area of that window corner, and you could stash folding chairs or even chairs + folding table behind the screen.

This is the general screen idea. I think the screen could be a bit taller and lamp moved over, and a black screen may work even better to coordinate with your bookcase on other side. Although, this one coordinates well with your coffee table, and the wood is a nice element in the space- so either way.

Just the general idea:

@freedomplace1 These are fantastic suggestions! Thank you. I'll take all of this and get to work and probably post a picture when I get everything situated

Hi!

I love the idea of adding a lamp to the room to give you that nice but soft light in the evening and night. It will come really handy whie adding warmth to the whole space.

Wouldn't worry about the couch not being centered with the TV, and yes, definitely try out the original gray from the couch! It will soften everything a bit, as the blue cover is making it look a bit heavy.

Adding some big plants will also help you bring some warmth and softness, so I'd definitely go with that.

And I like the idea of having a small but useful dining set on the right, near the window.

The round mirror facing the window, that's a definite yes!

You could also try changing the direction of the rug, as someone said above, being an open room, you don't need the rug delimiting the living room space versus the dining room space.

And I loved judianna20's idea of adding another bookcase to frame the sofa. You don't even need to center it, and it will give you a nice frame. Just make sure to keep it tidy and clean!

Good luck!! :)

Marie

etta_s My pleasure!

Your ideas for the space are good, and you have some nice pieces to work with. It would be great to see what you do! Take your time, have fun with all of it. :)

@Shine Rugs Thank you! Just to be sure, when you say "round mirror facing the window", you mean putting the round mirror on the wall that the bookcase is currently on right?

I worry that it'll look too much if I put another bookcase on the other side, then add a dining set, then add plants

Hi! Yes, the mirror facing the window, on the wall where the bookcase actually is!

I think your room could benefit from adding a few extra pieces without looking like "too much". If you go for soft tones and bring in some green, natural plants, it will look cozy and welcoming!

Nevertheless, try adding things slowly, getting used to one piece of furniture before adding the next (maybe start with the dinning table and chairs and taking it from there)

Keep the bookcase clean, you could add just some touches of decorative elements, organize your books by color for example.

Would love to see final pics tho!! :):)

We might recommend mounting the TV on the wall on an articulating arm so that it is movable. Below are some of our designs that might help you with decorating your space. Please note the rugs, side tables, plants, coffee tables, dining tables, and lamps.

The Urban Tree House · More Info

Barnaby Street · More Info

Modern Condo Design: Living Room · More Info

Thompson St · More Info

@freedomplace1 @Shine Rugs @Joy Street Design

Do you all recommend a glass-top dining table or a solid color like black or beige? I'm leaning towards whatever would still keep the room looking bright.