I would move the grey chair back a little so you can't see the rug behind it. That cloth footrest looks so comfy! But from the photographs it doesn't match the off-white of the couch. Maybe cover the foot rest with fabric the same shade as either the couch or the chair. (It looks like it has a square piece of fabric at the top that could be sewn to one long piece of fabric covering the sides of the footrest. The resulting vertical gap at the end could be closed with Velcro or a couple of big buttons. The bottom edge off fabric could be tucked under the footrest and secured.) To avoid visual clutter, I'd put most of the extra pillows and throws into a basket or wire crate, but I really liked the brown and white throw in the first photo. I think it would be beautiful on the couch with only the off-white pillows that came with the couch. What about the small white table by the window? I'd put it in front of the wall on the right side of the fireplace and place the left fireplace candle on it. Your mantle would now have an asymmetrical design. One of the candles would be high, the other low.

I liked the other arrangement with couch facing fireplace. I'm sorry, but I just cannot get over the chair in the middle of the rug. It's in front of the couch, yes? That looks....not good. :(

Such a nice room! If you wanted to change things I might suggest a warm tone on that fireplace wall & a larger rug with some pops of color. I applaud you for not putting a TV above the fireplace. 😊 Some folks like that but it’s never been my bag.

I’d add a larger, colorful rug and drapes hung ceiling height. These would add softness, and you could choose a color from the rug to tie the room together
Also, some colorful pillows. Mount the tv over the fireplace and face the sofa toward it. Place the chair to one side of the sofa.
You could have an electrician put an outlet in the floor so you could have a lamp between the sofa and chair.

Definitely drapes to the floor.

It just looks a bit cluttered. There is no breathing room around the front of the fireplace and coffee table.
It also looks like you could pull the rug more forward to the TV. The couch doesn’t need to completely cover it.
But I already know the deal with the chair. Husbands lazy boy amiright? Thats where he sits?
What if you move the couch to face the fp and move his chair closer to the fp?
He can watch tv dead on straight. Spin the rug so fringe faces the fp.

I noticed the toys and small table at the side of the chair. Obviously, you have a small child or children who also must be accommodated right now. Function still must be your priority. I think the least disruptive/highest impact change you could make until they get older is to find a rug with color/pattern that you love, and go with colorful accessories like pillows or a throw to tie them together. In a few years, you will be free to rearrange more extensively, if you wish. Enjoy this brief time with your little one(s).

I like the picture with the couch facing the fireplace. I would paint the wall behind the fireplace a darker color to make the fireplace and white frame pop. I would also add drapes, and if you can find a place for a houseplant or two I think the room would look warm and inviting.

@marhop where exactly are you suggesting to put the couch? right now it's back to the original spot over at the far end of the rug. we moved it to across from the fireplace but it was very awkward in relation to the TV placement.

i suggested moving sofa on side where chair is now but if youre not comfortable with that just leave as is cause you dont have another option unless you mount tv above fireplace. Do add another chair ( could be a $100 Winners find like this but in bright color as previously suggested)

At least switch the chair and C-table so the chair is on the corner of the rug. Like Patricia said way up there, it looks like the chair is just plopped in the middle of the room. It needs to at least be scooted back so the front is even with the couch arm.

You need to figure out a layout before you get a new rug or decor. I know you said No to hanging the tv over the fireplace, is there a reason for that? It would really allow you some more space in the room for seating

Have you tried the tv & console to the left of the fireplace in front of the window? You can hang some drapes over the window or even a taller cabinet to block it.

What is the wall behind the couch now? Could you move the tv against it and flip the couch to other side of room?

If you show pics of the room from all angles and provide measurements people can offer better layout suggestions.

Second photo is much better. Just needs a little color. Start with throw pillows on sofa. Actually I like the room now - very soothing colors.

I can understand why putting the TV over the fireplace might be a bad idea. Besides figuring out what to do with the cords, it's probably too high and you'd have to tilt your head back to watch TV. Same with having the couch facing the fireplace: you'd have your head turned to the left the whole time to watch TV. Both causes a neck ache. Looking at the photos, it seems that the furniture is being contained within the rug borders. Which squeezes everything together.

I read back thru (or scanned might be more accurate), I didn’t see anyone suggest this type arrangement. I didn’t see a sketch with actual measurements so I guessed at basic sizing. If you could post actual measurements, I can refine the layout to be more accurate. In tough spaces such as yours, angling big pieces can often really help. See what you think.

Personally, I like this rug's chalky colors, and on amber wood floor. Not so contrasting.

Custar Multi Panel Bohemian 6'7" x 9' Area Rug · More Info

This alone might lift the room. Most have 'swung away' from heavy fabric valance of old, but suzani, etc. could be ok...? :)

Simple Elegance Kitchen · More Info

Newport Beach · More Info

Pretend for sake of discussion that these window treatments aren't shades.... and as to your heating/ac structure: the same shape of a valance is ok. I call it: "If you can't beat it, join it."

Briar Chapel Model · More Info

thanks all. i will add more photos and measurements tomorrow!

it's possible 2 valances would keep your heater 'company'... I thought of your room when I saw this room, with split system looking similar with upper cabinets, a kind of camoflauge.

EL GRANADA, CA · More Info

You just need to add your favorite colors/patterns in curtains . Some planters to bring in a bit of greenery would brighten the fireplace area.

You have a lovely room. I think your living room needs some color- a rug with color and perhaps a larger rug . If that is not feasible, add some throw pillows. Either reframe the picture on the mantle or replace it with a larger picture with a contrasting frame, perhaps a black frame like the candle holders you have. I also agree with the suggestions to move the furniture to the edges of the rug. The chairs looks weird where it is place now. If you need the floor lamp for light, something with a slimmer base would seem less intrusive. Post photos for us when you finish decorating the room.

A darker color on the walls could help your furniture and fireplace "pop". (blues, grays, whatever) Greenery also goes a long way to help a space feel alive. A mirror over the fireplace brings extra depth, and a faux fur throw blanket for a little lux texture. Good luck - let us know how it turns out. PS - you might even consider a "picture frame" TV over the fireplace... when you aren't watching TV, it turns into a photo or painting. Nice way to solve the space problem.

Room is about 24x12.5

some more photos

What is length and depth (front edge to back edge) of sofa? Depth and width of chairs.

What is your current rug size? Working on it.

Here is scale layout. However, I don’t have confidence in measurements especially from wall fireplace is on to the solid portion of stair case. Please verify the distance from the WALL the fireplace is on over to solid portion of opposite wall.

fireplace wall to opposite is 12.5

Rug: 8x10

Chair: 31“ deep 29“ wide

Couch: 39” deep 84” long

Ok. Then this is accurate. Sofa a bit deeper 3” - chair is just about right. This can work and easy to try out.

Confused about where chair goes

Room feels weird with the couch slanted lol

A few tweaks. Chair goes roughly where that table is sitting. The left corner of sofa pushes back a bit and coffee table moves to center in front of sofa. That table might fit on left end of sofa. Then get small drink type table or stool for swivel chair.

I could turn photo of chair properly but put it on far left corner of rug.

“Could not turn chair”

You have to live with changes for several days to really test out. Do you have a narrow sofa table or half round table? You could try that behind sofa and possibly put lamp on it. Or move your floor lamp to fireplace end of sofa. I think it would look better on that side of your room. Try it.

You could put a storage cube where the floor lamp is now to corral miscellaneous loose items when needed and have additional seat. Like this.

Opps. Here’s mock up.

Personally, I love your room: beautiful wall color, wide trim, wood floor, contemporary elements played against the classic, peaceful feel. (There's a lot to be said for calm in this chaotic world!)

The TV is the big problem. I know you said no to putting it over the fireplace (dislike or impossibility?), but it would solve a lot. Here are a couple of edited photos for visualization:

Everything is gray or brown or black. It needs ”splashes of color” throughout. A colorful rug, a throw for the chair, pillows for the sofa, colorful vases ( not matchy, matchy) for the mantle. all should be fairly inexpensive if cost is a consideration.

Agree TV is biggest issue but OP has declared that is non negotiable. So that makes it tough.

Very nice mock up simplynatural! Might work to convince them about TV Location. Not sure if it’s feasible.

Currently everything in your room appears to be facing the tv, which is in an awkward place, for convenience sake.
That is the wrong place fir the couch.

Simplynatural has come up with the best solution. i too felt the TV was causing the problem. Too many focal points for a small room.

While the tv looks good over the fireplace and all the furniture in the room looks beautifully placed, I am not sure there is enough space between the sofa and tv to be viewed correctly and comfortably.

.

Only the Poster would know.

@simplynatural beautiful mock up. the main issue with TV above fireplace is the room isnt deep enough to place the couch where it would need to be to avoid straining our necks

I like how you have the room arranged. I would just turn the chair and ottoman around on an angle facing the sofa when you're not watching tv. I do that with one of my chairs.

I'm a slouchy TV viewer, @No Thanks, usually scooted down with feet up and head resting on the sofa back. From that position, a higher TV is actually easier to see than a lower one. But I realize that most viewers probably have better habits than mine(!), and your room needs to be comfortable for you. Thanks for responding.

Color!!!! Must have color!!! You just have a bunch of random neutrals of same intensity put together - white, beige, grey, greige, black, white, brown wood tone, beige-grey, blue-grey. Monochrome can work but there needs to be a range of intensities (from very light to dark) and textures to provide visual interest. Read up on the 60-30-10 rule and decide which color you want for each percentage, and then be ruthless about sticking with the plan.

Any chance you could put tv cabinet flush- no angle, add some drapes and style your mantle with larger art and odd number of items- no matching.

This room is set up as a theatre, not a living room. For a LR, the focal point should be the fireplace as simplynatural has shown. Also, the TV is way too big for the room size. The owner has to decide how this room will function or else the decor changes are pointless debate.