It would seem alot to paint the case, but a toasty/ lighter look could be better... what if the windows had textured bamboo type shades? even without curtains. Good reviews for cheap roll up bamboo.

Or better - the second one - what color is the sofa??

Light Brown Bamboo Midollino Wooden Blinds Light Filtering Shades 46"x64" · More Info

Radiance Cordless Privacy Weave Bamboo Roman Shade, Driftwood, 48"x64" · More Info

Blue, Turquoise, Gray, Ivory ---- ?

Kaleen Dasha Collection Dsh08-17 Blue Area Rug 9'3"x12' · More Info

Pretty cool for dining, if no pattern is added to living / or entry runner.... I think it's nice.

Kaleen Hand-Tufted Montage Collection Rug, 8'x10' · More Info

Soft dab of green in it? nice and delicate -

Kaleen Montage Mtg11 Floral Rug, Ivory (01), 8'0"x10'0" · More Info

Small ? 21 x 19" but I like it with leather, and colors there....

not fully grey, but a muted aqua.

Metal Chandelier With Aqua Wood Beads · More Info

To bridge with ceiling fan, dining, etc.... matte and nice shape -

4-Light Metal Drum Pendant in Matte Gold · More Info

everdebz thank you so much! I am getting lots of ideas and have approval to move the bookcases....step #1 thank you so much!

Sounds good. Do get some “sliders” to make moving pieces a breeze! Here is a good set from Amazon.

soooo bookcase is too tall to fit through the bedroom door I intended to move it into....we literally have no other wall for this beast and my husband has a ton of books....so as of now I am a little stuck on what I want to do....stay tuned lol

Can you turn it on it’s side to get it through the door then stand it back up again?

Did you try turning the bookcase on its side to get it through the door? i agree to get the couch off the windows, glad to hear you downsized the dining table. there is just a lot of big dark stuff that i fear is really ”dating” your space. NO shades, just curtains on either side and the middle- hung as close to the ceiling as possibe, and 6” outside of the windows- light color!!!

unfortunatley the hallway is too narrow for us to turn the bookcase sideways :(

The bookcase can’t lay on its side? I am super confused. Your hallway cannot possibly be narrower than the bookcase is deep

Maybe turning a corner into the bedroom is the problem, rtpaige03….

yes we have to turn it into the room and its too tall to turn...thats correct.

have permission to sell the bookcase now..ha! As long as we get smaller ones for son's old room...anyone want to buy it in Phoenix lol???!!!!

That’s great news! Put it on FB marketplace and Craigslist.

Yea!! Great solution. IKEA has Billie bookcases that would configure well. They can also be assembled in the room. We had home with super tight hall into a bedroom. We had a assembly team come to put it together in our son’s room. Then when we moved, they came and took it apart to get it out of the house! Check on that.

I think this is my favorite way to arrange the furniture still...what kind of area rug did you put here if I put the one that was here under the dining room table, side table, and lamp on side of the sofa more to show scale but could stay -maybe paint the base of the marble top table? It can go in another room though...

I do have this large metal wall art in another room that may be able to go somewhere?

I removed the frames from both oil paintings...I like it! Do you think they need any frame around them at all if I touch up the canvas and get it all tucked in neatly and paint over the side of the canvas staples? Obviously, a cheaper option but open to framing with thin modern wood frame?

furniture in the same space pretty much without the area rug, bookcase, and clock on the left wall-because the ceiling fan is so close how far down would you hang a light over the dining table?

sofa against the pony all -this could work because I could plug the sofa into the wall but it seems awkward?

nope not going to work -even with a sofa table it's too closed off when you enter the house

another furniture arrangement-not working for me because I can't plug the power recline sofa in-I put the amount of space I have to work with for drapes on either side of the windows -still drapes positioned on the outer edge of both windows -stationary for decor only vs. roman shade or roman shade?

this is to the right of the right side window...the wall bends

another view of the larger oil painting without the frame in the hallway behind the pony wall...

this is the pattern of the large ara rug-I washed it and its drying outside here..t is about 8 x 12 so that would fit well under the dining room table and I can get a smaller area rug for the seating area do you think I should go with a solid rug there since the chairs have a pattern too?

Here is another arrangement I pulled the sofa off the window bit-would need a sofa table behind it?

Should be able to camouflage the sofa plug-in cord off to the side and hide it with a basket or plant?

Side view of this arrangement...not the best..this is why I asked about a sofa table or should I just put the sofa against the window?

Thank you all!!! I feel like I am making progress...you are all such a big help!!!

Good for you!

Maybe it's because there's 'nothing' behind sofa by the windows [no window treatment], that I don't like it there / and it's the darkest item / and I like it parallel to dining set....

Is there a hall runner you like, that highlights color[s] in your art? could be nice.

If you've hung the metal item in hall, show us... it seems to have chair colors.

In my opinion the sofa looks better as was placed originally than it does in front of the pony wall or out in the middle of the room.. If the pony wall was taller it might work better but it appears that the back of the sofa would still be be in a partial pony vs no pony position.
Without the measurements of your room and furniture, it’s difficult to know for sure what is feasible. That info could really be beneficial to everyone who’s trying to help. I can’t get a good idea of how the room is situated on the right side as you’re entering from the front door from your pictures. Not sure if there’s enough room but have you considered trying the dining table In front of the window and putting the sofa where the table is? And due to the “alcove” that is where are your sideboard is, you might have to float the sofa out with either the sideboard behind it or some sort of a sofa table back there. Arm chairs facing sofa. I realize that moves the formal dining further away from the kitchen but it may open this room up a bit. Again it’s hard to tell whether in that would work without seeing actual dimensions. Pictures from each side of room could help as well. Just a thought. Thank goodness for furniture sliders

One other thing, I realize this might interrupt the flow through the room but it’s just an additional idea. I think Flo was right when she indicated the table and chairs are large for the space. Especially when the chairs are high backed as they are they takes up a lot of visual as well as physical space. But I totally get it about selling expensive furniture. It’s painful to do.

May I just ask….how do you envision using this part of the room?……because I see from one of your photos that you have another room beyond with tv over the mantle. Obviously you want to have a dining room and your table is ok there with the sideboard. Instead of hanging a chandelier over your table, I would put 2 lamps on the sideboard that give plenty of illumination, think 150 watt bulbs. A chandelier is just going to fight with the fan. Do you find it necessary to have your couch in that area, or could you just do the 2 chairs and make it a reading area? I just think the sofa is really crowding what could be a very nice room!

Following. Thanks for the measurements and pics you shared.

How much do you all use the dining set? Have you considered floating the dining set along the window wall? You could think "lounge" or "reading room" and use the chairs and cubes only, off to the side or in a corner. Or, use the sofa and cubes only.

The dining set would be a library table when not in use. It might make an easier pass thru to the TV room on the other side.

Or, make this only a living room and move the dining set to that other room with the TV. What do you think?

Wow! Great effort. I will look over when I get back from meeting.

What about dining table in front of windows? Arm-Chairs where sideboard is. Painting where bookcase was?

I like the couch against the entry wall except where it drops down to the pony wall? How handy are you? Could you build in an open on both sides shelf unit from the top of the pony wall to the ceiling just out as far as the couch goes. You could make each opening different sizes to give it more visual appeal and create a perfect fit for what you would store there. 

If you want to keep the couch against the wall with the two windows, for flow purposes  I would keep it against the wall and off to one side. Look for a stained glass or old led window that has been put in a frame and hang it in the other window.  It would give a visual balance without cluttering the path or blocking any light.

Also to help with the open feeling remove the floor lamps and replace the light with a plug in sconce. They are coming back in style. If you need the lamp light for reading you can get sconces that shine the light up and down. The up light give the feeling of taller ceilings.

Here’s a color blocking idea to make your unframed canvases better suit the space if you feel they look to small for the area.

Interesting Ideas · More Info

I like the sofa against the pony wall but I think it needs a side table for balance and a rug under the front feet of the sofa and chairs.

I think a thin wood floating frame for your canvasses.

The dining set does appear to be blocking the doorway.

You probably don’t want to do this, but looking at the lighting in the room, I really feel like this room is best served as just a dining room, and that room to the right of the windows as a living room. You could use the chairs as a reading nook as suggested and keep the bookcase. If you are open to this, I would do the reading area where the table is now, turn the table and float it in the room and put the buffet under the windows.

Thank you everyone! You are all coming up with great ideas. I truly appreciate all your help!!!!!!

...I need to pretty much work with what I already have at this point-I agree with your comments though..we actually use both rooms for sitting areas (one is more of a tv room that is part of the kitchen) so at this point all the furniture needs to stay at this point. I am going to keep working on tweaking what I have you have all given me some good tips already to work with-blessings!!!

Thanks for the feedback, GoTrojans! Looking back, it makes sense sticking with original layout since the chairs recline.

Would it give you some space to move the buffet to the back wall for books? Would it help to move the 2 dining armchairs to another room?

Someone posted earlier with Roman shades and white curtains along the whole window wall. You could also do solid blue or green curtains, and miniblinds instead of shades. 

If you want to change the rug, I am seeing a turquoise blue, apple green, and mustard yellow from your art (which I do like!) and recliners. I hope this will help you in your search.

Thanks for the feedback, GoTrojans! Looking back, it makes sense sticking with original layout since the chairs recline.

Would it give you some space to move the buffet to the back wall for books? Would it help to move the 2 dining armchairs to another room?

Someone posted earlier with Roman shades and white curtains along the whole window wall. You could also do solid blue or green curtains, and miniblinds instead of shades. 

If you want to change the rug, I am seeing a turquoise blue, apple green, and mustard yellow from your art (which I do like!) and recliners. I hope this will help you in your search.

About suggestions to try dining by the windows?

A small thing - such a low wall, and then tall bookcase... not ideal I guess. Books where buffet is...?

Hi everyone..ok so this is where things are now in my living room/dining room..

1.LOL, I just noticed we have two different light bulbs in the lights on the buffet-will change them....also, I washed my large area rug and its buckling...any tips-was going to try some carpet tape?? I was going to move the rug over to the dining room table section but the rug stuck out too far out into the hallway so I moved it back to the sitting area.

2. I am thinking of plant ont that little table under the clock or just moving the table and a larger indoor plant to soften that spot? Would love suggestions for that space

3. I decided against a chandelier over the table since it would be so close to the fan in the center of the room. I really like my bedroom lamps on the buffet and took the frames of my desert paintings. I like them! I don't even think I am going to hang the one over the buffet I like it more casual leaning like it is. Any suggestions (photos) for decor to really WOW on my dining room table?

5. I ended up moving yet another bookcase from another roomto the wall where there were two the two big bookcases, but this one is not as bulky so I am liking it here. I was able to sell thouse big bookcases and get three Billy Bookcases from Ikea from someon for $150 to put in my sons bedroom -score! All the books fit too!! :)

6. I still am undecided on window treatments...I kind of like it open and bright but ??

Hope you all have a great day and thanks for your time!

Could you add some lighting inside the new bookcase? Puck lights perhaps? And you could wallpaper or paint the interior of that bookcase to lighten its look.

That is a great idea about the light! I will look into it! :) Thank you so much!

Vast improvement. Good for you. Art leaning is very nice and does give a less formal look. Rugs will usually lay down in a week or so. You can put some books on them just put some waxed paper between rug and books. I don’t think you need rug under table given size and space. You can get French return rods to hang light drapery/curtains and keep things light and airy. You just need one panel on each end.

I still like a open chandelier over your table. It can live nicely with the fan. It helps define your spaces.

Thank you so much-Lord knows we have enough books hahaha! Thanks for the curtain suggestions!!

Here is one more photo

I still like a open chandelier over your table. It can live nicely with the fan. It helps define your spaces. Here are examples of table looks keeping simple lines and low cost!

You could paint the fan blades white to make them less noticeable. Fans are functional but lighting is both functional and decorative. They give a finished look.

Or for a more dessert look, you could line up maybe 3 of these down center of table.

You don’t need tie backs for those curtains. It takes some ironing to get those looking good but at that price — hey!

Nice! And the grey-ish bookcases, better.

GM Go Trojans! Thank you for the pictures. It looked like there was very little clearance to move around the dining set, but now it looks like a non issue, except for the doorways.

I like Flo and other Houzzers' curtain ideas. If you prefer the windows uncovered, use curtain panels only.

You could stack books on the table, with or without the small succulents. They could be contained in a tray to move as needed.

Very glad you are keeping the art, too.