I don’t see space for you to sit at the countertop - the overhang isn’t deep enough is it? The pub table is an option, but would have to be narrow, correct? I’m not sure how much space you have - may want to sketch it out to scale so you can draw in the furniture out create little cut outs to move around.

The pros of a pub table is that your child (or others) can sit there while you’re cooking and see you, etc. The cons are that sometimes the scale is a bit to big for smaller spaces, and some people don’t like sitting that high. Think about what is important to you. I think options 1 or 2 are both viable, but I would want to work out the floor plan before buying anything.

I vote for number 2 because I'm guessing you can't move the sofa to the window because it's facing a TV not shown in the photos.

I think you need a table for the reasons you said. It almost looks like you could fit 2 Kallaxes under the counter. If so, then you would have to buy more toys, but...

Love your art pillows and sun mirror.

Convertible coffee table.

You have a lot od opportunities to make your room cozy and functional.

I would go with this layout with sofa by the window and with a tulip round table.

I would shift the sofa over to the right. It does not need to be centered on the wall or on the TV, and you could use the extra space on the left.

I would put a small drop leaf or extending table against the past through and have two chairs, one at each end, and maybe two more you could use somewhere else and move to the table if you want to seat company or something.

We have a dining area that is too small to keep a big table in all the time, because it also serves as our entry and we have to be able to get in and out of the coat close easily. We have a small table and two chairs for there regularly but the small table can come out, and we have a generic folding banquette table that we can seat 6 at easily, and just throw a tablecloth on it.

I am not generally overly cautious with kids like worrying about padding corners or anything, but you have to be really careful with pop up things like that and kids. I have a fingertip that is obviously reattached, and I almost lost it, from a mechanism like that.

Move furniture around and try to find layout that works better for you. You might want to move sofa on right corner to the window and place toys storage just across sofa.

Or move sofa to the countertop, having table by the window, may be even rectangular.

Could you do a thumbnail sketch of the floor plan with dimensions indicating all measurements? First overall dimensions: front door to kitchen counter & window/entrance door wall including door.

Then start in the corner and go all the way around the room -- not missing any dimension. When the space is small, every inch helps. I would love to help.

I would not be able to live without a big work surface, as I paint, and work from home also. I know my dimensions must be off, but here is an idea of a furniture layout.

You can get a long narrow dining table (either something simple or a long farm table) and put it up against the wall with art centered above the table. I love the inspiration pic below with a wire cord to hang photos/art/inspiration pics, etc.

Slide the sofa closer to the window -- about 18"-24" away. Angle you lounge chair in the corner near the counter with the sunburst mirror or art above, a floor lamp, and small round table. Can you paint the front of the counter? If so, paint the same color as the chair. It will be a pretty vignette when entering and looking across the room.

The toy storage doesn't need to take center stage. Locate it on the wall across from the kitchen as it will probably hold school stuff too.

Art above the sofa and curtain panels (ceiling to floor) to complete.

If I am all off with the dimensions, let me know and I'll revise.

Hey everyone!! Appreciate all the feedback!! Here are some additional pics of the space. I feel like I can’t move the sofa because I used the wall right across from it for the TV.

@housegal200 the room is 17x11. Here is a view from a different angle. The entry into living room is only 44” side so the Ikea unit would take up too much space if I put it close to the staircase entry.

I think a 6 yr old can store toys in their room and bring out what they need to play with then a nice small table in front of the window I would not do a table with stools but a nice table with 2 chairs . That would also allow for a drop leaf table and you could get 2 more stacking chairs for when you have company . Or the convertivble coffee table but they are a hassle to use everyday.

I think a good table is a must, No little circular cafe set. What is currently stored in your TV cabinet? I'd get one large piece that can house those items as well as toys. Keep it in the same place as the current TV stand. Mount your TV on the wall above it. Place the sofa under the windows. Have the TV on an angled arm so you can tilt it towards the sofa when you are watching it. Have a large table along the long wall.

@Kendrah TV unit is currently empty. Using it as a catch all for all the things that don’t fit in a linen or pantry closet. Unfortunately I cannot buy new furniture because I’m on a budget now that I’m a single mom. All the furniture I have was extra furniture we had in our storage unit so I have to stick with it all. Putting the sofa under window seems to be a popular opinion so I’ll have to test that out!

Should have mentioned in my post that I’m not in a position to buy new furniture besides a dining table so have to work with what I have. I’m also in a 1-bedroom place and do not want to see my kiddo’s toys in the bedroom!

I think a small dining table next to the window would look better than the shelves. I think it would also be a lovely place to eat. I don’t have time to floor plan it for you, as I’m off to work on a rental property today. The IKEA tulip table is small and a pleasing shape. If you want to minimize the visual clutter, their acrylic chairs would work (assuming they still carry them).

I would try all the positions for the sofa suggested -- try moving it down the wall to see if that's still ok for seeing the TV, and I suggest you also try the sofa at an angle in the window corner to see if you like the look. Try it by the window. Move the chair around at the same time.

Be sure to measure very very well the space where you decide you want the table before you buy anything, and figure out chair comfort for accessing and using the table. You might be happiest with getting the biggest table surface you can comfortably fit into the space. Homework, art projects, games, mealtimes.

There are of course space-saver tables with fold-down leaves or chair storage underneath. Sometimes that works for people, other times it is better to just skip it and live with a table in the room that has an open usable surface all the time.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Solid-Wood-Foldable-Table-and-4-Chairs-Set-with-Storage/3874973745?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101197653

If you float the sofa to face the wall where it is now, put your TV there if it's part of your living room, then you could get a second Kallax for that wall with your TV over it with plenty of storage for your little one all across the wall.

Or just one with your upholstered chair on the side in front of it.

There are many possibilities for changing up your layouts, which is why Houzz suggests that all Design Dilemma posters show the space with all four walls. Please get us those shots.

Check Marketplce in your area.

Maybe consider sliding the sofa towards the window and adding a narrow table on the walls that can be pulled out when needed.

Hi Dina, I understand completely about being on a budget. I don't know where you are located, but I have found amazing furniture on Craigslist for free, especially dining tables and dining chairs. What is the state and closest city near you? If you are in and around LA, I have all kinds of stuff you can have.

Your place is really cute, it's just about tweeking all the furniture and making it work for you. I agree there has to be a way to work in a dining table.

For anyone following this thread, it's a perfect example of why Design Dilemma folks need to provide photos showing an entire space right at the beginning. Who knew there was a staircase and the wall opposite the sofa was a staircase wall with a narrow passageway to the kitchen? Who knew about OP's budget? Budget limitations and comprehensive photos need to be provided in the original Design Dilemma. Over and out.

Better question is who didn't insist on photos of the entire space before working on it and who didn't ask for the budget? Me and others. Jan would have sent police to her home for an interrogation. :P

Folks need to take a chill pill. The OP showed a pic early on that indicated a stairway and made pretty clear what the layout is. No need for detailed floor plans. Helpful to know that they are on a budget. So many things can be found for free on Craigslist and some good deals can be had on facebook market place. Enjoy making a nice new home for you and your kiddo!

I think you could free up enough space for a table with a few tweaks. The sofa centered on the wall is making the spaces on either end of it useless. Bur you don’t think you can slide it to one side necause it’s also cenrered on the TV. The TV cabinet is also centered on the wall and the TV is centered on top of the cabinet.

I would move the couch to one side, move the TV cabinet as much in the same direction as possible, then move the TV in that same direction so it’s to one side on the cabinet. I t should now be pretty much in front of the couch for biewing. Provide some balance with a tall lamp next to the TV or hang some art doectly above the now empty space next to the TV.

I would also think about a drop down shelf attatched on the kitchen wall that can be raised for dining. Kind of like this:

I immediately thought of a small drop-leaf table, perhaps up against the pass through. Raise one leaf for meals, then lower the leaf if needed.

There are tons of solid wood honey oak table and chairs on Facebook marketplace - I bought a whole set for $50 and painted it black for a basement game table - it's solid wood, come with a leaf and is super sturdy.

FWIW with a child in the home, I would compromise optimal TV watching for a good table for meals, coloring/crafts, games (and homework eventually)

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I really like Denise's suggestion of putting a small dining table up against the 37" high kitchen wall. I know this set-up in the picture below is much bigger than what you could accomodate, but it's a similar idea and looks great. You would, of course, either have to move the sofa down or move it to the window wall. The TV could be mounted on a swivel bracket if needed for better viewing.

You could use a table such as these.