Here are a few random ideas:

- Have you considered swapping the living room and dining room? The current dining room space looks larger and like it could fit more seating for TV watching and hanging out. I could be wrong, it might be the angle of the photos.

- How old are the sofas and are the comfortable? A new baby, throw up, messes, is it really the right time to invest in all new furniture? I'd get a large, inexpensive rug that you like and that brightens up the room. Get an inexpensive coffee table. Get pillows and a throw you like that coordinate with the sofas.

- Maybe for now you get rid of one sofa in the bay window area and put two comfortable chairs there. Move the big hippo looking arm chair out of this room so you can walk through to the dining room.

- Everyone is going to tell you that grey is out of style and dated. Who cares? Yours is a beautiful color and can really act like a neutral. So many colors go with it.

- I'd like to see a mirror, if even a small one, hung on either side of the kitchen opening. I'm aching to see some of those nice windows reflected into the room.

Hopefully Beverly will reply to this. She's great at room layout.

The swap could work because you're already into the dining area now. And the new dining placement would be right off the kitchen. The tv or a bigger one eventually can go in the dining room bay space at a lower height. That'll make things feel more relaxed right away. To determine the sectional or sofa with chaise sizes you can do a scale drawing of the space on graph paper. Then cut out scale versions of different option to move around. IKEA has good ottomans with storage to go with their sectionals to extend lounging. Their pieces have pocketed springs in the seat cushions for longevity. And the covers are removable and washable. Uppland has a comfortable arm and comes in white with a 10 year warranty.

Remove the armchair, it doesn’t fit. Get a rug with way more cream and a touch of blue, some lighter color throw pillows. A coffee table that will be baby friendly and not gray! Since you have small kids, and a family-centric house, keep what you have until the kids are finished destroying everything and then trade up. Don’t swap the dining room for the family room, if anything, you can make the dining less formal until the kids are older. It might even be a good homework spot once they get older.

I’d start with a rug that has some of the wall color that you want to keep and some colors that will warm and brighten the space. I’d go for a rug that doesn’t have a medallion in the center since it’s hard to line up with the windows due to space. A random pattern would be less noticeable. This may not be your style but colors like this would warm up the room

You might consider a leather sofa like this one from IKEA. There are others out there that are similar if IKEA isn’t available in your area.

Then find chairs that are comfortable for you but more streamline since you space isn’t real big.
Work the colors from the rug you select into the pillows and accessories throughout the living room/dining room area.
Overhead lighting is great when you want the whole space lit up but lamps are great for keeping the space warm and cozy. Consider a floor lamp to the right of the sofa.

@kendrah / @dan1888

Shifting the rooms is an interesting idea! We decided to put the living room where it is now because we love the fireplace and built in shelves. And, for just the two of us, it made sense for the flow to be from kitchen to living room at the time. However, now that we have a baby and a need for more open space, it might make sense to open the room up. We rarely (if ever) use the dining room today so we could shift it to have more open play space when needed...

I also hear you all on not getting new furniture when starting a family 😂 However, we know someone in need that we are hoping to gift our couches to regardless, so any recommendations on new configurations would be welcome!

We started playing with shifting the furniture today just to see what it could look like.. I've attached a few pictures here. Don't mind the rug.. we just didn't want to move EVERYTHING until we have a solidified plan!

It looks to me that the sofa is blocking the doorway. Have you tried the sofas facing each other?

Shannon, Congratulations on the new little one. May we have measurements of the room that include openings, doors, windows, fireplace and especially the wall to the right of the French doors. What about removing the french doors because they take up space in your room? Just a thought. We will put together a 3D rendition if you are able to give us some measurements. Thanks, MAE

It really opened up the room. Do you have room to store one of the sofas elsewhere (rec room etc)? Or maybe place one sofa in the window area of the dining room with new higher legs so it can be used with the table? Does your table come with a leaf? You can also swap the light fixtures in the rooms. I live in a small space and often switch around my furniture depending on the season or what I'm doing. It would be useful for you to have several options so it's easier to not to have the tv mounted on a wall (tv can still be tied down to avoid tipping).

@Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design - that would be incredible!! I tried my best at a creating a floor plan that includes measurements 😅. Let me know if this makes sense or if you have any questions!

Lovely antique house. If you are in Boston area, you know its worth. The original woodwork is wonderful Obvioulsy, walls have come down, which is perfect so to open up the house to more natural light.

For now, center the sofa in the bay window and remove the big chair. The ottoman...meh. Take up too much visual space.

Looking good. You could move the chair beside the fireplace to make a reading nook.

Looks good to me. I'll get started on the 15th. :-)

Shannon, You got it!! The last layout is perfect! Looks great and as you said it opens it up and has good flow from one room to the next. NIce! You don't need any more from us. Best Wishes to you and yours. MAE

And, Congratulations on your new little one!

Only suggestion is to keep this arrangement when you replace the furniture. Our couch is made with microfiber material. I pull the covers off and wash them, it's so easy to take care of and clean up. You might like that with your white dog and growing family because the microfiber makes life a bit easier when it comes to cleaning up the furniture. Just a thought. No, they didn't pay me to say this. Just talking from my own experience. :-)

Great job on you last arrangement, but I do agree with moving the chair closer to the fireplace and possibly adding a small table next to it will look great

I agree about the chair, but also know that you may need that there to view tv while holding the baby. It can always be moved later when those days are over. I agree with @Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design that microfiber material is great for kids and pets. Washes and wears like iron.

Thank you all!! I sincerely appreciate the suggestions. We're going to live with the last arrangement for a week or two before ordering new furniture, just to make sure it works for us!

Kendra‘s idea to switch rooms was so perfect. So glad we could all be of assistance. Best wishes to you and your family. MAE

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