That's a challenging living area--it looks quite narrow. Could you post a sketch of the entire living/dining/entry area, labeling the length of each wall, window, and doorway? You will get much more useful advice if we understand the space you are working with.

Oh that’s super helpful advice. Thank you! I’m new here. I will do that and post it.

Oh by the way it looks like you accidentally posted this question twice. You should delete the other post, so you get all feedback in one place.

Looks like you have great floors that's a plus ...... waiting on your floor plan

in the meantime i will say that your storage pieces are really small, see if you can find pieces thatfit the scale of your room better and they will also provide more room for toys, Facebook marketplace has so many amazing finds if you’re patient

I will wait for the floor plan Use graph paper to make it easier show every window , doorway where those lead every meausrement clearly marked posted here in a comment in jpeg format . You probably cannot delete the other post now hopefully others will check this one out .

My kids are grown now, but you need to learn to be ruthless with toy storage! I did not "allow" toys to be stored in the living area. Bring something in to play, but it needs to get put away when done. It takes perseverance and constant training, specially for other adults in the house!

You are living like a young family. Please choose some inspiration photos of rooms you like, post them here, and save them to your ideabook. Then give us some idea of your current budget or budget for the new few years for the living room.

Here, for example, is a comfortable room with the sofas anchored by a patterned rug.

Valentine Street Residence · More Info

What a lovely room and there are two productive ways to tackle. I find the volume/ideas on line are so helpful in identifying a preferred look and what was used to achieve it. Try searching ie: living room + different key words (a style, family friendly, small, etc).

It’s important to do a floor plan and consider your kids‘ needs, seating, storage, etc. Then test configurations. To me, the dining and play locations are restrictive and wonder about trying dining table in LR - could be beneficial for both needs. Could use a u-shaped sectional to take advantage of that entire area and might have room for a console opposite the table. Another set up is a long couch with two comfy chairs.

This is a little too open-ended. Your style parameters could go in a lot of different directions. Sophisticated, yet family-friendly could be a lot of things. Here are some ideas; which ones appeal to you most?

Elegant Mercer Island Waterfront Home · More Info

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Maple Leaf Family Room · More Info

Family Room · More Info

If you have young kids, I'd probably avoid very light upholstery.

I am exactly like chispa about kids stuff invading every inch in a home we hade 3 kids lived in married student housing , small space . Kids played in the LR but before dinner all toys were put away and adults were in charge of the space . As for any other help we need that floor plan Waht is with the sectional with the 2 colors ?That wall where that little cube thing is would bea perfect place for a nice big armoire type piece to store many things but mostly toys. BTW I would suggest you get your vents cleaned that one is very dirty . The piece you put there should have legs so the vent can do its job too. Even an Ikea pantry cabinet could work well . It would be good to aslo post a few more pics and a bit more info. Do you have an entry closet ? Just asking since I see shoes and a back pack in the LR . I love leather for family seating everything wipes off and agood leather sofa will last until you are sick of it.

The wall on the other side of the clock, I see a bench, needs to be part of the living room and treated as a whole. Please take a photo of that wall from the sofa thanks.

Will there be a TV in the room? How many need to seat at one time?

Wow! I feel so lucky to have found this forum and all of the positive help and ideas. I’m feeling empowered already to change things up.

Here is a super rough sketch with measurements. We do have a front closet in the front entry opposite of a bench with baskets for the kids outdoor clothing and shoes.

I am definitely not opposed to moving the dining table to the living room but then am unsure what do so with the dining space. Our next upgrade will be our kitchen so the kitchen is on hold. I’m hoping that this redecorating could be about $5000 to get me started and can then upgrade things after. My kids are still 3 and 6.

Here are some pics of things I really like. I’m not set on whether I want the couch facing the long wall or facing the windows or dining with chairs.

Here is the sketch (so rough - please forgive me designers!!) and a pic from the sofa of the front hall as requested.

As a follow up to my initial comments / can you set up a play area in the dining space? My son and his wife decided to move their dining table and it’s turned out to be a great decision. Did something like this (easy toy access) and the floor space never seems to remain the same…wooden train set, logo, etc. Their 3 year old helps to put things away so low storage is helpful.

I don't see a TV in your current space. Do you want a TV in the space or not?

How do you use this room?

For small spaces I sometimes prefer chairs and a love seat or just chairs rather than trying to fit a large sofa somewhere.

I those chairs could ^^ could swivel to also face a TV that would work.

I like the idea of the playroom in the dining room except that I am trying to have most of our toys downstairs in the Rec room and just access to a few up here. But you’ve got me thinking!

I agree that less heavy seating would be good (not a sectional) but I find the single chairs to look more formal and I’d like it to be a space where the kids and I can snuggle up and read and so I can relax when the kids go to bed and read or watch shows in a space that feels relaxing and beautiful.