We need a sketch of the floor plan with dimensions to provide real help. No doors over a tv- two way mirror or a Samsung frame. Or just look at a tv.

We need pictures of all the walls as well.

My first reaction - no to the tv over the fireplace. That architectural bump out for a mantle is not doing any favors for that area.

I would also invest in recessed lighting.

Take some cues from the blue art to add ife to the room. I agree camel color carpet doesn't seem to the right choice. Post a picture of it here as a comment. Remove the corner of the sectional along with the 2 sections to the corner's right so you have a straight sofa and then the recliner can be moved to view the TV. As suggested above move the TV to the left of the FP. Neither mirror reflects anything worth seeing twice so they should go. Try the purple art over the sectional (not sure it is right size and/or shape) but it's always good to play around with what you have to determine what you like and sizes needed. Try blue art in DR. Look for something the size of the firebox for over the mantle. The rectangular coffee table may work without the end part of the sectional. It is dark would you consider painting it?

Paining everything white, ceiling, walls, trim in an eggshell finish would work for an all over coverage.

Invest in a new floor.

For an off-white which will go with your sectional, consider B.M. Cloud White.

Hickory, in natural, factory finished will be a wonderful floor for the sectional.

Suggest the drapery color go the tone of the walls.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BYMLNDW4/?encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=e96f21c1e03f3b6884c2bb2247a9c9dc&hsa_cr_id=0&qid=1737153056&sr=1-2-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124&ref=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi4d_asin_1_img&pd_rd_w=fm6vq&content-id=amzn1.sym.8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942%3Aamzn1.sym.8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942&pf_rd_p=8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942&pf_rd_r=H8SH08298W9JB8YRHSEM&pd_rd_wg=JvQvq&pd_rd_r=3b3cb06c-78a6-4d94-81b5-098844b73854

A few ideas to make your family room inviting...

- Warm white paint

- Warm white curtains

- Art on the walls instead of mirror

- A touch of black (arch lamp)

- A few accent pillows (colour coordinated with the art - sectional - rug)

- Didn't see the caramel rug you mention but it sounds too dark to me

For any ideas or comments on furniture layout you need to post a floor plan showing all dimensions, doors, windows, entrances to the room...

A couple of things:

I changed your light fixture in the dining room

Over the fireplace is the only location for the TV. Sorry.

I changed out the floor lamp

IMO your room would look better with an area rug than wall to wall carpet.

Yes measurements please.

Do you have another room for the tv?

Can you add skylights?

Hi All! Thank you for your guidance thus far. I really appreciate it. I have no idea how to make/write floorplans, so i hope this will suffice (i added measurements around the room). I also includef the carpet swatches. We’re doing carpet b/c of my tendancy for falling (better traction on carpet & less likely to trip on runners too. It sucks growing old w disabilities), plus we have a getiatric weiner dog who still does (slower) Zoomies every night & i dont want HER messing up her back either). Thx for understanding

No, skylights are a nogo & as is no tv in the room, altho i AM hoping to maybe DOWNSIZE IT. Id prefer to make plans for the eventuality that im stuck with this Monstrosity tho :( grrr
Oh, and when i had mentioned before about hiding the tv above the fireplace in a cabinet, something like this attached pic was my thought. Ooh! And with the carpeting, i HOPE you are able to see that the color is warmer, even in the icky dim light we get in the room. Im sorry if its not conveying properly, but that color IS the one thing we (family, designers, friends, carpet people, etc) have all agreed upon it the best color for the room (even with the intended “lightening up” goal. This room is just SO naturally dim/depressing.

Oh! And i just saw the ask for pix of the walls. Here you go:

Placing the TV above the fireplace would be too high for comfortable viewing.

The plan below is showing the furniture I see in your pictures that you want to keep. You did mention you would consider downsizing the size of the TV so I've relocated the TV switching it with the lounge chair & ottoman and installing the TV on the wall above a floating console.

Hopefully I got your measurements correctly as some were difficult to read.

I'd ensure that at least some of the furniture faces or can swivel to the windows and I'd make sure there's a pretty tree or other focal point in the yard. So, I'd be tempted to put the white chair in the corner where the TV is and cede the top of the mantel to the TV. The room will feel a lot lighter and airier if you are sitting next to the window.

@Sigrid

In the above plan I suggested, the light coloured chair is by the window with a lamp and side table. The TV is where the chair was previously, on the wall with a floating console. I find placing the TV above the mantel would be to high for comfortable viewing especially for aging persons.

thank you for the measurements. that helps a lot.

Hello , I noticed that you have a white couch in the kitchen/dining area. Is there any chance that that couch could be used in the fireplace room? Then the dining room table put into that room? Just wondering. Also, thank you for the additional information about not wanting to fall and so forth. That was really important.

Building a 3D rendition using your sketch. How big is that TV? WOW it looks really big.

@Mae Day Organizing and Interior Design

Thank Mae Day, but don't worry I'm not offended by other peoples comments. Our views on this website are all different and somewhat limited by different factors and often we learn more as the back & forth goes on between the OP and replies given.

I replied to the one above only because her suggestions were exactly what I had just illustrated in the plan above her comment.

Here is the rendition with some "what if" suggestions. The rendition used mostly furniture similar to yours. Can't always get them exact. Yes, it would mean changing out the pendant light fixture that is currently over the table. Sure hope this helps.

1. 1. If you can remove the corner in the sectional.
2. 2. If you can move the dining room table into the other room.
3. 3. If you can move the TV to the wall opposite the large couch in the rendition.
4. 4. If you can add two small swivel chairs with a side table between, next to the TV and console.
5. 5. Some added wall art.
6. 6. Some additional floor lamps over the swivel chair.

I apologize for being out of pocket yesterday. I fell in the parkinglot while out grocery shopping. Its a bit icy out there!

I LOVE these ideas so much!!! (changing furniture layout ideas)

However, it KILLS me to say that this front room in the kitchen (where the big comfy white chair is) is the ONE ROOM in the house im not willing to give up or change. It has southern exposure & is the literal only place in the house I can sit in the waaaay too infrequent sunlight, warm my bones & not feel depressed. The simple idea of giving up this “me space” is making me tear up right now! Uugh! I had NO IDEA reno-ing/redecorating would bring up such emotions!?! (Also, the diningroom table is too big w/ leaf & seats to actually fit in this space). I VERY sincerely apologize if i somehow led anyone to believe that this room (kitchen’s front room/sunroom area) is up for reno/remodeling. Please accept my sincerest apologies for inadvertently sending you down that path.

I HAVE considered moving the CHAIR/OTTTOMAN into the livingroom area b/c its SUPER comfy & just replacing it/getting another comfortable chair in the front room. But i (for true Mental Health purposes/reasons) DO need to keep that front room as a sun/sitting room.

Regarding the brown leather sectional couch: yes, we should be able to remove the corner w/o a problem.

•KEEPING: There are 2 end recliner pieces & a middle (stationary piece).

•REMOVE 2 pieces: a reclining middle piece (very compressed) & the corner piece.

We dont entertain much, however we WANT to start being in the rotation to host family holidays, which is why we have the diningroom table & chairs. We have a leaf & extra table/chairs in the garage to bring inside. Max Dinner Guests would be 8-9 ppl. Do we reconsider the diningroom table situation & get rid of it in favor of just posting up a long folding table w/ a tablecloth & just reclaim ALL that space into LIVING space?
Now my mind is blown! (oh the opportunities but expenses!)

My geriatric Doxi is on my lap as we both sit in the rare winter Seattle Sun considering possibilities….

Omg and one more thing?
No matter HOW MANY TIMES i hit return, to try & break these HUGE WALLS OF TEXT into semi-readable blocks, NOTHING HELPS?!!!!
Im SO SORRY for that too!

Does anyone have suggestions how to overcome that? (Like hit return 9x instead of 8 lol)

Ohhh, Bless your heart!!! So sorry you fell and of all the places, in the parking lot! Hope you are doing better soon. I sincerely understand. Falling is so scary.

I also understand about the front room in the kitchen. That is an absolute keeper! It was just a thought of possibilities that passed my mind. So sorry for bringing you to tears by bringing it up. My apologies.

Thank you so much for getting back to me.

• Most of the furniture in the rendition is yours, just rearranged, except the two small white swivel chairs, a couple of small round side tables, and two floor lamps ( I would just use what you already have). Yes, it would be nice if you could use this as a living room only.
• Is the chair and ottoman in the front room more comfortable than the one in the pictures that you posted? If so, what about exchanging them just to see if it is better for you. If not than just keep it as you have it.
• By all means remove the sections of the sectional, as you suggested. Please try the couch on the wall as seen in the rendition. Then put the TV on the wall across from the couch.
• I understand about the dining room table. Would you be okay with using a dropleaf table or card tables for family dinners?

Do you want me to replace the two white swivel chairs with a drop leaf table just so you can see what that would look like? I will be happy to do that.

Best Wishes, MAE

The return key issue. Sounds like your keyboard is acting up on you. you may need to unplug it and reinstall it. Sometimes that helps. Not sure why it is giving you such a hard time. Not so techy myself. Electronics!! Oh joy!!

Hi MAE et al,
Would you mind showing your rendering with a drop-leaf table, please?

I grew up in a house with at least 3 (never opened or lifted lol), but i never even CONSIDERED them as an option in this house! Cripes, do they even make them anymore?

You bet. Just updated the rendition with a drop leaf table in it.

Rendition with the drop leaf table in place of the two white swivel chairs.

Hope this helps. :-)

Yes, they still make drop leaf tables. Sure wish you had one of those from your early days.

Best wishes to you. Let me know if you want to see any other changes. Otherwise, signing off. MAE

Hi MAE DAY et al~
You’ve all been SO GRACIOUS for mocking up beautiful ideas for my living/dining room space.

I’ve LOVED all the possibilities & have gotten excited about the new opportunities you suggest & that I can piggyback with ideas of my own & truly “own” the space.

Well, for all the reasons I’ve loved our process, my grumpy non-visionary husband is pushing back.
But can handle him (dya remember the main character’s Mom’s line in My Big Fat Greek Wedding?
She said, “Yes, it is true. The man is ‘Head of the house’. But it is the WOMAN who is the NECK & directs the head what to see & where to go.”
LOL, See? I just have to direct him :)

Anyway, i didnt want to obligate you to keep mocking things up for me.

But long story short, he does NOT want to give up the dining room table & does NOT want to give up on the TV over the fireplace.
….but I THINK maybe if BOTH the TV & FIREPLACE/Mantle can be focus points? which point depends on if youre a tv guy (him) or a reading/podcast by the fire chick (me) :D

1. I think i’ll have better luck getting him on board with:
   moving the tv to the new wall (like you MAE suggested),
   But we’d mount it DIRECTLY ACROSS from the fireplace.

2. moving the 3 seater couch (110”Lx43Dx39”H) either:
   a) where the white chair is currently. We would orient the couch toward the back windows/yard & essentially divide the room into living & dining rooms. & Move the White Chair into the corner with the windows.

• OR -

b) keep the white chair where it is now & Move the 3 seater couch in front of the windows at the back of the room facing INTO the room.

What are your thoughts? How would this look? Am i a complete idiot for thinking this MAY work?

Will the tv fit over the fireplace? It looks to wide. If not, then maybe the best place is in the corner. Even if you ever replace the sectional with a couch and love seat for example, I still think the corner tv location will be best.

I would think about redoing the mantel around the fireplace and adding a nice piece of art above it. I would try to take away from all the small nooks around the fireplace.

Your couch, curtains and dining table work with fireplace. I would pick a color like blue or green and then try to use that in art, pillows, and decor to pull the room together. I think the third rug Beverly has pictured above has some lovely colors that go well with your current furnishing.

For the new carpet I would match it to the fireplace stone and tile. Those are things that are permanent.

Take a look at the living rooms samples at Pottery Barn website. I think your room could have the same feel as some of those with your current furniture.

Living Room: Ideas, Furniture & Decor | Pottery Barn

• Will he let you remove the corner section of the sectional? If so, that will make a big difference in the room.
• There are only two good locations for the couch. That is where you have it now or to the left of the fireplace.
• The TV looks like it is too large to go over the fireplace. But then, I don't know the size of the TV.
• The room is too narrow to divide into two areas - dining/living room.
• The couch won't work under the windows to the left of the sliding glass doors because it will be hard to see the TV from there and it is too big for that location.
• No use in poking the dragon. If he is set on having the TV over the fireplace you can find several ways to mount it. I am sure you can find something in the stores or online that works for mounting TVs over fireplaces.

I updated the rendition with the TV over the fireplace. I will post them on Friday.

Yes, he’s all for removing the corner & one piece of the sectional making it a 3 seater instead of the 5 seater it currently is. The room width is 175” & the couch (3 pieces) is 114” & the TV is 48” straight across (55” diagonally) which looks absolutely crappy over the fireplace.

Got it! And Agree.

OMG! Im just now realizing my initial measurements with the measureimgtape app were all wrong??!!! Im measuring w my handheld & my room is 24’ (288”) deep and 14.58’ (175”) wide!
Of COURSE that is going to affect how you are rendering the room. I HATE these measuring apps!!!! Im SO SORRY!!!

For awareness, all caps is the text equivalent of yelling, and it is a bit grating to read. I’m sure you were unaware. Cheers.

(apologies)

Updated the measurements in the rendition. It is mostly back to your original arrangement with a few add ins.

• One buffet table with art or a mirror over it. Where the book case is now.
• Mirror that is over the fireplace moved to the angled wall in the entry, over an entry table.
• A basket with blankets and such to the left of the fireplace.
• One 48" wide TV over the fireplace. (for your husband to see if he likes it ) I know you don't like it there.
• The couch is 114 inches wide.
• The bookcase is over on the wall near the Table.
• Your recliner is next to the windows as suggested by others and meself, with a small side table next to it.

Cheers to you and yours. MAE

Additional pictures. Description below.

Additional pictures. Description below. Hope this helps.