To start anytime you have 12 there will be dining chairs dragged into the space To start a much longer cabinet is need under the TV and the TV needs to be much lower too. The cabinet you put thee will need to be very shallow to allo the enty to work. The TV mounted on an articulating arm will allow much better furniture layout. I wouls start by placing a sofa not overstuffed in the bay space and then another sofa matching facing the TV and then maybe a cair or two but start with the 2 sofas . some lamps and end tables and a coffee table . You can find sofas thta are not so overstauufed but still comfy but you will need to measure and go shopping . Lower the art and maybe paint the space not sure . Start with sofas . Maybe not dark brown this time .Not sure about velvet and cats but oh well. The art should all be ung so thta the center is at about eye level You need lighting for sure so lamps a mix of floor and table will balance out that ceiling light .

Would the bookcases fit on the wall with the plain window?

I think thta would change the feelof the space and the arrangement of furniture too.

I would build out the bay/bow window with a velvet cushion for your cats.

Paint the built in bookcases the same gray as the wall color.

Decide on the style of furniture you hope to buy and get a rug that compliments the furniture.

something in a light/faded pattern rather than a solid red.

Thanks everyone!

@Lyn Nielson

We've definitely considered doing that. The cats would love it ha

Interesting thought about painting the bookshelves!

@Expobaby

Hmmm that's an idea... Not sure how it would work with the couch(es) though as it might then end up right in front of the pocket doors.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting

Yes, we definitely don't need seating for 12. Just saying we do sometimes host.

I think the perspective of the pictures got skewed somehow... The frames are all properly eye height, not as high as they might seem here. I think it might also look higher than it is somehow due to the coved ceilings, picture rail and the way it uploaded. The TV is a frame TV (I blurred out the picture before posting) so it is hung at the same height as all the other frames. It can't be on a swivel. The speakers are also in the wall by the way.

The piece of furniture below the TV is just a chest, not a cabinet. We could move the matching console to our coffee table which is currently in the foyer there. That would be shallow.

Velvet couches are supposed to work well with cats which is why we thought those would be good.

Thanks again! We appreciate the ideas!

Are you sure about velvet with cats?
I love velvet, but my cats ( and dogs) are exactly the reason I don’t have it. I think the ongoing maintenance would get old quickly!
A couple of pretty stools or small benches which can live against a wall, or the TV side of a coffee table are a great way to get extra seating when you need it without cluttering the room when you don’t.

I have always read that velvet is a good fabric for cats because of the tight weave and scratching, not talking about the hair factor. They are not as attracted to tight weave fabrics.

@kcooz07

That's exactly what we've heard too... We mostly don't want them to scratch. Our cats don't shed much.

@AC M

Yes, we have benches we bring in when needed when needed!

The one nice thing is that you can try the bookcases there for a week for free (just a pain to move them) and see if you like them there. You can always move them back. I like a lot of the suggestions the other people made as well.

For a fast and inexpensive alteration, I would look into getting a curved Ottoman or bench seat for the window! Not only would it allow you to take advantage of the view, it would be the perfect spot for reading or lounging! (For you and your pets!) I did something similar for my dogs because they like to lay and watch the outside through our window, and the bench we got also doubles as storage.

The light in the ceiling cove is way too cool in color, What can you do to adjust the color?

Here are two layouts.

@BeverlyFLADeziner

Agreed about the light! It was a mistake from the manufacturer and are waiting to get new LED strip that will be 2400k to match the rest.

Thank you for the layouts! We like the idea of the 2 couches, though probably without the one chair in the middle of the powder room. And the coffee table ottoman thing would be great!

Thanks again!

@CASA INC We've definitely thought about that. Did you custom make yours?

@Expobaby The bookshelves are built-in so we can't move them unless we really, really commit haha

If the bookcases have to stay, I'd adjust them so the base of the bookcase match the height of the wall base and extend the top to align with the crown on the walls.

I'd also select a longer media cabinet and lower the mounting height of the TV. You might want to consider a larger screen for the wall also.

I would also not leave the bookcases white like the trim. I'd paint them out with the walls for a more cohesive look for the room. You have enough doorways into the room breaking the appearance up every few feet. Have the bookcases blend into the walls.

BOOK cases are your limiting issue....jmo

a do over ? Possibly another home for those? They are not true" Built in"

BeverlyFLADeziner and JAN MOYER both have great ideas. I'm surprised the bookcases are built in. I also think they need extra trim to look more built-in or possibly removed. I wonder if they can be removed and still used?

@JAN MOYER Thanks for that drawing! Looks nice :) True, they're not true built-ins, and maybe we could have bookshelves somewhere else but not sure yet...

@Expobaby Thanks!

Beverly and Jan's layouts are worth trying.

Paint the two bookcases on the bay window wall the same as wall color. If they fit next to TV, move them there and look for a great wood console to place below your TV. Either rehome the third bookcase or float the sofa a couple feet and place the third bookcase on the window wall where you have now have a red painting.

Or keep bookcases white and get a white cabinet below TV with two bookcases flanking TV.

I can't tell if your bay window is deep enough for a window seat, but that would give you extra seating when you have company.

Parkside House · More Info

Get a comfortable TV watching couch with an "L" chaise that has a back for extra seating--maybe a one-seater, not two like this:

Oceanfront · More Info

Add two armchairs to face the couch (or one if you get a small sectional as above.) If you host movie or sports TV, then have your armchairs on swivels.

Do you have upholstered dining chairs you can pull into the living room when you have a big group? If so, do that.

The gray walls are intense, so the red rug and pillows seem like too much. Try a softer palette for the new furniture and a rug--camel/butterscotch, light turquoise, beige.

Modern Living Room · More Info

@underthetableanddreaming Ours was indeed custom made because we were fortunate enough to be friends with an overly enthusiastic woodworker who moonlights as an upholsterer. However, ours was a niche situation and not everybody is in a position to afford a non-discounted, custom-made piece. If you decide to go the ready-made route, it may be difficult to find a piece that perfectly matches the curvature AND desired aesthetics. You'll find that the selection is far larger with straight benches, which are also a viable option as the gap between the bench and window can be easily concealed with strategic positioning of pillows, cushions, or other decorative furnishings.

If you're feeling especially adventurous or have a handy partner/family member, you can find extensive online materials with complete instructions if you'd prefer the DIY route.

I'm interested to see what you decide to do! Just be careful not to miss the forest for the trees because as I'm sure you've realized, a small part of your remodeling can easily snowball into a large project. Just some friendly advice from someone guilty of tunnel vision

@CASA INC Agreed, trying to take it all into consideration... Thank you!

IMO since those cabinets are not built in why not try them somehwere elses even in the space on either side of the other window see how it works . Use a measuring tape to make sure they fit then empty them, move them and see

@Patricia_Coldwell_Consulting They actually are built in... Though certainly redoable but we would have to commit.  

Any great result usually comes with a commitment. The other result is waffling to over think and no decision

There are few rooms with a thousand options.

When I say those built ins are not? I mean they were purchased off site, applied to a wall,and bolted to that wall.

Below......

No ceiling touch, no crown,,,,,,,, bolted .

I wouldn't let them drive design, as in all honesty? Nice., certainly..........but not special. : ) or custom.

I will also guarantee, the flooring extends beneath. It's a rip, drywall patch/repair and paint.. No big deal.

Jan makes a good point. I wonder if you could still just unbolt them, try them in the new location for a week. If you like that set up then do the patching, if not move them back and rebolt them. I think it might be nicer having the seating arrangement centred on the bay window. As long as you don't buy a huge sofa it should still be ok with the opening to the dining room. I was at a neighbours for sherry and fruitcake (tis the season) this afternoon and she has sofa backing onto a bookcase. It looked really good.

If we didn't have a TV, it would certainly give us more freedom! As it is, it can't be on any other wall... (The wall between the two doorways is a pocket door so no go)

The built-ins have trim/crown molding built around so it would be more complicated than just unbolting. We can try to see what the footprint of the bookshelves would look like behind the sofa. However, then moving the sofa forward means having it in the dining room doorway. So that's another uncertain part.

In the meantime, we need to pick out a rug and new paint color!

Which of tv or BOOKS is most important to you? If you can't crack the egg to make the omelette? The book cases must dictate? Fit a tv on the 5' wall!! Does the Art tv fit? I don't know....but five people below get a good seat.

At 1/2 " to one foot scale. Your ROOM! Exactly 13' x 17.5 feet,

You want to sit more than six in here? Drag in a couple dining chairs as this is what the room will allow! It will also allow you to attractively light it, with three lamps and lose the ice cold effect.

Or.............The tv is more important!!!??

Down here.help me understand? What CROWN? Is the picture current? They are cabinets with a finish crown on top. !! Do you mean BASE molding? Appears a trim carpenter notched the base of the cabinet to snug against a wall and added a shoe molding,

Up above? You stated " true, they're not TRUE built ins"

Then you say,,,,,,,,,,,

"The built-ins have trim/crown molding built around so it would be more complicated than just unbolting." Good grief! You have to crack eggs to make an omelette!

You're asking for a paint color and you haven't yet picked a sofa, a rug.!!

You are correct that the tv has has one available wall........and that is why, if you want any book cases

A single can go as below sketch....

EXACTLY how wide are they? 33 inches?

You have 12 feet between them , on a wall that is 17.5, and BOTH will not fit, as you measured including trim casing at doors ( see sketch , only one can fit where I have them.

^^ If you want the MOST people to be able to see the tv? If you want room for a few tables and LAMPS and to get rid of the ice cold up lighting, which should not BE the only lighting? Your plan is right above, a single book case and paint it wall color. Or as Bev gave you above on her plans, but with the sofa snug to the single window wall.

The book cases are your roadblock to a room with enough seating allowing decent VIEW of big tv. and long console beneath.

If you must have both? Leave the room as is paint the walls and move on. Or don't have a big tv.,at all, or as above move your tv....it doesn't appear large enough on the existing wall, anyway.

The book cases are NOT going to work left and right of the smaller single window....Why? Because the depth of that wall at dining entry is 30 inches, and EVEN if you ignored the base of so called built in? Your couch with any decent size is now crowding dining entry, and then crowding the bay for a couple chairs.

It's that simple. ... all above

There are a lot of kind and helpful people on Houzz. You've lots of "pretty internet grabs" above. None really apply to your space or to your feet and inches, openings to the room. : ) Especially a window seat, upon which , nobody will actually sit or be comfortable.

Crack the EGGS.=, move SOMETHING and everything else is sort of..... B.S.: ) ?

What fits......fits or doesn't fit. Life is tv or is not?

No comments on what we've done? 🤪 

It’s seems that everything on the walls is super high. The TV height is the most glaring.

It's not. It's just a perspective thing because of the picture rail which is 88" from the ground 🤷🏼‍♀️ 

How high is the tv off the ground?

43" and it's perfect for where we sit. Especially now since we look past the chairs that face the couch. There are speakers in the walls on either side and the center channel below, hence nothing can be right below or right next to the TV.

I hope you saw the updated pics.

The lighter walls and carpet are lovely. Some new pillows too. Nothing changed in layout?

@WestCoast Hopeful The pictures above were when we had had to move the furniture... So already sort of the new layout although you can still see one chair in the bay window. Both chairs were there for 9 years so this is actually a change from where it started... I wish I had a better picture handy: you can't see fully below but this gives you an idea...

Also, with the new layout, it doesn't feel like the TV is the focus. The fact that it's a frame TV with a beautiful black and white picture of our cats doesn't have the same feel as a TV...