I like your room! Definitely get a larger rug, the one you have now is very nice but undersized. It also looks like the room needs some more lighting, a floor lamp or two would be worthwhile purchases.
I would also consider floating a comfy chair or two, perhaps on a swivel, across from the sofa. That will make a nice conversation area.

There is no guarantee that your cats won't also claw leather. I've had cats that like to claw leather. Have you considered turning the dining table on the diagonal so no one has their back to the view? It looks like you just moved in from a smaller place. A larger rug will anchor the seating area. I like the coffee table but it isn't substantial enough with the sofa. For a B&B, a game table would be nice for cards or chess, if there is room.

You have a nice bright room and some nice pieces, but they all seem to be existing independently from each other and mostly lined up against the walls.

Will your cat destroy all fabrics? The space could use the softness of some fabric, so maybe you can look at some performance or indoor/outdoor fabrics that might be more durable for the sofa.

The sofa and rug are not staying because it isn't comfortable and the rug is worn and yes, the cat has shred our existing chairs. :-( Questions in front of me- what colour of sofa, and rug and what else needs to go? I do feel like the two art pieces on the sofa wall compete with each other as one has cool tones with some warm, and the other is really warm. It isn't working.

I moved the chairs out this morning because they are completely shredded and they aren't staying because sadly it would cost too much to reupholster them (plus, he'd just do it again). There were four. Two across from sofa, two on the sides. The dining room table is completely square. I like the idea of a games coffee table in sofa area. We'll likely only get a sofa and two chairs when we purchase something new. Thought on colour of sofa and rug?

To start art does not need to go together in any way. I happen to love that you hung the srt in the DR lower since it is viewd while sitting . I think a nice cognac colored leather soafe would be a nice addition to the space . If that tree is fake find the nearest garbage can for it. You have enough to grow a real plant Pretty sure you could also do 2 chairs in the space maybe done in a new style outdoor fabric that the cats won't like mayb e even in a stripe. nice end tables with much bulkier taller lamps . The DR is the space most sterile looking I might upholster the seats in a fabric with some softness add areally nice runner in a color with a real plant in the center or fresh flowers . I buy flowers at the supermarket all the time I love fresh flowers in my home daily . Once you get the furniture chosen and delivered for the LR then choose a rug bigger than what you have . Use a couple of colors from the rug for pillows not too many .I would probably add drapes to soften the spaces a bit . Maybe some nice linen in a soft green or just natural make sure they are 2-3 times the width of the rod evaen if you never close them that gives the look that thye can be clsed and still look right .I might look at Eames chairs for the LR but thye can be pricey but there are some prettygood knock offs .

You can upload your pictures at many rug sites and they will insert rug options for you. I tried to pick some rugs that I thought would like nice with your art.
If you shop online on a site that has free shipping and returns, I suggest you get the smallest version of the rugs you are considering to see how they look in your space. They will be much easier to return than the size you actually need.

What is your budget for the sofa and chairs and rug? Since you seem to be in a climate with snow and are surrounded by forest, I think a lovely green leather sofa would tie in to the nature of the outdoors and also work well with your antiques. What are your thoughts on a Chesterfield style sofa?

https://www.polyandbark.com/products/essex-sofa?variant=40869053136969

These looks would be inviting in a B&B.

Can you find a scratching pad designed to attract the cat and away from the furniture?

I love your living room --- and your sofa. Follow your instincts, they are great. Some cats scratch leather and it's worse than fabric. The rug and coffee table seem a bit far from the sofa.

Tracefloyd, we've tried everything to discourage the cat's scratching. Scratch pads, sprays, plastic sticky sheeting (he just starts in a new spot), spraying him with water, Y-E-L-L-I-N-G (he just looks at us). He's old and likely only has a few years left, but that doesn't help us in the moment.

Lovely placement ideas, Red Ryder.

Not at all opposed to a chesterfield styled sofa but we do want it functional and lounge worthy for ourselves as well. The one in photo looks pretty upright with not much give in it. That's the problem we have with the one already in the room. Not comfortable for everyday use. I've toyed with the idea of a green sofa but it not an easy colour to find. We are probably looking at about 3.5-4K tops for a sofa.

The rug should be larger and lighter IMO.

I don't know much about cats but can you file their claws down to be blunt?

I read that synthetic velvet and microfiber don't have a weave for them to get their claws into and are cat resistant. These fabric are very lush with a nice feel and would look nice.

They cannot tear leather but will leave claw marks.

I hope you are keeping the wood trim sofa.

I don't have any design advice but wanted to say that I share your pain regarding your cat's destructive tendencies. This is the first time I have ever had a cat and was unaware of the toll he would take on the upholstered furniture. I have tried everything, too. I have considered replacing with leather, but it sounds like that might not be the solution I had hoped it would be. Good luck with your project...it's a beautiful room!

Have you tried getting cat their own sofa?

Take the clear plastic coffee table out with the fake plant. No guest wants to trip over something they can’t see and it really does not complement the style of home or furnishings. You were shown a glass top table with trim that would offer style, openness.

I like your colour scheme so I'm suggesting a navy leather sofa with a similar rug to the one you have but a larger one. Place a few red chairs in performance microfiber or synthetic velvet/velveteen for easy maintenance.

Sigrid, thanks for your thoughts. The whole room is in a state of upheaval right now and so the placement is not what quite what it is normally. The LV chairs have been taken out

Valinta,

The coffee table is actually glass not plastic, but I hear what you are saying. It'll have to go once we reconfigure everything and move in a new direction, as will the tree. Thanks.

Suggest getting the best couch you can afford and if needed add the chairs when budget allows. Everything else is fine, but may find you‘ll want other changes, but live with for a bit. Regarding the rug, suggest waiting until your new seating is in place, as its size, color and style are key to pulling that area together.

You may not like the choices below, but wanted to provide an example of pulling a room together.

I suggested the Chesterfield style because of the tight back. I just find they hold up better. Here's a link to Flexsteel. I've had mine for close to 20 years and it has held up beautifully. The steel frame makes it light and easy to move for cleaning but holds up to all kinds of wear and tear. They come in customizable colors as well as leg colors. It sits comfortably but I can still get in and out easily.

https://www.flexsteel.com/products/b3990-31?_pos=55&_fid=bff449240&_ss=c

lisedv Thanks so much. I really love what you've envisioned! I would have never thought to put a navy couch in the space! I love the idea of velvet. Fits my vibe!

I don’t own a cat but i’ve heard the same about microfiber bring safe around cats. one of our friends has two cats, for some reason her leather Chesterfield sofa looks like new but the cats shredded her two fabric chairs. idk why?

Maureen, Beautiful ideas and your photos really help me. I am loving the idea of blue for a sofa. A heavily patterned rug worries me a bit with the business of the art facing it. Will it feel like too much happening in a small space with each thing competing for your attention? I don't want people to feel overwhelmed when they are sitting in the space.

Whatever sofa that you ultimately choose be sure to sit on it, ideally for more than just a few minutes.

The Empire sofa you have now is a bit heavy looking with the other pieces. Choose a sofa which is up off the floor. I like this American Leather one because the legs are simple and dark toned. I like the rug and acryllic coffee table. I would try to use them; my thought is to position the new sofa to the window. Add window treatments in a warm neutral color. Use the present rug over top of a larger one. It can be a simple jute one. Put coffee table in front of the sofa, with two new chairs flanking the coffee table. Using his photo only to show you how to layer a rug , with smaller rug under the coffee table.

With this arrangement your conversation area is including the dining area.

Staying with the neutral sofa tone, a 8x10 rug under the dining table would bring the neutral into that space.

I like the lines of this Quince wool rug with the lines of the dining chairs. And, it matches the fringe on the oriental rug. I was told years ago by an Armenian rug dealer, that when confused about adding another color into a space, always consider the color of the rug fringe.

The choice of leather is most important. You want:

• Distressed/Vintage Leather: Surface scratches blend into the rustic finish.
• Pigmented (Protected) Leather: Features a polymer topcoat, providing maximum resistance to scratches, stains, and moisture.
• Industrial Strength Leather: Options like Elmo Soft or Capri leather from manufacturers like American Leather are specifically designed to stand up to heavy wear.

The best sofas for people with cats are velvet. as someone who has lived with cats for almost 30 years- a high quality velvet sofa is what you need. the weave is tight so their claws dont sink in and catch onto the fabric.

Your space doesn’t feel small and your art and the right rug will pull a the room together, but it really comes to what you are drawn to. With your wall color, I wouldn’t suggest a light/simple rug as room could head too modern. To help, maybe search ”navy velvet couch with rug” on Pinterest for combinations that appeal to you.

Some inspro

Celery---Beautiful!!! So much wow factor there! Thanks.

A friend had a leather Chesterfield couch years ago and I found it amazingly UNcomfortable, so make sure to check out a couch before buying it.

I love the velvet couches that are posted.

Oncape- So much helpful info! Thanks very much. The dining table is a 5X5 square table. Could it still realistically accommodate a 8X10 rug without looking odd? I do agree that whole area needs to be softened somehow and tied into the other side of the room. We do have several different runners for the table that we use in different seasons. Not a fan of the wood stain currently on the table, but it is lower on my priority list at the moment. We like the Empire sofa and are thinking of looking into getting reupholstered with additional batting added to make it a bit more comfortable, as it isn't right now. How the costs come in on that, will determine whether we proceed with the project or start afresh. Do you feel a change in the colour could make it more workable and less intrusive in the space? I am going to attach a photo of our (shredded) chairs that we also bought with the intention of getting new fabric put on them as well. They are usually in the room, but are pretty disgraceful looking at the moment. Waffling on which direction to go, much like the sofa. I've never heard of laying rug on rug but I can see the value of doing so, from your photos. It's a nice look. Problem is, we can't put jute down as our cat will shred it in no time and the current rug no longer lays flat on the ends. It's definitely seen better days and will likely have to be retired.

Maureen, that makes a lot of sense!

I am adding a few updated photos. Been playing with some of your ideas today, rearranging things and bringing back in 3 of our 4 accent chairs (disregard the colour, they were never intended to stay that way) and arranging them differently. I've pulled our small rug out to the outer edge of chairs just to get a feel for what a larger rug would look like. Definitely the right direction to go.

If we went with this type of arrangement what are the pros and cons? Would you put a potted tree, floor lamp, or chunky table lamp to

the left of the couch?

One way to establish cozy sitting areas better… is to float the rug and seating away from the walls… pulling the seating inwards for more comfortable interaction…and easier access into the grouping

Here's another take on your room with a blue velvet sofa, a brass reading lamp on the left side of the sofa, a large square coffee table, and bamboo roman shades on the bay window. I would use a live plant not an artificial one.

Large rugs that cover most of the flooring are the safest element if you are renting out the space….they will not only define the area’s use….but will not be slippery…when a guest is wearing

slippery bottom shoes…or socks…

Also thicker rugs are less likely to move easily..another safety element…

Wool tufted rugs are ideal for this ..and are usually much more affordable than the thinner rugs