Perhaps you could tell us what doesn't work for you in the room and a little bit about how the room is used.

It is mostly used for watching tv when our grown children are in town. What I don't like about it: Furniture placement seems awkward, decor and furnishings seem dated and dark in such a bright room but I do like the rug and its colors so that may lock me in. I miss having a coffee table but with recling sofa a room not being very deep, I'm not sure i can make that happen.

I'd move the TV to the door wall and place the sofa on the long wall (where TV is now mounted). A good edit of things you don't use or need.

Remove all the little decor items, if you are going to include a fresh coat of paint.

Hang the curtain rod at the break point between the wall and ceiling and extend it beyond the window trim (Replace the drapery panels with simple panels the same or similar color to the wall color.

I'd paint the base of the island a color you want to incorporate into the rooms color scheme.

Seems a tv room. Using the reclining ends of the sofa and your head will be turned to view the tv. The light reflection on the tv during the day makes curtains useful. .For function placing the tv on a low console at eye level in front of the window with the recliner angled toward it where the tv is now solves all problems except convention. With the sheers it won't show up from outside.

I would move the sofa to under the window, even though I normally don't like furniture blocking a window. I don't know if you'd have room then for some small end tables with lamps. As you can't use a coffee table, perhaps a "C" shaped table would work. I would really miss having a place to put a drink or a computer. I would get rid of the drapes and, if window treatment is needed for light control/privacy, I'd get some silhouettes that essentially disappear when not in use. I would then put the other 2 chairs on the side where the sofa is now, more in the "corners" or where the corners would be if there was a wall there. I think that would make the room feel more open. Right now it feels blocked off to me. The credenza under the TV could be larger and less cluttered.

The reclining sofa is dictating everything. I know it was expensive, but IMO, it has to go.

I asked AI to change the wall color, redesign the window treatment, hanging the rod higher and changing the drapes to a neutral fabric. Sofa color is important to me in your room, and I thought you might want to keep the rug. Here is the result:

@JUDY GRAHAM This change in sofa color significantly lightens the room up! And @Emily I am suprised that the sofa in front of the windows is not bad at all withe the way you have done the drapes. These pictures really, really helped. A console with doors is a must too I am seeing!

I usually try to position furniture so you can take advantage of the view out a window, but in your space I like the sofa under the window because it really opens up the room.

Depending on the dimensions & if you'd like to select a larger size TV screen, you might have options.

I like layout with not blocking the window.

I think Emily's plan looks great! I much prefer the drapes lowered and better fitted to the window (no gaps of light showing). The small table is a great idea too, and I like that the floor lamp is removed. The longer credenza that conceals items makes a big difference too as does the matching chairs and the new pillows. : )

I like Emily’s plan also. Good call re swivel chairs, just replaced a stationary chair with two swivel chairs for the same reason.

Btw, learned a new ( to me ) word today,”keeping room”, sometimes I think I must live in a cave, never heard of a ”mud room” either until I started reading on here. Perhaps it’s because I live in a very mild, somewhat dry climate. In addition to everything else that I’ve learned on here. :)

Wouldn't you want the sofa facing the TV more.

Yes for sure Ideally. Although i do find myself sitting in the leather recliner the most. Maybe because of that!

Try my layout and you can move the sofa forward to gain better space between the sofa back and the peninsula seating.

Another configuration puts the sofa where the tv is and the tv opposite at eye level. The recliner angled where the sofa is opens the room.

@dan1888 I’m definitely going to wear my husband out trying all these configurations! Going to be a busy weekend but I’m now inspired

Trying is so much the way to get the feel for what makes youe space feel right. One more outside possibility. Place the sofa on the tv wall but up closer to the curtain left edge of the window. Recliner off the right corner of the sofa facing the tv. 4k tv viewing distances are now down to 3 feet because of number of pixels. This could give you the better viewing experience, especially for sports like tennis/football. The old tv wall could be filled with 11" deep storage behind doors to add pantry. Or a bookcase wall.

I try to avoid blocking windows with a sofa, and especially a heavy brown sofa like yours. You have a long blank wall for the sofa and an opposite wall for the TV, so it seems like a no-brainer to use that layout.

Skipping down to ask why the sofa isn't facing the TV?

And swivel armchairs seems a very good idea, IMO.

@carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10 With the tv on the current wall I felt the space was too narrow to put the sofa facing it since it would have to be floating due to door to the porch...but I did not actually try it. It will be one of the configurations I try this weekend.

I really like Emily's layout as well as Beverly's option to put the t.v. on the shorter wall and open up the longer wall for the sofa. Either one will open up the feeling of the room. I 'd start by removing everything that's unnecessary from the room and getting some furniture moving pads to make trying different arrangements easier.

I do think you'd be smart to start with a console for the t.v. that has some closed storage. And definitely a yes for moving the curtains higher and wider. You could even add a textured blind if you wanted for light control and texture.

Textured blinds would be great in there. Thank you @katinparadise. It can be a very bright room at certain times of the days. I am excited to try some things (and buy some things! ) Then I can move on to the next room !

Here’s another quick visual. I think a rug with a softer, more subtle pattern would really lighten up the room. I’d also add open-frame shelving around the TV and I agree with adding some texture with woven shades. These small tweaks make the room feel brighter and more updated without replacing your sofa.

Oops! I just noticed my last image had the
vaulted ceiling in the wrong direction. Here’s the corrected one.

3rd time is the charm, lol

I would keep both the sofa and the rug—they work well together and already provide a warm foundation for the room. Since the sofa reclines at both ends, one slim movable drink table would be more practical than a conventional coffee table. I would also reduce some of the smaller wall decorations so the room feels less visually fragmented.

The vaulted ceiling is one of the room’s strongest features, but the dated ceiling fan currently distracts from it. A Murano glass chandelier would use that height beautifully and create a much stronger focal point. Its sculptural glass would complement the traditional sofa, leather chair, warm wood, and existing rug while making the whole room feel more refined and luxurious.

This video explores five classic luxury pieces that have remained relevant through centuries of changing design trends, including a Murano glass chandelier that could work beautifully in this room. The exact chandelier is linked in the video description: https://youtu.be/PoZYuVMbVXQ

If the reclining sofa doesn't allow for a coffee table I am also of the opinion that it should go. Sell it on facebook marketplace.

I do not have a reclining sofa and I do not have a coffee table! They are just in the way.

I like @Emily’s version. The entire room opens up when the sofa is at that end.
Get athletic socks and put them under the furniture so you can shove everything around. Move the rug out for now until the furniture is set.
If a new sofa is in consideration, let us know. Something smaller - in a lighter color - would also change the room dramatically.

@Alyssa LOVE the open shelving on the TV wall. THe whole room looks lovely. I am not sure that I have that much space on that wall but I can take measurments. I am getting so much good insight that I just have to try all arrangments, I think.. @Prime Estate Studio Those Murano glass chandaliers...just WOW.

I’m so glad the visual helped! I’d definitely take some measurements first. I really like the symmetry of having open shelving on both sides of the TV, so rather than eliminating one, I’d look for narrower shelving if needed. The open-frame style is important too, it gives you the height and display space without adding a lot of visual weight weight

A sculptural ceiling fixture could be a wonderful way to emphasize the vaulted ceiling and make the room feel more current. I would settle on the furniture and TV arrangement first, though, because that determines whether the fixture should follow the room’s architectural center or the center of the final seating area. Then map its position and drop, checking the view from every seat for glare or obstruction and making sure the light spreads comfortably through the room.


Since you loved the ornate Murano direction, I’m attaching CALLA as a quieter contemporary comparison. It is a sculptural pendant made in Italy by GREYGE, so I’m sharing it with that affiliation disclosed. The contrast may help clarify whether you want the ceiling fixture to feel decorative and jewel-like or cleaner and more architectural.

My kitchen is open to a seating area like yours. I find having the sofa with its back to the island/peninsula seating like in your current arrangement is not great for flow at get togethers or for conversations in the room. A layout like @Emily’s rendering is much more open with a better flow.