Move that cabinet away from the window, the one next to the fireplace. I would go for a smaller dining room table and chairs and you can also add window seating around those fabulous windows. I would also take out those partition/divider things - let the room flow,

Thanks for the advice. the room is about 16x12 at the narrowest points. What do you think about a double sided sofa on the right side of the fireplace to divide the space yet keep it together. Window seats could also be added. I've always wanted a sitting area around/ near the first place. Keeping the traffic path open has been a problem as you noted.

I agree that you need to move the dinign table to in front of the fireplace, that is likely how the house was planned in the first place. There really isn't any reason why you need to have lounge seating around a fireplace, you windows present far nicer views for a lounge than looking at a fire anyway.

I think Adrian has a good and practical idea. Another thing you could do, in order to get used to the idea is to pull the two arm chairs from the wall and the table and place them angled in front of the fireplace. Then use the small childrens table between them. By doing this it will help you see the chair or couch sizes you need. Another thing is that you have an awful lot of furniture in your entry - you should consider bringing the long table in and perhaps putting in behind chairs - or putting under the center of the long window. Put a lamp on it and your vase of flowers. Its kind of hard to visualize until you start to work with the space.

I agree, dining room should be in front of the fireplace, next to the kitchen. Then couch placement around the windows should be easier. Maybe submit a floorplan with dimensions and I'm sure someone here will play around with it and give you some ideas.

same here,i also think the a (round/oblong) diningtable and a nice seatingarea at the windows..

Thanks. Let me start over. I think in my effort to be brief, I left out too much info. I actually have a formal dining room which is currently being used as the living room. What the heck,,,, you say? The reasons are numerous but let's just say that room is comfy and cozy and the one you see has not been. If I can figure out how to make the real living room work, then I'll put the table in the real dining room.

Attached are the room dimensions, two examples of previously tested arrangements, and a final proposal. What do you think? Still prefer the focal point on the windows?

Thanks!

I like the one you have labeled "for consideration!" It takes advantage of the fireplace and those wonderful windows.

Oh I get it!! I suggest a sofa on the window wall that is 10.5' all the way at the "bottom" end where the room cuts back in. Put the childs table nearer the fireplace on the 8' wall. Now, you need the chair closer to the middle of the 13' wall angled toward the fireplace - not back in the corner as you've shown above. Try a long narrow wood or upholstered bench in front of the fire. It can be pulled around in the room for different purposes but won't ruin the flow of traffic to the kitchen. The chair needs a table lamp and magazine holder or lamp on round side table. The 7. 5' foot corner short wall needs a storage piece of furniture. Sofa does not have to be up on fireplace - so long as chair is roughly proximate to fire . . . coffee table should be square to echo the square view corner and to offset the kids table and end table circles . . .

Here's a quick drawing - angle the chairs, add storage furniture on the entry wall to the left . .