The sectional is pulled out from the window wall about 5 inches. Here is a pic that shows why it can't be pulled out much more. What type of panels wouldn't require a lot of space?

The room has a lot going on in it already, I like the clean lines of the window and shutters, no side panels. Very nice room, by the way.

I vote no side panels. Don't hide any of those lovely shutters!

Thank you! I was hoping the consensus would be no panels. :)

Bluenan, thanks, I like the room. I'm especially grateful not to have the common where-to-put-the-TV problem. But you are right. It has a lot going on. A hair too much for my taste. A future rug and future coffee table will be less busy. No doubt I'll show up here again with my quandary! I like it here!

Not just to be contrary..BUT I would hang side panels on the windows. Simple, linen like texture in a light beige color..something to compliment the sofa..in that color tone..but much lighter. Hang them as high as possible..95" length and virtually completely off the windows. You need the softness in the room. Lots of hardwood floor showing..brick..shelves/books...squares on the sofa...bricks..the flooring. The only "lot going on" I see in the room are the book shelves. They look too busy. The coffee table is just fine for the space, it needs to be glass for the lightness of weight..round is best to save your knees. The walls could have a little color as well as adding softness to the room with panels.

Barbara, that is actually what I anticipated that someone would say-- the softness thing. I do feel the lack of it. I thought that it might be just me. ... Thank you for the detailed suggestion.

Turn the rug around for now

I agree with Barbara, the room lacks softness. She is spot on with the placement, color and location of the panels. I would add that a simple drapery rod is all you need. Also rotate the rug 90 degrees.
You could tone down the room by removing a few pillows with busy patterns and use some bold print or solid ones.

Universal, thanks for chiming in. The current rug is 5x8. I want to replace it with an 8x10 or 8x11. Until then the rug is placed this way so I don't have a "runway" and glare from the floor. I'm aware that it looks awkward. What style rug? Something without a center medallion. I'm hoping the larger rug will also lend some softness to the room.

Yes, having a glare in your eyes on the way downstairs could prove a little hazardous. ;) I actually like the pattern and coloring of your rug, just too small. I would not do a medallion, they feel formal to me. I would use a similar repeated pattern and colors. I too think your walls could use some color as well, perhaps the softer gold I see peeking out of the next room.

I would try different furniture arrangements if possible. Can any of your sectional come apart? You could try moving the sectional down towards the fireplace, and move the two chairs on the other end. Then the window is more in the middle of everything.

Or, you can always go with a valance that is higher and wider than what you have and comes down on each end to balance the whole look. And, a throw on the couch can hide how long it is as well.

Hi Lynnie,
The sectional was custom ordered for this room. I'm 100% happy with the configuration. The big tv is straight across from it. Comfy. And the fireplace can still be the focal point, so all is right with the world. But I appreciate you taking the time to send suggestions... You never know! :-)

I'm with the no panels group. I also think you should rotate the rug horizontally. That will help with the "too small rug" problem.

I personally think curtains and paint for softness in the same color family.
To me it looks like the book shelves are trying to fall down. Maybe the vertical rails should be beefed up. The shelves look too heavy above the brick, so painting the brick might add some weight! They just look a bit off. It I do not know why? Haha Read somewhere that per running foot bookshelves should be one third books, one third stuff, and one third open space.
Love that sofa too!

Your room is very pretty and the only thing I see that would make a huge difference is to remove 50 percent of the books and replace with some vases etc. in an accent color.

I think another possibility is to make a seating area of the two chairs by the fireplace.. Have the two chair sides parallel to the fireplace and facing each other instead of angled, with the small brown ottoman between them and adjacent to the fireplace. Put floor lamps on either side of the charis and you have a cozy reading area that will function while others are watching the TV. If you want more seating for party time just bring the chairs over to the sofa area? If you want more color you could redo cushions on chairs in a strong color of your choice and then put pillows with same or accenting colored pillows on the sofa to relate the two areas. Curtains could be a possibility or not; I know I changed my mind but I think I would wait till the room was all 'done' before I decided. The room looks great you just might feel the need for accent color?

I see you have a pretty basic ceiling fan. My daughter had the same fan in her very large family room like yours. She found a fan that was five feet in diameter in a dark wood with single large light globe/fixture in some opaque glass, and hung that. The large size made the room and the fan seem more in proportion. It and the room look magnificient. Just a thought, but it had a lot of impact and was fairly economical and selected from the display fans at the Home Depot. Beauty is in the details, its just that there are so mannnnny details! Sigh