Did you add to your post, or did I space when reading it? Yes, you can hang things above your tv. You can do pics, or narrow shelves around it... I would replace the coffee table with a large ottoman. Kid friendly. You can always paint your table if you want a cheap fix for now. (I can't really see it, so don't know if it even needs it.) Or get new modern chairs, Ikea has good options for budget conscious. Perhaps ones with a bright color. Round tables, especially those with extensions are pretty flexible when you have to seat guests. It looks like a nice table. It might just work under your light fixture, I assume is near the kitchen? Bringing in color with new dining chairs, and ottoman might work for you. Also, I have seen people use carpet squares over flooring, not sure how it would work over carpet, but if a square gets ruined with a stain, you just replace it. With a small child, an inexpensive rug over your nice light rug might be a nice idea.

Sara - The only outlet for the TV's coaxial cable line is through the wall where is it currently located. Unfortunately, our landlords would not allow rewiring it to a different wall - nor would that be budget friendly if we had the option.

Flair Lighting - are you referring to the light hanging above the love seat? I doubt that can be removed according to our landlord. But, if I had the choice, I would!!

Maybe I should have added in my post that because we are renting, there isn't anything we can do to majorly revamp the existing features or hardware. :-/

you need to get a drum style fixture and hang it higher, not sure if you have hanging lights in your kitchen area behind. long curtains to define some space on the wall, mirrors are always great. get a larger tv console, and in a natural wood tone, also you will need to bulk up your floor lamps. any chance the fish can go else where? you need to focus the attention low, so the room stays grounded.

oh, well, that is where they had planned for you to put your table, right off the kitchen.

if you cant remove it then you need to get a hook in the ceiling and raise it up.

They always put those cables in the wrong place!! Can you run it around the room, or under rug? You might call and ask. My mom had them come out and it wasn't very much. In fact, I think Comcast did it for free.... They want you to buy their cable!

do you use the dining table?

Sara - No, I didn't add to my original post. :-)

Here are two more pictures including a close up of the coffee table. It was given to us when we got married and it has served it's purpose, but Im not attached to it by any means. I think replacing it with an ottoman is a great idea. Though, in the past, I have avoided purchasing an ottoman because the soft top wouldn't allow it to be functional to hold drinks. I have seen ones with pull out trays, but I don't think they are as common?

Wow - you both are being really helpful! This is my first time asking for advice on Houzz so I wasn't sure what kind of a response to expect. Yes, the dining table is "supposed" to be under that light fixture, according to the floorplan, but doing that got in the way of access to the door. Also, we wanted the large couch to be more centered in front of the TV. Yes, we do use the dining table.

Sara, the problem I foresee with moving the furniture but still leaving a walkway to the back door is that it would essentially cut the room in half. Am I misunderstanding what you were describing in your first comment? If you can attach a visual, that would be helpful.

Flair Lighting - I think long curtains like you included in your visual would be beautiful!! Especially because the large window is what the eye is drawn to when people walk into the space. However, am I wrong to assume that it would be very expensive because the window is so tall?

My mom has a large rectangle-squarish ottaman, flat topped, and keeps a large heavy tray type thing on it, for drinks. https://img0.etsystatic.com/022/0/6645249/il_fullxfull.476008890_p099.jpg Along those lines... http://img2.wfrcdn.com/lf/49/hash/3842/6408101/1/Makenzie+Ottoman+in+Khaki.jpg https://www.castroconvertibles.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/39_ottoman_chocchord.jpg http://www.danneventhire.com.au/images/products/1424/juno%20ottoman%20latte.jpg

I did a quick ps of what I was thinking, with the love seat either by window, or back to dining table. I like getting couches/furniture off the walls, and cutting out walk spaces between couch and tv when it is possible.

check out overstock.com for long curtains. Any idea how long that window is? http://www.viewalongtheway.com/2013/07/never-buy-curtains-again-27-inspiring-diy-ideas/ http://www.lizmarieblog.com/2012/10/diy-floor-length-curtains-for-cheap/ Lots of creative ideas out there. You can always go diy for now, and upgrade when you want/can.

Sara - That's a good idea about the tray. I like that one you posted from Etsy.

Since seeing how good curtains looked in Flair Lighting's photoshop, Im really interested in that idea. The window is about 10' tall by 4' wide. So far, I haven't had much luck finding curtains that tall, but I will check out those links you provided now. Should I look for 120" curtains? Or should I hang the curtain rod higher? Also, is patterned versus solid color just a preference or would one or the other look better in the space?

not sure how handy the hubby is but you can take down that fixture and store it until you move...it so doesnt work, but honestly you should flip the room like sarainitaly had drawn up.

flair lighting's horizontal striped drapes would look great! Because they would need to be so very long, I would read thru' sarainitaly's links for cost-effective ideas.

If you need to leave the furniture placement more or less as it is, I would at least move the dining table in front of the window.

Please get your table out of the corner and put it under the light where it belongs. Either of these arrangements would be preferable to what you've got:

Genuine question: Why do you suggest that the dining table needs to be moved from the corner?

The first week we were here, we had the table where like the original floorplan suggested. But, it got in the way by closing off the walkway to enter the bedroom - especially the chairs. Taking down the fixture may be an option - or at a minimum, raising it up. I agree that it's out of place.

Because we are on the top floor of our building, we have great view of the surrounding area. Especially because the tall window goes all the way to the floor. I really do not want to cover it with furniture for that reason. Also, because the light that's let in would be diminished and I love the natural lighting.

First order of business is a cocktail ottoman: http://www.wayfair.com/Poundex-Bobkona-Cocktail-Ottoman-F7119-XQP1082.html

Since you're on a budget, this unit from Ikea will fill the wall more cheaply than anything else you could do:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S79001822/

118" curtains: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/Textiles/10700/?sorting=price

Tray with a pop of color: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20235955/

because the table look stuck in the corner and unloved. and makes no sense with the flow of the room........

Can someone photoshop how the curtains would look from this angle? (from the front door)

The dining table in the corner looks unusable and gives a squashed feeling to the whole space. If it really is that obtrusive, getting in the way of passage, then get rid of it entirely, or replace it with a narrow drop leaf table, or put one of the chairs someplace else

Putting the loveseat in front of the window opens up the room and makes it more inviting, but it is a trade off with the view. I can imagine lounging sideways on the loveseat and gazing out, though, so maybe it's not as much of a tradeoff as you think.

move the love seat down, move the couch down to the corner where the table, is and move down the ... does this open more room for the table?

The dining table just looks out of place in the corner. When layout seems odd, no amount of decorating helps. That's why everyone is giving you layout and lighting advice and not wall decor....we can't see past it! I like groveraxle's layouts but replace your round table with a small rectangular one that can be pushed against the wall or back of loveseat.

When your baby starts walking, putting the loveseat in front of the window might be a great safety solution.

This might be a possibility for inexpensive drapes. I haven't made them but I plan to give it a shot in the room my grandchildren use as a toy room/tv room when they are visiting. http://www.oursouthernhomesc.com/2013/04/no-sew-drop-cloth-curtains.html

I went back looked at my original photos from your perspectives. I do understand what you mean about the table looking out of place. Can we play with the idea of keeping the dining area where it is but replacing the table and/or chairs with something that would look better in the space?

The space on the left wall between the edge of the window and the corner is about 56". The space between the corner and the couch is about 78".

How about:

IKEA's Bjursta ( http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90182307/) (which would perfectly fill the 56" space) with a bench against the left wall next to the window and chairs on the other side?

IKEA's Glivarp ( http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30217526/) - we've had a glass table before and it was so easy to clean and the glass would draw less attention to it. It might not be child friendly though.

It doesn't have to be IKEA, they just have inexpensive options.

Just FYI, the bottom panel of the window does not open so it's not a safety risk.

Like I said in a previous comment, yes, we do use the table - but, the thing is, it's not consistent. I use it almost daily for breakfast, lunch and office work. (By the time our baby is in a booster seat, we will probably be living in a house, so she doesnt need it yet). Day-to-day, we use the couch to eat dinner, even when we have guests over. Meaning, we really don't need that big of a table, nor do we need that many chairs (2 would be sufficient).

I know that it does not make sense for the table to be so far from the kitchen. It just seems to maximize the amount of usable floor space, compared to having the loveseat moved towards the window a few feet which would essentially divide the room in half.

Apartments are definitely a challenge!! :-(

To your original question about the wall behind the sofa: Ikea again.

And if you aim to keep the dining set in the corner, new table and chairs won't make any difference.

So if you don't use it for dining but more for office work, I would suggest getting a small table and make it look like an office nook. Check out the link:
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorating/home-office-ideas-00100000104082/index.html?xid=jt_footer#9

Yes. Please lose the table in the corner or consider a corner desk if it's only for work. Also I would consider a new ceiling light fixture

Ross, Marshall's or Home Goods are also excellent places for inexpensive artwork for the wall behind the sofa

I like Sarainitaly's layout, with the TV on the opposite wall to where it is now. Just buy a long coaxial cable to attach to the one you have (it just screws together) and run it along the baseboard, around the back door, and back along the baseboard again. We have some really long cables in our house and it is not a problem.

The love seat facing the window would let you take advantage of the nice view, and your walkway to the back door does not go through your conversation area. If you don't use your dining room table much, replace it with a smaller rectangular one and just leave 2 of your 4 chairs. Not sure where the table would look best - could it be pushed against the back of the love seat, sort of like a sofa table, when you are not using it? At any rate, it would leave you with a better pathway to the bedrooms.

When I first moved into our place, I moved our furniture so many times. Every day my hubby would come home, and find the house all rearranged. I would just suggest moving your couches and table around, try out the layouts we have suggested, give them a day or two, or a week. See how you feel about the new layouts, before buying anything. If you end up LOVING the table by the window, you can buy a rectangle glass one, perhaps, and move it in front of the window. Glass will allow the light to pass, and you can use it more of a desk.

But you may end up liking the tv on the wall I suggested, or just swapping the table with couches. You might want to get rid of a table all together and use the bar (i assume there is a bar off kitchen?) with stools. And get a small desk for your work. I now see your issue with blocking the doorway to the bedrooms, but think if you moved the room towards with window, there is room for a table.

My first suggestion though, would be to move stuff around like we've suggested, and get a feel for it. Then you can nail down details. Those sliders make furniture on carpet moving super easy. If there is room with the couch facing the other wall, as I proposed, I think that would make for a nice cozy living area, without leaving a traffic walkway in the middle of your sitting area.

You can also hold up sheets/blankets/shower curtains to the window to get an idea of style, color, before buying anything. I have tried all kinds of weird tricks to figure out how and what to do with my current house. Even a cheap shower curtain suspension rod or swiffer pole can be used for a day to hang your sheets over to better imagine the possibilities.

You might also consider something like the photo attached, for behind the couch or loveseat, near the kitchen, which would be a great table or workspace. I am actually doing that idea in my family room for pizza night, crafting, and computer work.

You could always treat your table, placed nearer the kitchen, as an entry table, with a lovely bouquet on top, and place the chairs elsewhere, brought out only when needed. http://www.luxurioushomedesigns.com/media/1a/a20791a13cfd7e1ada9284_m.JPG http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LyHF12mPQPQ/UTVw2x9g1TI/AAAAAAAAQvI/H4ip3c7qUes/s1600/1.jpg I've always loved that look.

this is how i would do it, i think... one or the other. the brown thing is a narrow table/desk for behind the couch. We are making ours using a plan from ana white. You could then do something pretty in front of the window, a nice little round table, or extend your wall unit much bigger, a pretty chair in that corner, etc.

If you're not planning on living here for long, why bother changing it so much? You don't seem that open to changing much, and don't seem to plan on staying here, so I'm slightly confused why you keep asking for advise...

krf9 - My intention for asking my original question was because I was hoping for decorating advice (i.e. what to hang on the walls), not layout advice. You're right, we won't be living here for more than 2 years.

Update:
I did some research and running the TV's coaxial line around the room is not possible without it looking seriously ghetto. The line is a stiff, dark colored cable that cannot be bent into an angle without breaking the delicate inside. For those reasons, I cannot bend it around the door without breaking the cable. Putting it under a rug is also not an option for these same reasons. Therefore, moving the TV to the opposite wall is out of the question. (Running the cable through the wall in an apartment will just result in us losing our security deposit, so please do not suggest that.)

Two years is plenty long enough to want a nice living space - at least for anyone without unusual commitments.

What are you implying?

Sometimes people have family commitments that preclude focusing on anything other than them. New immigrants may put every dime into bringing family to this country. Or family could have health issues, or someone may be starting a business, with every dime going towards that. Lots of things could interfere with focusing on the decoration of one's home for a couple of years.

We recently had our first baby so yes, our budget, energy and time is primarily invested in our little family. My commitment is to my husband and baby. But, for their sakes and mine I would like to have a warm, inviting living space. With a new baby, we simply don't have the time or energy to rearrange all the furniture - anyone who has ever had a newborn will understand that. ;-)

You said that "Lots of things could interfere with focusing on the decoration of one's home for a couple of years." Must it really be that black and white?? Putting some art or mirrors up on the walls, buying a new floor lamp or ottoman, hanging curtains, etc all seem to me like inexpensive ways to add life to the space. I made the mistake of not putting things up on the walls at our old apartment and so it always felt temporary. I don't want to make that same mistake here at our new apartment.

I have been looking into curtain options - how about something like this: http://justagirlandherblog.com/diy-painted-striped-curtains-tutorial/

Maybe navy stripes?? Or would that be too bold? It seems like such long curtains would make the window the focal point of the room. Is that true?

Meh, after seeing these navy striped curtains ( http://www.viewalongtheway.com/2011/09/a-striped-curtain-tutorial/) I think something more subtle (like gray) would work better.

So I guess my suggestion on the coaxial cable won't work for you. I've seen white but that still might not be suitable. Oh well, thought it might work.

I don't think expects people to rush out and do exactly what's suggested. And sometimes, like here, people throw out ideas that go beyond the original question. No harm done. Tone of voice is hard to tell from a message board, and always best to assume the other person is being positive.

I'm new to the board here too and not an expert by any means. Hope some folks give you some suggestions on your original question. You have a sunny home that I am sure you will enjoy with your little one.

No matter what you do, that hanging light fixture is definitely misplaced. Given the doorway behind, I can,t see any way that a table could function in that area. As suggested above, I would remove that fixture, store it somewhere then reinstall when you move out. The fixture makes the room look awkward and will distract from anything else you do to pretty things up as the eye will always be drawn to it and the brain preoccupied trying to find a solution. No amount of decoration will draw your eye away from the "elephant in the room". Once removed, you will have endless possibilities.

My apologies for misunderstand the original problem! I would agree with you, curtains and a nice large piece of art over the sofa. I cant see the link to the navy striped curtains, but they sound beautiful.