I would say, change the rug to a bigger size than this and the color should be cream grey. Then have big wall painting in bold colors. You should have bold color art than rug.

Rug looks very bold

My rule is if I can find a color combination in nature I can use it in my home or wardrobe. I see a cardinal on a winter tree. It is absolutely beautiful together and much better than drowning in a sea of neutral. The key now is to create balance. The ideas above, adding pillows, a throw, art, a centerpiece on the dining room table will make the look complete. Keep the color flowing from the living room into the dining room, but in a smaller more subtle fashion unless this will again flow into the other rooms that connect to the dining room.

Option 1 without bench

Option2 with bench

Get an oriental rug under the coffee table, one with geometrical pattern. Pics on the wall.

Definitely add some red throw pillows :)

CDR, I like number 1 option, but what if you reversed the position of the couch so it's backing to the "balcony", put the two barrel chairs backing to the dining area (unless it's a pretty couch, eating and looking at the back of a couch seems unpalatable... maybe if you added something else against the couch like a sofa table or sideboard?) and put the bench up by the window? Couch placement is the hard part here...

I like the optio 2 better CDR, I really want to leave the two chairs in the living room area and have a bench on the "balcony"

Matched2at has a point, I don't know how it would look the back of the sofa from the dining room

For instance, one of these? CDR I totally used yours as a starting point...

Matched2at I like the second one because I don't like too much the sofa facing the dining room instead of the view of the "balcony"

What is the function of the bench? In your layout, it's sitting there on its own without anchoring it with something else. Here's a suggestion for 3 sections using option 2; (1) put he bench where the sofa is. Next, place the sofa where the lounge chairs are. Leave the end table there and the retangle cocktail table work well. (2) Place the lounge chairs on the window wall but don't place them on the center line of that wall; one chair at the bottom left corner (again, your option 2) and the other next to it backing the window. Put a floor lamp between them. (3) For the recliner, place it diagonal on the upper left corner of option 2 and place another floor lamp next to either side. Now, you have 3 different sections. I suggest two rugs, the red one you have now is good for the sofa/bench combo and one to anchor both sections on the window wall.

One question; what are the dimensions for the bench?

We have 4 options. Since you like option 4, I am adding option 5, which will allow you to move less furniture and I think feels more open. I forgot to add the side table by the chair, but you get the idea.

Could you please move furniture to option 5 configuration, take a photo and post.

Thanks!!

Well, I've given you the same time I would give my clients for a free consultation and without having true measurements for everything, it's difficult to really see the whole picture. One thing I must mention that space planning isn't hard but it takes time and not everyone can do it. Color schemes are the last thing to plan. I would suggest that you spend $100 or so and meet with an interior designer to help planning your area, one that has been in business for at least 7 years. Good luck!

Paola, I am sorry. I read your comments again and I am actually not sure which option you like the best out of all. So, please move into one of the configurations you like and repost pictures. Thanks!!

Paola, I'm with CDR... can you maybe do one of the configurations and post the result? I would love to see how it comes out. I only added the color to the one to show how dispersing more of that red would balance the room better. Good Luck!!

CDR, I like these option the most. I will be doing the changes tonight when I get home and I will be sending the pictures.

Just post the sample that I like the most, CDR, but I will leave the Sofa where it is right now and put the two chairs where you put the sofa

I just downloaded this design app, and I've been reading this thread and I just wanted to say that I admire all of you very much for supporting this gentleman who has a good eye but just needs some help. I just completed an asbestos abatement here in NYC in my coop. It's nothing fancy but I am in the genesis stages of a new look. I tried to conceive this space and gladly I am not completely designe-challenged. I hope I may do as well as this gentleman. Good luck and please post the final masterpiece. Good Luck. You guys rock!

Crab Cakes, that is very kind of you.

Paola, I see what you are saying the couch will be in the chair's place and the chair will be in the couch's place. Hopefully, you can find something to use as a mockup for the bench.

FYI, it is very easy to move furniture using furniture sliders. If you don't have them, fold towels to place under each leg. I weigh 120 lbs and you wouldn't believe what I move by myself.

I think the colors work, but I do think you need to add throw pillow that pick up the colors of the bright rug

CDR, here are the pictures

I would consider a complete wall of curtains where the blinds are. I would use a large graphic print for the fabric. I would remove the box shelving from the wall and the vases from the table. I do not like the scale of the two darker chairs and the furniture placement still not not feel balanced to me. I do love the red rug as a pop.

Hi Paola. I like the new arrangement! In addition to the fact that the couch is faced toward the focal point, I like that the arrangement is centered on the dining set.

Of course, now it is not centered on the window and the large chair seems a little "out of the picture. As solution to this is to buy a round rug, which will include the large chair and trick the eye into not really noticing where things are exactly centered. A larger, rectangle rug might work also.

I think I would stay away from red. You can add red in many other places.

What do you think of placing the large chair on the wall where the chairs are (still angled and in the back) and the 2 barrel chairs on the side where the large chair is now. The barrel chairs will form a "walkway" to get to the balcony.

The couch will be moved more to the right.

Honestly, I think you would do better without the large chair. It just seems to be getting in the way. But, I know you want it in there, so we will try to make it work.

I originally thought the balcony area was raised? Now, I am not sure. Could the seating area simply be elongated, moving the barrel chairs farther apart and the recliner back?

I think the depth of the large chair and sofa make it difficult to place them opposite the two gray chairs lengthwise in the room and still retain a walkway. I do think you're on to something, however, if that balcony portion is not raised. You can buy a rug large enough to cover the threshold they used to seam the spaces and suddenly expand your working area. Then that gives room to spae all the chairs and tables more fully and retain a walkway. The large chair opposite the sofa and one of each gray chair on the opposite axis facing one another perhaps? I rather like the rug - it provides color and texture in an otherwise stark and cold room - it just needs some help to balance.

Right. I is just too much furniture packed into a small space. If we can elongate the arrangement, that would be great!

I wonder if the threshold needs to be that large.Could you get something that is not as high? Then you could place the carpet over it and paint the areas where it does show, white. I would get that checked out.

Hello, the problem is that the balcony area is a little bit raised, CDR, I didn't understand one thing: I should put the white chair where the two stub chairs are right now?

Okay, if the balcony is raised, I am recommending trying to put white chair where 2 gray chairs are now, but angled in far right corner.

1) couch remains facing the window, but might need to be moved a little closer to the wall
2) 2 barrel chairs where they were in the original photo, but moved in close enough that you can walk behind them
3) recliner in far right corner (on the side where the barrel chairs are now)

I tried the other arragement but I didn't like it very much

Paola, from your last picture - what if you brought the gray chairs down so they angle towards the table and the legs are on the rug? Then you put the big chair near the window angled from the opposite corner where it is currently - it will be in the "balcony" area, but it will keep the main part more balanced, leave a walkway and the room will seem more spacious, but not empty...

CDR's idea for painting that threshold white or using a smaller one is still valid...

Ok, I will be sendind pictures.. My Husband is going to kill me.. Jajaj

CDR, I tried to do the second arragement putting the white chair where the two chairs are but I don't have the space, I'm going to try putting the white chair on the "balcony" to see if it looks good, if not, I'm staying with the arragement that it is right now because I really like it

Paola, you liking it matters most of all!

This is the final result, right now I have to focus on the art work!

Thank you everyone for all your ideas, specially CDR Design and matched2! Thanks!!

Paola, I'd love to see what your final results with artwork etc. looks like. The only other thing I would suggest is to frame that amazing window with some color on either side (but not across - that light is beautiful). Here are some ideas (but of course to your personal taste. It will also keep the eye from immediately locking on to the carpet alone.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/175540277/pair-of-50-wide-premier-print-magna?ref=market

http://st.houzz.com/simgs/5fa156d40e4cbf10_3-6153/modern-curtains.jpg

http://st.houzz.com/simgs/b931ff8c035bb53b_3-9100/modern-curtains.jpg

http://st.houzz.com/simgs/cd611b20037b92a1_3-7397/contemporary-curtains.jpg

http://st.houzz.com/simgs/c371ddf800f47f2c_3-0627/contemporary-curtains.jpg

http://st.houzz.com/simgs/abc18ddc012e84ee_3-3189/contemporary-curtains.jpg

by all means add pillows, art, table linens with at least some red to pick up the rug and make it part of the room. Have fun! :)

PS, I don't think this is your latest arrangement, but I played with one of the prior arrangements - drapery panels, larger rug, new artwork, and a floor lamp.

Nancy, actually, that Is the arrangement that Paola likes best.

I will definitely be posting pictures of the progress in artwork and other decorative stuff

Had some progress! Waiting for our artwork to arrive! Keep u posted!

I see you added pillows. Nice.

Hi! I know it's been a looong time! But I want to share with all of you the final result. It has been like this for a while now, so right now I want to remodel a little and change the rug and coffee table, and need some suggestions.

Would this combine the neutrals of sofa and paint i'm not sure....

I like the mix in this:

The new rug should be large enough that the front half of all the seating pieces should be on the rug.

Really like it, add pillows, throw and art to bring it all together

I suggest removing the large chair, replacing the small art on the walls with large art on one side and a mirror on the other. The rug is too small.