I think 18' is a long way for the couch to be away from the TV. Why not hang it above the fireplace, then put the new couch where the old one is, with chairs and lighting on either side of the couch (for balance) then some plants and lamps and things you like in each of the corners? The room would live larger and not feel like it had a "hallway of nothingness" in it where you pass in front of the fireplace that no one is looking at. Also, it's VERY easy to stain your fireplace, if you were so inclined... as I would be. This room could be lovely and charming and clever!

Forgot to say... that fireplace needs a mantle. Just a simple wood mantel (or wood and crown moulding) properly attached at the proper height of 54-64" tall.

Thanks for your post shear! The couch would actually only be about 11' away from the tv, by the time the credenza, couch and console table are accounted for.

I'm uneasy with putting tv above the fireplaces, if on,y or the fact that that's the only traffic path in the room. I can see DH's head exploding while trying to watch football. ;-)

I don't want o ignore fireplace, which is why I was planning on having chairs face it. I definitely want the room to live larger though. It's...cozy. :)

That's why I' gave a range for mantel height... for you I'd say the 64" mark (which is over 5 feet)... then when you hang the TV, the bottom of the TV would be around 72-78" (or 6 to 6 1/2 feet) Who can't slide under that?
Otherwise, you plan will work, but I'd sure love to see pics of it when you finish. I'm full of opinions on a few key subjects, and this in one of them! I wish I could just knock from door to door and rearrange people's stuff without them buying anything!

Ok, no more comments. Does the silence fall into the "if you can't say something nice..." vein? I don't want to make bad choices since I am starting all over and will have to live with my mistakes for some time.

Shear- thanks for your help! I think I have to disagree about the fireplace needing a mantle though. My house is 1951 simple, and I'm quite sure that it has never had one. Plus, it's one of those 90 degree fireplaces, so the mantel (mantle?) would have to wrap...and I think it might look out of character.

Do you think that 1 small couch and those two chairs are enough seating? Anyway I can work in additional seats? I thought about an ottoman type coffe table, but I never feel comfortable putting items on them like I would an actual table. A plant, remote controls, etc.

I love your choice of a couch but, is that color, would it be practical with the kids? If I were at your stage of life I"d get a microfiber fabric in a tone that is very forgiving. I'm unsure how those two chairs will work as they may be too uncomfortable to watch t.v. for any length of time. Another possibility is to get a sectional and put it between the windows like you prefer and the shorter part would be away from front window similar to your set up now, maybe a muted neutral and use your color in the accent pillows. Is that a wrap around fireplace? My sister has a room similar to yours and put a mantle up high for her collection of art and also painted the floor bricks, it brightened the room so much.
As for worrying about not having enough seating, a sectional provides more seating because, for some reason, people don't mind sitting near each other on them versus a love seat where people avoid them and only one person seems to sit alone. Good luck, I hope I haven't confused you now.

Could you take an overall photo of the room, maybe from just outside the doorway? I am having trouble visualizing the room.

Is a couch that wide going to allow for side tables?

I like the couch and two chairs idea, but that chair does not look comfortable enough for TV viewing. It's more an office or waiting room chair. Two swivel barrel chairs, perhaps?

I see you have young children. Are you sure you want to give up the benefits of leather furniture right now?

Yaya- thanks for your help. I agree that color is probably not the best idea, and if you met my kids you would see why! I would probably get it in a taupe or grey.. For some reason I was having difficulty saving the image in a different color on the R&B site.

I'm worried you may be right aout those chairs not being lounge-tastic enough. I'm going to check them out here in a bit. I may get them for the kitchen if they aren't quite right for the LR.

I thought about a sectional, but I keep reading conflicting things on whether they are good for your primary seating. I worry about company wanting to sit all together on one couch.

Your sister painted the floor bricks, but left the rest?

Are you by any chance near Chicago? This guy has some awesome credenzas. I purchased one for my office.

Would be perfect for your TV

I agree with graywings - another photo of the overall room. I can't really visualize your space.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vintage Ground

Graywings-it's hard to get an overall photo of the room, as its longer than it is wide.

The love seat is just to the right f the door, here is an old photo from the house listing, with PO's items:

I agree about leather being easier to care for, and you can see that I have a naughty dog who helps himself. I'm not opposed to leather at all, I just want something a bit more squishy than what I've got. And not as dark.

This post was edited by drybean on Tue, Jan 29, 13 at 12:51

Hey! I would put the sofa where your current sofa is now. Two larger comfy chairs where your son is sitting and two slightly smaller chairs to the left of the sofa. So you would have seating for 6-7.

The decorator I used did something similar and the chairs that would go to the left, closer to the TV, were smaller barrel shaped swivel chairs. This allowed them to be part of the conversation area or swiveled around to watch TV.

The decorator has a photo on her website, but it doesn't seem to be working right now - I sent her an email to find out what was up - I'll send you a link when it is working again.

Janice-that guy has some terrific stuff! I'm in Los Angeles, unfortunately..not close!

Here is a quick and dirty floor plan I drew, does that help?

Chispa-in a "u" formation, right? Won't the swivel chairs block the tv? ETA: oh, you mean kind of flanking the credenza, right?
Something like this?

This post was edited by drybean on Tue, Jan 29, 13 at 13:04

Love the MCM vibe you seem to be aiming for, but I agree that leather is a great solution for dogs and young (as well as us older) people. Depending on the quality, finish & color, I've had leather wear well for decades.

I'm not wild about having the TV face the front door so I'd consider placing it between the windows where the sofa currently resides, having the loveseat remain where it is with a console table behind it, placing the larger sofa on the original TV wall with enough space behind it for a low book shelf perhaps, and adding two small swivel MCM chairs or two rockers or a combination of the two styles flanking the FP so that you have conversational grouping and can opt for FP gazing. Pulling furniture away from walls invariably helps ground even very small spaces. This placement encourages multi-usage of your living space, and you can use your existing furniture until you find the more or less perfect replacement pieces over time.

Since you like MCM, try to find vintage as the construction is almost always vastly superior to what is available today, across nearly the entire budget spectrum except for the truly high end. If that placement appeals to you, then my preference would be to bury the wires in the wall and hang the TV above the dresser. If for some reason you prefer to rest it directly on the dresser that can work as well, but try to hide all the cables and wires in a chase. They typically sell these cable chases at big box stores though you may find a better price one line.

As far as a mantle, since your FP can be appreciated from your DR also, if you add any mantle you might consider a wrap around one. Frankly though, since the space appears small and you have young people who might energetically use the area, I'd be more than a bit worried about someone smacking her/his head on a projecting mantle. It is appropriate for MCM FPs like yours to not have a mantle but still have art of some kind (Jere style metal sculptures or more typical canvases) displayed 5' or so above the floor.

Once you have the seating layout figured out, you will have a better idea of the type and style coffee table. Some unexpected MCM shapes such a a free- form kidney (which may have one length straight) or other non-right-angles geometric shapes may help soften the room. I'd be inclined to wrap that mirror in some lively and lighthearted colors and patterns even if just done as a temporary treatment that can be changed at whim. (Pullog's beautiful whimsical kitchen tile comes to mind. You can wander over to the kitchen forum and search to see if that appeals.)

Lots of us GWers know that Ebay, Goodwill and estate sales may provide the perfect furniture solutions with a very high-end value at a reasonable budget but it requires a bit of patience to find your bliss as pieces are usually acquired over time. That's a great solution as it allows your vision to expand over time. Enjoy your new home!

I love abundant blessings idea for furniture placement. The swivel chairs in front of the fireplace is a great idea.

For years I've been pulling my furniture away from walls - no matter how big or small the space. It makes all the difference in the world. When I go into someone's home that has everything pushed up against the wall, I just want to start pulling it out a bit. :-)

You should try her set up with the furniture you have now and then post that photo.

I agree with abundant's plan, as long as you will still be able to view the TV easily. Seems very balanced that way and the sofa will have more breathing room (from what I can tell).

Very cute house and kids. Will be a great place for your family memories.

Abundant-wow, thank you so much! I don't think my DH will be wild about not having couch in front of TV, but I will absolutely try it. I'll start pushing things around right now, and post more pics. If I'm buying new furniture with your arrangment in mind, do you like 2 couches or 1 couch and 2 sets of chairs (4 total) ?
And chairs right up against fireplace orioles in more? I'm thinking about traffic flow...

And I agree completely about vintage pieces being superior in construction than most of what I can afford. It helps to have a plan in mind so that I know what to look out for.

Ok! I'll start pushing stuff now!

What about the same couch in leather?

I meant to say too, that I did not even think about head whacking potential of a mantel. I rather like the simplicity of the fireplace alone, but perhaps after the room is a bit more put together it will tell me what it needs.

Ok, here is room rearranged.
Caveats:
-I can't move mirror alone. It might go above couch, or go away altogether.
- dresser is stand in console, obviously not correct scale-wise.
- lampshade was damaged during move; have to get new ones made for both lamps.
-will have to lose curtains when credenza arrives for TV.
-we are in middle of major kitchen renovation and my house is a dusty disaster.
-sorry for horrible lighting. Taking pics on iPad is difficult with those bright windows.

I don't know that there is room for swivel chairs near fireplace.
What do you think?

I like it a lot, but prefer nothing behind the sofa.

Can you watch TV OK this way? That was my only concern.

Anele- nothing behind sofa or love seat? I'm concerned about lighting-I don't have room for side tables by the large couch and need lamps.

I'm not sure about TV viewing yet. I'll have to see how that goes, once I figure out how to reconnect it. There does seem to be a glare at this point.

Oh, no, I definitely think you can put floor lamps, just not the table. An end table might be nice, too.

While I hesitate to get shot down again (lol� kidding), I can't resist sharing my opinions with others.

I like this arrangement. Not sure I love it, but that is a matter for personal preference. (My issue is the same as you say your husband's might be: TV to couch relation.) Also, I wouldn't want to watch TV at that angle AND have it down lower. Maybe consider mounting it above the console?

The mirror I would either hang over that fireplace, or on the back wall of your dining area. It also would be perfect in your bedroom if you don't have a nice on in there already.

Those framed art pieces you have propped behind the couch are really awesome. I'd keep them there, but hang them.

You don't have to lose the curtains when the credenza arrives, just push both panels to the corners. Would help those corners look less blank. Or put the two inside panels on the ends of the large picture window.

Hard to tell for sure, but it looks like that's a pretty narrow area to come out of the hallway, get past the couch, and not stub your toe on the brick on the floor. Consider switching the couch and love seat? (And later, putting two chairs with a table between them on that wall.) And I agree, there's no room for chairs in front of the fireplace.

As to your concern about not having enough seating, right now you have 3+2 and with a new couch and two chairs, you will still have 3+2. When you have company, bring chairs out of the dining room. Or invest in some floor pillows for the kids to flop out there.

Aslo agree about not needing the mantel. I didn't realize it was a two-sided fireplace, nor that it had to be navigated the way it does.

For lighting, consider some pendant types that hang down in the corners, or in a row somewhere, or over an end table, etc? Frees up the lamps' footprints in the room. Darker shades or heavier drapes would solve the glare issue.

Oops, just saw your comment about the end tables. Consider also swing arm or arc lighting.

Lol shear-, thank you for your continued help, really! I like the idea of pushing curtains back. I'll do that now. The mirror won't fit over fireplace; it's nearly 6' tall. It might be just right for our bedroom, like you suggested.

I like your idea of switching couch and love, that would give me more room for side table + lamp too. And yes, chairs on that wall might be better.

I have a suspicion that DH will not dig the TV viewing angle, but I'm sure I can convince him to give it a try for a few days. I'm still trying o figure out other options. I'll try chispa's suggestion next.

Good point about seating pillows. The kids do have bean bags they can drag out of their rooms if need be.

Anele- got it. So no console behind either couch?

I would only put one behind the large couch in front of the big picture window IF...

IF it will fit so that the fronts of the other seating are equally distant from the TV. (Which can be achieved by putting the chairs at "lazy angles."

IF the couch doesn't recline... or tend to slide back when people plop on it.

IF you don't put curtains on that big picture window...or only let the curtains hang to the sides. I hate crushed curtains.

Also, even though you didn't ask...

I would put some live potted plants on that brick on the floor so you subconsciously avoid stubbing toes or tripping.

And, even though it looks like you just re-did the floors... that half-wall/dividing wall thing should be removed if possible. (The thing labeled "wall divider."

Your dog looks like he is looking for help outside the window ... to save him from the crazy human moving the furniture!!! You got your workout in today.

Back to my U-shaped arrangement. The swivel chairs would be kind-of blocking the credenza, but you would still see the Tv over the top. If people are actually all watching TV, then you would need to separate them out a bit.

The back of my barrel chairs are 32-1/2" and if you had the tv credenza/console at 36" high it would work pretty well.

Love the MCM vibe you seem to be aiming for, but I agree that leather is a great solution for dogs and young (as well as us older) people. Depending on the quality, finish & color, I've had leather wear well for decades.

I'm not wild about having the TV face the front door so I'd consider placing it between the windows where the sofa currently resides, having the loveseat remain where it is with a console table behind it, placing the larger sofa on the original TV wall with enough space behind it for a low book shelf perhaps, and adding two small swivel MCM chairs or two rockers or a combination of the two styles flanking the FP so that you have conversational grouping and can opt for FP gazing. Pulling furniture away from walls invariably helps ground even very small spaces. This placement encourages multi-usage of your living space, and you can use your existing furniture until you find the more or less perfect replacement pieces over time.

Since you like MCM, try to find vintage as the construction is almost always vastly superior to what is available today, across nearly the entire budget spectrum except for the truly high end. If that placement appeals to you, then my preference would be to bury the wires in the wall and hang the TV above the dresser. If for some reason you prefer to rest it directly on the dresser that can work as well, but try to hide all the cables and wires in a chase. They typically sell these cable chases at big box stores though you may find a better price one line.

As far as a mantle, since your FP can be appreciated from your DR also, if you add any mantle you might consider a wrap around one. Frankly though, since the space appears small and you have young people who might energetically use the area, I'd be more than a bit worried about someone smacking her/his head on a projecting mantle. It is appropriate for MCM FPs like yours to not have a mantle but still have art of some kind (Jere style metal sculptures or more typical canvases) displayed 5' or so above the floor.

Once you have the seating layout figured out, you will have a better idea of the type and style coffee table. Some unexpected MCM shapes such a a free- form kidney (which may have one length straight) or other non-right-angles geometric shapes may help soften the room. I'd be inclined to wrap that mirror in some lively and lighthearted colors and patterns even if just done as a temporary treatment that can be changed at whim. (Pullog's beautiful whimsical kitchen tile comes to mind. You can wander over to the kitchen forum and search to see if that appeals.)

Lots of us GWers know that Ebay, Goodwill and estate sales may provide the perfect furniture solutions with a very high-end value at a reasonable budget but it requires a bit of patience to find your bliss as pieces are usually acquired over time. That's a great solution as it allows your vision to expand over time. Enjoy your new home!

Sorry. Just got back home and read through the last few hours' ideas. Then my original post shows up again. Don't know how to delete it so pls ignore.

Great job! You've been busy! I actually think you can go further a bit toward the coffee table spot with the large sofa and more toward the window which will mean relocating pooch's bed. Particularly if you like my idea about a narrow short bookcase behind the large sofa, people will need a bit of room to walk behind to select their reading material.

I like your thought about a console behind the large sofa but my focus as noted would be a low bookcase since I have lots of books and I'd want to encourage your young people to focus on reading in addition to it being a TV area. You can mount the TV on a swivel wall mount or on a swivel on the credenza to minimize glare, though I suspect you'd have glare in its original location at some point in the day.

Hard to tell about the 2 chairs but you can place a couple of DR chairs in spot to see what you think. I'm thinking small footprint chairs mostly on area rug. I also agree w/the suggestion about a plant somewhere -- either a larger floor specimen or some orchids on the console. IME nearly every living space in an ideal world would have a live plant to help provide cleaner air and add an organic touch, books, art and ambient lighting. HTHs!

This was my mother's lamp from Marshall Field's in Chicago from the late 1960's. I helped her pick out the furniture for her new house. I still have the 3 chrome lamps from that house from so long ago. I had them all rewired though.

Would 2 couches fit? That would give you more seating.