Layout 4 is the most versatile and gives you the most effective seating. You need to recognize that the square corner seat in a sectional doesn't get used. An angled corner piece, like this one,
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makes the corner piece usable. You do have the room for it.

but the sectional doesn't offer that type of corner piece. i'm not sure how i feel about the 2 separate seating areas. it's interesting, but may seem like too many things going on.

It all depends on how one uses a sectional. If you like to lie down with your legs stretched out to watch TV or read, the corner piece would certainly be used.

I think #1 look like it would be most functional and not so cramped.

I think #1 and #4 would be options I would consider.

Why a sectional?

It limits how you can place furniture, both now and in the future.
They take up a lot of visual space.
It isn't conducive to conversation since everyone is sitting side by side, rather than facing one another.
Where do you locate your end tables,lamps, places for people to put beverages, etc?
You don't have as many options to bring in different fabrics, textures and colors.
The corner is wasted space unless someone is lying down.
If part of the sectional gets damaged, you must replace the whole unit, rather than just one part, as you can with separate pieces.

I would think about layout #2. Keep the sofa table at the top of the drawing with the ottomans under, for extra seating and a place to use as a serving spot when you entertain.

Make the sectional just a couch, but in the same place as the piece in the drawing. Angled on either end of the couch, have comfortable upholstered chairs, with end tables between the chairs and the couch. Be sure to plan outlets in the floor so that you can place lamps and not worry about cords.

Have the pub table down in the lower corner as drawn; find a funky, fun chandelier to hang over it.

In the left lower corner, consider placing a chaise, side table and lamp, or a chair and ottoman if you want more seating.

The leaning mirror idea can be pretty, but be conscious of what it is reflecting. Also, with so many boxes on that wall already with the entertainment center, fireplace, tv, etc, I am not sure you need another large rectangle. Consider either artwork or a mix of that, photos and things like plates,in a grouping for interest and texture, or consider a tapestry or tall plant in a round pot instead.

Your drawings present a wonderful, inviting space. Best wishes for you in your new home, regardless of how it is arranged!

I like #5 without the chaise. I would look at getting two chairs that could be beside each other at that end and it might require a slightly smaller sectional.

We have a sectional with the curved middle. What I love about our sectional is it's really comfy and two people can lay on it and the dog can still fit in the middle.

Another option is to have two sofas - and two chairs. Basically like your sectional in #5 but with a square table at the right angle of the two sofas. That's one thing I miss about my sectional. If you sit in the middle, I miss an end table.

While I understand the convenience of a sectional I really don't like how everyone is sitting in a line and has to turn their head and possibly lean over someone else to talk to someone. I like #4 because it gives the best of both worlds IMHO. You get the sectional, but there are a lot of other chairs which if you get them on wheels can be moved around the room as needed. I just wouldn't like all the guests lined up on a huge sectional.

I forgot to add that I really love the look of the built-ins. That's going to be a lovely room when finished.

bumping this up now. i'm really trying to decide between layout 2, 3 & 5. please help.

I think the major issue with the floor plans is about the traffic flow. All of them open into the back of the sofas and require a path all the way around the room. On one side, the path is blocked by the table/chair and you see a rather small path on the other. I think you should consider sofas and chairs as well. I'm worried the scale of the sectional overwhelming the room.

I like 1 & 2, 3 is ok but 4 & 5 interfere with the fireplace. I had sofa that close and a spark flew and burned hole in arm. That can happen even with an insert when you are loading wood.

I too worry about the flow of having to go all the way around, the sofa is not fungshei (sp?) with back to doorway, but I had to do that in my house and it is fine. I just tell the spirits to not sneak up on me when I am watchin Haunting shows which is when it bugs me the most.

I do like how you have placed the tv and fireplace so you can use both without either being off to the side.

Love the size of your room, mine is similar but a tad bit larger. There's actually room to walk! lol.

I do agree with Les. I'd think long and hard about a sectional. You're going to have so much room to play around with if you get the itch to re-arrange furniture, or play with accessories, but you can't do that with a sectional. Plus the seating of everyone side by side will make it uncomfortable to visit with guests.

I enjoy having my own "space" in the LR to sit by myself and enjoy a good book with an end table to put my drink on.

Is that a game table you have in the back of the room? If so, that's a great idea. We did the same and even though it's just my dh and I living here, we use it quite a bit for various projects and an occasional game of chess.

Separate seating areas can be fun if you can do it. Sometimes us girls gather in the back of the room and chat, and I have a rocker to rock my grandbabies with sitting in a corner by itself.

Seriously though, a sectional will make your room set in stone where you're basically stuck with it.

I like layout 4 because it seems to offer the most seating and options. Good luck~

My great room is laid out very similarly to yours and we have a sofa like in your sketch #1: It is 3-across but the end seat is a chaise. I have learned that the chaise was a mistake for us. When people come over, no one wants to sit on the chaise! I guess it probably has soemthing to do with people feeling like they shouldn't put their feet on the furniture? I don't know, but it's perplexing and frustrating since I really thought the chaise would be a hit.

In order to make my living room more comfortable for groups, I've been shopping for a sectional like in sketch #4 (a 3x3, without the chaise end) to replace my chaise sofa so that people will actually start using it. A 3x3 should allow me to comfortably seat 4 guests on the sofa; whereas now, I can only seat 2. This thread has been incredibly helpful to me because it's making me reconsider a 3x3 sectional and instead think about whether I can fit 2 sofas in this space with an end table at the right angle. That would allow me to seat 6 guests and DH and I could still lie down to watch tv when it's just the 2 of us.

Back to your dilemma - I think you need to consider how you will use this space. Does your entertaining style necessitate 2 separate conversation areas? Think about your guests' patterns. When you have guests over, do you guys watch tv or talk? Do the men watch tv while the women chat in the kitchen or dining room? If you watch tv, have you noticed that your friends/ family like to sit close to another on a sofa or do they tend to have larger "personal space" bubbles? How many people do you need to seat (comfortably) in front of your tv?

I partially agree with the poster who said the corner seat in the sectional won't be used: it won't be used by guests but I bet you will sit there when you don't have guests. I love sitting in the corner and pulling my feet up underneath me.

Another matter I encourage you to consider carefully is the material your sectional is covered in. My chaise sofa is a very attractive leather that's held up beautifully and is very easy to clean; however, it's freezing cold all the time and it's slippery enough that my throw pillows won't stay put - they slide down onto the seat. And lastly, it's either the leather or the sofa dimensions/fill, but everyone who sits on my sofa slides downward into a slump. It's so sad watching people continually adjust and try to sit up straight. (Another reason I'm shopping for a replacement sofa/sectional, and this time I'm leaning toward a sturdy chenille fabric, stiffer cushions, and a less-deep sofa.)

One more thing - your coffee table for the sectional. Is that a padded ottoman or a hard surface table? If you think people will put their feet up, a padded ottoman is really user-friendly. Much more so than a wood or wood/glass coffee table.

Regarding the game table in the back corner, remember that if you put a table lamp on that side table shown in sketch #1, it might block the view of the tv (from the game table). And another thing about sketch #1 - that single chair along the same wall as the built-ins? I have one of those, too, and it's only used when we have company but that person has to twist around to see the tv. It balances the room but isn't very functional for me.

Good luck!
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