Karen, I have a similar configuration. Though I wouldn't describe my chairs as "oversized," I have two across from the sofa with a small, round table between them.

How about a coffee table? Also, something for height might be nice in the room, like a bookcase, etagere, or secretary.

You don't mention a rug, but you may already have one. If not, that would warm up the space, and add color and texture. Curtains, or some sort of window treatment, would add texture, interest and coziness as well.

Sounds like you're off to a great start. Good luck with your continued progress!

Our LR, DR and Entry are open to one another. They lean toward formal in the furnishings. In the LR I have a secretary, tea table and Chippendale chairs.

The first 3 albums in the link below show our rooms.

Here is a link that might be useful: Room Photos

I don't really have a formal living room, but if I did, I would probably make it into a library/reading room. My mom did that (along with her piano) and it's such a cozy, comfortable place to read. Lots of windows on two sides, so bright and airy with a few plants, but still lots of books :)

Here's a subject that's near and dear to my heart...my "formal" LR is small and used as a sitting room. I love sitting in my chair by the window and watching my shows or reading books or magazines. It's my escape when sports are blaring & people cheering/yelling in the other room. I do switch out the drapes on occasion and move the furniture around, but the room is small, so there's not too many options. I hope you create a small sanctuary that you love, as well. :)

Loribee, it's impossible to see that room too many times! It's one of my favorites, and always makes me smile.

I don't have a formal LR but in one house I turned a bedroom into a room I called my sitting room which was my escape from the family room and open plan LR which my teenage children often took over. It was a room that was off limits to the pets and kids and since DH used his home office to escape to it was usually all mine! I used it for tea in the afternoon and enjoyed reading there in the evenings when the kids were watching TV. I furnished it with a small scale sofa, end tables, a coffee table, a Grandmother clock, and 2 hostess (armless) chairs.

You might rethink the configuration of your space and move some of the furniture off the walls for a more interesting arrangement. You could add an antique or vintage tea trolley (cart), a small etagere or bookcase, and end tables. Do you have lamps? I love a nice arrangement of plates on the wall which could be very appropriate with this room adjacent to the DR.

ours is a library/reading room.

I decided I did Not want a couch in our living room. I would prefer to have 4 chairs with a table in the center, but since we have a desk in there I don't have the room. I have 2 chairs from West Elm. A bookcase that is concealed in a cabinet that I replaced the glass with mirrors. It's just a nice sunny room to hang out in.

Beekeeperswife....such a pretty room!!
Indygo...so kind, thanks!

Karen...can you post a pic for us??

loving all the pics! such lovely rooms and great variety.
Beekeeperswife - I'm impressed how you updated the cabinet doors, so cool.

Loribee... I will get pics soon. Tho the room is in disarray since I've already pulled out carpet from the adjoining DR space and have paint splatches all over the wall. Looks much like a storage room right now! LOL

I too collect antiques, and the formal LR is MY room. Sort of houses the bulk of the collection, but it's not overcrowded. Same as you I read there, and entertain, and holidays it get used of course.

But also my desk is there, a tall secretary in one corner. My LR is longer and wider so the conversation furniture is grouped around the rug for about 2/3, and the upper 1/3 is bookcase/desk area. I actually sit there with my laptop and do my bills. It's not just for show. :)

I also keep my hand weights under the couch, it's a great exercise room. (heh)

Our dining room is in our living room. :)

We have a center fireplace/chimney running through that divides the living room and dining room. The dining area was pretty small and the living room is larger. Whenever we entertained and suggested moving into the living room after dinner, people tended to take that as a cue to leave (not what we intended), so now we can just sit comfortably all evening with the added bonus of a fire in the winter months. Before, we had no room for any side table, etc. Now we have a large corner cubboard, a drop leaf table that I use as a sideboard, a highboy for linens and extra silver pieces, and two large wing chairs in front of the windows separated by a pie crust table. It is a pretty room.

The small room has several chairs and is only used as a pass through except during big parties. Thinking of putting in bookshelves.

I have a Center Hall Colonial - large foyer with DR on one side and Formal LR on the other...kitchen and FR straight ahead. Since I am soooo not a formal girl, we chose to make our Formal LR into an upscale Billiards Room - great when company comes.

Cyn427 - can you please post a photo? We thot of switching the spaces too, but I'm uncertain. The DR is tiny, I "think" the sofa will fit in there but the chairs - nope. The chairs could stay in the LR on one side.
The LR is pretty well divided into two sides (2/3 of the space on one side, 1/2 on the other.) This is because the path from the 5' opening in the entryway, through LR, to the 5' opening to the DR dissects the space. And the openings are not aligned. So it really creates a wide space between the two sides of the room (I promise to get a pic later).

Anyway, we've toyed with moving the dr table into the larger part of the LR nearest the large window and dressing it up.
Again - would love to see your photo!

These are not the best and I am awaiting different chairs (I like these, but decided they took up too much visual space, so am going back to antique chairs), but maybe it will give you an idea. The space is about 20 or 25'x10'. Our space is a little awkward too which is why the small area has become mostly just a walk though space. The back wall is almost all windows/doors except where the corner cupboard is and the front door is to the left of the wing chairs (about six feet to the left) in the corner of the space and opens to both rooms. I have a small chest between the wing chair and the door.

Here's a view of my formal living room that is very similar to yours.
I think your table is too large and having it doesn''t allow for a living room area.

Btw, I took the picture with my side to the formal dining room. I used a round table and I plan on purchasing a smallish oval table with a sleeve for holidays.

htnspz, the OP didn't post any pictures and I wasn't asking for advice, although it is always welcome. If you are referring to my pics, we don't need or use the room as a formal living room any more. Our two spaces are separated by the fireplace/chimney, so they are not one space despite a feeling of openness. To add some size perspective, the corner cupboard is 54.5" wide. We have more than three feet of space behind the chairs on the sides of the table when we are sitting in them and they are pushed away from the table after eating and there is more than nine feet on the end near the wing chairs and five feet at the other end with all three leaves (is that what you meant when you said 'sleeves'?) in the table as in the pictures. We don't always have three leaves in-usually only one or two. It looks and functions very well for us IRL. The small sitting area also works because we have two large dogs and a grandpup who tend to run through the space from the kitchen/family room to the doors to the deck/backyard on a regular basis! :)

Cyn427, I'm so sorry! It was a total mistake, please accept my apology as I didn't mean to give unsolicited advice like that! I did think you were the OP.

I think it looks good the way you are using it because it sounds like it functions well for your needs:) And that's the most important thing!

No worries. I agree actually about the table-lol. DH brought it to the marriage. I want an antique harvest table that is only about 24-28 inches wide. When my new old chairs arrive next week, maybe I will post another pic on a new thread to see what you and everyone else think about it. I like the comfy chairs, but they add a lot of bulk which I don't like. I am hoping the new chairs aren't too low, but I will use them even if they look a little short.

Again, I really never mind advice and yours was good for the OP too! Thanks.