I think a green plant between the windows is a great idea. Get something large and be sure to water it! I've linked one type that is pretty easy to care for. Once you've added the art you like, drapes and maybe one pillow, I would say you've got a nice place to live. Keep it sleek, clean and tidy and enjoy!

Here is a link that might be useful: Fiddle Leaf Fig

I think you should go with drapes but not a single you should have 2 panels on each window (one panel is a pet peeve for me unless there's a reason, like not enough clearance). There are many ways to keep drapes clean and modern. I suggest looking for a thin rod, the fabric should be solid coloured or suiting fabric maybe or even a large geometric and as you said a grommet top. With all the other things you plan it will feel instantly warmer.

I think you need to introduce a strong horizontal or diagonal line. Otherwise the sofa, coffee table, and entertainment center create a bit of a box car effect. Very rarely would I suggest angling an area rug, but in this case, I think it could work. Maybe something like this:

Here is a link that might be useful: ottoman

I don't think the room is big enough to for the diagonal effect. Plus, you'd be watching TV on an angle, and that would cause neck strain, I would think.

You want to balance all those straight lines with some curves. Drapes will help. And yes, a plant, but don't get a real one unless you get a lot of light through those windows.

What are those under the windows? Heaters? You might want to look at decorative metal covers for those openings. You could make some, out of perforated metal sheeting. Looks like this:

Congratulations on your new apartment. I love plants but in this case I would not do it. (I am not a fan of artifiial, although some do look really good). You have a small space and probably not much storage. You might get a small piece of furniture with shelves or drawers. A nice picture or phogragh would look good there. Go to the discount places like Marshalls, TJMax and look for a few throw pillows. Panels would be great, the windows seem to be a focal point when you walk into the room.

If you ever plan on having more than 1-2 people in the room, I think you need to think about adding some seating. I wouldn't waste the space between the windows with a plant. I'd put a chair there. Or if you and your friends are youngish (not old like me and wanting back support) maybe you could get a few round ottomans to line up along the window wall, which can be moved around the room easily. If you could find them in the green color that's in your rug, that would be a bonus. I think your room needs some more color but hopefully you'll get that in some artwork. And maybe a couple of colorful pillows for the sofa. And a throw (blanket). The brown/apple green color scheme is popular so I'm sure you could find pillows at Target, TJ Maxx, Pier One, etc.

Are you allowed to paint the walls? You could even just paint that section of wall behind the TV

And yes, curtains would be a great addition.

Good idea about the seating. I think that two ar stools could fit, plus the ottoman idea.

To clarify, I was suggesting angling only the rug -- not the sofa.

Possible artwork(s) in link below ....

Let's see:

-I would love to see a tall bookcase between the windows -- perhaps one with a cupboard on the lower half for additional storage?

-Yes -- another BIG vote for additional seating -- look for a couple of clean-lined chairs (maybe in a dark red leather?)

-Add a dash of color with a large modern red glass bowl on the coffee table -- fill with snacks or even just black pebbles. Look at places like T.J. Maxx or Z Gallerie.

-Add additional lighting options -- maybe a small lamp on the corner of the breakfast bar? Or a standing lamp?

Here is a link that might be useful: art.com -- abstract artwork

Here's a possible floor lamp/end table combination that might work in your room ...

Here is a link that might be useful: bellacor.com -- possible floor lamp

I would put a tallish clean line bookcase on the wall between the windows. I would get two smallish ottomans for extra seating...one on either side, in front of the windows. Get your art work for over the couch. Being a man, do you really want to have pillows on your couch? I would put art up, a throw over the end of your couch and match it with a vase or two in the bookcase. Very masculine and clean looking IMO.

You should put an side chair in between the two windows.

I like the idea of panels on the side such as gwbr54 suggested.

I would put two long leaning mirrors on the sides of the tv, this will let the light bounce around and make your space appear larger.

Recently, I did a man's space and he wanted pillows so don't hesitate to buy some.

Place some big art over your sofa, preferable abstract and concentrate on loose, organic shapes rather than the strong geometric shapes you seem to like.

I would definitely want to add another chair or two if possible. Maybe some slim tables. You could do some modern marble topped tables that would echo the pretty marble window sills.

Where exactly are your doorways? I'm guessing there might be one or two on either end of the couch. I'm wondering if you would consider swapping couch and TV locations? It looks like that wall is the most uninterrupted and might allow you to put two chairs on either side of the sofa without interfering with a walk way. Also, if the front door is to the side of the sofa, that would allow your guests (and you) to walk in with an immediate view of a seating area rather than a TV.

Wow, lots of great suggestions!

Responses/clarification:

gwbr54, does your suggestion include just a single panel per window, pulled off to the side? That's what it looks like in your sketch (thanks for that btw). I won't have room for art above the TV, as it's quite a large TV. I do want to get a nice wide canvas above the couch however. I was also planning a barstool at the bar area. I like the idea of a console table, or I could also fit a couple of small colorful ottomans between the window wall as suggested by some. Not crazy about turning the rug though.

sueb20, I could probably paint that wall in between the brick. I can always paint it back if needed when I move out. What color were you thinking?

mclarke, yep, those are small radiators under the windows (very common here in NYC). If I were to cover them, I'd almost need to cover the entire opening from the window sill to the floor I would think. Where do you get perforated metal like the picture in your post? I kind of like the idea, but I'd need a lot of metal and would have to come up with a way to make nice cuts and mount it properly. Not to mention, there's a knob to control the amount of water being fed through the radiator and I'd be blocking access to it unless I came up with a design that allowed for easily removing the covers.

pricklypearcactus, the only opening to the room is a wide opening from the kitchen from where the pics were taken. There isn't much more room for anything but the couch and floor lamp I already have on the couch wall. I could probably fit an end table if needed, but it would be cramped and my coffee table is probably sufficient. I also don't want to put the couch on the opposite wall, as it would look funny b/c the center wall (white wall) between the brick juts out about a foot. I'm guessing there used to be a fireplace there or something.

htnspz, I'm worried that 2 leaning mirrors might look odd. The room is small and I wouldn't want to be able to see any possible reflection of myself while seated on the couch. The room already gets a lot of light during the day and the mirrors would also block a lot of the brick which I like.

General comments (in response to items that have been suggested a few times): There's really not room for a chair in the room - it would be really cramped between the coffee table and the wall. I could however fit a couple of those small colorful cube ottomans that I've seen at stores however (or one slightly large one). I also don't know what kind of effect blocking the radiators below the window would have. Also, I have a hanging lantern (asian style) floor lamp in the corner. It looks more like the "sun" in the pictures I posted, but those pics were taken at night.

It seems like everyone likes the curtain panels idea, so I'll do that. Do I need 2 panels per window or just one hanging down on each end of the room like in gwbr54's sketch? I'll also definitely be getting a large canvas above the couch and I like htnspz's idea of going with something abstract and organic vs. harder geometric shapes since my rug already has plenty of that. Something similar to the picture teacats linked to (which I like), but longer/wider and on canvas. I also like the idea of a colorful bowl with pebbles or something in it for the coffee table.

Now, the big question is, do I go with 2 small cube ottomans on the window wall, a bookcase, or a console table? I probably need something to bring some height into the room more than I need the additional seating an ottoman would bring. I'm already planning on getting a bar stool over by the bar and in all honesty, I probably wouldn't really have more than 1 other person (i.e. a date) in my place at any given time and we can both sit on the couch.

So, bookcase with storage vs. a leaning bookshelf (no storage but I like the look) vs. console table with something on it to add a little height (maybe a plant on the table since several people liked the idea of a plant)? I could probably do a bookshelf or console table AND a couple of small colorful cube ottomans to block the radiators a bit as well if need be.

Thanks again for all the suggestions!!

I have posted links to items to give you ideas. Hope they help. The direct link below is to give you an idea for what it could look like with the table with a plant and curtains. The other links are for ideas for grommet curtains and pillows.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hometrends-Marmon-Coordinating-Decorative-Pillow-12-x16/13265230?findingMethod=rr

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Canopy-Lined-Color-Band-Grommet-Top-Energy-Efficient-Curtain-Panel-Green-Tree-and-Chocolate-Chip/11548092

Adding the carets before and after the links above did not work for me.

As you mentioned, you may be able to fit in two small cube ottomans; suggest you look for those that can also be used for storage.

Hope these help.

Here is a link that might be useful: How it could look