how about just a chair and ottoman in the corner with a table and lamp to create a reading nook...i think the couch would be just too much furniture and doesn't really complement your other furniture. do you use the 2 chairs that are there now often??
plants in front of the window would look nice!

I'm not crazy about it, but I covet your round rug!

Hmmm. What's wrong with the way the area is now? Especially now, if you're on a tight budget? I think you should stop looking at CL; you're torturing yourself.

I like the chairs you have now-one or both. Like your idea of an open bookshelf, too. I wouldn't put a couch or loveseat there. The space is pretty as is!

I would focus on finding the bookcase with baskets for toys. I think that will be a wonderful addition to the space. It also makes more sense to me to have the chairs that are currently there or a chair and ottoman, as several previous posters have mentioned, instead of another sofa.

Nice find, but I think it would be too cramped with furniture with the additional sofa in that area.

I like the idea of the shelving/bookcase with a few baskets to store the toys.

Dh voted it down anyway. The space is actually pretty big, and looking at it from the other end it is almost totally empty: (aside from plastic toys and giant ride on cars)

This area was originally the front porch to our house, but it was enclosed and made part of the living space way before we bought the house. It's kind of a "bonus" area that has become a dumping ground for toys. It is the first thing you see when you walk into my house so I wanted to define it as sort of a sitting room. Just not sure how.

Since it appears to be a play area, I'd add the storage piece behind the sofa and leave the rest as is so the kids have more usable space.

I think more furniture behind the sectional would look too crowded. Add some colorful pillows if you want to change it up.

I'd probably put a parsons table behind the sectional with a couple of lamps. Then under the front window get one of those chests which can be a toy box/window seat. The kids will outgrow the big space-consuming toys soon anyway, and that would help the place immeasurably.

But no, not the CL couch. It is massive. Your current chairs are very appropriate.

Do you want to know what I'd do with that space if it were my house? I also have children and know about toys and storage.

I would start a window seat on the one wall where the chairs are now and continue it around to the other windows where it would stop. I would put cushions where the windows are and leave the rest like a shelf. Then I'd have open (or closed) storage underneath. You could do cabinets or drawers even. Toys of course would be put in there.

Behind your sofa I would put a sofa table with two lamps.

Here's a picture of the back of our living room. It's also divided into two parts like your's. The picture was taken with a wide range lens so it appears a bit larger than it is.

I love our "game" table though. You could put one against the window, but I do like what you have in there now. If it were my room I'd just get a buffet type table and put it in front of the window.

With young kids I'd leave it as is for now. Wait till they outgrow the toys. That'll give you time to think about what you really want the area to look like.

I think everyone is right about a sofa not being the way to go in this space. I am seeing a trend with this type of room set-up towards placing a writing desk to the back of the existing sofa with a comfy desk chair and lamp. It creates a perfect place to work on a laptop while still being able to see the TV and/or interact with others in the living room. Keep it kid friendly by providing a cushioned bench or a rectangular upholstered ottoman in front of the windows w/hinged lid that lifts to store the big, bulky toys. Only allow large toys that will comfortably fit in the piece. Others should stay in bedrooms or another area away from the front door since this is the first thing guests see when entering your home. They can be put away easily to "pretty" things up when you want it to function as an adults only space. A divided unit like you described getting with baskets would be perfect for smaller items needing containment. This writing desk would also serve as an excellent place for the kids to do homework when they are old enough so you can keep an eye on them when online and help them out when needed. Remember, less is more. The existing chairs w/table & lamp, writing desk w/chair, storage piece under windows and bookcase unit are plenty. Resist the urge to fill in space w/other smaller floor items. Leave room for play space for the kids as already mentioned.

I like blondepegasus' idea of a writing desk behind the sofa.

Also the "less is more" approach is good for that part of the room.

I'm late in posting, but as a mother of 3 grown children, I'll add my opinion. I would remove those chairs and make that area completely for your children instead of trying to hide the fact that they play there. I would also remove the rug if it's not needed, add toy boxes, etc. and let them have at it. Before long they'll be grown up, then you can decorate.

IÂm sorry, I canÂt tell from the pix you have posted - where exactly is the front door in that space? What does the living room look like, viewed from the spot where the TV is located?

I think you could easily divide the sunporch area and create a playspace for your kids as well as a distinctive entry area - but it would help to have a few more pix of both the LR and sunporch.

Here is a pic of the sectional from the area of where our monster TV is located. You can see the front door in the background so when you walk in and turn right the first area you see is the front porch/sitting area.

I would LOVE to do window seats, but it can't be done because the radiators are in the walls beneath the windows. I have a console table, that was behind the sectional, but it's a little top heavy and I'm afraid it might tip if my 13 month old tries to pull himself up on it, so it is currently in my bedroom.

I'm all for letting the kids use this space to play in, but it's also the first thing you see when you come in my house. Trying to find a solution so it is a sitting area, and play area, and looks nice when guests come over.

I'm understand you wanting to look at other options for that area.

I like the size of the current chairs and that pretty rug. I would think kids would prefer to sit on a rug vs. hardwood to play.

I like the set up you have now but I'm sure someone here can think of some other good, creative options.

Love the woven storage chest.

I love the idea with the window seats but I know you said you have radiators. I would try to just move the two chairs and table in front of the other window and since that is the first room you see when you come in, I'd think about placing a table behind the couch. You could even use the chairs somewhere else and put a pretty upholstered parsons chair at the sofa table to use it as a desk or game table. Just throwing out ideas.

I might want to put a long but shallow sofa table behind your present couch to give better division to the 2 areas and put a lamp there and a bunch of photos. Im with other posters and think the 2 chairs look fine there but Id like to see maybe a floor lamp there and possibly a rectangle ottoman in front of both chairs.( not sure about that tho) This is where I get a bit hypercritical so slap me if you want. I think that area will be a much more warm & inviting space if you lower the 2 wall art I see there.
Good luck. Love the round rug!

Just a thought: have you tried moving the rug and the chairs much more forward toward the front door, and then put the play area behind so that the toys are not the first thing seen when you walk in the door? Perhaps a divider or something between the two areas?

Wow, I think I'm going to be the voice of dissent here.

I think it is a great sofa for the money and would bring some much needed warm tones into your room. Is it really not an option anymore?