outsideplaying, I really like the bench idea. I was contemplating something like that. Thanks so much for the advice on the planters with height. I never would have thought of that. What about the stairs - Should there be anything at the top of the stairs (on either side) and/or the bottom? Tibbrix - Thanks for the ideas! I too like the grass idea. Out landscaper is coming back up hopefully this fall to help us figure out the rest of the plants around our home and he had mentioned something like that, or a bush. Our original rock plan for in front of those steps was supposed to look like this. We had to hire a local landscaper to do the rockwork and he didnt follow the plan so we are stuck with that big mass of rock in front. I just put a bunch of plants in because they were going to die. I did put a bush that should get some decent height to the right of the steps (under the window) to kind of hide that hole there. I'm seriously contemplating just redoing it all and having my husband do the rock the way it was meant to be done. Ugh! I just need one of you guys to come here for a couple months and help me figure all of this out. I am so overwhelmed!

The issue will be the size/bulk of your sectional. For a smaller footprint with the look/feel of a sectional, consider a reversible chaise sofa. It gives the option of a right or left chaise so you can change your arrangement at will. You can try it both ways - at the wall or at the tile, and you can change it up seasonally if you want. I think the TV wall is pretty well set in stone. Be sure you put yours at the right height for viewing.

Placing a couch centered on the fireplace is going to leave little room to walk thru that area....but maybe that's ok... I really don't know. Unless you replace your current furniture with new pieces that are about the same size, and in the same place, you may be changing the traffic paths in the room. That's why, once you have an idea of what you want, you should move your existing furniture to the way it will be in the future, so that you will know whether you like the new arrangement, before you commit. 30 feet is long, but 13 feet is not really a narrow space for a living room. It's pretty normal. My guess is that your house originally had 2 rooms side by side in that space. If you think the space is tight, look for chairs and sofas that are not as deep, back to front. There can be a big difference. Your brown recliner is very deep. Apartment style furniture can be just as comfortable. Having a foot of padding at the back of a chair doesn't really make it more comfortable - it's just a style. You don't sink back a foot when you sit down. Here is my mock up of where the traffic path would be if you have a U shaped conversation area in front of the fireplace and TV. I gave you an ottoman instead of a coffee table in front of the sofa. And I made the upholstered furniture about 4 feet deep.

Great place a wall mural or graphic wall covering. They can be sized to fit your wall and you have the option of peel and stick. Www.muralsyourway.com.