I can't tell from the photos but how big is that bookcase wall? Could the TV be moved there and slide the couch down and have the couch across from it? Move the bookcase to the wall with the white door. Put the ottoman behind the couch part in the center of the room, (sort of like a sofa table) and use the ottoman for pull out seating when the whole family sits down to watch TV. It should be no problem for one of the kids to slide it around to the TV area. In a couple of years they won't be interested in watching TV with mom and dad as a family and you'll have the whole LR to yourselves.

dilly_dally: That bookcase wall is 6' and we are also considering that option as the console will fit on that wall. It would have the advantage that there would still be access to the wiring--all along the floor, though perhaps something could be disguised. We would still want to form a U seating arrangement adding the chair and end table to the sectional as I also think it gives a more finished look. Somehow the sectional feels like it is floating... Kids are ages 15, 13 and 7. If they were little kids the seating wouldn't be such a problem but everyone wants to stretch out--not relagated to lie on the floor or on the backless ottoman. You are right we don't often all watch TV together, but occasions like the Olympics, superbowl, etc. as well as viewing pics/videos from our recent vacation on the TV and showing them to Grandma just make the seating situation feel more cramped than it should be given the size of the room.

Hopefully someone can help me put this on arrange-a-room S/W so we can play with it online instead of moving the TV/console around. It is a difficult room to photograph/visualize. I know DH only wants to do it once.

Have you tried separating the L sectional into two pieces. I can see some other options in the room doing that or is separating them not an option?

I would even be open to replacing the sectional, though separating them out would not work. We really want to have one long section opposite the TV, though. Another option I'm considering also is replacing this with one of those curved sectionals. The problem with this one is that the area in the corner is deadspace since no one can comfortably sit there.

Just for a quick move:

Try the TV on the long wall under the small windows -- and move the sofa to the end wall under the long windows.

Move the big bookcase to the short wall where the ottoman now sits.

Take photos and let us know ....... LOL! (just teasing -- really!)

Remove valances and just have naked windows for this time.

teacats: That would be my top choice if we had more depth to the room. :)

Well we bit the bullet and made the swap and everyone's first impression is that it is a big improvement. It is amazing that we even all agree--as we seldom all agree on the same thing. Since the TV is quite large we prefer the more distant view than having the sofa as close as it was before. We were able to rig up a temporary cable connection off of our message center--smart thinking DH put in the structured wiring everywhere (cable, phone, etc.) I apologize for the poor quality pictures. I could not get a setting that did not show the morning sun coming in the transoms. Good news is there is no glare on the TV. DH thinks the technology of the TV must adjust for that.

What do you think (so far)?

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Obviously, this will entail some changes with the furniture and the cable/surround sound plan. It is very hard to spend time and money putting in a system only to realize it's not workable and needs to be completely redone. Retrofitting the wiring to this wall will not be trivial as the remodel called for sheerwall and bolts on this wall plus the backside of the wall has shower tile on it so whatever we do we need to proceed with caution.

Thoughts at this point are to get a larger rug--I'm thinking the Karastan multi-panel Kirman I had my eye on for the LR but did not get. As the console is custom we are thinking to see if the company can make a hutch for it with CD storage on the sides and a bridge across the top. Then the bookcases will be consolidated into one where the shorter of the two is presently and a comfy arm chair will go in the corner where the hardback chair is now. I've told DH and the kids this will be Pop's chair--he really likes the idea of his own TV/reading corner. We may even add a second chair where the ottoman is now--more for conversation than TV viewing. Whenever we have a party people always seem to congregate in this area--it's more of a great room since it's open to the kitchen. Then I'm thinking of replacing the coffee table with a larger sized storage ottoman with the top that flips over--to break up the wood look since the kitchen cabinets are also viewable.

Val, when I looked at your post the first time, I thought of a curved sectional. I don't like to spend your money for you, though. :)

I also had a question about the feasibility of turning your kitchen table 90 degrees (toward the wall jut). If you could free up the area, you would have room for another chair, at least.

It just seems like sooo much work to have to reconfigure the tech equipment. But then, eveything seems like so much work to me, lately. LOL

parma42: Unfortunately, the table can't move over as it's in front of a sliding door and we need access to it. It was one of those things when doing the kitchen design I wanted as much space as possible for cabinets and counters, still wanted a kitchen table and needed some exit to the backyard. The ideal solution would've been to take about 4-6' from my neighbor's yard. :( This is one of those things I've been living with for two years now--always thinking how the other option would work better. It seems any alternative to make it really work for us will cost money--a new sectional, wiring in the wall, a new ent. center. It really has opened up the space now that we've done it. It just feels so much bigger and now DH actually prefers this layout and TV viewing distance. Be assured we will talk to our GC and his electrician before finalizing--as wel need to talk to him anyway about repairing a faulty shower valve. Luckily, DH has not bought the speakers yet as he now is envisioning some wireless ones. He works for Sony so has access to many different solutions/technologies.

I guess my question should be rephrased as what is the best layout (not necessarily the easier/less expensive solution)?

parma: I wasn't very clear there about the table. I meant to say, if the table rotates, it would block the entrance. Once the kids are out of the house, we could get a smaller table, but for now we need the table/6 chairs.

"I guess my question should be rephrased as what is the best layout (not necessarily the easier/less expensive solution)?"

Oh, I thought you were looking to avoid having to rewire another wall.

I really like your new set up. The couch is more welcoming being open to the room for seating from the entrance. The end area looks cozy but not cramped. The TV fits the other wallspace, something I had wondered about when you threw the idea out. Its hard to tell from photos what the dimensions are in angled pics and give suggestions. It doesn't crowd the white door too close or the entrance to the KT.

Normally I would say "live with it for a while" to see if it works for your needs before you get spendy with an electrician but this set up looks perfect.

I like how you have it now and think the addition of a comfy chair to that corner will be great. I also love the idea of a storage ottoman (I'm actually pretty sure we're gonna do that in our living room at some point as well). If you do end up putting a chair where your ottoman is now, could you do a swivel chair to allow it to view tv as well? or is the angle to the tv too large?

~~Veronica

dilly_dally: Thanks for the vote of confidence. We actually are going to "live with it awhile." Most likely step one will be get an estimate on having the cable moved to this wall. It was in original plan, but got scraped somewhere along the way. Knowing our GC (and his electrician) it will not be for a few weeks at least since he had long sinced moved on to other jobs. As he knows what is behind the wall we feel most comfortable having him and his electrician do the work--but good news is cable is only 6' away along that side--just a tight crawl in the subfloor. :) DH thinks we can use wireless surround sound speakers (in which case we'll push the existing wires up in the ceiling and patch/paint--after we are satisfied with the wireless ones). I guess this is where technology is headed these days. The existing wiring will stay so moving it back at a later date will always be an option. In the meantime, we can live with the cable coming from the message center. Thank God for the grommit we put in! After being stumped how to proceed in this room for many months, I finally am starting to visualize how we can finish it off and phase things out (the oak stuff). I could never commit to buying anything more for this room the way it was before, yet I always felt it was unfinished.

Veronica: The swival chair is a good thought. There could be space for it if I put it not so much along that back wall, but more in front of the door about 4-5 feet and angled towards the sectional. I see that as a later addition--once I replace the bookcases so I know how much space I have to work with. Somehow I will need to consolidate the two bookcases and I'm going to scrounge around CL for my additions similar to how I put the LR together, but in more of a casual/transitional style. My first disappointment is the Karastan Kirman rug I had picked out (a steal at $375) was sold--but I've seen lots of kirmans for sale in the past month so I'm just going to wait it out. I keep waiting to see a post from you about painting your walls.

VERY nice layout!

Yes -- a couple of matching cozy chairs -- one to sit where the windsro chair is snow sitting -- and one to sit where the ottoman is now sitting would really give you a nice "rounded" conversation and TV-watching area.

Would the small bookcase fit in beside the taller one? Perhaps if you pushed the taller one into the corner -- and then added the shorter one to its left? Just a thought!

Perhaps a standing lamp would fit in behind the far corner of the sectional? And then -- if it fits into that area beside the taller bookcase -- a smaller lamp on top of the small bookcase would work for a nice reading corner.

OR simply add a second matching (if you add one at the corner of the sectional) standing lamp by the bookcases and the chair to create a very nice lighted reading corner. (add a basket for magazines)