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I would float the sofa in the middle of the room, facing the fireplace.
I would put the desk in front of the window.
Move the credenza which is under the kitchen opening now to where the desk is....covering the back of the furniture if it isn't good looking. Move the toy storage to the corner under the kitchen opening where the credenza was. Perhaps get a better storage unit for the toys so they can be put away out of sight...deeper shelving unit with lots of large baskets perhaps.

Then, if possible, replace the large table in the corner with another sitting chair to complete the conversational cluster.

If you move the sofa to in front of the fireplace, you could put the tv on a corner stand to the right or left of the fireplace.

Just some minor tweaking needed, imo.

I also think you should float the sofa, facing the fireplace.

Put the TV on the table to the right of the fireplace.

If it's a flat screen, install it on an articulated wall mount over the table.

The mount will allow you to move it for better viewing.

You can buy very inexpensive, high quality mounts as well as other electronics/AV accessories at Monoprice
The mount shown below is only $35 and holds up to a 46", 125lb. TV.

If you put the TV on the table, angle the table in that corner for better TV viewing.

Put the toy bin in the corner where the chair is.

Put the kiddie rug in front of the toy bin.

Put the desk in front of the window.

Put the chair & ottoman in the area where the desk is.

So I have been trying and trying...floating the couch in front of the fireplace blocks the entry into the room (the 2-step down from the dining area). It just feels very awkward and there isn't room for a console behind it to help. It also looks kind of strange when you are looking down from the dining room area. The step-down really makes this awful. I am open to any new furniture at all!!!!!!! I am desperate! Please help!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!

I think the sofa is fine where it is now, just center it on the slider. I would get rid of the desk, and put up an iron railing on that side of the room. I would also put a chair or bench in that corner.

I think you need another style of sofa in a lighter color, looks very heavy, see link.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1829030}}

Just to get a baseline here: do you actually use your fireplace very often AS a fireplace, or just once in a blue moon? Because if it's only used rarely, the tv could just go there. As to the sofa & seating, people tend to lay diagonally across sofas instead of sitting primly, so you could have the back of it to the window. HOWEVER, I also think that the desk should go directly under the window, so the sofa would basically be far enough from the window so that there is enough clearance for a person to get in and out between the desk area and the back of the sofa. That way, the part of the room that is blocked of visually is the section that doesn't have the step-down. The area between the window and fireplace could then house the toy bin. Feel free to float the recliner toward the fireplace, it should be easy to get around. The distance from the couch to the recliner should be what naturally feels comfy if two adults are laying back in them and having a chat (app. a meter).

Bonus: great view of the tv from the kitchen.

Well, I want to spend some of your money :)
Can the brown piece (buffet?) live in the dining room? It looks like it could. I'd move it there, then (since you said you'd buy different furniture) I'd get an L shaped sectional and put it where the desk is and along in front of the window. I'd put a bookcase (open back) between the dining room and the couch, from the wall to almost the stairs. A height that doesn't loom over the living room, but provides enough separation that it creates more of an enclosed room of your lower level.

Part of the problem is things look dwarfed down there visually, so I think blocking it a bit from the dr and giving the couch something to back up to would help. These are only 15" deep and not too expensive

Not sure what is behind the couch next to the fireplace, but I'd have the tv there, on that or a different piece of furniture along side the door angled into the room or on an arm as suggested.

If it fits, I'd put the desk against the wall where the flowered chair is next to the fireplace, with a nice piece of art hung, so you're not staring at a blank wall. Then you could put the flowered chair facing the fireplace/tv in the space where the buffet was.

I agree with olychick about a separation. I think the issue in your room is that it is a large step down into the living room. See how in this picture the step down is only one step and, unlike you room, there isn't the need to block a big drop.
{{gwi:1829033}}

One option is to create a physical separation between the dining area and the living room. My aunt's living room was very similar to yours but she had a railing between the wall and the stairs. It didn't look strange at all. It actually made the sunken living room feel cozy. Adding a railing would be less expensive than new furniture (this isn't her room, just an example).

Before you make any structural changes, you can use a bookcase or piece of furniture on the dining room side to create the separation. Try it out first.

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[Modern Living Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2105) by San Francisco Architect 450 Architects, Inc.

This bookcase from IKEA is inexpensive. Place it sideways so it is two cubes tall and four cubes wide. It can be anchored to the wall so you won't worry about it going off the edge. This would have the added bonus that the bottom cubes would be accessible to a child from the living room side so you could add baskets or the door inserts to create toy storage.

Or you could go the opposite route and make the step-down go all the way across the whole space. That way people are not limited where they can go down to enter the room. You have more freedom to place furniture then because you do not need a piece of furniture to block the drop off. You could also try this option out using cinder blocks or something similar for temporary steps. See how you like it.

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[Traditional Family Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2107) by Dc Metro Architect Christine Kelly / Crafted Architecture

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[Traditional Living Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2107) by Denver General Contractor Redeux Developments

This post was edited by geokid on Mon, Mar 11, 13 at 12:41

What are the dimensions of your LR to start?

Jim

I think that olychick and geokid are on the right track. FIrst you need to address the issues with your home. The way it is now with the step down living room, it is a safety hazard because the step does not extend all the way across and there is no railing. So, I'd first think about addressing that before anything else. If you need more wall space you could close up part of that entrance between the two rooms and/or extend or move the location of the step, but I'd have the step extend the entire width of the entrance. The IKEA Expedit bookcases are a wonderful and inexpensive option; however, if you were to sell your home, this issue would definitely be a concern to any buyer as it's not safe the way it is now. I'd also consider closing off the peek-a-boo window.

The suggestion of a sectional is a good one as you can get more seating that way with less space and put TV to the right of FP.

If you're going to have a TV in there, you're going to want a good view of it from the adjacent rooms as you work, etc.

I'd look into paneling the fireplace so I could run cord behind the paneling and place the TV above the firebox. I've never done this and can't anticipate any heat issues, but one solution--IF there were a problem--would be to insert a gas or electric unit. My daughter got tired of cleaning out ashes and did that.

In any case, it'd look good, no awkwardness, and leave the floorspace for other items you want to bring in.

I agree that that drop to the side of the steps is never going to look right just by setting a piece of furniture in front of it. Solution of choice--rail, half wall matching the other side, whole wall of same or other material, or...?

OR, I might choose to make visual sense of it by running the step all the way across, or almost all the way. If the latter, probably ending at a short knee wall, just barely enough to create a corner to back an easy chair or a chair behind a desk that faced into the room into. It'd be okay if the chair backed to open stair instead, though, as long as there were a couple feet between for visual comfort.

Our cabin has a very similar set up. We put in a rail and have comfy chairs with backs to the rail facing the fireplace.

I honestly can't thank you all enough for your wonderful suggestions, and the timing was perfect!!! We are actually having a contractor coming in 2 weeks to do some home repairs and replace the carpeting, and he can extend the stair for $150!!! Best money I could have spent!!!! I never even considered that as an option! The pictures you posted really gave me some good perspective.

I had tried to address the problem by placing the desk in that area but it never seemed to work. I love it by the window!!!

I also think I need a new couch in a lighter color. I did a quick test by moving the couch in front of the fireplace and draping it in a white sheet. Much better than the dark color!!!! I couldn't believe what a difference it made! I also think a larger L-shaped couch might fit better in this space and the new stair will give me some more options to play with.

I will be posting pix in a few weeks! Please accept my heartfelt thanks for your advice!!!!!!!!

P.S. Yes, I'd like to get rid of the peek-a-boo window myself because it is just weird, but that is out of scope for this project. Hubby is already stressed to the max with the current changes I have planned - wait til I tell him about the added stair! No way can I try a new wall!!!!!!

I think I am just going to minimize that area by not placing any art on that wall and distracting the eye to other areas! We did repaint to hide the weird white trim, but I'm not sure what to do next. Any suggestions appreciated!

Ok, and P.P.S. if you have any more advice...scrolll back up to Photo #2 I posted at the beginning of this thread.

What can I place on the wall in the dining area? I do like the mirror that is there, but want to put something on either side to extend it a little. I was thinking sconces, but I can't find anything I like that would also match the style of the mirror frame. It also should not stick out too far from the wall because the dining chairs are so close.

Thanks again! You guys are really good ;)

I think you really, really need a half wall to separate the diningroom. If you DH is handy at all (can he measure and cut a piece of wood?), putting up a half wall isn't hard or expensive at all especially if it doesn't have to be a support wall or having any electrical.

Also, it really looks like your desk will fit between the wall and the fireplace. If not, that's another easy/inexpensive building project along with some shelving on the other side to fit the TV.

Please float the sofa in front of the fireplace. You need to get it up very close to the fireplace to give space between the sofa and stairs. It'll look great! Seeing the back of the sofa is something you'll just get used to, it's not weird at all.

Here is a floorplan I mocked up with examples to show what I mean. I used the scale at the bottom of the floor plan you created so I hope I have the dimensions close.

{{gwi:1829039}}

Those pics are tiny! Here are bigger versions:

{{gwi:1829040}}

{{gwi:1829041}}

{{gwi:1829042}}

{{gwi:1829043}}

{{gwi:1829044}}

Looking forward to pictures!

I really like kellyeng's layout, but I disagree that you *need* a half wall. I especially like the idea of placing barstools at the peek-a-boo kitchen window. It doesn't look like there is an overhang there now, but adding one with brackets and a simple counter would be easy enough. It would be a great place for people to sit and chat with you while you're in the kitchen. And a nice spot for food landing coming in and out of the slider door (I'm assuming that goes to a patio with a grill). That can be for later though after your DH gets used to the current changes. :)

As for the dining room, I think olychick's idea of moving the buffet from the living room to that wall is a good one. Add some tall candlesticks or vases and you are good to go. You're going to need that space in the living room for the bar stools anyway. :)

That peek a boo window looks awfully high for bar stools. Do they make bar stools that tall?

Right, CLBlakey. I was thinking something more like this.

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[Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by San Francisco Photographer Alex Amend Photography

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[Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Chicago Architect Michael A. Menn

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[Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103)

These pics use shorter stools and chairs, but using bar-height stools would get the same effect in this case. It's just a matter of mounting the counter at the right height.

This post was edited by geokid on Fri, Mar 15, 13 at 0:39

I have nearly exactly the same layout, except add a door in the upper left corner and replace your bottom wall with wall, wide opening, closet. My room is also longer than yours - it's 18'x18'.

I have added Billy bookcases with the half doors and height extensions to either side of the fireplace. It looks good and the extra storage is a godsend. I would definitely integrate a desk into any built-ins you do, like the picture kellyeng posted. Obviously custom built-ins/bookshelves are nicest, but the Billys are fine if you are on a budget. You could buy the short ones and/or cut the Billys down to fit on top of the desk.

I have found two layouts that work for my room. Obviously we have different furniture but perhaps reading this will help you.
1) float sofa in front of fireplace, put sofa table with lamp(s) behind sofa, put two upholstered/leather large chairs in front of left window, float loveseat in front of slider on right, put coffee table in front of sofa, place dresser for extra storage on bottom right wall.
2) Float sofa and loveseat in the middle of the room perpendicular to fireplace with coffee table between them. Put the two large chairs south of the sofa & loveseat, angled toward fireplace. Put dresser for extra storage on bottom right wall.

My TV is above the fireplace since DH wants it there, but you can easily put yours in the upper corner since you have less furniture. I would recommend that, actually, since the closer you are to the TV the less comfortable it is to look up that high.

You really just have to move things around until you are happy - at least for now. The room is awkward, no doubt about it. So, when I get sick of one layout I switch back to the other. I switched back to my Option 2 yesterday. DH laughs at me but hey, moving furniture is cheaper than moving.