Oh and it would be nice to be able to enjoy the view out the window and there is also a small vent in the floor just off center of the window.

Can you tell us what you have for furniture and what is the function of the room. Pictures would be wonderful if you can submit them.

It's the main living area mostly used for TV/reading and we've downsized so the current pieces I have are too bulky and just aren't working. Need to make use of vertical space if possible without overwhelming the space. I am hoping for some ideas "from scratch."

What kind of kid stuff?

It partly depends on what size TV you find acceptable and how ideal you want TV viewing to be vs other factors.

A love seat is generally going to be somewhere between 4.5 and 6', I think depending on the generosity of its seat width and its arm width/style. (e.g. at the low end 21-22" seat and 5-6" arms). One option is to do two loveseats which would provide seating for the family plus a guest and allows for seating not all in a straight line.

They could be put in the corner along the 10 and 11' top and right wall and with a wall mounted flat screen TV on the 5' wall and an end table in the corner between them. That would provide an acceptable angle to the TV for the two in the couch on the top wall, but not for someone person sitting against the other wall. Possibly a chair floating near and in front of the left end of the couch for a fifth seat with a better view of the TV.

Or one could put a 3 seat couch against the top wall, but, at least in our family, the middle seat that doesn't have an arm is the last one chosen.

Or a smallish 3 seat couch parallel to and facing the 11' wall with the TV on that wall. Perhaps with an end table connecting it to the 10' wall and a seat or love seat on the 11' wall. Or a couple of reading chairs in the bottom left corner with a small table for a lamp.

A low cabinet/credenza or shelf unit under the TV could provide a home for the kid stuff.

Hmmm this is tough. Maybe a couch along the 10 foot wall, with the TV in the bottom right corner. Then maybe on the 9 foot wall in the lower left you could get a shelving unit, like the Ikea Expedit, for kids toys and such. This would give you tons of vertical storage. Not sure what your needs are in terms of a computer desk/area, but would a small, narrow table (maybe something very simple, like a Parsons table) fit over along the railing? Not sure if that would be in the way of traffic. Alternatively you could maybe float a chair over in that area.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ikea Expedit

Thanks for the ideas, Cloud! Been living with it for 3 yrs, figuring out the natural traffic flow and trying a few different arrangements. You mentioned a couple things I hadn't thought of that I think I can "fake" with what I have to see how it works before I spend money on anything.

The "kid stuff" belongs to 2 teen girls, back packs, color guard gear, field hockey gear, marching band gear, overnight bags, shoes... They drop it all right along that railing and you can't walk through! I even cleaned out the bottom of the coat closet to make it "theirs," to no avail. Maybe something low along there would at least keep it off the floor?

One sofa along the 10' wall, the tv on a cabinet with storage along the 11' wall and float a loveseat facing the 11' wall. See if that works.

I thought the mess was from little tykes. Two teen age girls can pick up their stuff and put it where it belongs.

Here is a link to a vent extender if any of the layouts involving placing furniture over your vent. I've never used one, but I've had friends who did and were pleased.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vent Extender

It might help if we saw a bit more of your floor plan -- e.g. so can see where people enter the room. Which side of stair goes up? Is there a door on the stair? What is the ceiling height of the room? Sill height of the window?