Do you need all 8 feet of your console together?

Yeah, we are pretty much locked into 8' on the console unless we were to do away with it and get a different one.

How about something like this, in the center of the room.

Here is a link that might be useful: sectional

Do you want the fireplace to remain visible? If so, maybe a smaller version of a sexctional like dollfanz suggested, so that the "L" is along the west and south sides. Then two chairs on either side of the fireplace, facing into th seating area. The TV could be viewed from the sectional, and from the chairs.

The sectional would be closer to the fireplace wall than to the south wall, so that perhaps a small console table of some kind can go on the south wall and you will have a walkway from the foyer to the smaller kitchen entrance.

I think you should consider moving the entertainment unit down toward the south wall about 3-4 feet. That would still leave plenty of room to enter at the south doorway.

Get a sectional that makes a right angle with a chaise on the south wall side, and a couch that would have the back to the kitchen entry. Having the chaise on the south side would create less of a sense of a wall as you walk into the room, and could actually seat two people if needed. I would leave it three feet from the south wall, so that you would have a walkway into the kitchen.

A round coffeetable in the center of the sectional area would work.

Or, if you donâÂÂt want a sectional, still have a couch that backs to the kitchen, but replace the chaise with two chairs.

Down at the fireplace end I think you could put a couple of comfy upholstered chairs and ottomans for each, angled toward one another, side tables by each one on the outside side of the chair away from the fireplace. The chairs would give you two places to sit, and the ottomans could be another two seats if needed.

Thanks for all the information. Based off the above responses, I put together a few diagrams with various options. Let me know your thoughts on these options. Also, I have a few questions...

a) Everyone recommended a sectional, is this the consensus? Are there other options we should be considering or should we focus in on sectionals?

b) What are your thoughts on a curved sectional like this one. The dimensions of this particular one is too big for our room but I was curious what your thoughts are on the curved sofa over a rectangle one.

Here are the options I diagramed based off feedback so far, let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

Option #1 - (The width and depth of the sectional was set to the same dimensions as the Macy's sectional)

Option #2

Option #3

Actually I have an extremely close layout. We struggled with it as we have two major focal points in the room - the infamous fireplace and a wall of low windows that look out onto our lake.

My first choice would be to move the entertainment center down just 2' or so. I would purchase preferably 3 loveseats or the equivalent in sectional (later versatility). Angle 2 around the fireplace and the other toward the television making a 3/4 "circle" around the room. It allows easy entry into and around the room and into the kitchen.

Another option is same as above but place a chair w/ottoman or recliner to the right of the fireplace instead.

When you do either of these options, the orientation is not all about the TV but conversing, TV viewing and the fireplace.

The loveseats being at an angle enable those in the livingroom to converse easily not only in the livingroom but also those in the kitchen. Conversing when your back to those in the kitchen is not good!

The neighbors have a made a "hallway" behind the sofa similiar to stloc and whenever we go there, it makes my husband and I feel cramped (not cozy at all).

We have a low back sofa on "your" fireplace wall and 2 loveseats angled towards the sofa with a 4' wide space between them. It feels not only inviting but has proven to work great with large groups of visitors. We can sit in the loveseats and look out onto the lake. We don't watch TV but do often enjoy the fireplace too. Good luck.

Three is basically what I suggested, but I still would move the entertainment unit down toward the south wall three feet, then move the sectional down another foot or so.

I agree with Les917, moving the tv, rug and sectional will look great. Thanks for posting the mock ups.

The corner seat in a sectional doesn't work as a seat. If you have a wedge instead, it does become usable as a seat. Something like this sectional, with the straight edges positioned on the south and west, so that you can see both the TV and fireplace.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thomasville Brookshire Sectional

I think all three layouts are perfect. You may want to consider a sectional that has individual pieces that you can arrange to accomodate all three layouts and give you versatility when you want a change.