what is the sill height of the window?

The sill height is 32"

Also, consider that the sofas should probably be a couple of inches away from the walls. I can't tell whether the layout accounts for that. If not, will there still be room for the sofa on the window wall considering the column that limits moving it to the right to accommodate movement of the other sofa?

Here is the layout with a Rowe Varick sectional, which would fit. I don't love this sectional because it is a tight back. I like to have removable back cushions so that I can create more space when I want to read lying down (my elbows don't like to feel cramped!). Also, it seems a bit much for the space, no?

http://www.rowefurniture.com/product/N260.html?start=1

Javachick - there is a little wiggle room for the sofas. The sofas I chose come in a larger size (89 inches in length, instead of 83). I put in the smaller ones to allow for a little bit of extra space.

If it were my home, I wouldn't do the window box. I would use drapes (plain linen/ikea) and keep them open but allow them to cover the ends of the window frame and extend beyond,. I think you would still be able to maintain the clean look you want. Were you planning on doing plants in the window box? Unless you have something special in mind to 'decorate' the window box, I don't see it adding much to the room and it may not give you the seating you're looking for.

Interesting k9arlene. I will have to consider that. We were planning to put our herbs there in the winter. It's a south facing window with a ton of sunlight. Also, I thought the deeper window would help to open up the room a little (the window blinds would be "outside" of the room since they would be set back).

I am assuming you are thinking of short drapes above the level of the sofa? I'm really not sure how that would look since the presence of the drapes would further contract the room size (it is a very small space). But I am curious about your opinion and will look for some pictures of drapes behind/above sofas.

Now I am thinking you meant full length drapes, hanging behind the couch . . .

Haha. Yes, I meant full length drapes hanging behind the couch.

And now I'm thinking I could do drapes and the deeper window, although it won't allow the window to make the space look a bit bigger. But perhaps the drapes are important for the room symmetry.

Ok, so let's say we do the drapes to create the appearance that the sofa is centered on the window. What about the other sofa? How will it look being off centered from it's wall?

I'd like some other opinions, but I just don't think it's as important with the other wall because you're not centering the couch under anything. This may be one of those situations where you actually have to see it in your home. You could use cardboard, paper, etc on the floor to represent the couches and put sheets around the window to give you an idea whether or not you find the arrangement visually appealing.

another option would be a 115 x 115 sectional. I have not found one that means my criteria so far, but here's what it would look like:

Good for two people who want to lounge. But not as good for guests who would prefer to sit next to an arm. Which do you think looks best in the space? This or the first layout of the two sofas?

I think the sectional definitely has a sleeker look. Will lamps at either end be enough for your purpose? I personally prefer 2 sofas over a sectional (that's what I have in my family room) but there are many here who love their sectionals. I do like the sectional in your space, but if it doesn't work for you, I would go for comfort first.

I see what you are saying about the sleeker look with the sectional. I am leaning, however, towards the two sofas because (1) I can't find a sectional in the look/size I want and (2) I think guests might be more comfortable on two sofas. There is a man cave in the basement with a sectional, for the kids.

Does anyone want to chime in regarding the two sofas? Will the space look too lopsided? Are there other reasons to wait for the right sectional to come along?

thanks

I think the two sofas will work fine, especially with drapery. Remember function first.

My final thought is that I think the 2 sofas will work if you disguise the off center window. Hope someone else chimes in.

IKEA Karlstad? One side can be made longer than the other, and if you hate the light wood legs, you can either stain them or replace them with metal legs (sold separately). The nice thing is that they come with slipcovers.

Hi Nosoccermom - nice to hear from you again. The Karlstad is very appealing and the price is right! I've been holding back because Ikea doesn't make it without flame retardants, and most other sofas I'm looking at now come without flame retardants. Ikea has d/c'ed the Karlstad so none are made after 1-1-15, when the rules changed. I actually ordered it as a short term solution (which for me would have meant a few years) and then cancelled it last week. It's still an option though.

Here's another configuration, with a chaise:

k9arlene and yayagal - thanks for blessing the two sofa solution. If I do that, I'll do the drapes, thanks k9.

and here's the Karlstad, thanks nosoccermom:

We recently replaced the sofa in our bedroom sitting area with an "apartment sized" Manchester sofa from Ballard Designs. It is still pretty deep; i was surprised that it was considered apartment sized so apparently that designation applies only to the length. It has very low arms that make it perfect for lounging. (I'm not recommending it as it obviously isnt a forever piece of furniture and isnt intended for heavy use, just commenting on the size.)

I thought IKEA phased out the flame retardants in 2010?
http://consumerist.com/2010/06/22/ikea-flame-retardants/

My understanding is that Ikea phased out just Tris in 2010. As of 2015, the new california law states that no flame retardants are necessary, and so many manufactures, including rowe and crate and barrel, no longer have any flame retardants in items manufactured in 2015. I did verify this with the sales person at Ikea. Ikea's new stuff, made is 2015 is flame retardant free. Unfortunately, they stopped making the Karlsdad line in 2014, and so it contains non-tris flame retardants.

They discontinued Karlstad? Bummer.

I agree. Such a classic. Seems like a poor decision.

England has some slender sectinals with visible legs.

http://www.englandfurniture.com/England-Sectional/6200-Sect-401/ItemInformation.aspx

http://www.englandfurniture.com/England-Sectional/4630%20Sect-401/ItemInformation.aspx

Several GW members have ordered sofas from Carolina Chairs and were pleased. This company is a sofa/chair manufacturer in Hickory, NC. They have eliminated the middle man so are able to provide great pricing. This company is ideal for situations such as yours where customization is necessary. Customized sectionals is one of their specialties. They are at www.carolinachairs.com

This looks nice for your room : ) From the Rowe website.

http://www.rowefurniture.com/uploads/images/inspiration/insp-02-large.jpg

I feel your pain, looked for months and finally ordered at Bassett but I still don't know if I did the right thing and am worried about it. It's either too modern or too ordinary or poorly made and most of the sizes are huge and would not fit through our front door. This is such a problem that there is actually a company that will take off one arm of the sofa and put it back on in order to get it through the door. Sofas are often past 40" in depth these days.

Thanks all for the references. I will have a look when I get home. I'm eager to see beyond crate and barrel, ikea, PB, R and B, and rowe!

In the meantime, does anyone like the chaise option? (It's the 5th layout from the top.)

I didn't think I would like that but I keep coming back to it as a pleasing layout (on paper, anyways), perhaps because it would be nice for guests to have big comfy chair options.

I'm curious to know if anyone else likes that arrangement for the space. The layout is based on the Rowe Townsend, like this but without the other side of the U:

http://www.rowefurniture.com/uploads/images/inspiration/insp-08-large.jpg

I'm not sure why my photos don't show up when I cut and paste them. Here's the link. I unfortunately can't save any photos to this computer since I'm at work.

Re karlstad: But it's still in their catalog and available both online and in the stores. You are sure they're not producing it anymore?

I'm fairly sure. I've spoken to two ikea people about it at different times over the past year. They are selling inventory. The two Ikea people I spoke with about it were both crushed that there wouldn't be anymore Karlstad. My local store here in Baltimore was out of the sectional for several months. They recently got some in, but I was told it is just inventory from other places. If you hear otherwise, let me know.

Well, it sounds like you have quite reliable information.

I have been looking at Omnia because they have some sectionals that meet my family's wants and they have some smaller sizes. We are looking at leather and that is their main thing, but I understand they can do fabric too. In case that helps.

Have you ever looked at the sofas and sectionals at APT2B

Most of them are hand made, in the USA, there are many styles, lots with visible legs, fabulous color selections and the prices aren't bad, either. Most are very modern, but there are some more traditional/transitional models, plus some classics, tuxedo, chesterfield, etc. Overall, a nice selection, especially for people who want great color choices.

ETA: There are Apartment Sized Sofas as a category under Furniture. And some of the sectionals are smaller sized too. If you scroll down after clicking on a selection, you'll see matching pieces available in that collection.

When you click on a sofa or sectional, make sure to scroll down on the right hand side under the description, eventually you will come to the info. about being made to order (2-3 week wait time), fabrics, made in the USA.

I really appreciate the recommendations for other vendors. I will comb through them this weekend.

K9arlene - It seems there are so many different scenarios in terms of guests and family. It would be great if 6 adults could sit there. I'm not opposed to bringing in a dining room table chair for myself.

When it's just us, it would be nice if three moderately big people could spread out. With the chaise, two could sprawl, and one could be in a comfy reading chair, which I imagine would also be popular. The house is small and not laid out optimally, so in the end I really want to balance function with appearance. If I have lots of seating but the space looks too busy or too forced, it would bother me. The peacefulness of the space is important to me. Perhaps that is why I like the chaise layout. It's not overly crowded. Does anyone else like the chaise layout?

I have not considered lighting or end tables . . .

If you are seriously considering a sectional, you'll get more useful seating if you have a wedge in the corner. That allows for someone to sit comfortably in the corner, while the corner pieces you have shown in your floor plans just take up space without providing actual seating space.

Also, the backless portion of the chaise isn't very comfortable seating,.

I have two new potential layouts . . .

I've thought for months now that a sectional would be best. But, everyone likes to sit at an arm. This arrangement allows for 4 people to sit at an arm. When there is family over, 3-4 people could smush together on each couch, if need be. One of the issues is the chairs. Do they look too cramped?

This plan involves a sofa from Apt2B. I would have to order sight unseen, and unsat. I'm not sure about the quality of their sofas. There is one seating space on the chaise with a proper back, unlike in the floor plan (I couldn't figure out how to show it), here's the Lexington from Apt2B:

Any thoughts/preferences between these two floor plan options?

I can't weigh in on which would work best for you, but as someone who posted with a slightly similar dilemma a while back, we wound up switching from a corner sectional to 2 sofas facing one another. My living room is small (12x20) and needs to work for 2 destructive boys as well as an adult space. Views were split when I posted, but we opted to go with the 2 big, comfortable sofas instead of a sectional and we're really happy with the outcome.

I haven't quite figured out the armchairs yet, and still need to find a new coffee table and make some other changes. But it definitely works better for the way we live. Here's the link to my thread: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2816609/two-sofas-facing-each-other-and-perpendicular-tv-viewing

I like it a lot, but honestly, I would never buy a sofa without having sat in it.

i really wouldn't get a sofa with so much tufting on the seat...spills and crumb will be a bear to clean. I might consider if it were leather and the tufts weren't so deep.

Any reason you changed your mind about putting the sofas perpendicular to each other?

smalloldhouse - thank you. That is very helpful. I am leaning towards the two sofas facing each other, simply because it provides more comfortable seating for a greater number of people. Your experience is very helpful. The TV angle is not ideal, but tv viewers have the basement tv and sectional.

As for the tufting, I totally agree. I would order it without any tufting.

As for perpendicular sofas - the asymmetry of having neither sofa centered on it's wall really bothered me. The window treatment to conceal the asymmetry with the windows is a good idea, but I prefer no window panels for this space.

If I order the two two-seat sofas, I can try out the perpendicular arrangement to see what it's like in real life.

I'm also not thrilled about not sitting in the sofa prior to purchase.

I really like the two sofa, two chair arrangement. I think sectionals are best for families lounging and lying down to watch TV. If you already have that in the basement, and this space is more for visitors, it works well. Get chairs that are on the smaller/narrower side of the spectrum, so the entrance to the room isn't crowded. If you used two ottomans as a coffee table, they could be moved and used as seating for company as well.

like the 2 sofa, 2 chair layout

I like the 2 sofas too. I like our sectional, but right now, I am so frustrated with shopping or another that I'd do two sofas in a heartbeat if it would work in my room.