Ductwork all runs through the ceiling. Or rather, along the tops of the ceiling, UNDER the ceiling and inside the room (rather than up in the attic, though there must be a place in the attic where the furnace connects to the heating ducts) In fact I'm pretty sure that's why they put that stupid "bookshelf" there (with the shelves too close together and NOT MOVABLE eg too short, and too deep for actual books and also not suitable for decorative items either, LOL!). Basically it fills in the space under the ductwork, where in the kitchen (on the other side of the living room wall past the bathroom) the ductwork runs over where the wall cabinets are. The story of these houses is a little weird, they were supposed to use plans that included WOOD STOVES (wonderful way to heat in the desert where trees don't grow) but instead used plans intended for a different Air Force base in another state that included oil furnaces. Thankfully. But the oil furnace was replaced in the 70s or 80s with a forced air gas heater and that was pretty nonfunctional (wasn't even correctly connected to the ductwork). So we had that replaced and the existing ductwork at that time was all up through the attic and running along the top of the ceiling in every room. Anyway so originally they intended to build houses that would have included a connection for a wood stove but since they didn't actually USE those plans I'm pretty sure it was purpose-built for the oil furnace originally, since those were the plans they actually (accidentally) used. Maybe there was/is some stuff involving the old oil furnace in there ... That room is WAY too big for a "coat closet", plus the actual coat closet (also somewhat oversize but still obviously closet-ey) is just around the corner there. The "weird" room is 4 x 6.25 and would be 5x7 ish if it weren't for the weird bookcase and offset back wall with apparently blank space behind it. The coat closet around the corner is extra-deep and larger than any other hall closet I've ever seen @ 38.5" deep - more than 3' deep - and 41" wide. It's HUGE for a closet but at least it actually looks like one. As for that odd space seemingly blocked off there between the bathroom and the weird room, I guess I'll need to take out a bit of wallboard and look. Just seems so odd ...

Thank you all for the advice--and encouragement. Groveraxel and Beverly--I really appreciate the mockups! Decoenthusiast: your information on sizing is especially helpful--just what I was looking for. I'm definitely going to get out my blue painters tape, that will help me visualize what size might look best. For now, I'm going to keep looking for the "perfect" rug. I'm in no hurry to replace the current rug, as I really like it for summer. Hard to see in the photos, but it has narrow silver ribbons running thru the warp--I like the little bit of sparkle. Thanks again--I'll be back for more advice, I'm sure!

I agree that furniture needs to move closer to the fireplace/TV. I guess the problem I’m Having is the French doors. They are not being removed, they are staying where they are. So, considering sizes of loveseats and even sectionals. I will be blocking those doors. what is the rule about blocking the French doors? We do use them sometimes. The living room is on the other side and then it gets a lot of use these days with everyone being home.

Hi, Maggie-- If it's a storage space off the dining room, it sounds like the architect was intending to give you a butlers' pantry space for serveware and entertaining pieces. It appears that you could run some cabinetry in the space to work in service of that goal, neatly managed. But that might be worth saving up for when you have a touch more budget to work with. Cabinetry in htere could also take the pressure off any other storage needs--games, puzzles, etc.--that are occasional or seasonal and not so entry/exit-based. One follow-up question: are you in a super-cold or shoulder-season climate? Just trying to understand the volume need if boots and the like are involved. As a kid, my mom made us all keep our winterwear in our own closets since our coat closet in the front hall was small and had to be reserved for guests. It had a boot tray in it for shoes but everything else was absorbed through bedroom closets. Hope that helps, cheers!