The white sofa looks best centered in front of the window. Looks too squished against the stairs.

I wouldn't put that sofa in that area at all. It's too big, and looking at the bigger pic, it looks like you just have so many sofas and seating, and it gives your home a more institutional look. Rather, put one of the red chairs in there, at an angle in either corner next to the window, and put the white sofa out with the red sofa and chair

I prefer it against the window.

Definitely against the window. It's too long to fit nicely along the stair railing.

Window

I'd love to see you try what Tibbrix suggested, and then use throw pillows to connect them both. If you're determined to keep the white sofa/ chaise where it is, I definitely vote for under the window.

@tibbrix Yes, thanks for confirming my doubt :). I will try to rearrange the furniture as you mentioned and post another pic soon. Just to see what it looks like.

I agree with Tib's suggestion. A nice rug and throw pillows will also help create a consistent look. I suppose you will be adding a coffee table, side tables, lamps and curtains etc?

One more thought... is there any way you could pull the sofas away from the wall a bit? It would look a lot more interesting.

I think it's worth a try. If you can provide more photos of different angles of esp. the larger area, that would be helpful too.

If I pull the sofas away from the wall, will it make the space too small? Will post another pic with the sofa pulled away. I will be adding a rug and lamps on the bookshelves (once I clear the clutter from the top of them) and maybe curtains...not sure yet. Maybe will add side tables, not sure yet..depends on how much space I have left.

Changed things a little and this is what it looks like:

Also put both chairs together...how does this look?

If I put everything in the main area, then I still have to decide what to do with the small area, maybe buy 1 orange chair for one corner or 2 chairs both corners (on each side). Hmm....will have to think about that.

I think the small bookshelves need to move back to the playroom. They are too small to flank the fireplace. You have some nice pieces, but until you decide how you want to use your spaces, it will be difficult to put this puzzle together.

Another to consider: Two red chairs where the red sofa is (facing the FP) with the two sofas facing each other. But, with this arrangement, pull everything in to the center of the room so that the arms of the furniture at the joints are touching. then put end tables in the squares created by those joints. Seems like it would obstruct movement, but it's a sitting area, so walking around by the fireplace to get in there would be just fine. "closed" living area creates a more cozy, cohesive feel.

To add to anniecat's comment, you also have chosen sophisticated-looking furniture, so I'd also move the two bookcases out of the FP area and keep that area more "adult" looking i.e.: sophisticated. those bookcases disrupt that, IMO.

I like all the furniture in the living room. I think the pic with the chair in the corner looks like the chair is trying to escape. What about a small table with chairs to do puzzles, play with play dough, color, etc. It could also serve as a somewhat secluded place to watch the snow (if you get that), drink a cup of tea, use a laptop. It would also give that area its own purpose rather than extending (unnecessarily) the living area.

ETA: I agree with Tibbrix that the bookcases dilute the sophistication.

The nook by the stairs looks like a great spot to set up tall library shelves, to the left of the window. A small table could go in front of the window along with a chair or two. It looks like a good spot to look up recipes, have a cup of something warm, etc. Or maybe a craft and play spot? Another option would be a storage cupboard to the left of the window (maybe an armoire?) That could hold toys, craft supplies, etc. Lots of possibilities. : )

If that nook is going to be a small play/reading area for a child or children, why not put a bean bag chair in there?

I think all the furniture together in one room is too much. Is the furniture new (I think I see tags on some pieces)? If so and is returnable, I'd think about returning one of the sofas or using it in another area if you can. Personally, I would not have 3 pieces (sofa, 2 chairs) in same fabric. Do you NEED two sofas in that area? I would like to see the book cases gone, add a side table or two, and if you use the pieces in an L shape, a coffee table. I would pull in another color (or two) with accessories. Just my thoughts!

I agree with tinam61. I think there's too much furniture in the space, and the white piece doesn't really seem to fit. I also agree about not having three pieces identically upholstered. They are all gorgeous, but I just don't think they work well together here. (Sorry!)

If you were to keep the white sofa in the living room I'd put it against the wall and have the red furniture flanking it on either side. I'd put red pillows on the white sofa or, better yet, red and cream patterned pillows to break up the white and integrate it with the red pieces. I don't think you can have too much seating in an area of that size. A large rug picking up those colors would tie the space together. If the bookcases must stay I'd take off the top covers and paint them white and declutter them, with just a few nice pieces on top for a more sophisticated feel.

That's a chaise? Not what I've thought of as a chaise, so I've learned something today. That looks like what I'd call a couch/sofa. Anyway, I like it against the wall.

I agree with Ingrid....put the white sofa against the wall facing the fireplace and the red sofa facing the two red chairs (with a table and lamp between them). Right now it looks like you have all the red furniture together and the stand alone white sofa. As far as the book cases...I would remove them since they are in front of windows....or paint them the color of your walls. I personally would lower the TV also.

Thanks everyone for the comments!! Lots of ideas. The bookshelves I would like to keep there. I was planning on painting them later on maybe, once I get the accent colors in the room decided. Also will be replacing the blue runner with another color runner or nothing on the top or two lamps on the top (maybe the Pierone exhibit teal lamp).

Yes, we will need seating, we will be hosting dinners (usually with kids) and also have friends/family visiting often.

The orange sofa would have to stay facing the TV, since my husband loves to sit there. The white chaise I liked a lot.

Have rearranged the furniture again and attached a few pics.

These are with the chaise on the opp side near the window, but this look made it look like an office reception area:

I then changed the chairs at an angle, made it look a little different:

I then moved both chairs to the smaller area and yes this will function as a small play area and a place to read books. I liked this look a lot. My toddler loves these chairs, she can easily climb on them and we can both fit on one chair and read a book. For the main seating I moved the sofas back away from the wall and in the center a little.

My husband likes to rest his feet, so if I buy an ottoman or two, it would stay in that empty space. I think the addition of a rug and two small side tables will bring it together.

Yes, the sofas are new and still deciding which look to keep. We may return a few pieces if we dont like the look in a week or so.

thanks,

Cooks.

If the sofas are new and returnable, I don't think I would keep the white one. It does not look intentional with the orange one IMHO.

If you love all the pieces, I think you can make them work with a rug to bring them all together, a coffee table (a foot friendly one) and some pillows and draperies, along with tables and lamps. I like the arrangement with the white sofa against the windows and both chairs facing it (the reception room you called it, I think). If you move the bookcases out into that smaller space and get the above accessories, I think it could look very comfy and cozy. It's the lack of accessories at this point that keeps it from looking inviting. This kind of reminds me a bit of your set-up...of course in a more modern decor.

I like the "reception" set up, too. I can see it really coming together with the things Olychick mentioned.

ok, so my husband also likes the reception style seating. I am thinking if I go with a navy blue / dark teal accent color in the main room. I could add 2 chairs in this color in the playroom area, since I liked the set up with the 2 chairs on either side of the window and I liked the width of these chairs (36"). Or I could go with completely different chairs altogether (maybe something printed) for the playroom but the same set up.

Cooks

I really like the white sofa with the orange sofa. I think they'd look great with a navy or teal rug, but get a rug with a good pattern since the sofas are both solid colors.

I don't think having the bookcases gone will make it look empty. It looks empty to you because there is nothing else there but the large furniture right now. But once you have accessories, I think you will like having that space open and giving the fireplace a cleaner look. And especially if you plan on hanging draperies. The will fill in part of that space beside the fireplace on either side. I'd hold off on buying brightly colored furniture (the tables) until you find a rug and see what will go with it. It will be easier to find those other pieces to go with a rug, than a rug to go with those colors, I think (esp the yellow, which wouldn't be my first choice with that orange).

One lone chair or the sofa does not look good in the nook below the stairs. Do you have perhaps some other pieces to put there, like two similar chairs? Or something else to put in the LR in place of the two orange chairs. I think the orange chairs look good below the stairs but it seems like you want them in the LR and that makes sense.

I really like the white sofa in front of the window as you have it in the original pic. I think Pottery Barn's white silk panels, maybe that little blue end table, a lamp, rug, and a few pillows would make a cozy little reading nook.