Think first about a conversational cluster. The two chairs are nice, but need to be across from something, probably a sofa, so that it makes a seating area where people can talk to each other. The room also needs a focal point, probably the window...so keep that in mind as you determine an arrangement.

Because of the crown molding, the two bookcases don't go together nicely so they almost have to be separated...is there room for a small sofa in between them? Or better yet, get a carpenter to "bridge" them so the look like a single unit, put some down lights in the bridge part and but the sofa in between. Then put the single chairs one on each side of the sofa, or maybe together opposite the sofa with a round table in between.

I'm not a fan of laminate flooring and prefer either LVT or sheet vinyl as it's far more durable and less "clattering" under foot.

I'll give it a shot. First, I agree with Annie that the room needs a focal point and that the window is the most likely suspect. Consider dressing that up with drapes on the sides and inexpensive sheers in between. If your chairs are in good shape, why not keep them the color they are and look for drapes to tie the blue and green together? The money you don't spend on replacing or recovering them would probably pay for an IKEA Ektorp sofa in the slipcovered white style you favor. I'd place the two chairs with their backs to the window, and the sofa opposite (on the kitchen side?). You might also think about painting your bookcases white and trying the sofa table in between them, with either your artwork or the wreath hanging over the table. Finally, since you like antiques, I'd go searching for a vintage dark wood table to go in between the two chairs. As for flooring, we have the LVP and I love it. I'm not sure how it works on stairs though. Best of luck with your project. Budget girls represent! Curtains?

Thanks much for your thoughts! I know this isn't the standard fare here after seeing all the beautiful homes that are posted, so please know I appreciate the feedback. The room isn't very big and the cabinets are pretty big. I was wondering if I could either hang a large piece of art between them and/or a gallery photo display. What about an upholstered bench between them? I'm attaching a photo of them spread apart a bit with a piece of art between to give an idea....don't pay attention to the guy behind the art!). I don't think I can live with the chairs 'as is', although it would certainly save me some money. I just don't know if it makes more sense to replace or reupholster...probably about the same price point. I do like the smaller size of the chairs as they fit me very well and I'm all about comfort. I will certainly look at the LVP as I'm not familiar with it and inquire if it can be used on stairs. I had originally thought I'd like a circle of chairs with an upholstered ottoman between them (or coffee table), but I think it might be tight for that.

Is there a good starting point with this? Does it make sense that I start with flooring for example and then go from there? Are curtains my only options on windows this size? I would prefer a cleaner look if possible.

I love, love your walls' color, and that big window.

It's a bit sad to cover it, but I think that maybe feeling of lack of privacy might also contribute to spending less time in the room. I usually love curtains; but look into shades and blinds options. They might give you this cleaner unassuming look, without interfering too much with the lines of this great window. There are many styles..I'm not a specialist, but some are really pretty. Some people on this forum are really great about window treatments. I hope they'll see this thread and would be able to suggest some great options.

I liked the previous suggestions in this thread. The bookcases should be put further away from each other, unfortunately, in order to work. Do you want to keep both of them in the room? If yes, I think the space between them should be approximately the height of one cabinet, to feel more proportionate..

I think flooring can be a great starting point. At least it was in my place)) I had a wall color(inherited from the previous owners), and pretty much nothing else. Then I decided on a flooring. And that's how things started coming together.

As for the chairs-if you love them reupholster them. Why not? Or maybe something less radical, like a throw/pillow of a color or pattern you love, will help you live with them as they are for now, until you see how the room changes, floors and all, and then you'll decide what to do.

I don't think you want to "start" with flooring...I think you want to start with a plan for the whole room. That way when and as you buy the pieces and materials and start putting it together, you know you are continually moving toward the desired final outcome.

So start with function...how many people do you want to seat in the room? How will the room be used besides a morning cup of coffee? Think about traffic patterns as it appears there's one from the stairs, one from the kitchen, one from the front door. You want to make sure your furniture arrangement does not obstruct the flow.

Think about lighting...where are the outlets? Do you have any floor outlets? If you know your furniture arrangement, you can have them added before new flooring is done. That way you don't have to run wires across the floor which are trip hazards or under carpets which are fire hazards and illegal. Do you want some ceiling fixtures? Do you want to add lighting to the bookcases?

Do you want to add some crown molding to the room to dress it up?

Also on flooring, it appears there is some kind of transition material at the front door...do you want to unite that with the rest of the room? Where can you start and stop the new flooring?

On some specifics, even if you don't want to add the bridge to the bookcases, which would really make them look nice, think about separating them with a sofa in between. It will help make that wall a focal point.

For window treatment, I would think that, with the dog, you'll have to do some kind of shade that drops down from above...either duettes or roller shades or roman shades. The idea being that if you lower the shades by 2/3rds at night, you'll still gain a lot of privacy but leave room for the dog to look out. I don't think a single shade is doable as it would be so wide, so probably just divide the window up evenly and have the shades butt at close as possible. Depending on the style you want in the room, you can add a valance or side panels or both.

I'm not a real fan of the railing by the stairs as it looks insubstantial. I'd think about maybe replacing it with something else...maybe metal spindles with a wooden top and a good newel post. That you'd want done before the flooring if you want to do it.

On the chairs, it is hard to find new chairs that are comfortable and smaller. I wanted a new chair for my bedroom that was smaller, so I ended up buying one off of craig's list and reupholstering it as I couldn't get them that small new. Since you have them and like them, then leave them if the fabric is in good contidion, or redo them or think about getting the slipcovered which will save some $.

And I'm sorry, but I'm really not a fan of the large wreath on that wall. Art on the wall is one of the last things that go in a room. Right now, I think it's in the way of your seeing the whole picture of how the room could look (perhaps your reluctance to separate the bookcases even further?)

I'm going to recommend you watch Christopher Lowell's 7 Layers of Design as it's a nice way to get you thinking about designing your room with consideration to all the elements as well as see how they all come together to create a final room. And as he always says, You Can Do It!

Beverly, that is a perfect example of what her room could look like. So many similarities in the architecture and even her two bookcases.

aktillery9, thanks for the vote of support. I think the room with some thoughtful planning could be very nice.

April- Thanks! I appreciate the suggestion of having the
width between the cabinets approximately the height of them, as that gives me
something more concrete to consider. Unfortunately, proportionality
would not be something in my head to consider!
I had pulled them apart quickly and only as far as I could with existing
obstructions last night...now to remove the obstructions and move them further
apart! Need to start looking at chairs
and getting another quote on slipcovers.

Beverly- What a great inspiration photo! It certainly does share some of the same
features. I also think your thoughts on
leaving a railing that allows light to come in is a good one. I'm not so crazy about the existing railing, but can at a minimum let go of doing a bookcase there. I also
like the idea of a table at the window if space will accommodate it.

Annie- So many good ideas/questions for me to consider and
that I can now mull over. Thanks so
much for that and all the thought you put into assisting me . I also will be looking
into shades as I prefer that look. No
problem about the wreath....I'm a bit schizophrenic in terms of what I'm drawn
to from a design perspective, and natural items always find their way in. It was
sold as an outside wreath so the birds could eat the sunflower seeds! Somehow it ended up on my wall! lol I
just hadn't moved it for the pictures...wasn't really invested in keeping it
there. Sorry, that made me chuckle at
myself mainly....