justgottabme: Yes! excellent plan! The Tv needs to be in that corner next to the fireplace -- either mounted on the wall or sitting on a console or cabinet. Having a cabinet in that spot would anchor that whole corner. And more excellent ideas above too! Love the idea of bookshelves in each of the corners -- perhaps just try basic Ikea Billy shelving -- or other build-it-yourself shelves (try stores like Targer or Walmart)-- just to see if that plan will work for you? Or look for vintage shelving or bookcases on your local Craigs List! Swivel chairs can be found -- check your local Craigs List! But for now -- once you move the TV -- try placing one sofa facing the fireplace -- and another one facing the window -- forming the classic L-shape.

It would be possible to put a play corner in the first two drawings but not in alternative 2. I would recommend a corner of storage furniture to corral the toys. I am usually a fan of built-ins but not in this case because eventually the kids will outgrow their toys and you won't need that storage there anymore. The built-in exception would be a window seat under one of those windows on the plans. Some of the storage could be cabinets or bookshelves for bins or toys underneath a window seat. I'm not a fan for toy box style storage because they either become a black hole or the kids throw everything out of them looking for what they want and then do't put the rest of it back. As for the kitchen placement, near to the deck would be best in you like to eat outdoors on the deck or entertain on the deck. We entertain a lot and the kitchen is on the other side of the house from the patio. It's a real pain and a big part of my design brief for the architect was for the kitchen to be next to the patio. I even wanted a pass-through window from the kitchen sink to the patio for ease of clean up but unfortunately I wasn't able to work that out.

I would create a "foyer" by floating a 3-seat sofa or a reversible chaise sofa facing the two windows with a flat screen TV on a low credenza. Hang the clock on the wall opposite its present location. Flank the large front window with a pair of fabric armchairs, a new side table and a table lamp. A new rug should be at least 2 feet wider than the new sofa. For proper installation of a dining chandelier, your table will need to sit under the current fixture. Try doing that to see what you can achieve. Do you want to hire an electrician to remedy the offset? You can probably find a paired semi-flush and a pendant or chandy for both your ceiling lights and maybe the kitchen too. Once you find the seating and rug, we can find a new, brighter paint color to really bring this room out of the shade!

Perhaps trying some nice artwork that matches your current color scheme would work on that blank wall. We also might suggest looking at getting a round coffee table, and perhaps an arc lamp to go in the corner. See our designs below for more ideas.