I just removed my tv from my 12 x 21 living room (I'm one person, so I use a smaller tv in my kitchen lounge).

When I had the TV in the living room, it was arranged like this, as you mention -- a loveseat and two chairs facing. You can't see the TV, but it's there on the left side of the photo. It was a flat screen and took up the width on a 62" media console.

Now -- the chairs are comfortable, as is the loveseat -- unless you want to watch TV in a lounging position.

I would sit with my back on the arm of the loveseat, feet up on it (sideways basically) to watch tv. It was fine for one person, and my poodle often squeezed on there and pushed my legs off!

The chairs have a pull-up pouf ottoman, and that was the only other way to watch tv.

Ask your husband if he wants to watch tv that way. As yourself if you like to sit together to watch tv.

In a previous home (not the last one), we had the tv over the fireplace, but in a much wider room, and I didn't like it. I think with a narrow width, it would hurt to look up to see the tv.

Do you have another TV room already?

How about this: you keep the blue wing chair that is to the right of the fireplace, since you like it. Replace the sofa with a blue print fabric, and buy the hubs a blue leather BarcoLounger/LazyBoy that swivels. That way he can be part of the conversation grouping or watch TV.

You might want to consider making the living room less formal. I think you could pull some stunning colors from the rugs to apply to the walls and drapes. Change the artwork above the sofa and over the fireplace to larger pieces. Change the lamps, or at least the shades. I would figure out what in the room doesn't get used and maybe delete those pieces.

You have a beautiful room which has enough richness that you don't really need drapes, which isn't often the case. I'm normally not a fan of putting a TV over the fireplace but your mantel seems to be fairly low. On the other hand, if you were to remove the TV and put a low chest there catty corner, that should give you quite a bit larger space for a new TV. That way your hubby could retain his chair and usual arrangement, and you can concentrate on getting a new couch and gorgeous painting for the fireplace.

I think over the mantel makes the most sense in that room, if you are getting a larger TV. Make sure that you mount it to the wall, and then you can tilt it down slightly. If you can recline somewhat on the sofa while watching TV, you will not get cramps in your neck. If you place it there, however, it will take over the whole room, but it is the most practical place to put it. Also, you will not have to worry about any glares, as long as you turn off the table lamp.

Love your floors, built ins, rug and wing chairs! Normally I don’t like TVs above fireplaces but in your room, your mantle seems lower. I think it would work really well to have a big flatscreen there. Then you can make a separate conversation area where the TV is now with your pretty wing chairs

I would put the TV next to the sofa, facing the windows. Remove that little table & chair & buy your DH a big comfy chair for that corner, facing the TV. White blinds would work nicely in your room.

Could your remove a few shelves from the built-ins and mount the TV in there?

I appreciate the comments. I just wrote a lengthy response that was lost somehow. I'll rewrite tomorrow.

I am wondering how to deal with the wires / cable box with a wall mounted TV. Thanks everyone.

Is there enough room in the end where the tv is now to put a sideboard for the tv and make that a tv viewing area with two chairs facing tv? If so, do that and keep your two wing chairs where they are, but face the far one in towards the couch for a conversation, reading, fireplace watching area.

I really like your wing back chairs too. I would move the piano to the space where the TV currently sits and then move the TV to the opposite end of the room. Purchase a new chair specifically for TV viewing. Then you can turn your lovely wing back chair back towards the sofa and create a conversation grouping. Purchase a small coffee table when you purchase a new sofa as well.

I agree that the fpl mantle may be low enough for it to work. Also, if your DH thinks it works there, he is the one watching so if he is happy is the easiest route. I don't think you have enough width to do it the way DHYgardener set hers up

I like the layout you have.

I've spent much time today thinking about all your comments. I am leaning towards the mantel placement. I don't like that it will dominate the room, but as I said in my thread title, this is how we live. The TV now is lodged in an old cabinet, but no one ever shuts the doors! I really like the idea of taking out some bookshelves but one side has radiator pipes. I'd also lose three whole shelves and I just pared down my collection.

The mantel is 46" high. Should the TV be centered in the space? It will be a challenge to deal with the wires, cable box, etc. We've been thinking about cancelling the cable; maybe this would be a good time. If we can't figure out how to do this somewhat attractively, I will keep the TV where it is.

I really would prefer dhygarden's layout but the room being 2 feet narrower means that is not going to work here. We do not have any other good place for the TV, there's one in one son's room, and as he is away at college we often use the room. We have a reading area in our master bedroom, but there's really no space for a larger TV. My husband likes to turn a game on, and watch it on and off as he works on projects, goes out to the garden, etc. And, come to think of it, only one son ever lies down to watch. It would be nice to watch a movie in comfort, I suppose!

There's really not enough room in the back to do anything but a reading corner. I need to keep the table in the back for jigsaw puzzles. ( I'd better finish the one I'm working on soon as the Christmas tree goes there.)

I am intrigued by graywings' suggestion of making the room less formal. Any other suggestions? Actually, I've been looking at table lamps recently but am not finding anything I like. I tend to buy mostly antique / vintage stuff. Pottery lamps? Also looking for larger artwork. Unfortunately everything I like so expensive! DH is not much help as he is an art lover who is a bit too critical about my suggestions. I'm not finding any museum-quality pieces in our price range,

sc, that's a beautiful room -- warm and inviting -- and I hope you won't change it too much other than the TV. Your post title made me think of Magnaverde who used to post here often (he's back under a different name); he had a number of rules for design, one of which was, Design for the life you have, not the life you wish you had.

I remembering reading on the Young House Love blog their recommendations for wall mounting the TV. I think I found it, hope it helps,

https://www.younghouselove.com/2016/04/how-to-hide-tv-wires/

I think you'll be happier with your full size sofa instead of a loveseat. Your mantel sounds lower than most.

I have a wall-mounted tv in my kitchen lounge. I'm fortunate to have a pantry beside it, so the Apple TV box and a power outlet are in there, and the electrician ran the cables through the wall from the back of the tv when he installed the mount for me (yes, electrican's mount tv's around here). I don't have a cable box. My wifi router is in the living room, on the bottom shelf of my end table where no one notices it. That said, it's really no big deal to see a cable box and equipment - everyone knows it's a requirement, so don't sweat trying to hide it so much.

Looking forward to seeing any changes. You have a nice living room.

Is there enough room to the right of where the piano is to put the tv on that side, with an armchair and sidetable across from it? The piano could go to the left of the new sofa (as you sit on it) with the two wingbacks flanking the fireplace. I would choose a bit smaller scale sofa.

It's a great room and I love the built ins! Is this an older home? 1930's or 40's era? They had some great built in's back then.

I would put the TV above the mantle, wall mounted. I would move the two blue chairs on either side of the couch facing the middle of the rug. Think of your fireplace as your focal point and everything else sort of in order to that and looking toward the fireplace and built ins. Also, roman shades would look great in your space, I got mine from Pottery Barn and love them. I would also move the piano to where your current TV is and remove the chair and table you have there, you can add a chair and maybe a small reading table but the furniture shouldn't be too overpowering in that space.

Bias: do not like TV's above fireplaces. Also, heat not good for electronics.

If you place TV that high on wall, you may want a recliner to view it in comfort.

Thank you for all the kind words. And I want to thank the GW old timers who did not comment: "not THIS room again." I asked about curtains a long time ago, and about the fabric for these chairs - that I may now get rid of!

Beckysharp- yes I was thinking of Magnaverde. I should have followed his advice a long time ago. thanks for the link.

Mdln - I'm not crazy about it either. I still may keep TV in that corner. We care going to mock it up tomorrow. We don't really lie down, I'm not sure if he even wants a recliner. We rarely use the fireplace as it just sucks all the heat out of the rest of the house.

lindsey - no, the piano is two feet from a radiator on that side. The room just seems so crowded compared to those I see IRL and online. Because we have so few rooms, everything is in here!

Dhygarden- yes, what am a trying to hide? Unfortunately, the plaster wallboard wall area is not in the best condition and was recently patched and painted.

Aibdesigns- thanks. Yes, the house was built in the 30s. but I need my puzzle table!

I don't think I'd make TV the focal point of the room, since really only one person is a regular viewer. Could he enjoy his own TV corner at the end where you say there is a rad and window? Put it there with an armchair or a chaise for him. What is the maximum number of people you ever seat in this room at one time? I am going to suggest you keep your well-loved wing chairs and add another two slipper chairs in a nice grouping around your green hassock in front of the FP. The wings can angle either side of the FP, two smaller scale chairs can float around the hassock centered on the firebox. There should be some walk space behind or through the grouping. Get the piano off the exterior wall for its health. Put it down where the TV was but on the interior wall left of it. That will leave your puzzle/game/music area at that end.

Mix of chair styles.

Slipper chair for grouping if you want to stick with blue, and they'll look good with the green hassock

Chair for hubs at rad end of room - a pricey way to devote one area to his TV enjoyment.

Or go a lot cheaper with a chaise.

UPDATE. Pictures in following post

The big TV is here. My husband decided that he didn't want the TV over the mantle, as he felt it would be way too high, especially as he usually sits in one of the chairs near the fireplace. We found an old sideboard that is unusually low. It should probably be wider but it fits the space, I guess.

We have also picked out furniture but now I am faced with picking fabric which is always very hard for me. The sofa is fairly plain, a three seater with three turned legs and English arms. The swivel rocker chair seems a bit trendy? so I want to avoid a too trendy fabric on it. But it is the one my husband claims to find very comfortable.

Can't wait to see them, you have such good taste that whatever you do will look terrific.

It sounds like you're off to a good start. Can we see pictures?

The TV. I need to straighten the cords somehow. I am looking for new lamps, but may not be able to keep a lamp on the closest table as it blocks part of the screen.

As graywings brought up earlier, I definitely want this room to be less formal, but not too trendy. Maybe more bohemian? The designer at the furniture store is very knowledgeable but I feel she is pushing me towards the safest fabric choices and I may feel like going bolder.

That's a pretty, and comfortable looking, chair. It will be lovely after it gets livelied up a bit : ) .

You can add command hooks to the back of the cabinet and use zip ties to bind the cords up a little neater. You can also get a cable box organizer for either, they come in black or white, white would likely blend right in with your baseboard.

Seargent: I just wanted to say and if I've mentioned it before I apologize for repeating myself but I just love your space. It looks so homey and welcoming.

Good choice! If you want bold, go bold.

following

Did you delete a comment? I could swear you posted a pic of some samples ??

I have been known to dream about dilemmas though...

Are you looking for ideas for the sofa fabric as well as the chairs? And are the swivel chairs in addition to the wingbacks or in place of them? I can't remember if you came to a decision on that.

Thanks everyone!

Sunnysmom - Thanks for the hint. I think the command hook idea would be the easiest. It’s the little things that go undone, or lead to fussing by husbands that don’t notice such things.

always1 stepbehind - thank you for the compliment. I love your screen name; I can relate. I feel that I am on top of something, for once.

becky and dhygarden- thanks for checking back. I ended up not going bold, except for pillows. My rug has such a “presence”. I will update again when the furniture is delivered.

lindsey — haha you are right. I DID post pics of some samples. But none seemed right - they were all either too dark, too fancy, washed out, etc. I didn’t get any immediate responses so I went back to the store and got different samples. The kindly staff took an inordinate interest in my project and we found some fabrics that I think I’m going to be happy with. I really enjoyed the process.

I decided to replace both wing chairs. I kinda feel bad about getting rid of them but I think the whole place will seem fresher.

I love the choices you made :)

Also, you can get cord organizer command hooks that are just slots for the cord to run through.