Congrats on the new home.

Instead of trying to fill up your living room right of way, if you don't already have comfortable dining chairs, invest in some plain colored, comfortable (no buttons), dense foam (the most firm/dense possible), chair cushions so you could use them if needed while you take your time and find living room furnishings you actually like and want -- don't just settle for something to fill the room.

Would not recommend a sectional -- drastically limits furniture placement.

What are the dimensions of your room? A drawing (to scale -- graph paper) of the room indicating room and door placement might help both Houzz readers and you. You could draw to scale on card stock the shape and size of any possible furniture purchases and see what fits your room in what placement.

What do you want to be the focal point of your living room -- tv? fireplace? large window?

What is your style? contemporary, rustic, modern, country, casual, formal -- or just whatever you like at the time?

Consider how you want to define where the dining and living areas. Are you planning to use a sofa table or cabinet behind a sofa to do that.

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/14/64/9d/14649d0a17559eb29f98bfc2a9e287ae--bookcases-low-bookcase.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d5/8e/45/d58e45faee3e8dbdb24131470051dfcd--ikea-sofa-table-sofa-table-with-storage.jpg

rustic

https://i.pinimg.com/236x/2b/b9/72/2bb972ee1acb86ad4a1cc9181e73ff63--diy-room-divider-room-dividers.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/97/91/8d/97918d995f0c8fd04289bdd706dcfffa--traditional-family-rooms-console-tables.jpg

Would not rush to invest in room rugs. They're not a necessity -- even if you're planning to use a rug to help define living vs. dining parameters.

Clearly you need seating for five; as long as you have overhead lighting, everything else can wait. This can be done with two two-seaters and a recliner or a three-seat sofa and two chairs -- matching chair(s) and/or wing back chair(s) and/or platform rocker (w/ottoman) and/or recliner(s).

Emphasize comfortable seating that will wear well -- not just the latest fad or cheap leather because it's leather or a brand name. Pick materials that will last. Make sure any foam is dense enough to last a while; sit in what you buy before buying.

If you're on a budget, then, at least to begin with, you might want to buy a floor lamp/table combo -- something that might be moved to a bedroom later rather than more expensive end table with quality lamps.

I would splurge on leather sofa's (not bonded leather). It's the biggest piece of furniture so should not only look nice but be comfortable and be something you can keep clean with a wipe down.

You can find nice looking, highly rated inexpensive rugs on Overstock. With kids and a dog you will probably need to change it every couple of years anyway (ask me how I know).

A sectional will give you lots of seating quickly. I imagine leather is a sturdy covering for furniture that needs to be tough, but I prefer microfiber/fake suede, there are many brands. I have had a sectional covered in dark blue imitation suede for over 15 years that has lasted through kids, cats, and a dog. Still looks pretty good.

We are hoping to avoid leather. We have a leather sofa for the rec room and love it but want a different feel upstairs.

I think you've answered your own question: You need a quality sectional in a fabric that will wear well and look good. I would also buy a large carpet in polypropylene which will not be hugely expensive but will immediately make the room look more cozy and livable. I would choose a cheerful color that you love rather than a neutral, which will look great with a complimentary rug and later curtains and throw pillows.

So actually you don’t want our opinions at all. I will give you mine though , sectionals are probably the worst choice for most spaces and also ina room where conversation will be . No one O know ants to sit where there is no arm rest which is every seat on a sectional except the 2 lucky guys who got the ends. The sectional is site specific so hard to ever rearrange your seating and why do people all want to sit in a row at all. A sofa and 2 chairs are always going to be a better choice or if space allows 2 sofa a nd chairs. Leather is still IMO the best for long lasting good looks but the new interior fabrics from sunbrella have good reviews . It never makes sense to me to design a house where you plan to have the T.V at a poor viewing height above a fireplace. As for where to spend the money, on the largest pieces that you need for actual living like sofas and case goods

I would begin with the seating, then rug, then accessories.

a BIG comfy couch! followed up by a drain.. or two ;)

Beautiful sofa/chairs/dining set. The rest can be target-chic and still look amazing.

I'd splurge on a good-quality sofa/sectional, preferably with a slipcover for washing. I'd choose a darker solid color (you can even get blue denim) or print. The sectional in the picture you like is not only very light but has a very low back; I suspect it was selected by the construction company to stage the space. Looks sleek and modern but not at all practical when it comes to color and comfort.

What I would do is keep the sofa that's supposed to be going to the rec room right away. And then wait through the year to find a good-quality, slipcovered sofa on sale. And THEN put the old sofa in the rec room.

I'd also splurge on a good quality wool rug. Wool actually repels dirt whereas synthetic fibers hold on to dirt and never ever let it go. Which means that even if you plan to replace a synthetic rug eventually, it will look dirty and be dirty almost from the start,

https://rugchick.com/2012/01/02/cheap-synthetic-rugs-what-you-need-to-know/

If art is important to you and you want to buy art for the new great room, I'd put some money aside and/or start saving some more, and then keep an eye out for something original that speaks to you. I wouldn't be in a hurry to buy something mass produced from Houzz or Art.com or West Elm, but would go to local galleries, art fairs, etc. Or consider a piece of art or photograph by someone in the family -- kids, parent, extended family. Make it something meaningful rather than something to fit the space because you're in a hurry to have the room finished.

Houzz is such a funny thing. People tend to comment and pick out things that are important to them and not actually answer the question asked.

It's human nature that's the funny, and all too human, thing : ) . Houzz / Gardenweb is a free public forum, so you pay your money and take your chances. I daresay most of us can't get subjective suggestions from our own friends and family, or keep them on topic, which is why we're here in the first place lol. And to be fair, if a homeowner needs new house advice, such as on what to splurge, it's not entirely unreasonable for other members to assume that the homeowner might also benefit from advice on possibly new and different tv placement (how are Houzzers to know where the homeowner previously placed the tv?) and the pros and cons of sectionals. Probably best to remember that most members here are making suggestions hoping to help you, not to offend you or undermine your choices.

I have to say I'm fascinated the concept of designer drains, though maybe not in a living room : ) .

Traditionally, a good sofa was always a first purchase for a young couple. Often, it had a club chair as well. Your problem is deciding on what fabric to use. Will you have curtains in the room? Will they be plain or patterned? What is your budget? Is it enough to buy a good rug as well as some good upholstered furniture?

I would strongly suggest that you start buying some shelter magazines and discovering what your taste is - how you like a room like this to look. You may end up wanting to use an interior designer to help you formulate a plan so you can add things as you can afford them.

Great that you have an artist in the family and some good local furniture places to check out. If you're able to buy a sofa or sectional locally that you can return, in case it doesn't fit or isn't right for the room, that would certainly be a huge help for you. Often people provide a floor plan here with their questions when they're asking about furniture, so then it's much easier to tell if something like a sectional will or won't work.

I welcome comments but then I get to choose what to do with them and to be surprised that I don’t heed all this free advice is a tad naive isn’t it?

No more naive than expecting a forum full of disparate unknown personalities, or a classroom full of kids, or a herd of cats, to stick to the chosen path : ) .

I like the saying about true wisdom is knowing that you don't everything, or knowing what you don't know. So there's something to be said about keeping one's eyes and ears open, and one's hackles down, because there will be unexpected wheat with the chaff, as well as the particular information one is soliciting (one hopes). Whether it's the properties of wool or the merits of sectionals vs. sofas, etc. There are lots of people here, from professional independent (ie not tied to a particular seller) decorators and designers, retired designers, talented amateurs, and people who've decorated lots of their own houses. They all have valuable information to share. That said, taste is subjective, family needs are particular, and house layouts can be different, and no-one here knows you, what your house looks like, and what your tastes/needs/wants/dislikes are until you tell us. And often people post here not for actual advice but because, consciously or not, they're looking for approval and agreement. Which can be hard for members to gauge.

I love sectionals and I'd certainly start with that and get the best quality you can afford. I just recovered a 25 year old sectional with a Crypton fabric that is said to be pretty indestructible. I put it to the test within the first month, when, for the first time ever in the history of my sectional, I caught my toe on the coffee table and spilled a newly poured glass of red wine ALL over the cream fabric. OMG. I quickly got on the internet to see the best action, water, mild dishsoap, fresh rinse water, blotting it all off. Came out perfectly. Then about 2 weeks later, I noticed a splash down at the bottom of the front that I'd missed. Ugh! I got a cloth and did the same cleaning and it came out instantly. The fabric I chose is very soft and you'd never know how durable it is. My fabric (the chevron is very subtle) https://www.greenhousefabrics.com/fabrics/category/crypton_fabrics/style/chevron

Your inspiration photo is wonderful but I do think that kind of sectional would be extremely uncomfortable to sit on to watch tv. Might be fine for conversations when you're sitting facing to the side, maybe with your leg drawn up to talk to someone next to you. But no back or neck support would be torture. It does remind me of one I saw at Macy's years ago that was actually a reclining modern sectional. Very similar in looks to your pic, but it was leather. I don't know the brand but it was very modern looking and you would never have guessed the reclining feature - there was some mechanism in the back cushions that popped up to support your head and shoulders.

A sectional will drastically limit your placement options. Advise against it.

I was going to recommend Krypton fabric or a similar type fabric. It is truly amazing and worth the splurge. Leather is also great if it is genuine leather. Don't rush into making decisions. Carefully plan out and take your time; hire a pro if you are stressed. Spend where it matters most - I'd say the seating, and look for art, mirrors, etc. that isn't just your run of the mill stuff. Classic pieces can give timeless looks, and you can fill the rest in with a few more trendy things here and there. Some of the furniture stores actually have room layout features on their websites where you can play around with room layouts. Be sure to use warmth, texture, and proper scale for your new home. Post pics for us!

consider the possibility of 2 sofas

Alison, I apologize -- I realize now you had said no leather. Quality will last, good fabric shall also. If you need an area rug, sometimes finding one that you like will anchor a room and you can pull the color out of that. Or find the art and pull color out of that. I live in your world with dogs and kids. Well built furniture will be worth it in the end - kiln dried / 8way hand tied, etc. It is good to have a general budget in mind, but sometimes things do go over a bit, but you will get it done. I'm very excited for you!

Suezbell is dead on. If you're going to spend big money, do it on high quality, neutral furnishings. Since you have pets and kids, opt for something that's liquid-resistant and stands up to pet nails.

I really recommend neutral style, as well as colors. If you decide later on that you want to go with a hindi influence or southwestern or modern, you do any of those with accent pieces and decor. But investing in a high-quality sofa that will hold up for a decade is where you want to drop the big dollars. (I'm not saying buy an expensive one, just that it should be the most money you probably spend.)

Is anyone in your family handy? If they are, try going to ana-white.com and taking a look at some of her designs. She has many different styles and you can sort her plans by the type of room you need furniture for.

Even though I know you're really excited about a new house and want to go buy everything RIGHT NOW, I really, really, really really really recommend against it. What you buy on impulse now you will regret spending the money on later. Especially "cheap" disposable pieces.

Try living on your old furniture for a couple of months, rearrange it, and see how it works, then based on the arrangement you like, choosing permanent furniture of really good quality.

Quality is really the key here, because a quality piece won't need to be replaced in two years. It will save you money - and be MUCH comfortable - in the long run. I say this sitting on an $800 sofa I got last year that the cushions have all sunken in on.

Learn from my mistake. Go for quality over "furnishing" a room.