Yes, such a common problem. Imo, your space is so limited you should consider solving your problem outside the box. Outside the house box by putting the area where you first greet guests and make them feel they've arrived outside that thin, 3" thick front door instead of inside. To do this, of course, an outside "foyer" has to be created. Most homes front to public street, and their front yards are also completely open to the street, to windows across the street, etc., so that the thin front wall and door are very often the first and only transition from public to private space. Very undesirable, and no good architect-designed homes fail to make a much more emotionally satisfying transition from public to private. That's why people want an indoor foyer. It's a transition between truly public to truly private that makes finally arriving in the sheltered living area feel right. You can't have one, but you could damage the appearance and functionality of what could be a very inviting room by devoting a space that tries and fails transition guests... From it to itself. That's why I suggest creating a separation from the street and public yard outside. Presuming you don't already have one that can be further developed, of course. Think of, for instance, a gracious, paved outdoor landing or porch that guests arrive at by passing through a gate and/or under a tree or arbor to reach. Imagine a delicate tree perhaps, like a birch, that creates a gentle see-through privacy screen between this area and the street to increase the feeling of separation from public . It might be surrounded by low shrubs or a fence to define it an give a sense of separation. Planted pots or sculpture, a bench or pair of chairs. You now have a transitional middle space from public to private, a transition(foyer/entry area) that doesn't feel at all public from which guests can then move to a very inviting sheltered inner living space. If you google, you'lll find many landscapes that do this. They're very common in neighborhoods of what were once small homes that have become very expensive. People who pay $750k or $1,750K for an 1100 square foot home often bring in designers to fix their foyer problem, and this is a common technique. It's all about meeting emotional needs, and of course looking great, without cannibalizing those living rooms that need all their space for living in them.

I suggest grouping whatever living room furniture you buy around the fireplace. It is what I did in my long living room (mine is wider than yours). Here are some layout suggestions: Before you buy any furniture, make sure you have the room to lay it out something similar to the above suggestions. Put tape on the floor, if you have to and make sure you have enough room to walk around the furniture. You can also try Basset Furniture and/or La-Z-Boy showrooms. They can help you with furniture arrangement and they do not charge you, like a designer does. For the TV, you could either get an entertainment center that will fit right or left of the fireplace or your could even mount your TV on the wall (I have 2 TV's that are wall mounted and I love it). When I was getting ready to move into my house 3 years ago, I needed brand new living room, dining room, and family room furniture. I shopped sales and I found my 2 sofas that are in my living room first at a furniture store selling La-Z-Boy furniture. I got lucky! The sofas were on sale for over 60% off and after choosing them, everything else fell into place. For the family room, I went to a La-Z-Boy showroom, found a reclining sofa I loved, and it was also on sale. I choose soft, neutral colors for it and two rocking recliners. We use this room to relax and watch movies on our big TV in the family room. I also suggest looking at rooms on Houzz and see what appeals to you, in style and color.

Great, thanks! I would use a round table that can extend to oval when you have company in the dining area, right over near the kitchen. One chair backing into the corner, rather than a chair with its back to the kitchen door. The desk can stay right where you have it in this photo. Sofa on the wall with the windows with a side table at each end. Two chairs across from it with a table between them. I sketched a pic but can't post comments on my phone, boo :(

Pictures