I'd hide the pole in a wall.

What about you fill in between the post and the wall, to make it a solid wall. Don't try to camouflage it, instead use it!

Hang your tv on the new wall, fireplace side. You can hide all the wires in the wall. It will be easy peasy since it's a new build.

Center your sectional under the window. Tuck an accent chair into the corner to the left of the fireplace.

On the kitchen side of the room you could put a dining table if you need one, or create a play area if you have kids, or create a reading nook with cozy chairs and bookshelves on the new wall.

If you need the area under the stairs for coats, put a low bench or shoe shelf against the wall, hang some hooks at about 4', and add a shelf at about 5'. I know that shelf will be quite short, probably just long enough for a hat or purse.

Interesting challenge, please post a sketch of the room with measurements.

Here's the thing. If you add the wall your space will feel larger. The tv won't be angled crazily in front of a window. The sofa will face into the main part of the room. You'll gain a second seating area that functions as part of the room because people can mingle between the two areas, but it can have a completely different use apart from the tv.

The post will always separate the two areas. So making that separation deliberate and useful will really help a lot.

But if you don't want a wall I can understand. What about building open shelves there?

I'm not a fan of putting the tv over the fireplace, but in a cozy space like this, that would solve that issue. Of course, be sure to check to see if the heat from the fireplace won't effect the tv. Separate seating pieces will give you design flexibility. I would recommend a love seat, and an upholstered chair on either end. Looks like you could use some storage. Can you get a coffee table with closed storage underneath? Open storage requires the items within to be spotless and expertly placed at all times. I don't know if you have that kind of time, but I certainly don't! Any new side tables or case goods, be sure they have storage. Furniture that serves more than one purpose is best for cozy areas. To the left of the fireplace, you have room for storage. Measure twice, buy once (height, width, and depth)! If you decide to move the tv, you'll have that space for yet another storage unit. Don't forget to take advantage of the height of the room, however, don't fill the room with excessively tall pieces - this room won't benefit from it. Try to strike a balance with all your furniture items. You have a prime spot for a large piece of wall decor (or art gallery) behind the couch. Find such an item(s) at a local art gallery or art.com. Ceiling lights in a living room are flattering only to very few. Much better is a table lamp or wall sconce in each corner at chest height. Put ceiling lights on dimmers for optimum flexibility. Move the furniture around to see if the person sitting on the chair near the pole still has a good view of the tv. If you can't move the tv over fireplace, at least put it on a wall swivel fixture. That will not only allow everyone to see it, put will also allow you to place it against the wall out of the way when it's not in use.

Like the large mirror over the fireplace but you need that space for your tv. Then you probably need to use the space where you now have your sofa for an entry, with closet, and as a home office nook and move your living room furnishings to the other side of the post.

What's to the left of the sofa in the third pic? Is that near your front entry? Is anyone in your home DIY (w/shelving board) inclined?

You could just add cabinets below the rail between the wall and post with either solid or glass doors that open either only on one side or on both sides.

https://www.ikeahackers.net/2015/08/billy-bookcases-grytnas-glass-doors.html

You could build a pair of higher horizontal support rails into a shelving arch and then (but only then) remove the lower horizontal rail.

http://dma-upd.org/13-best-open-bookcases-room-dividers/hripr-room-divider-open-shelving-seperates-living/

You could create floor to ceiling cabinets/shelving -- solid cabinets below and open shelving above.

https://www.crateandbarrel.com/aspect-walnut-6-piece-open-storage-unit-with-drawers/s478268

You could build a walk-in a coat closet -- or two -- where your sofa is now sitting, creating about 4' of solid wall between wall and pole next to the wall.

For the remaining 3' - 4' or so between that closet wall and your pole, you could add a cabinets below (w/solid doors for shoe storage) and leave it open above.

The add a desk or typing table left of the closet door.

Can you at least paint it the same color as your other railings so it will blend in and not stand out, some nice hanging houseplants might look good there. Dark wood floating shelves would look nice under the staircase in that nook and maybe a long seat ottoman on the other side of the railing.

I think if the tv is going there, the wall has to be at least high enough for the tv to be hung on it. Otherwise you'll have a terrible view of the back of the tv from the other side.

And I really think in this space you don't have any other option but the TV over the fireplace!

Yes, do add tall items, but keep it balanced, since it's a small room. Some people put a lot of tall items in a small room and it's overwhelming.

Space is difficult to get a feel for. Is the second pic stretched? The room looks to be long and thin. I agree the only proper place for the TV is where the mirror is. The sectional would then need to come forward several feet. That will block the walk way so in my world the sectional doesn't fit. That pole is very unfortunate but with the stair case removing the railing is not going to achieve what you want. The stairs into the home and the placement of the fireplace, well you have two rooms not one in that area. You just re-did the fireplace? I think I would have removed it. It makes much more sense for the sectional and fireplace to swap places., but that isn't possible. Removing the railing, getting smaller furniture you can arrange around the room, you might be able to arrange a room around the pole as if the pole were a tall floor lamp. Still the part of the room under on the other side of the railing will never orientate to the fireplace or the TV, due to the staircase. That pole is where a walk way always will have to remain due to the stairs jutting into the room. I agree with the above, make the lower part of the room a dining room. That has to be why the railing is there to mark where the dining room begins.

After reading all the comments, I'm even more convinced you need to wall it in. I like Rawket Grl's sketch a lot, it creates a private space and a reasonable location for your tv. The other side of the wall can support shelving which will be quite practical.

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Since the area closer to the kitchen is already a bit dark, perhaps use that as your media area. You could locate the tv in the area under the stairs, with the sectional across from it. Ideally, the tv would sit in a built-in under the stairs, to maximize the space.

Then you would have the lovely fireplace room as a fresh slate.