Let's see: 1) Really sit around the whole room -- in every chair and seat. Look. Look. and Look Again. How do you want the room to feel? Warmer? Cooler? More Open? More Cozy? b) Really write down any issues with the room at this point ... seating for how many? tables? shelving for storage? Is the room too dark (or have dark corners?) too light? c)HOW do you want the room to work for your current needs? TV? Reading? Conversation? 2)Measure Everything. And write it down. Really. Measure the room, walls, windows and doors. AND hallways -- too many folk have bought a wonderful sofa/armoire/shelves -- only to find that their perfect item won't fit through the front door or down the hallway! :) 3)Start collecting inspiration photos from all kinds of sources. Really examine photos -- and decide WHAT and WHY something takes your eye .... color? shape? texture? arrangement? 4)Find a starting point. Usually start with a larger item -- like a sofa. Then decide on your needs for additional seating options -- chairs? loveseat? 5)Keep an eye on your local stores -- and search your local Craigs List. 6)Find the next item -- usually a rug or additional seating. Choose one -- and then -- look for the other one. 7)Once the main items are in place -- look again. What tables are needed? 8)Lamps. Lamps. Lamps. Table ones. Standing lamps. Always have lighting options! :)

The paint color is Sherwin Williams - Restrained Gold. I chose it mostly because it was so populare with the ladies on this forum! =) The upside down sofa - ugh. I bought it on craigs list to replace a hand-me-down teal green leather one I had. While it's better, I really don't like it. It's too casual for this room. I already have "fluffy" big pillows in the family room. I want this room to be more refined and comfy but not stuffy. I'm thinking dark bron or black leather. I have actually considered a red sofa and a black leather chair. I will put out my area rug and post it here I'm kinda stuck with that but I love it. It's so me. I know I've limited myself somewhat ... but it really does have a lot of different colors to go with.

Yes one idea was to create a reading area at the end where the entry doors are from the hallway with a cuddle chair or a couple of armchairs, (we used to use it as a toy area) but this would still mean we had less seating in the actual "living room" area. We think the best option would be to move the doors down the hallway and create a new single opening into this area and move the "living room" area to the front of the house, but before making such big changes just wonder if theres a way to use the room as it is?

Try to do the drawing to scale on graph paper still show all the measurements you have on this one . Some pics of the space would also help. No approx all the measurements perfect. I also would like some ide aof your style and how many seats you require in the space the more of that type of info the better . I will say I usually like to start with a sofa and 2 chairs for seating then see how that works I find if you do the to scale plan then get the measurements for furniture pieces you like and then draw those to the same scale cut them out and play with where they could go. remeber to have walkways around the pieces .