OK, will do!

Everything in the photo will be cleared out soon. Yes, I want a TV in the space. Thought TV could go above the fire place. Was hoping to get ideas on furniture color and placement. Will post photos from other angles.

You need a plan. I assume the only furniture you have is that sectional and you'll need to buy everything else. At minimum, you'll need a dining table and chairs, a couple of armchairs for the living area, a rug, new curtains, coffee and end tables, lamps, and art. It doesn't have to all be done at once, but you should choose the pieces you want and put them all together in an inspiration board so you can be sure they go together.

I just took at look at your living and dining ideabooks. They are radically different, so you will need to resolve what style you're going for here. If you really want a modern space, or even a transitional one, then throw all your dining room photos out.

As for furniture arrangement, you can keep your sectional where you have it and put a couple of chairs in front of the window. If those are family photos over the sofa, I suggest you find a more private area for those and replace them with art. Whatever you hang there needs to be lower, 5 - 8" above the back of the sofa.

In the dining area, remove those too-high flimsy-looking shelves. Center a table under the light--a round one would work well here--and try to keep the sliders unobstructed because it looks like you have a nice view.

Two chairs, a rug, and a lamp to start in the living room, and the shelves removed in the dining area:

It looks like you might have room for a sideboard on the wall where the shelves were. If you want a modern look, I'd replace the chandelier. Those vertical blinds should be replaced by curtains to match whatever you hang in the living room.

Thank you for all your wonderful suggestions groveraxle! The sectional in the photo is actually not mine. That photo was taken before the previous owner moved out.

I generally recommend against sectionals because they totally limit how you can arrange the room. They are also very space specific, so if you decide to move in a couple of years, it's likely the sectional will not fit in your new place. Two sofas will give you more flexibility and the same amount of seating. And if you do want to go modern, that seating is generally slimmer and has less visual weight.

We also recommend against loveseats since they're hard to arrange and don't really hold two people comfortably unless they actually are lovers.

Whatever you do, do NOT let a salesman talk you into buying the whole set. Your space will look like a furniture showroom.

It's generally helpful to start with some kind of inspiration piece, a rug or a piece of art that you love. Or you could choose your favorite room as inspiration and we can help you achieve that effect here.

Here are two from your ideabook where you liked the colors:

LAS VEGAS Home · More Info

Yaletown Loft · More Info

I also notice you emptied your dining room ideabook. I have to laugh, but I'm glad you recognized that your living and dining room ideas didn't match. ;-)

Here is a super neutral start. Sofa, chair, and coffee table from West Elm. Rug from Room and Board (and way too expensive).

For some reason I like these 'backless daybeds' - your room might not have enough space for one in the middle, sort of like this:

Ritz Carlton Residences · More Info

Vine Street · More Info

Is the fp in the exact center of that seating area, basically...?

Entry? what if a lounger worked, and floated in the area by fp:

West Chin Architects & Interior Designers, Holiday House Hamptons 2014 · More Info

Backless seems that I read... keeps an open sightline to far end of the room:

Contemporary Family Room · More Info

houzz article:

[https://www.houzz.com/magazine/divide-and-conquer-how-to-furnish-a-long-narrow-room-stsetivw-vs~17364503[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/divide-and-conquer-how-to-furnish-a-long-narrow-room-stsetivw-vs~17364503)

Thank you all for your inspiring ideas! I think I get idea now. Will be sure to follow up with the final look. @ Carol Singletary, Good point about the curtains and heaters. Maybe I can switch up the look by season. Roman shades in winter and curtains in summer. @everdebz, the fp is in the middle somewhat. Interesting idea about the backless daybed I’ll look into it.

Karen, the new dining rooms you chose are much more in line with the casual modern look you said you wanted. I also note that you have a bit of an adventurous streak and some of the wilder designs can be difficult to pull off, so don't hesitate to come back here for any help you might need.

A couple of tips. Don't go to Hobby Lobby to pick up one of 100 identical items just to fill and empty spot. An empty corner never killed anyone. Be patient and the object that belongs there will come to you, on your travels, in a thrift shop, or when you're browsing an art fair.

If you absolutely fall in love with something--you know that moment when you just have to have it?--we can probably make it work (unless it's a sectional that won't fit through the door). ;-)