I have a nook, quite small, that is not a U. It has one bench along the wall and two chairs. It can be a pain for every day use, depending on the number of people and who is "trapped." It means that I am always the one (since I sit in a chair) to get up and get the ketchup of flatware that was forgotten. Nonetheless, having grown up with a nook, I will say it is inviting and cozy. I guess it just depends on your tolerance for the "trap" factor. Also note that it can be expensive to upholster the seating. For us, in NY, iy was alot more money than buying a table and chairs. Remember that when you do upholster, you want to do something thati s easy to slide on and that feature does not come in all the lovely patterns you tend to see in magazines. Good luck.

What a great reading nook! I don't think this room needs much help at all. You have a rug and curtains all set. You will eventually get a seat cushion. There is a lovely space for some art- no need to rush that- the right pictures will appear. I would start with some throw pillows that will work with the eventual seat cushion you buy. I would consider if the space could use a console table opposite the bench. A nice landing spot for some books and magazines and a cup of tea. Would some sconces look good on the wall with the bench? Maybe you could decorate the bench wall with a framed wallpaper panel (framed with moulding, not picture framed.) I am always concerned about where my head rests when there is a bench against a wall like that- so it limits art installation. But really and truly you have a great space. Don't rush yourself. It will come together very nicely.

Thank you for your comments. I notice in the pictures, the rugs hangover a little bit on the side. So if my sectional is almost 10 feet long, I guess I am going to need a larger rug then? Like at least 12 feet on both sides?? It's the size that has me stumped I guess! I would like for the whole sectional to fit on a rug, but with the floor outlets that we have, that won't be possible unless we cut holes in the rug or find another solution. We did order this swivel chair in the navy fabric, but the plan is to put it in our reading nook which is off to the right of the living area. I am not opposed to putting it in the living space if it will work. We will see. Not a necessary purchase right now, but I want so get a couple of ottomans that I can store under the sofa table to give extra seating when necessary. I want new occasional tables as I feel like our current ones are too traditional. Someone suggested a round coffee table, but I can't find a lift up coffee table that is round that I like. I work at the couch a lot so lift up is necessary. So here are come ideas I have. Coffee Table and Sofa Table- Liberty Furniture Heatherbrook I did find some circular small side tables I liked, but I don't know what if any of these "work." Thank you for your guidance. I don't know how to put things together and I don't want people walking in my home and go "what was she thinking?"

I would use the cool cowhide chair there and move the wing chair over to the couch area (couch flanked by two chairs). No chair where cowhide one is now. Moving the wingback to the couch area will be another seat for watching TV, plus sort of give the definition of two distinct areas — the reading nook and the living room. In reading area: cowhide chair, pretty throw, footstool, floor lamp, no rug, use bottom shelf on wall for a drink, books, etc, or get a small table. I have a reading chair with lamp behind my main living area, about the same distance as yours. Love it. It’s cozy and the TV being on doesn’t bother me at all. Search ’reading chair by stairs’ or similar ideas. It’s a good way to use the space instead of just putting filler decor there.