To Gizmonike: Yes to your first question. I have another family room (15x15) right next to the 'fireplace room'. That's what probably makes this layout even more so awkward. I don't know that there is anything really wrong with the door in the current dining area, and it could just be a strange thought in my head, but it seems weird to eat so close to the garage. There is a lot of traffic in and out of that door (much more so than the front door). A few other things to note here: as it stands now, we use the family room that is not pictured day to day. It is just me and my two boys and that's where we hang out. The only time I really use the fireplace room is to read, or to be by myself sometimes. This is also the room we put the Christmas tree in. As far as entertaining goes, I only do that a few times a year. So, in looping back to the original question -- if I used the fireplace room for a dining area, what would I put in the current eating area? Thanks again for your input. To answer other questions: I will graph this out so it's easier to see (and understand). I want to change this because I don't use the current eating area and I want to do something else with it.

I think that overall, you are on the right track with the layout. For the age of your kids, it makes a ton of sense to have a table at one end for games, puzzles, crafts, projects, and school work. There are a few things I’d recommend changing, as well. Here is an idea I drew up for you: I’d sell/get rid of the tv cabinet and get a console or dresser that fits in the niche. Consider putting the tv on an articulating arm so that it can be adjusted for viewing. You could probably get a smaller tv, if desired, which might help with the tv feeling “too close.” Put the full size sofa under the window on the long wall, with nothing behind it. Since it is shorter, put the loveseat in the walkway so that you can easily walk past it to get from one side of the room to the other. On the wall where the tv cabinet was, you could put in approximately 6’ of bookshelves. This will give you a spot to contain the books and random items that life throws at a busy family. You can store a mixture of pictures, books, and the globe. Baskets can be gathered to hold fabric swatches and legos, puzzles (I like removing these from their boxes and storing them in zippered bags inside a basket, if possible.) I recommend getting a circular end table for the end of the couch nearest the doorway. It will make that walkway/doorway feel more spacious and the furniture like less of a hip banger. At the table end, I like the idea of the storage unit with the fabric bins. I know that for our family, the bins need to be labeled in order for them to be used properly and not become catchalls. You could tie tags on the handles, or hot glue labels on the sides of the bins. Then it’s just a matter of training the household to regularly put things away in them. : ) Your windows are gorgeous, but I can understand why you want to obscure the view. How about some top down shades or sheers instead of what is there now? Then you would have quite a bit more light coming into the space while still retaining a sense of privacy. The windows would be pretty with curtains hung high and outside the window frames. I like your couches, and the rugs and pillows all work very well with each other in addition to the furniture. You might like to check out the YouTube channel by Clutterbug. Her organizing solutions are very realistic and down to earth, doable without breaking the bank. “At Home with Nikki” and “Alejandra” have some great organizing ideas on YouTube, too. These have been helpful for our family when our things started to feel like they were taking over our home. I love Josh Becker’s Minimalist blog posts and the blog “Nourishing Minimalism,” too. I couldn’t really make our house any bigger, so I found I had to simplify our stuff instead....well, still working on it. Hope this helps!

So this is a windowless room? Pur the TV where you have the loveseat. Flank the fireplace with a pair of small scale swivel chairs and put the loveseat where you have the. If you have space, add a sofa table behind the loveseat. If can serve as a buffet for the dining room too.

Thanks Mae Day. This is my own house that I’ll be selling shortly. The room is typically used by just my wife and I and our fur family, but we want it to show as best as possible for resale to likely a family type buyer. There is a 50” flatscreen to be put somewhere. I do plan on buying furniture- I’d like a more typical 2 couch or couch/love sets/chair setup but because of the L shape it kills the symmetry and doesn’t look right. The current set up (on the diagram) worked well and looked ok but makes the room seem small and impractical- although it functioned very well with large family gatherings/entertaining back when that was still a thing :(