Yes, such a common problem. Imo, your space is so limited you should consider solving your problem outside the box. Outside the house box by putting the area where you first greet guests and make them feel they've arrived outside that thin, 3" thick front door instead of inside. To do this, of course, an outside "foyer" has to be created. Most homes front to public street, and their front yards are also completely open to the street, to windows across the street, etc., so that the thin front wall and door are very often the first and only transition from public to private space. Very undesirable, and no good architect-designed homes fail to make a much more emotionally satisfying transition from public to private. That's why people want an indoor foyer. It's a transition between truly public to truly private that makes finally arriving in the sheltered living area feel right. You can't have one, but you could damage the appearance and functionality of what could be a very inviting room by devoting a space that tries and fails transition guests... From it to itself. That's why I suggest creating a separation from the street and public yard outside. Presuming you don't already have one that can be further developed, of course. Think of, for instance, a gracious, paved outdoor landing or porch that guests arrive at by passing through a gate and/or under a tree or arbor to reach. Imagine a delicate tree perhaps, like a birch, that creates a gentle see-through privacy screen between this area and the street to increase the feeling of separation from public . It might be surrounded by low shrubs or a fence to define it an give a sense of separation. Planted pots or sculpture, a bench or pair of chairs. You now have a transitional middle space from public to private, a transition(foyer/entry area) that doesn't feel at all public from which guests can then move to a very inviting sheltered inner living space. If you google, you'lll find many landscapes that do this. They're very common in neighborhoods of what were once small homes that have become very expensive. People who pay $750k or $1,750K for an 1100 square foot home often bring in designers to fix their foyer problem, and this is a common technique. It's all about meeting emotional needs, and of course looking great, without cannibalizing those living rooms that need all their space for living in them.

If that's a game table between the two chairs. I'm especially fond of that kind of set-up. Do you use the log box left of the firebox, or could you have it wired for the TV to go there on an articulating arm so it could be pulled out and adjusted for viewing? I know the FP heat might limit its life, but it would consolidate your two focal points. I find the sectional makes for a blockaded feeling - don't go near the fireplace, its dangerous. A 3-seat sofa and a pair of swivel chairs would open things up and make it more inviting to enter and be seated. Angle the sofa to face the TV, add coffee table 18" or less from it and the have the chairs face each other over the coffee table. They'll swivel to watch TV or to have conversation. In addition, if you entertain lots of people at one time. you could add a snack table behind the sofa with stools to match the ones at the bar. Seriously consider removing the drapes and swag valances which are really dated. On the sunny side, you might add some new hi-tech UV film to prevent fading of furniture and carpet. Probably a little too casual and man-cave like for your room, but the concept of the snack bar/sofa table is here if you need more seating on game day.

I suggest grouping whatever living room furniture you buy around the fireplace. It is what I did in my long living room (mine is wider than yours). Here are some layout suggestions: Before you buy any furniture, make sure you have the room to lay it out something similar to the above suggestions. Put tape on the floor, if you have to and make sure you have enough room to walk around the furniture. You can also try Basset Furniture and/or La-Z-Boy showrooms. They can help you with furniture arrangement and they do not charge you, like a designer does. For the TV, you could either get an entertainment center that will fit right or left of the fireplace or your could even mount your TV on the wall (I have 2 TV's that are wall mounted and I love it). When I was getting ready to move into my house 3 years ago, I needed brand new living room, dining room, and family room furniture. I shopped sales and I found my 2 sofas that are in my living room first at a furniture store selling La-Z-Boy furniture. I got lucky! The sofas were on sale for over 60% off and after choosing them, everything else fell into place. For the family room, I went to a La-Z-Boy showroom, found a reclining sofa I loved, and it was also on sale. I choose soft, neutral colors for it and two rocking recliners. We use this room to relax and watch movies on our big TV in the family room. I also suggest looking at rooms on Houzz and see what appeals to you, in style and color.

I’d put my dining room in that space and turn your old dining room into an office and add some glass doors to your new office (old dining room). That way you can set up a dedicated space for your homeschooling. You don’t need two living rooms back to back. Put your piano against the stair wall where the guitars currently are. Put your dining room hutch on the 13’4” wall and hang the guitars on the other wall space (opposite the front windows). Hang your guitars so they are like artwork....big one in the middle and smaller ones on either side. Paint the chair rail white and all the wall space below the same white as well. This will help to blend your heaters. Paint above the chair rail a warm grey colour. Benjamin Moore Collingwood is one example and a google search will come up with other popular colors. One last suggestion is to get some full length curtains to frame those windows. Black and white check curtains will give that room a farmhouse feel. Black and White Curtains