Your first photo is typical of how one must arrange a narrow room. A chair could be placed on either side of the fireplace, but the center of the room needs to stay open. Put an etegere in the corner where the chair is sitting. If you want to use this room for dining, put ONLY a dining table and chairs here. Your second photo shows that a dining table with a sofa makes for a cramped space that is no longer easy to walk through.

How wide is this room from window wall to fireplace wall—10, maybe 11 ft? Sofas and chairs are around 3 feet deep. Their width starts around 25 inches, but arms can add 6 to 12 inches extra to the 20 inch average cushion size. Always take a tape measure with you when furniture shopping to make sure the piece will fit where you want it.

Your description makes me think this room is seldom used. Perhaps 2 chairs facing each other in front of the fireplace with a small coffee table or ottoman between them. Place a chaise in front of the window. This might cause the path to meander just enough to avoid a bowling alley feel.

For more possibilities, draw a floor plan where 1 ft equals 1 inch on paper, and place doors, windows and fireplace as accurately as possible. On a separate sheet of paper draw the outlines of furniture you want to place in this room. Label each piece and cut them out. Set them on the floor plan and move them around until you are happy with the placement. HERE is a site that offers a printable room grid and furniture pieces.

This is sooo helpful! Thank you so much! You are right it is seldom used. What kind of chairs/chaise would you recommend? We like a more modern feel but also homey/comfortable...

Longer sofa to fill the window area

Larger rug kept about 12" away from walls to make room more expansive

Turn lounge chair 90 degrees to the sofa

Add a coffee table maybe in glass

Decide how you want to use the room. Do you have a dining room suitable for entertaining? Do you need an office, craft room or place for quiet conversation with friends? Do you home school your kids? If you want to use it as a standard living room, you can't go wrong with a 3-seat sofa and a pair of upholstered armchairs as your basic pieces.

I guess I would use it as a “formal living” but really I don’t see this room being used much. I just want to decorate it in a way so that it’s easy access to walk through to the kitchen!

In that case, I'd leave a path from the kitchen door straight through to the foyer. Two armchairs flanking the fireplace and a 3-seat sofa at the window will look nice and will be versatile if you ever want to use them elsewhere. Add end tables and table lamps with the sofa. Drapes will warm it up, and art will add some personality. Hang 5" above the mantel and on your largest expanse of wall centered 5' above the floor. The nice light from the window might support a green plant to add some life to the basic vignette.