Hi tkstock! Per Tibbrix request, I am posting a couple of pictures of my family room. My family room had a similar set-up, TV in a armoire in the corner along with a couch and two chairs, with a big open space in the middle of the room. I was having trouble deciding on a furniture lay-out for my room with the TV being one problem area. I took Tibbrix up on her suggestion of an extending wall mount for the TV. Love it, we pull it out when we want to watch TV and push it back when the TV is not in use. I do understand people mounting the TV above their fireplace, but I admit I love to decorate my mantel so that was a no go. Tibbrix also suggested the L shape with two couches. I would have never thought I could get that much seating along with four tables and a chair also in the room. I understand that no one can sit in the chair to watch TV, but with the two couches we have seating for 4-6 and normally have four. My one suggestion is to use a on-line room planner, as that is what I did and used it to change the room arrangement as fellow GW's made suggestions to the plan. May you love your room's outcome as much as I do mine! Once again thanks to Tibbrix! This post was edited by CarolT924 on Tue, Aug 5, 14 at 11:12

Thanks for the feedback. I agree 100% on the shape of the table. I like the oval best but size wise i think the round may be best. Ill have a better idea once the furniture gets delivered. Im a little worried about glass with 2 small kids but this is not a room they will spend tons of time in so could be an option. Originally, I was going to use a rough sawn beam for the mantel so the table matched nicely. However, i put the beam on my surround and I honestly don't think it works. I will probably just extend it vertically and dress it up with a nice shelf with crown as trim (like picture below. I love the rug we found but i wonder if it is going to be blue overload in this room. Would a rug that is predominantly white be best? Either way, we will be getting an 8x10.

really looks too tight in walk ways & in center between furniture. I can't visualize the "chaise" with the picture of couch you posted. Have you tried taping off floor for walkways around backs of furniture & also in center between the couches? Where can a person sit to see tv? One couch at right angle to TV & looking at bar, the other couch at right angle to that couch & view of TV blocked by people sitting on bar facing couch. Might have to empty the room to do the tape off but it would give you a better feel and visual of space allowance. Just feels too tight & with heavy furniture

1. Yes, do get something for the walls, but take your time and get pieces you love. check out local artists and art galleries. Don't get items just to fill up the walls. If you really can't find something you love locally, check out art.com. 2. Window treatments: Boscov's has a good selection at reasonable prices. Measure twice, buy once. 3. Lighting: https://www.houzz.com/photos/query/lighting-for-cathedral-ceiling/nqrwns 4. I don't know what a river walk is and Google doesn't know either. 5. If you put "how protect kids from fireplace" in Google, they show various gates and foam barriers you can use. 6. Make sure to have user friendly containers for the kids to put away their toys each evening. A living room should be cleared each late evening of kids stuff so the adults can have their time in the living room.