les917 - the answers are no and no. No TV, and we cannot (and I don't think want to) move the fireplace. nanny2a - thanks, you are totally right. The coffee table is shown slightly in the wrong spot. I envision it being a coffee table sitting in front of the large sectional (hence wanting it to be the length it is). It will not be sitting in the center of the room like shown. Does anyone see any concern about clearance between the chaise and the fireplace (where one would walk to go from center of living room into the dining room). What kind of clearance do you think is needed/what is the max length and width I could get away with for a chaise/daybed in that area? And does anyone see an issue with the fireplace sitting in the middle of the room, and nothing really being oriented towards it? That is one of my primary concerns with the layout I've put together...

Thank you all for your comments! It means a lot that strangers would take their time to help me. :) I have a lot to look at now. It is a custom build on our lot but this is one of their plans. I am having them price out a plan I brought to them but this plan was very affordable. I am going to look at adding on and your other suggestions for feasibility. I like option one and three that mama goose attached. Seeing the kitchen from the front door wouldn't bother me. I hate my compartmentalized kitchen/living room now with my little one. We are goi f to add a deck in the back for sure. Again, thank you for your help. I am going to look at all your suggestions. :) will be back if I have any questions.

So I've made some headway - I plan to buy this sofa (76" wide by 36" deep), and am struggling with chairs to face it. Sofa: I am looking for small scale, comfortable chairs. I don't really like armless chairs. In my hunting, I came across this, which was VERY comfortable. I think it is very attractive, and the footprint is small: 29" wide, 31" deep. However, I wonder if it's too blocky looking - e.g., should I look for something leggier? Honestly though I love them and they're SO comfy. Thoughts?

I vote for the middle drawing except instead of two sofas back to back, put two chairs up against the windows with a table in between which creates a small conversation area. If your family is into games or puzzles maybe you could expand that seating area. I don't like the idea of a sectional that would have part of its back toward the fireplace. As for the chaise in front of the fireplace, it's worth a try if you're really excited about it. I would want to be able to return it or use it in another room if I didn't like it there. Sometimes you don't know if you're going to like something until you try it. Hard no for me always on putting the TV over the fireplace. I guess some people are fine with it, but it's not for me and you will find the majority opinion on this forum will run against it. If you don't have anywhere else to put it, it's fine, but you do have another option.