Don’t put furniture into the pathway leading to kitchen. Turn sofa and reposition chairs. When you buy a rug, size it so it doesn’t impeach on the pathway. It is as if you living space ends at the right side of fireplace.

I think you'll have a difficult time balancing this furniture, given the super wide doorway to the next room. Personally, I'd move the sofa back, so it faces the fireplace and is viewed as you enter from the adjacent room. Although it may make for difficulty in conversation, I'd move both chairs to the left. For balance, you might try a tall and wide shelving unit on the far right wall. To make it easier, why not "build" something from pieces of cardboard and move it around until it suits you (or not). You may end up wanting a larger piece of art on the wall to the right, or some floating shelving.

so here's the other arrangement. not sure it works better. I also forgot to mention that it's a living room dining room combo so I am afraid that this way, the conversation area is very closed off...

I am not a pro, but after much thought, I do believe the way you currently have it is best. And it does look nice. I would, however, move the floor lamp closer to the side of sofa. So to your original question about where to put a sofa table/console - I think it depends on the style. In other words, if it is a console (with a distinguished front), personally I would put it on the wall. If it is some kind of narrow table that doesn’t have a specific front and back to it, then I would put it against sofa. Curious to see what the designers say...

Ooooops - forget what I said about floor lamp. I see now that you have a pair of them:)