I really like the idea of comfy chairs, except I like them for both of the sections of the room and I'm not sure which way to go with it. If I put them in front of the fireplace I can create a sort of semi circle with them and I like that idea. But I need to have a bigger couch (loveseat at least) somewhere in the room for my 16 yr old as she is physically disabled and can't sit in a comfy chair, she needs a couch to lay on in the room. I think part of her chair is in one of my pictures :) My biggest complaint about the loveseats facing eachother is that it wouldn't allow me to put anything on either side of the fireplace. I really need bookshelves for storage, books and toys. So for the back of the room where the tree is now, how does this sound? Brown bookcase on the wall with the screen door. Two comfy chairs, maybe something like these? http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S49932547/ http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40300431/#/30305617 and a table in between them. Or, should I do a small loveseat back there? http://www.worldmarket.com/product/erin-cute-as-a-button-loveseat.do?&from=fn And then for the space in front of the fireplace. Loveseat and chair? Or 3 chairs? One more side note, I plan to paint the room green and finish the trim in white. Does all my furniture need to be the same color? Is it OK to mix white and brown stuff? They were in different rooms in my last home.

If you can swing the $, a couple of double sided built-in shelving units will make the beams look way more intentional. I wouldn't build them higher than 1/3 the length of the column so that you maintain the open feel of the rooms. Rooms without T.V.'s aren't ever pointless if you have friends, wine, and good conversation. Congratulations on your first home! It would be great to see your updates.

You guys are a bunch of geniuses. My key take aways: make Beverley’s adjustment to the couches; consider the parallel option again move the tripod lamp to the other side for balance consider adding second identical coffee table or look for similar square one lose the awkward slip chair spot and follow groveraxle’s good ideas above art not mirror above the couch. One large piece, keep it simple, maybe something along the lines of these ideas:

Honestly, don’t waste your time and money on this apartment. Anything you add will be on your $ and with 3 dogs and a temporary room mate, I wouldn’t invest in anything.