The pictures should be over the sofa because they create a grouping with the sofa. If they were centered on the wall they would just looked randomly placed. And the reason that you like them placed lower is that it creates a more cohesive grouping with the sofa, which is more pleasing to the eye. I think that what would look nice would be two pictures about the same dimensions, but hung vertically. Obviously, you can't do that with the ones that you have. A tall plant/tree in the corner would fill in that space nicely.

We, too, have a big stone fireplace that is a focal point. There are windows on both sides, so no place for a tv there, either. We opted for a built-in cabinet on the right-hand wall. It is recessed, and I have shutters that close over it (although I haven't installed them yet--it's on my "to do" list). The other side of that wall is the master bedroom. So having a recessed cabinet in the living room allowed me to have a similar recessed cabinet in the master bedroom. Although we were originally going to use it as a tv area on the bedroom side, I opted to make it built-in bookshelves. A benefit to having the recessed area in the living room is having a shelf that I can display something above the tv--breakable things that I don't really want the kitties messing with. We have lighting (on it's own switch) up there, to show off whatever I'm displaying. Below the tv is another shelf where the other electronics are. There is another set of shutters to cover up all that crap...I mean, all that very important electronic equipment. And their cords, since the plug in is located in the recessed area. The fireplace is on the North wall. TV in the East wall. We have a couch on the South side, centered and facing the fireplace. A loveseat and recliner on the West wall, facing the tv. The recliner is kind-of diagonal. We have an open floorplan, and the kitchen is on the Southwest side. From there, I can watch the fireplace AND the tv, which is kind of nice. I don't have it yet, but there will be a large coffee table in front of the couch.

Wow! So many great ideas, I don't know where to begin. So Thank you everyone that has given me input! I really appreciate it so much. First I wanted to say that this house will have 2x6 exterior walls with spray foam insulation and a metal roof. Those three items are nonnegotiable. Second the stairs go up to an unfinished bonus room over the garage. We will finish this after the house is complete and will be the kids game room. Third I want my own separate closet. We share now and husband likes to invade my space. He also wants to keep his work gear out of his regular closet. Thats why there are three closets but after looking at the plan I'm now thinking his work closet is going to be too small. Our builder is a friends father and he is cutting us a pretty good deal to build the house. We want this house to be no larger than 3000sqft under roof. That includes the front porch, patio, and garage. I think we'll end up around 3100 sqft total. We're also trying really hard not to be house poor so keeping it on the smaller side is what we are aiming for. We plan to live in this house for a very long time. Until we can no longer take care of 5 acres. Chelwa- Our drafter has over 15 yrs of experience. I'm planning to give him this plan and tell him, I want kids bedroom over here, living, dining kitchen this layout and master on the other side away from kids and noise. If he can come up with a better layout meeting the above demands, thats great! I'm going to be open to his ideas. Jemdandy - Thanks for the a/c info. We'll definitely talk to the professions. We also really don't have to many problems with electrical outages. Only when we are hit by a hurricane/ and occasional thunder storm do we lose electricity. But yes a whole house generator is on my husbands mind. autumm.4- We are house sole mates! You totally conveyed my thoughts about our house and our situation! Gun safes are like rabbits in my house. I'm sure the two we already own will not be the only ones will have either. My husband is a gun enthusiast and plans to get an FFL. LOL So another safe is in our future. Mrspete - The hallway to kids room is 39", which I believe is standard. The hallway to garage is wider to accommodate the stairs. I'm not to worried about the bed placement in the master. We moved into this house 11 yrs ago and the bed hasn't been moved once. We're creature of habit. Even our now living room placement is the same as when we moved it. I think I'm to lazy to move them around. LOL Bri - Love the idea of a stone plug. LOL I'm not to keen on looking up to watch tv. I don't know maybe it wont be as big of a deal as I'm making it out to be. I think out of all the decisions I'll be making, this one is going to be the hardest for me. I'm going to let the drafter redesign the whole master bedroom/ bath/closets and see what he comes up with. I'm sure he'll do a better job than I would. In the living room if we put the fireplace on the 16' wall we can do a french door in the living room flanked by two windows. We'll have a covered porch off the living room so I really want access from there. The french door in the dining area are there to let in light and access to an outdoor kitchen (to be built at a later date).

Not a Pro. Your rushing, if you post a pic of accurate dimensions of the room you will get so many different layouts from the posters on Houzz and one of them will work for you and your needs. I would not make a separate area for the baby and toys in your room, because they out grow the area fast, but I would make sure you have decorative storage to house the little toys, etc. Something that can later be used to store board games, blankets, etc. Think long term. Don't rush, just to fill the room.