Thanks everyone - much more to ponder here. @roarah, I think almost any sofa direction is going to entail a big ottoman. I've avoided it to date because the kids use the coffee table for so much coloring/lego building/etc (which explains why it needs replacing) but if I replace the sectional with anything other than another sectional, I'll definitely want to try a big cushy ottoman. @Beverly27 and @bac717, I like this idea and need to play with it some more. The difficulty is that there is a 4ft wide window on that wall. There would still be enough space to place the TV between the window and the door, but there tends to be a pretty bright glare from the window itself. (That may change within the next few weeks, when the house under construction next door gets its upper floors, sigh.) It's worth shifting the furniture around to see if it might work! My husband is out of town for the next couple of days - time for some experimentation! @suero - the U-shaped sectional is a really interesting idea. I need to hunt around the web to see if I can find something like that...it would eliminate all the battles for prime TV watching seats. @jlc712, I realize I hadn't posted a proper diagram or clear photos; all these are old blurry cell shots in my photobucket library. I'll try for something better after work, but the entry to the dining room is on the same wall where the TV/"fireplace" is currently situated - directly opposite the exterior door. @kidrowlam, the one thing that is staying in the room for the foreseeable future is the Persian rug - it was a wedding gift from my MIL (and we have no other place for it!) The faux fireplace is in the first photo in my first post, under the TV. I'm totally ready to junk it if I can improve the space.... Thanks everyone - I'll try some of these ideas tonight/tomorrow!

I find it even easier to just draw the floor plan on graph paer , Cut out the furniture pieces and play with them to see what works. Make sure all the pieces and the floor plan are to actual scale . It is hard to read the numbers on the drawing you posted so maybe just a simple to scale floor plan on the same graph paper would be helpful with the room sizes done large enough to see. Yes we need to know about TV and where windows are and I assume when you say FR you mean the great room. I hope you have an actual kitchen designer not a cabinet salesperson I finf that kitchen is not making the best use of the space but again a floor plan would be helpful

Here is my concept. I am making an assumption that there is a walkway on left so you loose 3’ from seating space. I numbered items in order of importance so you can purchase as budget allows. Sofa, 2 chairs facing sofa and coffee table. You can add other chairs as needed. I think a 9 x 12’ rug will anchor the room. A narrow, long coffee table serves main seating area. A large plant in corner to right of fireplace would soften space. Do plain fabrics and leathers and use rug and pillows and art over fireplace to add colors desired. I would find a way to add an arc lamp probably next to chairs over toward coffee table. You will have plenty of light during the day but at night will need ambient lighting. Can lights are not good best lighting on skin. So see if this reflects your desires. I am going to pull some other ideas together to realize this concept. In this sketch, each square equals one square foot. Bbl

We are in the process of building and have a door in the center of the living space as well. It helped me to draw things out in scale on graph paper. Please forgive my very basic skills 😂 I have planned 14 x 18.5 for the living space,