It would be easier for us to visualize your space if you could post a room sketch on graph paper - to scale - with all measurements marked.

My first thoughts: the room is only about 8 x 12 but you have TWO couches?

Is there any way to float some furniture? Everything is jammed against the walls now which feels awkward and forced.

Is that a tv or a painting on that very dark wall? If it’s a tv, it seems very high for optimal viewing in such a small room.

So here’s what I suggest. Things to note: 1. Console for tv. Get one that is tall to bridge the gap as the tv is hung too high. 2. Widen your drapery panels (see how drapes should be hung). This will take up some of the wall space to the right of the slider and make the walls seem more balanced. Put your gallery wall on the right of the slider. 3. Much larger rug. (Showing an 8’ x 13’). This will help the room feel more like one space instead of two. You want all the furniture to fit on the rug. Sofa is 66” wide. 4. Add swivel club chairs. That way those chairs could face the tv (may not work because of tv height). 5. You will need a large coffee table or ottoman to bridge the sofa and chairs. 6. Black wall is not helping the room. You may want to consider painting the wall with slider a color or darker version of your current paint color.

I don’t have a drawing to scale but can work on one. Sorry if the dimensions were confusing, the whole space is 8x20 but I wasn‘t including the space of the slider because I was trying to not block it. I’ve never even considered floating the furniture!

So, what again are the dimensions of the room? Please take a photo of the kitchen area. Thanks.

So sorry to confuse everyone! Total area is 8x20. Here is a view from the corner couch.

We are also planning on covering that nook with a sliding door.

View from slider/gallery wall

So, from the wall the slider is on to the wall where you enter the laundry room.....that is only 8 feet?

The wall the slider is on to the end of the black wall is 8ft, all the way to the laundry room is technically 12ft but it’s a hallway between the black wall and the laundry room

I think Nancy's got the best layouts for your room.

Thanks! Is the slider centered on the wall? How many people watch tv?

The slider is not centered. There is about 4ft to the left of the slider and about 8ft to the right. Right now it’s just myself and husband but we really want the room to feel comfortable and livable/functional. Not just a show room if that makes sense. We do have two dogs so the slider is used all day every day to go in and outside. It’s our only space in the house to hangout other than bedroom space.

Here is what I would do. I don't have every feature here, like lamps. But general idea. I'd put a dining table on the larger end and scoot it up to the sectional. When you have guests, could move it out and accomodate more people.

I really like this idea! But does this set up require us moving the tv? I can’t quiet tell from this layout. Because if the tv is between the chairs in this layout there is a window on that wall. You can see it from the pictures in the original post.

Nancy Ingram's plan uses swivel chairs so you'd still be able to see the TV.

I am so sorry.....I see that now. But, you could take this arrangement and flip it. Similar to Nancy's but I show a sectional.

I like the idea of a table behind the sofa to double as dining. You could even add a bench under the TV for additional seating when dining but also double as a coffee table.

You've probably already tried this layout...

Another, more costly option to consider is replacing the sliding door to slide in the opposite direction. You may even be able to use your existing sofas (though when space is limited, I would get seating with straight arms).

I really think some of these layouts would work! I never considered moving the furniture away from the walls but it looks like everyone is in agreement with that. I’m completely up to buying new furniture. The chaise is an old hand me down and needs to go anways! I love the idea of a sectional, to me that had a cozier feel to it. But the swivel chairs are also a great idea. We’ve actually contemplated switch the door to open in the other direction so maybe we will have to talk about that again. I really appreciate all of this help!!

When shopping for new furniture be sure to get SMALLER furniture. All couches and chairs are not the same size.

This is especially important if you want a sectional. They tend to be very large and are unforgiving as far as how you can place it in your room.

Yes I completely understand, I actually don’t know how well a sectional would work in this space. A regular sofa may be best

Painters tape to the rescue! once you find furniture you like, tape out the dimensions on the floor and live with it for a week. Are you constantly walking over a piece of furniture? Can it be moved to accommodate your traffic patterns? Would a different piece work better? Use this approach so that you can be confident that what you are buying makes sense for your life.

Since it is just you and your husband, you could consider also placing the tv where the mirror is and then face the sofa toward the tv. It would be a cozier set up. You could also do a sofa with a chaise on the end (if you like that idea)

Then, put a dining table to the left of the slider. Then, the slider door would be very open.

I suggest using your existing furniture to play around with various arrangements and see how you feel about it.

We actually had the tv on the wall where the mirror is when we first moved in. We could easily move it back there because we left the outlet on the wall incase we changed our mind. It is just us and the dogs but we would like the space to work even if our family grows. Ultimately, we want to blow out the wall where the slider is and add a 16x24 addition but that is a 5 year goal and once we do that the slider will be moved to facing our back yard instead of our side yard that it’s currently facing. So we just need it to work for us until then!

Great idea to ultimately change this. Very challenging space!

I would just play around with the various options and see what works for you.

You might also want to consider moving the island to the family room area (use as dining table. Then, buy narrower island that would butt up against the wall between the kitchen window and the front door. So, imagine the current island (narrower) and turned 90 degrees and moved to that wall.

Actually, even current island might work.

Stools along kitchen side of the island.

Would be nice for entertaining. Keeps people out of the kitchen, View would be outdoors instead of the kitchen.

I have a photo for your, but it won't load.