Yes, such a common problem. Imo, your space is so limited you should consider solving your problem outside the box. Outside the house box by putting the area where you first greet guests and make them feel they've arrived outside that thin, 3" thick front door instead of inside. To do this, of course, an outside "foyer" has to be created. Most homes front to public street, and their front yards are also completely open to the street, to windows across the street, etc., so that the thin front wall and door are very often the first and only transition from public to private space. Very undesirable, and no good architect-designed homes fail to make a much more emotionally satisfying transition from public to private. That's why people want an indoor foyer. It's a transition between truly public to truly private that makes finally arriving in the sheltered living area feel right. You can't have one, but you could damage the appearance and functionality of what could be a very inviting room by devoting a space that tries and fails transition guests... From it to itself. That's why I suggest creating a separation from the street and public yard outside. Presuming you don't already have one that can be further developed, of course. Think of, for instance, a gracious, paved outdoor landing or porch that guests arrive at by passing through a gate and/or under a tree or arbor to reach. Imagine a delicate tree perhaps, like a birch, that creates a gentle see-through privacy screen between this area and the street to increase the feeling of separation from public . It might be surrounded by low shrubs or a fence to define it an give a sense of separation. Planted pots or sculpture, a bench or pair of chairs. You now have a transitional middle space from public to private, a transition(foyer/entry area) that doesn't feel at all public from which guests can then move to a very inviting sheltered inner living space. If you google, you'lll find many landscapes that do this. They're very common in neighborhoods of what were once small homes that have become very expensive. People who pay $750k or $1,750K for an 1100 square foot home often bring in designers to fix their foyer problem, and this is a common technique. It's all about meeting emotional needs, and of course looking great, without cannibalizing those living rooms that need all their space for living in them.

Ignore the critics that think you should have new everything for every room -- not all of us have that budget. Don't discard your furnishings. That you have exercise equipment in this room indicates it's not intended to be a formal living room. While it may well be that not all your furnishings are on the short list of items most of us want to put in our the living room for creating a good first impression -- they're certainly not out of place for a family/activity room. You might want a larger cabinet on which to set your tv in no small part because a taller cabinet will be more comfortable to watch and a larger cabinet with doors would give you media related storage space. With that in mind, if you're wanting to change this room on a budget, sometimes you can find an old hutch or bookcase suitable for use as a tv stand from an "antique and more" resale (used stuff) store, Habitat for Humanity Restore Store, Good Will or a local charity thrift store that will serve your purpose When you are out and about with a few minutes to spare, wake through these and see if something catches your eye. If you are careful not to collect junk -- if you know the measurements of your room/space before buying anything and buy only what you will actually use, then such trips will not be wasted time. Good hunting.

Great, thanks! I would use a round table that can extend to oval when you have company in the dining area, right over near the kitchen. One chair backing into the corner, rather than a chair with its back to the kitchen door. The desk can stay right where you have it in this photo. Sofa on the wall with the windows with a side table at each end. Two chairs across from it with a table between them. I sketched a pic but can't post comments on my phone, boo :(

Hello Trishe, Welcome to the HOUZZ tip table. Here are a couple of questions for us. Thanks for the floor plan that really helps a lot!! Can we get a picture of the room with your back to the sliding doors? Are the two chairs swivel chairs? What are the measurements of the fireplace from the floor to the top of the surround? Marcie