Honestly, we have not made a decision. We're drawn to the layout with the sectional because it feels more casual and less confrontational. Though we're having trouble finding a sectional. It is much easier to find a traditional sofa we like. Just because of that, we may go with the first layout.

A 55" TV is only about 48" wide. I really think the sofa should go on the wall and the TV should go above the fireplace. Otherwise, you have to choose between awkward TV viewing or an awkward sofa location. eta: I just read that you never use the fireplace. You could put the TV on a console in front of the fireplace (gasp) I know. But I think you could make it work if none of the fireplace was visible.

There are a few things you could do here. First off, we think you could easily move your desk so it is facing the living room. Turn your desk a quarter turn to the left and then you would be facing the living room and be able to see out your windows some. It looks like there is plenty of room to do this. If you then wanted a rug, you could get one that would just fit under the area for the entire desk and chair. We agree with moving the TV to the empty wall beside the loveseat. This will free up that area so you can get a bigger book shelf if you'd like. We would then have the loveseat face the TV and move the chair at an angle beside the TV on the right. We think these suggestions might help. Notice desk faces out into room?

Ok, so here’s some ideas you may not have though of. Flip flop the dining room with the living. Depending on how your breakfast bar is done, you child just mount the tv there. Build a divider wall on top of the current bar, but leaving it open. In one photo, the tv can spin so someone could watch the tv while in the kitchen. Do a divider wall again on top of the breakfast bar but only go halfway across allowing for the person in the kitchen to still be able to see out. You could have a small divider in between the two rooms perpendicular to the sliders or you could place a lift tv cabinet there. Lots of options-just depends on what will work as far as electrical/cable access.