It would be helpful to see the space from a few more angles - are you able to post more pics?

@Andrea Morrell USDA Z5 / CAD 5B oh absolutely! i can think of nothing i'd rather do, seriously! I'm sure you'll see what it is - a series of random ideas with no cohesion in an effort to make me "feel happy" lol - any and all advice is so very welcomed and appreciated!!! let me load the rest!

@Andrea Morrell USDA Z5 / CAD 5B okay, i think i added them to the original post. Excuse my dog, please

We work better with pix of walls and furniture. The first four pix you shared are mostly of the floor. Only five and six give us any sense of what the space and furnishings you're working with actually are. Happy colors are a personal choice and will probably do the most to make you feel happy. I like spacious feeling spaces, so I would find another location for the tree and put the sofa against that wall, lowering the art to hang 5" above it. Sprinkle the colors from the art around the room. You might put the tree away and simply add some of the colorful balls in a large glass bowl to a table top. I always find fresh flowers make me happy; you might try treating yourself to some this weekend.

It is hard to get a sense of the whole space but here goes. I would move that sofa sectional so that the long arm is againat the wall. That is what is breaking the room into awkward spaces. You may then find that you can create a welcoming living space with a rug and 2 small acent chairs. I agree that the art is hung too high and you could pull colours from it around the room with pillows and accessories. Think also about your lighting- do you need to have some accent lights to create comfortable sitting/working zones?

The rug under the table should be large enough that when you pull the stools out they remain on the rug. Like your colors! Can you put that console table under the round mirror to tie the two together visually?

While I agree that the art is too high, my best suggestion is probably an expensive one. Your couch is too big for the space. Replace it with a sleeper sofa for guests (we prefer the Lazy Boy because they have air matresses: not an advertisement for them) and you’ll have more room to rearrange everything else. Start by turning the little dining table 90 degrees so it doesn’t intrude into the kitchen doorway. You’ll be able to sit at it if it’s against the wall and you’alone, or pull it out into the room with company.

Stand at the windows please, and take more pics. ...............of the not good. : ) Not a hall

If the tree is still up? Get rid of it , first.

The half living half dining is missing the dining.

Just move the little dining table and stools out into that space, maybe switch the tree to the corner that was in.

@JAN MOYER

" oh, and yes, i know the christmas tree thing is bizarre....again, just makes me happy - and my ex husband NEVER would have allowed it!"

I think the tree needs to stay........

I understand why you want the tree up, but I would take it down while you work out the best arrangements room. You can then figure out where to put it back afterwards if you still want it on display.

Move the small dining table, either by turning it against the wall as Granspas_farm described, or shifting it further away from the kitchen so it doesn’t block your entry way. I agree that the sectional is too large for that area. Replacing it with something smaller would make the space work more easily. That said, if you want to keep it, it also looks like it has been pushed away from the wall and you have stacks of bedding between it and the wall. Can you move it against the wall? Can the sectional be rearranged? Can the long arm go against the wall? It looks like the small console table has been pushed to the left of the mirror because it would block the way into that part of the room if you moved it to be centered under the mirror. Making more space around the sectional so that console can be centered would help.

You're asking for help. It's almost SPRING. ..............time to let it go. Way past time . You'll be a lot "happier" when the space looks good. "To all things there is a season". ...........it's past the season.

Buy fresh tulips, one color in abundance. Good grief.

Regarding the Christimas tree--if you want something organic/living to make you happy, why not get a large ficus or fiddle-leaf fig tree? Or a rubber tree? Keeping a decorated Christmas tree all year long is just strange.

I was gonna say how can it not be a happy place with a decorated tree? Looking at your photos, the tree made me happy. :)

Since the tree is fairly neutral, you can add a few decorations for each holiday and season if the peer pressure it too much.

I do think you need to rearrange stuff but it's hard to tell what's going on and how much space you have. The little dining set seems like it's where you send the bad kids but I'm not sure where to put it. Can it swap with the tree? Trees are good in the corner!

Keep the tree. There is nothing wrong with having one up. If I decorated my house to please others, I wouldn’t enjoy being home.

wow!! it's like a bunch of guardian angels! i never believed anyone would actually comment on this, much less give so much great advice. WOW. It's a lot to take in, but first I know everyone was on the money calling out the picture being too high! I never would have seen it! -- and could have spent my life trying to "fix this" area - only to never reach completion, thanks to the height of that dang painting.

So A) i moved the painting down a bit (by myself, so it's not perfect, but just to get a better sense), i replace the sad blanket under the tree with a proper skirt, added a little glass end table to the couch --- I think a huge part I left out that must be bothering all creative/organized minds...is that the couch turns into a bed-ish.....so the chair backs move in and out, that's why it looks as though the couch is pulled away from the wall, i will add some pictures now of it so you can see what i mean.

I also managed to make the windows symmetrical, and confined all blankets to a "blanket basket" etc, so the mess aspect i THINK is looking better. my gosh, i can't believe how amazing and helpful you all have been. Or begin to thank you enough!

I know that the mirror is just awful, in the sense that it's randomly splat against the wall with no meaning - and i did play with the tiny "table for one" going the other way, but it didn't seem to look right either....... still taking these suggestions in and seeing what direction to go next..... would love any and all input on how moving the painting may have helped (or didn't) - and ideas with the couch in better perspective/better pictures.

as Diana...

" Regarding the Christimas tree--if you want something organic/living to make you happy, why not get a large ficus or fiddle-leaf fig tree? Or a rubber tree? Keeping a decorated Christmas tree all year long is just strange.'

If you cling to one thing, when another could be even better?

Agree as Diana above- I would change the "strange" word to ...well......... Sad. Like a flower well past its prime. Though dated?? Get a ficus, ..........string white lights on it.

The REAL joy of xmas is its limited time frame. Up at Thanksgiving, down at the New Year. .

ANTICIPATION..... it's not just for kids :)

@jkm6712 ah, i see what you mean! totally - just did :) easy fix there! thank you!

Less is not only more.......it's happier and cheerier F.R.E.S.H.E.R. Than Prozac,

haha, i actually de-junked the table right AFTER taking this picture! all the candles are in an empty kitchen cabinet now :) i felt like the couch looked weird with nothing there :/ i can fold the white blanket neater too - and you think painting even lower?

Any suggestions in lieu of the tree? It just makes me feel warm inside lol, i was changing out the decorations each month to match the holiday for a bit....

Thank you again!!!

The only sick thing about keeping the tree is how people are trying to shame you for it.

Why don't you compromise? Keep the tree until you find something else that also makes you happy.

Don't get something you don't want just to fill the space. If you do, you'll be in a pickle when you find that pump organ or pinball game you simply must have.

Fol

No one is shaming anyone. Amanda asked for opinions on her living room decor, and many of us have given advice.

So for suggestions in lieu of the Christmas tree, as I posted previously, either a live or artificial tall tree. Ficus, Umbrella, Fiddle-leaf fig, Palm tree,bamboo, there are many. If you have natural lighting, a live tree would be a breath of fresh air, literally, as plants give off oxygen. If not, then there are very many realistic looking artificial ones.

65" Fiddle Leaf Tree UV Resistant, Indoor and Outdoor · More Info

Pure Garden 6 ' Tall Artificial Bamboo Plant, Natural Trunk · More Info

Artificial 4.5' Areca Palm, Cream Tapered Square Zinc · More Info

52" Large Leaf Philodendron Silk Plant, Real Touch · More Info

Nearly Natural 5' Cordyline Silk Plant - Real Touch Green · More Info

I will ask:

What are we going for here? Misery aside from a relationship loss and a move........is it 19 year old dorm room, or chic, grown up glam girl? Because if the latter? You make decorating decisions that go to just that.

Take out one piece of the sectional. Shop for a couple "better" more functional pieces, with better proportion. Ditch the fairy lights for some billowy blow i the breeze gauzy white sheers on a gilded skinny rod. Give the space air, and room to move.

Now,...... some above can disparage 30 year experience pro advice, a poster can declare the advice "sick" . You want a great space or you do not. Glam, or dorm.

Take out one section of the sectional.................!!! ( below ) The room doesn't need the visual wall impediment. Don't choke the space.

Furniture pieces need not all be white

A better proportion and storage beneath the tv

......................and then??

MEASURE feet and inches from back of sectional to breakfast bar peninsula.

Hence the question . So that when you meet the very nice guy, ( the grown up, maybe even nice with humor, brains and money ) ) you can have a space for a little dinner, a glass of wine. Grown up style. : ) Go right ahead all above and beat the living S &^% out of me. I really don't care. - and I'll speak for Diana B. above too. We both know what we see , when we see it.

@JAN MOYER lol you are very rude, but i do appreciate the advice. It's a temporary living situation for the next 6 months before i'm able to move into my house. The furniture I have was what was available in a 24 hour window at the nearest rooms to go. I will work with the new advice and see what I can do with it today - thank you!

Okay, fairy lights gone :) does rod go in the pink area? or blue?

I'd place the curtain rod in the pink area, and have it extend the length of the wall. Then hang sheer curtains on rings across the doors and windows. keep them pulled back during the day and close at night. Make sure they are long enough to reach the floor, but not so long that they puddle.

Kill me. The real issue? Not solved, right? ( yes, much better minus fairy lights )

You were "desperate"

Bought in a willy nilly hurry. " IT'S TEMPORARY"......how temporary? It's short term important ?

BUT you refuse to use or do not have a tape measure, making it harder for anyone to help. It's not about the doo dads.....where to put throws,or candles... really.. It is about wasting space on the xmas tree. .......and it is about too much bulk for the space, However it got there,

I The so called hallway that probably isn't a "hallway" Who knows? Get a tape measure?? Draw the space, measure the walls. Measure the sectional pieces. Sorry, tree has to go.

Un hallway the hallway..............

That was the hallway that leads to the bathroom lol my dad is in town today to help me measure. i moved the couch about 6 inches for now, de-cluttered some more, and added a ”lights” alternative :) orderer the rod with sheer curtains too!

Put those dried hydrangeas in the trash can. ? Please? Yank out the pink from the low shelf on that side console. Those dried things are nothing short of depressing. As long as dad is there? Take down the xmas tree : )

best way to do the curtain rods? one long one? 3 separate since they are uneven? 😬 im trying

Candle remind me of making an offering at a church which is a very good idea these days

@Kathy Furt please excuse yourself from this thread

OLD LADY ?? Not.

None of those are sheers Jan, they’re just light colored drapes

These are sheets

Sheers

When you use enough Width and fullness in sheers?? That is what sheers can look like. .................which both wasn't the point and is the point: )

My sister has gorgeous drapes from calico with tiny rings and dark rod

These

@HU-161159613 awwe what a sweet comment. I totally agree, but it felt good to hear someone else say it! I have really, genuinely appreciated the advice - i've taken what I felt would help things feel more organized, and i've left the nasty comments and any suggestions to remove my tree because - it's me! & my gorgeous, 'designer's nightmare which defies all society rules and accepted norms' tree will remain indefinitely - making me smile every time i pass <3 that's the beauty in this life, if you aren't a fan of keeping a 'christmas tree' up....then go get you a ficus! Not gonna bother me one bit :)

I totally agree with everthing you said and you said it well! Your picture made me happy just looking at it.

Good for you Amanda! I have been a little put-off by the nasty (uncalled for) tone in this thread. You have a very healthy attitude about dealing with this forum. You do YOU!

@HU-161159613 @4arnottp thank you again! The kind words mean a lot <3