I would move the tv to the wall where the couch is now. Move the couch opposite, with its back to the sliding door. Consider adding a sofa table behind with a pair of lamps to bring more warm lighting into the room. Keep the small chair where it is on the right side of the fireplace, and use the floor lamp next to it. Put the chair and a half and ottoman to the right of the couch, the end table and lamp beside it. Move the whole arrangement a bit closer to the fireplace, and make sure that the front legs of the couch and the chairs are on the rug. I agree that the coffeetable is not the best choice. I would love to see something round, perhaps a wood or slate top, with iron legs so that you don't have so much heavy furniture in the space. Down on the end wall where the tv is now, I would think about a game table and chairs in the corner where the screen is, great for snacking or playing games or doing puzzles. I would find a new home for the screen. Then a group of bookshelves with some closed storage in the same finish as the tv cabinet to the right along the wall to allow for storage of some of the toys, as well as a place to house books and media. Take the clock off the fireplace and use that on the end wall where the game table will be. Use the canvas you have on the fireplace, to bring some of the warmer colors of the room onto the grey fireplace. If your DH doesn't want to paint the fireplace, check into staining it. Just giving it a warmer finish would do a lot for the room.

Center the rug with the fireplace. Take the bookcase out of the left corner of the room and put that in the space between the kitchen and FR, where the console table now sits. Move the sectional down toward the fireplace, (after centering the rug), add an end table to the outside of the chaise part of the sectional. Someone sitting there wonâÂÂt want to move to get a drink off the coffee table. Be sure there is a lamp there as well, to light that corner of the room. Move the armoire to angle in the corner where the sectional was sitting originally. Use it for storage, perhaps add shelving or even a pull-out shelf for a computer center which can be closed up and put away. The piece is very nice, and gives good height to balance the fireplace and high ceilings. For now, try the console on the wall to the right of the fireplace, and place the new flatscreen on that. Later you may prefer a more substanial cabinet, which can hide other components and store DVDs, etc. If you do that, then try the console table behind the part of the sectional that has its back to the kitchen. Add a comfy upholstered chair in the corner, a bit closer to the fireplace, where the armoire was, along with another small side table and lamp.

Sorry for the delay in responding. Tribbix - Thanks. The color is BM Beach Glass. When I first painted I panicked that it was too grey and dreary. I ALMOST repainted but decided to wait until the ceiling was in so I could gauge the color more accurately. I’m glad I waited. I’m very happy with the color. Yes, they are my boys. We already have a hoop hanging over the front door in the foyer! Don’t worry, I usually remove it when company is coming over. DH would never go for the Eames chair (style or price!) Beverly - yes, lots of cans. They are on a dimmer already. I hadn’t considered the sofa right in front of the TV. It could work if the sofa has a built-in recliner. The more we use the space (with the old furniture) I am realizing that the prime seats are directly in front of the TV. I was thinking about sofas/loveseats perpendicular to the TV, with two narrow recliners in front of it. Not sure if that would be too tight to maneuver though. Joanie - we currently have a sectional in the basement. It’s on the wall opposite the widow then extends in front of the TV. Opposite of your suggestion. I should have mentioned that DH doesn’t want heavy furniture blocking the heat vents on the window wall. So, if we go with a sectional it will have to be on the opposite wall. I will say that I’ve enjoyed to space on the sectional with the three kids. It’ll be about choosing the right pieces if we go that route. Suero - that recliner isn’t my style, but I love that it looks like a chair and not a marshmallow! Zorro - bathroom is just past the bar area. There is also a small bedroom (on the other side of the bookshelf wall). The bedroom is really just a playroom for the next few years! Lisa_mocha and teacats - I have a large photo gallery upstairs already (inspired by TheFoxesPad (thanks!!)). I have a series of pictures of our boys blown up on metal (from mpix.com “Modern Metal prints are printed on a 1/16" aluminum sheet and float-mounted”). My plan is to hang them once we have furniture placed. Robo - I’m with you! I've decided I'd also like a narrow desk in the basement. Perhaps floating behind the sofa/chairs that face the TV. Dual purpose: It will give me a place to work on my computer (pay bills, browse GW) and it will keep the kids from hurdling the furniture. I remember doing it as a kid!

Is the finish worn on the table? I've never used Howard's but I believe it has good reviews. I'm due for new furniture soon. I'm hoping next year. I'd like to get a sectional and have been searching on and off for a while now. The darn things aren't cheap. I was seriously considering Ethan Allen but the newer reviews are bad. Apparently the furniture is made now in Mexica. I would be very unhappy paying that much and having it not hold up. Our currently paisley furniture is Ashley and, besides the sun fading that's our fault for not having blinds for years, I think it's held up very well. It is SO comfortable. I do dislike that I can't flip the cushions. I've been doing it anyhow when it's just at the house to get more even wear. Point to my rambling Ashley was one of the places I considered again. Seems like a majority of the furniture now days is made of about the same quality.