Unfortunately, the sectional is too large for the space and does not complement your lamps and tables. What will you use the room for? Draw a floor plan with measurements and post it comments. 2 swivel chairs in the window area might look nice. I wouldn't want to look at the shoe rack when sitting in the LR. Hang the wall art on the so sitting on the sofa you can see it. A more colorful rug will give a homey/cozy feeling.

What makes a living room work, especially a small one, is the best, most conversational layout, contrast of color--light against dark and patterns against solids; furniture in proportion to room size, and every piece echoing the other, and functionality.

Layout:

Have you tried different layouts? You didn't supply measurements so I don't know if any of these would work.

--Couch facing the rest of your space with the window a few feet behind it With a sofa table behind the couch, you could add plants and your lamps. Add a round coffee table and a facing patterned chair, up on legs to balance the heaviness of the couch. Or:

--Back of couch facing the wall where you have the couch now. This way you would create an entryway behind the couch, which would be facing your lovely art work. You could then add a chair to face couch.

--The lamps and tables at the end of the room are off by their lonesome selves. If you can reorient to couch, if there's space, then you could put those lamps on a sofa table behind the couch.

Color contrast: (I can't tell if couch is brown or gray. Patterned runner rug should work with sofa pillows and light wood floors.)

--Your mustard pillows look good against sofa and will connect to the art work.

--That looks like a nice quality rug, but something with more pattern and color would liven the room. If it's new and not returnable, then add a runner rug from the front door across the space to create a pathway that invites people to come on in! A patterned rug with this palette in a runner would echo your wood floors and provide a color balance to the dark couch and rug:

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--Entryway needs to be utilitarian but attractive. Get long, but not too deep bookcase type storage piece for the shoes, but also for putting a lamp, a mirror to reflect art on opposite wall, baskets. Longer version of this with baskets for shoes.

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All of your seating is huddled in one end of the room, And all the lighting is in the other. That's not a usable set up.

This is what I'd do:

• Put the sectional in front of the window, facing towards the back of the house. Or face it towards the door. Either can work, but that couch needs to be down near the window.
• Put one lamp table near each end of the sectional.
• Get a coffee table or large ottoman.
• Put the art on the wall over the wall to the right of the front window, in the seating area. You'll be able to see it when you enter the room.
• your rug has a nice texture but is a bit large for the space and perhaps a bit industrial looking. I'd go for something a bit more classic to co-ordinate with your end tables and lamps. A wool oriental is always a good choice. Maybe something in greys and golds. Choose longer and narrower than you currently have.
• Add a couple of comfy chairs in a subdued pattern
• consider a decorative flush or semi-flush light for the living room. The current globe is undersized and too plain.

It would help to have measurements of space and furniture. I found these two examples of sofa floated out from window with sofa table behind. No idea whether that would work for you. If it did, then an armchair or two facing the sofa would give you a cozy conversational living room.

No sofa table, though, behind the other end since your room is pretty tight. Your lamps would look great with this setup. Plus some live plants.

This style of chair in mustard would add light, airy comfortable seating to balance out the sectional.

I’d move the sectional and rug a couple of feet towards window and add your side table, but a more modern lamp and you’ll need a coffee table. Add a chair opposite with a floor lamp, see set up below but sectional would be your configuration and chair in corner in lower right.

On the wall next to half wall add a plant and art and make sure cushions work well with your art.

On wall as you enter, suggest a more practical solution that looks nice, as it‘s the first thing you see.

Suggest pouring over inspiration pictures and saving your favourites. You’ll start to see a trend and once you have a direction, selecting will be easier.

The rug is a bit too small, but you might be able to move it toward the windows 6" or so.

Art is great. Once you reposition the sectional hang it over the large section. I like the gold pillows, because it picks up that color in the art. The other pillows...meh!

Let's bring up the tables and lamps and put one on each end of the sectional. What to do with the extra piece, so table will fit, use it as a coffee table. Get a tray for it.

Now you need to invest in two chairs for the lovely window. Add a table, and a little rug to cover what floor is bare.

P S

Do you have a good pad under the rug? If not, get a good felt one...not those gummy ones.

Perhaps centering the rug in the space, centering the sofa on the rug and hanging the seascape 5" above the sofa will balance the room. Place the matching ottoman 12" from the sofa, and add a floor lamp at the window end of the sofa. Move the two tables to the other room with the other sofa. If there's room, you may be able to put the bombe chest from your bedroom under the window here. I think these two lamps may look better in the bedroom.

Thank you all, @housegal200 @jck910 see below the drawing for the layout. I have tried different layouts I used to have the sofa in the family room and swapped - see my original post of the setup but had some suggestions so I have left it. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6278231/help-with-ideas-to-decorate-a-house-for-renting#27914356

we are a middle aged

couple no children and use the room to relax and prefer having breakfast or lunch sitting in the room. in the morning and until after lunch this room has the most light in the house and we seem to be drawn by that. I like to sit in there, read and meditate too.

- Couch behind the window didnt leave much space to get to the window only 1 inch of space was left hence moved to the other corner.

@freedomplace1 - I already have an ottoman in the picture the last one on the right and it has a tray on top of it.

All measurements are in inches.

Using your measurements, here's how I'd do it:

Since you like being there in the morning, it makes sense to be able to breakfast there too. And a table fills the empty end of the room nicely.

The biggest favor you can do for that space when you are ready to, is to remove the pony wall and take the hard surface (wood?) flooring all the way replacing entry tile. It would do absolute wonders for the room.

If you eat in the room, consider putting a folding round table and a couple of dining chairs in front of the window(s). The chairs can double for extra seating, for company/entertaining.

I suggest some art for wall across from the sofa, also. Maybe a framed poster or two. Etsy.com is a good resource for art - all types.

If you truly hope to rent this space you need to be mindful of it's size and purchase furniture accordingly. This is a TV watching sectional, "Movie night" and I see no TV. Forget the painting hang a TV.

wow so many comments, thank you. I wil try the different setups maybe in a week or 2 i will post some changes

Maybe the walls look empty. You can add a mirror, pictures.

I would go with couple chairs by the window and creating nice walking/entrance way.

I said "wow" about so many comments....and lots to think about.... what did you think, please, about a 2 or 4 seating table?... could buy same color as chair in the far room.

Rug's ridges seem a good fit with topstitching of seating. Yes, shoes lol are the view. You should see mine!

If end tables were moved in a little, could one chair do it?

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With your art on long wall.... do you love any particular red, gold, or blue? the sofa, etc. is neutral.
"Fill" window with larger chair?

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Swivel from window to other way. Or at a table.

Your gold pillows are a nice blend with wood, etc...

would art be a 'like' for you all with brighter yellow, or such?

"Sorry" to say, another rug could be better, for inviting feel. How large is you rug? could it fill the same area, about to the back wall?

Idk if good in person, but I like that it's not a perfectly uniform gray, and might have wall color in it.

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How about in addition to your rug, have another covering by the window?

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