Your space is plenty big -- and it could easily accommodate two sofas and two chairs [Modern Living Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2105) by Miami Interior Designer Jorge Castillo Design Inc. By placing the chairs directly opposite the fireplace, it gives the room a "lighter" feel upon viewing from the hallway, both upstairs and down. Unlike the photo, I would place a small table in between the two chairs to space them apart. For the sectional option, this would be a good set up: (long part of sectional placed in front of your windows -- two chairs opposite, in front of archways; you can consider swivel chairs for this placement) [Contemporary Living Room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-living-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_718~s_2103) by Seattle Architect knowles ps ***Whatever way you go - please consider moving your furniture out from the wall. You would be surprised by the sense of space when you do this. It also creates a great conversation area.

I agree with Mattypies! I LOVE our 2 story great room, despite having a "small" house (1350 sq. ft.). Ours faces due south with 7' tall (4' wide) windows going up 2 floors and a vaulted ceiling to boot, but with a good supply of mature trees that leaf out beautifully in the early spring, protecting us from the UV and heat. We actually don't even have A/C and even with summer temps in the 104 degree temps in the summer, it's been super cosy. The key for us is that all of our windows open and we have TONS of great cross ventilation. The deciduous trees are leaf-less in the winter, and that means that we don't have to start heating the house until late in the year and get to turn the heat off in the early spring. We of course, went with high efficiency windows that are designed to improve heat penetration during the winter, and reduce it in the summer (sun angles). We don't have children yet, but the noisy even when all the nieces and nephews are over isn't very noticeable. We did Roxul Safe 'n Sound in all of our walls and floors, which I think made a huge difference, along with solid doors with a minimal gap under them. Plus rugs and plush couches. We *love* the way it feels like we're outside even when we're inside. The sun shines in during the winter, the birds sit on our window sills, and the breezes flows through in the summer. It's like being a part of the outdoors, instead of being in this little box of wood and drywall. Ick. Our heating costs have been LESS than our friends who have bungalows of the same size, and I'm certain it is because of the passive solar heating. A big fan in the middle of the vault, and using high quality insulation and proper attic ventilation, we haven't had any issue in the summertime either. We keep the 2nd floor doors closed during the hot days, and that helps keep the heat from entering. Not that it matters because one bedroom is on the north side and is quite cool year round, and the east-side master bedroom has 3 windows and a balcony door, so the evening breezes and a ceiling fan cool it down right quick. I think you REALLY need to think about the placement of all the rooms, and if you can capture the heat/cooling in the house. Go with what you love, not with what "everyone else likes". That's my biggest pet peeve; we build a house for someone else, not us. Why bother?? Just buy a used house and live with what everyone else liked.

Engineered wood and steel can span all kinds nds of distances. It isn't even that expensive. The labor is what isn't cheap. Contact a structural engineer if you haven't met the right contractor. 15-25K and you can have a second floor room. Pretty cheap construction, actually. Be careful what you wish for. Now all those windows will be too close to the floor to not get changed out to safety glass. And you'll need new electrical up there. Etc. Add another 5-10K for associated scope screep.

I’ve lived with both. I absolutely love a two story great room. Our current new build has 10’ ceilings because there was no real way to design a two story along with all the other elements in the design with the constraints we had on our lot. Even though we have just under 7 acres, we have a creek on one side of the building pad, and slope on the other. So we could not stretch out our house the way I would have liked to. But, if there was any possible way, I would have done a two story for sure (or at least 15-16 foot ceilings). Very high ceilings completely change the feel of the room and gives you the opportunity to have HUGE windows (which I love....I’m all about the windows!). And with a two story you can really have some ceiling drama with beams etc. We have not moved in yet, but already the ceiling feels low and makes the room seem much smaller. And even though we have two full walls of floor to ceiling windows, it still feels closed in to me. It’s a completely different feel (not one that I like). I do think though that a 15 - 16 foot ceiling can give you a similar feel and is also enough room for ceiling drama. I would have gone for that as well (if possible). With rugs, furniture and fabrics, you should be able to control the echo. I never noticed a problem with that. We’re in a rental now and the great room and breakfast area are two story...there is zero echo. I think a good design of the space makes a difference (which is where a talented architect comes in).