My usual strong preference for rooms that are meant to be lived in is to plan them to serve us in a variety of ways, and floating a couch in the middle of a normal-size room focused only on a TV, its back to...nothing, is so limited. Doesn't matter how many people have been doing this, there's more to family living than watching TV and a living room needs to accommodate other activities. Like chatting quietly with a friend, sitting together or on the phone. Organizing a club project. Building a dinosaur while dad keeps an eye on the TV. If it were mine, I'd sell the entertainment system and probably put a couch on that end wall, consider reconfiguring the sectional so the short piece backed to the wide top doorway, but the long stretch facing out into the room. Flat screen TV on the short wall in the lower left corner (happily hidden from entry too). Easy chair, or even two, in the middle (swiveling?). A secondary conversation area (chairs or chair and loveseat) by the fireplace. Or a reading corner and in the other perhaps a small card/games/project table or a desk and chair (facing out into the room). All open and sociable. The idea for a backless sofa is also an extremely nice one, but with the combination of a normal-size room and all those doorways/fireplace I would personally definitely pass on two full sofas with backs and otherwise keep the arrangements nicely open to each other for active living. (No neck strain from trying to admire the dinosaur without getting up.)

Thanks for the replies! I thought built-in might be the way to go, but that purchasing an existing entertainment center might be easier. Our kitchen cabinets are quartersawn oak. Do you think it would be ok to go with slab quartersawn oak doors for the built-in to give the space a little more variety? We are working on the fireplace too. We are going to fully face the front below the mantel in wood (so there is no white drywall). I had thought of putting trim up the sides of the fireplace above the mantel too, but it's a two-story great room and I'm concerned the trim might make it look to tall and skinny. Maybe we'll give it a shot. I'll try to post a picture tomorrow, but my real problem with the rug is that it has a symetrical design. I have the center of the rug lengthwise centered with the tv nook. However, that means that the center of the rug widthwise is not centered with the fireplace. Do you think that that gives and off balance feel to a room? The link below has a not very clear picture that shows how the rug is centered/off center. I really like the rug--the colors are perfect for us and the pattern works well with the kids/dog/cat. Thanks! Thanks. Here is a link that might be useful: Rug

Not a Pro. Your rushing, if you post a pic of accurate dimensions of the room you will get so many different layouts from the posters on Houzz and one of them will work for you and your needs. I would not make a separate area for the baby and toys in your room, because they out grow the area fast, but I would make sure you have decorative storage to house the little toys, etc. Something that can later be used to store board games, blankets, etc. Think long term. Don't rush, just to fill the room.

is there any way you can get longer window coverings? you have beautiful crown, and a very nice window, but those drapes are really too short. The rod should be hung higher and the drapes need to hit the floor I think you'll find it looks a lot better if you try it. and also, that current arrangement, sorry, it just looks awkward. the tv is too far over (I know you have to clear the door) and the sofa is blocking the fireplace, and it's off center (Plus, only the front portion of the sofa should be on an area rug of that size) I just think you could find a better fix. this is an entry way and shouldn't be used for the tv wall. .