Can you move the sectional more floating in the room instead of shoved up against the far wall, making a possible walk way on that side. It would open it up a little. Show a picture of the other areas of the room or from a different perspective. A colorful throw over the back of the sectional and some colorful art and pillows will help a lot. Looking at the before pictures gives a better look at the room. Have you considered putting the sectional against the wall cawaps put the art on and the TV on the opposite wall you would not be blocking the room so badly with the big sectional since most will be against the wall. It looks like it could work and you can still have an open view of the fireplace.

Ah, so you do have another space for lounging/TV watching. If you're pretty much sure you'd rather have a TV here too-I'd be satisfied with a (say) credenza or something to host a smaller size TV, which you can surround with some shelving with books, or maybe art..you can bring in plants-a lot of them..lots of interest since some of them grow like crazy and are virtually indestructible..)) and they always look at home-any style, any room you take, you can't go wrong with introducing plants, Remember Clifford Simak's purple flowers? lol you can paint the walls..you can wallpaper them if you're brave..you can put a mural on-there are some amazing ones. there are many many ways to make this room interesting. also don't forget-you look at it now while it's empty. but when you'll actually live there-you'll have furniture, fabrics, books..now it's a blank slate but it won't stay this way. it will be you and your family plus this room. it will be interesting enough without the feature wall. which you still can decide to do-I continue to think these wood planks are way cool..but they might be too overwhelming..and I would think very carefully about how to incorporate them, and whether it's worth investing in. That's personal of course and you might find that yes, you really want it, TV or no TV. Then I'd introduce more of that wood around..maybe wooden frames on art? maybe woven shades in the window? maybe painting the mantle another color so it'll blend more with the walls? And I'd use this plank wall more heavily then if I decide to put it in..it's a big space, and it might be useful and very very cool to have more on it than just the TV. Whatever you decide-it's exciting. Lots of possibilities here. And yes you're right..you don't need to match the wood finishes. You do need to consider how they will look together..in rare instances mixing just doesn't work. Say red mahogany or similar very expensive woods..)) find it hard to incorporate lol. Passed on amazing nightstands several years ago..the most useful amazing high quality nightstands I ever saw(on Craigslist)) but they just didn't blend in, what can I say.. But I don't think that's your case.

IMO that TV has got to come down and go on a cabinet where the chair and ottoman is . There is no way a TV should be larger than the fireplace. I would need to see the whole space too.

The rug makes the room very traditional. To create a more modern design, look for a woven solid color rug. Paint the room to match the color of the fireplace or darker. Move the small bookcase somewhere else as the scale is too small next to the fireplace. Keep the large sofa under the window, but bring in the love seat onto the rug, closer to the sofa. bring in the occasional chairs onto the rug at a 45 degree angle to each other. Eliminate the small table lamp and purchase a matching floor lamp like the one on the left of the fireplace. Have both floor lamps on either side of the sofa. Install solid curtains panels, ceiling to floor on a simple polished nickel rod with very simple finials. I would like to see pocket curtains, no rings, no pleats. Just simple non movable panels from corner to covering the vertical molding on either end. The fabric could be a semi sheer woven fabric. I would send you some inspiration pics but I am having major technology problems this week. Ugh. The room layout shouldn't be so scattered. Think of it as a "conversation pit". You can use a much larger coffee table.