Thanks for the feedback everyone; you make good points. We will also have a TV down in our rec room in basement which is great for our two teenage sons and our 12 year old too (not as easy to supervise as you have lebwhite). We will put their X-box downstairs as well. The TV on the main level will be our second TV. Our daughter just turned 6, so we don't want her watching what the boys do most of the time (although she does get exposed to big boy TV). My husband and I very rarely watch TV (I am too addicted to GW for that LOL) and he is always working. We don't even have cable, and just rent movies on the occasion. I would say the four kids do screen time in one form or another more than I care to admit. As porkandham suggested, I will be sorry not to have the fireplace in the same room as the TV, but we are to have radiant heat, so it will be cozy everywhere! The fireplace will be used, but is also wanted for design reasons. Also, I agree that it would be nice to watch TV in the large great room, but something has to give (i.e. find a new spot) as I am not finding an easy solution to squeezing the fireplace, TV, display shelves and window seat all into the great room. Suero, thanks for the sample furniture layout that would work if we use the playroom as a TV away room. When you suggested two chairs perpendicular to the couch, were you thinking having those chairs on the side of the big window, or nearer to the entrance of the room? If we do put the TV in this smaller room, would you recommend french doors and hall door to keep the TV sound from traveling throughout house. I know the author of Not so Big House is keen on this kind of closed in away room, visable but not heard from main room especially the kitchen (see Fun2Bhere your idea is in line with a famous architect you are not the only one who sees the benefits of a separate TV room). Also I really wonder what to do about the proposed railing between the foyer and TV away room. Should we keep it as a half wall, even though the railing will make the foyer seem larger?

This is what the living room looks like

I would break that room into 3 spaces. But first just a few general comments on how it is now .... Pull the area rug that is in front of the fireplace further underneath the couch so that the front legs of the couch are sitting on it. And then don't put two couches facing the same direction. The one in front of the fireplace has to stay that direction, so if you have to use the other couch then have it face the window creating a walkway into the room along it's back. 1st space closest to the front door and staircase: I would put a sideboard type piece of furniture in front of the window with two lamps on it and one accent chair closest to the door. 2nd space: Leave your sectional there with the TV. 3rd space: I would either do 4 chairs in a circle with a round coffee table in the middle, or I would put a chaise lounge there with a small table, or again if the second couch has to stay there, then I would add two smaller chairs with a coffee table if there is room, and if not then a small table between the chairs.

Looking at your other thread, why not put the dining room where they have the big sectional? It is adjacent to the kitchen and you have the kitchen table nearby for seating kids so the adults can have the big table. Then you can trick out the other space for a great TV/family room.