Can you look at this picture and offer suggestions?

[BCFD]

This is our family room that is attached/open to our kitchen (I did a panoramic picture, so the fireplace hearth looks a little freaky).  I am having some serious issues with where to place the furniture.  Right now it just feels boring to me, but the fireplace and hearth PLUS the door leading to the garage seriously limit my options.  

Looking from the left of the picture: Montessori shelf that I am going to be getting rid of, small art cabinet with art supplies on top, fireplace, shoe rack, cat littler box, door, chair/ottoman, small side table (that TV is going away!!!), chair ottoman, couch.

I'm standing by the dining room table and to the very far left you can just barely see the kitchen counter sticking out.

Any ideas???  I'm really stuck and have no idea how I could re-arrange this room.  :(  I loathe the fireplace hearth for intruding on my floor space, but I don't think it's an option to have it removed right now.  I feel like that spot would be perfect for a book case, but it would look funny just sitting on it.

[eirual]

Would something along these lines work? Are you dead set on keeping the TV? Maybe it could go between the two chairs if it were set up like this....or a flat screen above the fireplace?

And for the record, I think white shelves next to the fire place would be nice, especially if they were the same height and looked more like built-ins.

Good luck!

 

[journeymom]

For what it's worth, I thought the same thing- a white book case could look great next to the fireplace, like built-in shelves and cabinets in some homes. 

Are you attached to the foot rests?  Removing them would open up the room some. 

The couch and table could stay where they are but the chairs could go side by side, between the table and the fireplace.  TV table between the chairs. So the walk-way to the garage door are defined by the hearth on one side and the backs of the chairs, table, on the other side.

[mumkimum]

Yes!! to a small bookshelf next to the fireplace (you might be able to eliminate one small table or cabinet, depending on what you can end up fitting in the bookshelf).  But that's somewhat dependant on having somewhere else to keep the cat litter (shoes probably fine to stay there).

I would try switching the sofa and chaise - angle the sofa somewhat like the chaise is, and have the chaise angled toward and facing the fireplace closer to where you took the picture.

I would have the small side table pretty much where it is, maybe closer to the door a little. 

I would think about moving the chair elsewhere, or putting it against the one window to the left of the fireplace (for the cats, maybe, ours love when I do that).  You might be able to place it there in front of the small shelf that is already there, though. (or I just noticed the shelf is gone. . that's fine too).  

I would keep the ottoman next to the coffee table (bonus if you can sometimes put it underneath to create more space when not being used).

If you moved the chair near the window, you might be able to make a spot for cat litter behind it?? (unless really inconvenient for you or the cats)

Edited by mumkimum - 4/26/11 at 10:38am

[journeymom]

Ah, that one in the corner is a chaise lounge-type.

[onlyzombiecat]

Move the sofa away from the wall and facing the fireplace. Put a chair on either side of the sofa facing the middle. Maybe push the ottomans under the window near the fireplace for a "window seat"  or get rid of them.

Put a shelf or something along the wall where the sofa used to be if you need one in the room.

[Pariah]

Originally Posted by onlyzombiecat 

Move the sofa away from the wall and facing the fireplace. Put a chair on either side of the sofa facing the middle.

This is exactly what I was thinking. You need the couch across from the fireplace so you can cuddle up close to it when it is cold!

[BCFD]

Thank you ALL for the awesome suggestions!!  We have come up with a temporary solution.  Will post pics soon.  You guys rock!!!!!