I've heard that it helps to rotate everything to the right. So in the case the sofa wouild be where the tv is, the tv would be near the stairs (may need a media solution from ikea) and the chair would in affect be in open space. I think that would make the space look larger.

It would have been interesting to see a shot of the other side of your room - I have a feeling your dining room is there. If this is the case, you may want to consider switching the two rooms. You may find that you'll have more furniture placement options. If that is not possible, can you change your sofa and chair for an L-shaped sofa? Place it along the railing and put your TV on the wall over the fireplace. You could add a coffee table then.

I had my sofa similar to yours with the back facing out and I moved my sofa to the left along the wall and it opened everything up beautifully. Not sure if you have the space to move it, but that's one idea.

Also, could you mount the tv over the fireplace so you don't need a table for it?

I think this might be one of the cases where even the toughest ATers would give permission to mount the TV over the fireplace (or even stuff it inside if the fireplace isn't used). With the TV on the wall you could add all your other photos, maybe the odd mirror in the mix and make a nice gallery wall. Then you suddenly have more options and room for a coffee table! An acrylic or glass coffee table will hold a drink but doesn't take up any visual space. Here's an AT post about TV display.http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/wheres-the-tv-our-best-hide-th-118769

It's very hard to tell from your pictures, but i think

(1) You don't need a coffee table (nobody needs a coffee table), end tables will serve just as well.

(2) Get rid of that tiny rug and get a bigger one that will define the space as much larger

(3) Draw the eye to the extremities (oddly, this something I rarely read on this site). By that I mean use tall furniture (bookcase, lamp) in the corner rather than in the middle of a wall. Also don't cluster art pieces in the centre of the wall, spread them out to the edges instead. The same goes with throw cushions on your sofa, or decorative pieces on your mantlepiece.

(4) Speaking of mantlepiece, a mirror over the fireplace will definitely make the space feel bigger.

I'm no expert what so ever on this kind of thing.

I moved into my flat 6 months ago, and since I don't plan on being here for any longer than 2 years, I'm simply just living in it - trying to avoid buying furniture as much as possible.

One thing I have found extremely helpful though, is a storage chest I brought with me from home that I had in my bedroom. I store all of those sentimental items that I can't put around my flat (photo albums, pictures, keep sakes etc.)

I double this up as my coffee table and it does look really good, everyone notices it (probably because it's the only thing of interest in a room with a sofa and a tv.)

You don't necessarily have to use a storage chest as a coffee table, but you could make a feature out of it in the corner. Maybe stack some books on it, a lamp and a cushion to make a little reading nook. Inside you can hide all those bits and bobs you need to keep out of the way.

Here are my thoughts:

1. Place the sofa where the TV currently is and then drape the rug over the back of the sofa (like you would a throw).

2. Remove the pictures from the mantle and create a gallery wall (as suggested). I would also add a mirror to the gallery wall as well (as suggested).

3. Mount the TV above the mantle and maybe add some candlesticks on either side of the mantle.

4. Place the chair on the other side of fireplace, at a an angle, so that you can view TV. I would also think about using the chair to create a reading nook and possibly add a floor lamp next to the chair.

5. As someone else mentioned, get a larger area rug; I think the one you have is too small and it is adding to the small feel of your LR.

6. Also, as someone suggested, get a set of the clear nesting tables: http://www.cb2.com/peekaboo-clear-nesting-tables-set-of-three/f117. You can place 2 in front of the sofa and place the last one near the chair (your new reading nook).

I hope this helps you out! Best of luck to you.

1. sofa against the wall
2. tv can move to the left of the fireplace in the second picture - put it in/on a rolling cart if you want to be able to push it against the wall there when not in use. (Use cord control tips from apartment therapy or lifehacker to deal with unsightly cords.)
3. yes, use rug as throw or get rid of it. either a big, space defining rug or none.
4. stationery fiend's advice above (#2, #3, and #4)
5. yes, clear acrylic tables will help allow it to seem more open. you can use one in place of that tiny ottoman, too.

Get rid of the rug, move the sofa against the wall where the TV is now, mount the TV to the wall next to the fireplace. If there's that window right there and you don't have any room, then mount the TV above the fireplace and leave your sofa where it is now.

Also, get rid of those vertical blinds.

Wow, two years of just "living in it"?

Anyway, back to the original question: The sofa needs to be moved somehow. Not sure about the layout of the space, but maybe you could align it parallel to the fireplace? Or place it against one of the walls and away from the open areas of the space.

I was wondering about that, too. Two years is a long time to just deal with something you aren't happy with. To each their own, though.

I'd like to recommend all new furniture, but I don't think that's feasible for most people. It's just that with the sofa and the carpet, it's awfully beige.

Kesha, you need a larger rug that will draw attention to the room and separate the beigeness. You should also paint the room if you can. And you should add lighting. The more well lit the room is, the bigger it will seem.

In addition to the other suggestions traditional techniques to expand a space involve having furniture you can see through (like a ghost chair or a wire Platner chair or glass tables, for example) or, at least, see under (no skirts on couches or chairs but lots of leg); low contrast in the light colors of furniture, walls, rugs and curtains so the eye doesn't see the boundaries of these large objects; mirrors to reflect, brighten and expand the space. Bright color is only used sparingly to add punch as in pillows, plants and posters.

Lamps! You need lamps! Forget the coffee table and get some smart end tables. By smart I mean with drawers for remotes, magazines, whatever ends up in your living room. A floor lamp instead of a table lamp will leave more room on the surface. I just think a coffee table will just make it too cramped.

Good luck!

I second (or third) recommendations about needing more vertical things, shelves maybe but a standing lamp certainly. And if you get an larger area rug make sure it isn't beige, some contrast and pattern would really liven things up.

if you can move the sofa back a bit and center it more. i noticed your chairs are all facing into the tv, id face them more in a circle (think sitting with friends) i agree with patterns, and maybe on of those big overhanging lamps? (ikea?) some bright flowers and prints will open the place up too (bright white) :)

Inspiration pic? http://www.shelterness.com/how-to-hide-tv-in-plain-sight-5-tips-and-tricks/pictures/8060/

Black wall, beige sofa/rug, white fireplace a couple of chairs. I'm trying to picture it.

Definitely move the couch to the wall where the the TV stands now. Love the idea of a sofa table behind the couch with two lamps on either end and possibly floating shelves up that wall to add vertical storage. You could use baskets on the shelves to hide everything in good looking storage. Float the chair and mount the TV to optimize floor space. You could easily have a coffee table in front of the couch this way (if storage is an issue, something with storage options would be key).

1. Keep the sofa where it is. I really like it there. It makes for a cozy spot by the fireplace.

2. Keep the chair where it is but have it facing toward the sofa on an angle, with the back in the corner where the wall and railing meet.

3. Ditch the rug. (Sorry.)

4. Mount the TV above the mantle. Move the picture frames elsewhere in your home. Flank the TV with something tall on either side like tall vases or candlesticks.

5. Put something large and vertical on the wall between the chair and fireplace.

Definitely mount the TV over the fireplace and turn your sofa so that it faces the fireplace. End tables next to the sofa, and put the chair on the other side from where it is now, angled towards the sofa. As others have said, investing in a larger rug will work wonders.

Change your furniture out for less over-stuffed huge pieces. At minimum, changing the chair to a smaller upholstered one would help. A less-busy rug would also be less overwhelming. You definitely have room for a coffee table - maybe two smaller side tables nested together? The room looks quite large by apartment standards, so I think there's definitely potential!

If you place the sofa, the biggest piece of furniture in the room somewhat against the railing your eye will float over it to the space beyond since it seems to be an open area and your eye will read the rest of the space as open and airy if you keep it relatively uncluttered. This would necessitate putting the TV on one side of the fireplace maybe on a pivoting table and would therefore not add another visual element to the space.That attractive rug on the floor looks like it would make a nice pillow or seat cover on the chair but it does nothing for the room on the floor. Compose the opposite wall to the sofa with the chair, perhaps a long low table, standing lamp (black pole, white shade) and some pictures on the wall in black frames. The room needs a little more black so pick up a little black and a little of that dark rust color in your sofa pillows but the orange ones you have now do nothing for the room and go with nothing, but don't make it a stark contrast with greige of the sofa - just a subtle one.

Hi:
I would put casters on the arm chair so that it was easy to move. It can face the TV when you are watching TV and then easily turn to face the couch for conversation. I love the color of the little rug. Maybe put it on the chair ?
If the stays where it is .... I would get a small console or buffet ( i.e. fairly long and low closed storage) for under the TV.
I think a glass and brass coffee table would be pretty.

As much as the TV above the mantle would look good, it will make it uncomfortable to watch. The middle of theTV should be eye level or a few inches lower so the head is tilted down just slightly. Higher than that invites neck strain.

The room as it is keeps the eyes low to the ground, leaving a large expanse of blank wall. A gallery of picture on the wall will move the eyes up, opening up the space. Try not to clutter the mantle with lots of small stuff, keep the scale larger and deliberate.

The room looks dark, and probably very bland/cramped with a single overhead light. Add a combination of floor and end table lamps, which will give pools of light, which "bump out" the walls.

Center the TV along the wall, either mounted or on a nice stand (the existing stand looks spindly and out of scale).

Bigger area rug! One with large patterns.

Move the couch back a foot and move the easy chair to the left side of the room.

This is a rough room to work around, with the fireplace and railings framing the room at angles to the room.

NOTE to AT editors;
Would it be possible to encourage a floor plan of the room, either a pic of a drawing or sketchup or floorplanner? It would help greatly in getting a better idea of the space.

From a flooring perspective, I've learned that light, wide-plank laminate or wood flooring planks paired with a light coloured wall does wonders for room size.

Hi FuzzyEgg,

Because I'd sooner put the money spent on furniture and accessories towards the money I need to save for a deposit on a house.
It all mounts up. :)