I would never again buy an armoire for a TV. I have one that doesn't fit the new flatscreens but is too nice to get rid of. I now use it in the office to house my printer.

I'd just check IKEA to see if I could get some BESTA cabinets to fit the space and place the TV on top of those. They have both deep ones and shallow ones so maybe you could put the deep ones in the nook and flank with 2 shallow ones? That would add lots of storage.

I would just make my own bottom cabinets to hold the tv or buy one and then buy some ikea shelves that match the tv cabinet to stack up on top of the tv

The nook is perfect for a TV, and you can put it on a BESTA cabinet, or something you get from craigslist-- anything. It looks to me like your sofa could either face the TV head on but pulled out from the wall to allow access to the patio. That can be very cozy and inviting! You can also try the TV perpendicular to the TV nook, kind of in line with your coat closet, and round out the seating area with a coffee table and a chair or two facing the sofa.

Don't over- plan before you get in there though! It will all work out. Give yourself a chance to put your stuff away, then play the re-arrange furniture game. It's fun!

Congratulations on your new home!

In looking at the floor plan and the photo, I think you could work this "problem" into a lovely little niche. If you're allowed to paint (very lucky in a first apartment :) you could pick an accent color and either use it only in the nook, or on the whole wall. You could then use a low entertainment table for the TV, speakers, DVD player, etc. Above the TV you could hang favorite artwork or photos.

As another option, would you consider making the den your tv room? I don't know if that's practical or not (ie - do you want a guest room, a home office, etc?), but it's an idea.

I vote for the TV on top of a piece of furniture. You could do something like this but more vertical.

http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm?photoId=6730&index=1&currentPage=0&searchQuery=TV&searchType=photos

I think it will look more homey this way. If the proportions/elevations line up with what you would expect from a mantle and a mirror or piece of art above it or collection of items on top of it.

Or you could mount it to the wall above a cabinet of some kind.

http://www.decorpad.com/nextPhoto.htm?currentPage=0&index=17&searchQuery=TV

Be sure there is a stud in a good spot back there if you go that route. A TV plus the weight of most mounting brackets gets pretty heavy.

As far as paint goes I would wait until you get things more together and in place and then decide.

something like this!

http://www.cb2.com/storage/furniture/fuel-white-credenza/f6352

with floating shelves above it - if you feel the need

paint the back or a giant mirror or some kind of art installation!

so many options! congrats!

That is such a neat apartment, I really like the layout.

I wouldn't use an entertainment armoire, as I think that would just look odd pushed into the niche. A small stand or cabinet for the TV, with either shelves or art above to balance it visually.

What a fabulous first apartment! I would put the tv on the wall, on an articulating arm, and build in custom shelves below if needed. I'd certainly paint the alcove and install some cool theatrical lighting. Then I would put a big round, swiveling sofa right smack in the middle of the living room, and fix myself a margarita.

Is the nook where the coaxial cable is for the TV? If not, you could put the TV somewhere else and use that space as an adorable reading nook.

http://www.ashevillelodge.com/graphics/Reading_Nook.jpg - artwork instead of window

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_TWlf_e5Ud5A/Spqc_CvUviI/AAAAAAAAOrc/NJQQUsrobV0/s400/Reading+Nook_2.jpg - oooooh, curtains!

http://theinspiredroom.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/nook.jpg -- this doesn't have them, but in your space it seems like it would WANT curtains to separate it from the living area

I'm impressed, that's a pretty nice & big layout for your first apartment. Don't be overwhelmed, have fun with it.

First of all, your couches don't need to be up against the wall, I've only had one home where there was a wall behind my couch. I say put the tv on the wall (or on a credenza) between the foyer and the hvac, then have your couch in the middle of the room facing the tv. The fireplace nook to me is just dying to be a little office, put a nice streamlined modern desk in there, with some floating shelves above the desk.

Oh... some more ideas for the nook. You could put a vintage cart in there, store pretty bar items (glass/liquor) or big coffee table like books (photography/art/design). Paint the nook, hang a big piece of art.

Also a perfect place for built in shelving but am thinking maybe its a rental and you wouldn't want to go that expense?

Some white cube shelving but with a painted nook backdrop then you can display, books ceramics, etc on the shelving.

I don't actually like the idea of the tv in there, prefer it on the other wall but if you prefer it there, I do think painting it an accent color would be nice. If you have a flatscreen, putting it up on the wall would be better, put some floating storage below that (cb2 has a great one, hide n seek storage shelf). People are even framing their flatscreens which would be nice. If no wall, then find a modern credenza or dresser, leggy, no armoire.

that shoud read, if no putting the tv on the wall, then find a modern credenza or dresser, leggy, no armoire.

HI: if you really want to place your sofa there, you should consider placing some kind of consule table no higher than 30-36" and put cool art (large vase, urn, or statue)
As an interior designer, I would hate to see that nook as wasted space. In addition, its bad FENG SHUI to place your sofa in that location.

Honestly, I just got a $12 LACK table from Ikea. It moves well, holds enough, and if you need more storage, you can add some of the LACK shelves that connect right into the wall. It wouldn't be heavy at all. My uncle used this table for his TV too, and I was super flattered since he's a fancy architect.

Anyway, you could also use it as a reading nook with a couple small chairs and a table for another option.

I agree that this is a fabulous space for your first apartment! Good luck!

with a curtain, or something of that nature, it vcould become extra storage.

Floating couches are warm and inviting. I think going with that will make you happy. Congrats on the space! I'm jelly of your den.

Float your couches in an L shape, one with it's back to the area you walk into from the foyer, one with it's back to the sliding glass door. Leave a minimum of 24" space behind each for easy movement around them. Place an area rug between the Niche and couches, so the edges of it fall just below each couch, and run cords under this rug to give you lamps at the corners of the couches without a trip hazard.

I would paint the interior of the niche in a color of your choice, then purchase sturdy shelves (IKEA is great for this) that mount with large cleats for stability and lay those out as needed inside the niche to accomodate your TV (or hang it on the wall), components, speakers and media. This is easy to remove if you ever move.

Also consider covering the entire patio door wall in sheers in a color to compliment the paint inside the niche.

If you're allowed, I'd paint the inside of the niche to add some drama to the room. Have you considered a small piece of furniture that your TV could be mounted above or placed upon?
I've seen some very nice modern cabinets/storage pieces that would work.

I personally would turn the nook into a desk/office area, as this is most often the source of clutter in a room- which goes against your modern & chic style. You could easily house a smaller desk with potential shelves above for extra storage. It'd also let you take advantage of the great light from the patio, which, coincidentally, isn't great for TV.

For the TV, I'd place it against the wall opposite of your kitchen (by the HVAC). An armoire would block the sight of the TV from the front entry- always a plus- and could help define a seperate foyer space which is currently lacking. Alternatively, longer credenza would provide a more open feeling, but still provide a focus. I'd then place the couch facing the TV, with its back to the breakfast bar/kitchen.

Congrats on the move. My best advice would be to go one room at a time- bedroom first. It's your haven, after all.