Hi! Can you move your TV stand? Currently the couch is at an awkward angle and the DR table is by the only wall with no doors. Perhaps you could put the TV stand against the wall where the DR table is currently and have the couch facing that with it's back toward the corridor door. You could then float the DR Table by the other side of the kitchen door.... That way you'd have two "sections" of the room, L.R. and D.R.?

Is the heater something that can be moved or is it some sort of wood stove? If it can't be moved then I would turn your table at a 90 degree angle to allow more space for your living room. I would try to add two additional chairs so that you don't have to share a small couch and when guests come over they will have more seating options. To do this I would square off the loveseat with the TV then add one to either side floating in the room. Good luck!

Hmm, I can see why you find it difficult to change the lay-out, with all the doors and the kitchen being where it is. I thought of moving your dining table to the right side of the room (somewhere around the position of the couch), but then it'd probably block the corridor. If not, you could put the TV rack on the left wall with the couch in front of it - depending on how things fit in the room, you could even put the small side of the table against the back of the couch.
Your TV rack seems rather large, but perhaps the dimensions on the graphic are not accurate? If possible, you could put your TV up on the wall and/or get a small cabinet to put underneath. Best of luck!

Maybe turn the DR table around, so it's vertical rather than horizontal as in the picture. That would free up more access to the kitchen on that side, so you could move the sofa over a little towards the middle of the room and straighten it.

1.) get wall filling shelving unit for the west wall. Put TV, books, storage boxes on this wall.
2.) get slipcover for the sofa
3.) move slipcovered sofa to middlish of the room facing the shelving wall/TV. Define space between the sofa and shelves with a small area rug (5’x7’?). This is the living room.
4.) put a console behind the sofa. Put lamps on console. This will serve as a lighting support, spare desk, buffet for dining room.
5.) get a round table with a leaf. Store the leaf in a closet and bring it out only for dinner parties. Put the round table between the console and the east wall. The nice thing about a round table is that traffic can flow around it easily. If you really want to save space, get a round table with drop down sides and skip the one with the leaf. That way, it will take up less room and you and your boyfriend will still have plenty of space to eat when it's just the two of you, which it will be most of the time.
6.) get some smaller scale comfy chairs for the living room and some art. Add more shelving for a landing strip next to the entrance door.
Voile! Not that hard.
The furniture swaps shouldnt be that hard to find. Get the shelving at Ikea or build it yourself from plumbing pipe and wood. Also check target for some furniture like consoles.

I second what KHinNJ said - wall shelving unit and put the TV on that. it'll be a lifesaver, space wise. Just get rid of the console table.

Aren't there any windows?

How about something like this: http://imgur.com/3Hwnu ?
You would have to keep the left hand kitchen door closed, but that way people sitting at the table can interact with anyone sitting on the couch and everyone can see the TV if you're watching a game.

I can never work with sketch layouts like this! Something about the way my brain is wired, I guess. I need to see the actual pieces, or a photo.

But, I have a few suggestions. I think turning the dining room table around might help. Also, the couch is at an odd angle. Love your kitty on the sofa, and I hope you have a real cat to share your space with.

I have a tiny living room - dining combo. I have an alcove for a dining space, and at one time I had a small, rectangular table with 4 chairs I used to entertain more, but I've gotten where I don't do much anymore. So I replaced the dining table with a round table and two upholstered Parsons' chairs. The chairs can be used for extra seating if needed. Other ideas would be a narrow desk table/console that could be used for a desk or dining. You could also use a drop leaf table that would open up to seat more people. It depends on how much entertaining you do and your style and needs. I have folding tv trays that I have used for dining, and I also have lap trays. The entertaining I do is very simple and casual and consists of mostly finger foods, sandwiches, dessert and coffee, etc. I have all the serving pieces for a formal meal, but that's not my style anymore.

A console with space underneath for two stools or ottomans would give you additional seating. Ballard Design has some nice looking ottomans.

Chances are you have to work with what you have right now, and that's the way with a lot of people when they move to a new place. If I were you and needed to replace anything or planned to shop for new items, I'd take my time and think about it. Measure your space and take a little tape measure with you when you are out and about. Make sure your new selections are multi-function if possible, and they work in your space.

Small chests or end tables with drawers provide extra storage, as do those storage ottomans with the lift up tops. Coffee and end tables with a shelf for baskets or trays help corral clutter in a small room. Nesting tables are perfect for a little room. You can pull two out for extra tables for a drink or a snack and they don't take up much room at all.

Think about your space and how it will work for you. Good luck, and enjoy. ♥

If you can move the heater, I'd suggest something like talby's suggestion (http://imgur.com/3Hwnu) but with the dining table tucked against the wall where the heater currently is. You can pull it out for guests.

Yeah, I should have clarified that I was operating on the assumption that the heater was fixed, if she CAN move it I'd probably do something like this: http://imgur.com/nFv6h

Move your TV stand to the wall at the left of where you show the table now, place the couch in the middle of the room with it's back to the heater, facing the TV. Place your dining table with the long side against the back of the couch - can be pulled out for parties.

It just occured to me that the west wall might be a large window or sliding glass door. In this case, the industrial plumbing pipe and wood shelves could still be a good option. The shelves do not have a back so they will obstruct the view minimally. Attack the vertical pieces to the ceiling with flanges. If it is a sliding glass door, the shelves could be constructed to go around it. This shelving unit would not necessarily prevent drapes from being mounted behind it. The drapes should be able to move freely if privacy is a concern.
Here are some pictures of plumbing pipe and wood shelves that could be adapted. From what I have read, they are very easy to build and they aren't expensive.
http://gettingitswoonworthy.blogspot.com/2011/02/industrial-chic-reclaimed-wood-pipe.html

Consider finding a drop leaf table. Who do you have more; dinner guests or drop ins for a drink and movie? Decide from that if you want more dining space or entertainment/seating space.

I agreee with what KHinNJ said as well! Maybe try taking down the bifold doors to the kitchen and hanging fun floor length curtians instead? You can store the bifold doors elsewhere/ under the bed and put them back up when you move out. This would help you have more space for living/ dining, and add some color to the space.

Hi Madelein
Try this :)
http://homedesigners.dk/madelein/Madelein.pdf

Copy paste this link, it does not work in the comment :)
http://homedesigners.dk/madelein/Madelein.pdf

If you can watch tv from chairs instead of a couch then consider removing the couch altogether and placing the dining table in the center of the room. Then move the tv stand to the short end of the room (the one without the corridor entry). Consider investing in a setee that can be used as a banquette for the dining table to make things a little more cozy.

Consider acquiring a convertible cocktail/dining table. These are tables that function as a cocktail table, but can be raised and expanded to become a dining table. Having such a table will free up the space occupied by your current dining table, giving you more flexibility with your living room. Scattering the four dining chairs around the apartment or acquiring stackable chairs storable in a corner or closet will free up additional space. There are several retailers/manufacturers of convertible cocktail/dining tables, an example is the Yo-Yo table by Ligne Roset. If the cost is budget busting and you have patience, consider acquiring the table via a showroom sale, Craigslist or Ebay.

Good Luck!

This is pretty much what saucefiend said but here's a visual reference.

How much actual dining do you do with the dining table? If not a lot I would suggest the same as Florida Joyce said and nix the table to help increase valuable space and perhaps get something like an nesting coffee table that has two ottomans in it that people can sit on and perhaps use it to put drinks/food on, then add a couple of chairs for seating and perhaps get some TV trays or something that you can store and bring out when company arrives but the nesting tables that Florida Joyce said are also a good idea.

What I notice right away is that there is a major PROBLEM WITH THE FLOW in this space. The living room space should be an area where you relax, but with the existing setup you have to cross through the designated living room space to get both to the kitchen and to the dining corner.

Therefore, I would suggest putting the living room in what is now the dining area. I would leave the TV against the same wall, just slide it down towards the window (that is a window on the wall on the left, right?), and put your couch at an angle so it's facing the room as well as the TV. Now, I am not sure whether you are considering upgrading your furniture, but I do think that an L-shaped sofa would work great there. Not to mention that it would give you more space to seat your friends when you are entertaining.

I guess now we are left with the dining area. This I would suggest putting in the other corner by the kitchen, either diagonally or not. I would add some interesting light fixtures for that corner, to help define that space a little bit.

Wow -- you've got some great designer advice from selfridge and homedesigners! For my part I was wondering about incorporating the awkward heater into a dining nook (low heater) or shelving unit (higher heater).

All the best!

I withdraw my suggestion in favor of Mackinzie's!

I agree with another poster that it is really hard to visualize a layout. Sometimes staring at the room is the best bet. But I just rearranged my living room and have been ecstatic about the results, so I might have some insight.

1. Think about function. I have a desk and a couch in the room. The couch was positioned furthest from my roomie's sight so I was always lounging on it and not doing work like I should. I've now made the desk the most comfortable place in the room and I am seated there right now. Think about where you want to be hanging out and what attracts you to migrate to different parts.

2. Consider adding floorspace. People on this website love to break from the walls and be super creative, but sometimes in a tiny space maximizing floor area can make a room feel spacious and peaceful --> Quick fix: if you simply moved the table so that the longest end was against the left wall then the room would flow from the kitchen in... creating a clear pathway. You would also be able to use 3 of the four ends of the table comfortably. A center piece against the wall will make the table look good against the wall.

3. build up: hanging your guitars or grabbing ikea shelves for books can really help reduce clutter

4. Tiny end tables are handy instead of larger coffee tables. If you live in NYC, look for the wooden stools in the basement of Pearl River -only 12 bucks!

Be aware, It´s not comftable to sit with the back to the entrance :)

Thanks :)

Oh my god, Thank you so much for all your answers, time and advices.
I'm really stunned for what a great community it is.

Just to make some points clear:
The tv rack can be moved.
The heater can't be moved.
And the left "wall" are windows, three sections, almost the complete wall, and a radiator at the bottom.

I'll read carefully everyone of your answers and try to figure it out what can I do to improve my home.
Thanks again ! <3

floor plan is much appreciated. on yours, use a highlighter to connect all the doors & that defines your space. assuming to scale & no heirlooms, replace table w/ not-too-big round one & smallish chairs (fit under table, no potato chips), place by heater; round lets eye move @. try LR ideas above & feng shui make sense in small spaces. tall storage works better than wide storage. if replacing sofa, smallish sofa w/matching ottoman works better than L sofa b/c ottoman Moves, also can put tray on it, use two small coffee tables instead of one large one, sturdy enough to add pillows for seats. add bucket/swivel (wingback?) chair w/ floor lamp to make reading nook/conversation triangle.

Awwwwwwww. How nice to include kitty in your floorplan. I'll bet your apartment is cute.