For the last ten years it's been a latte brown/grey, okay greige, 3 seater. I'm loathed to get rid of it as it still is so comfy, though somewhat worn and faded. Desperately trying to the find a drill, cotton or linen in a bright teal/ kingfisher/ peacock blue to re-cover. Something like this...

I can understand the frustration at the thought of obscuring the sliding doors. To avoid that you might consider a pair of sofas that face each other. (Like in the picture attached) This position looks very welcoming as it invites the seated people to face each other for conversation. It does mean for viewing the tv on the 'blank wall' you won't be in the most comfortable position, so I suspect you'll need to compromise somewhere... Access to the door against tv viewing.

Mate, start bidding, I would if I had the space! http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VINTAGE-RARE-SMITH-AND-CO-CHESTERFIELD-TAN-CIGAR-2-SEAT-SOFA-LOUNGE-COUCH-SUITE/282194290880?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D9ae17f7c19224fd7b11591d4fb71dce7%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D10%26rkt%3D22%26sd%3D262634019312

How many people do you want to seat? Is that a walk through beside the stairs? Is there a view out the window? My first instinct is to say two sofas facing each other so everyone can see out the window and enjoy conversation.