Two years later... We ended up purchasing a 3-seater for wall opposite fireplace, a 2-seater for under the highlight window (leaves a comfortable space to enter the room) and an armchair placed diagonally opposite the couches. I've fooled the advice to pull the furniture in off the walls a little. We have just updated the fireplace with the (professional) installation of an insert wood heater and (DIY) replacement of hearth and tiles/timber mantel to conceal the brick while meeting the safety specifications of the heater (required a much wider/deeper hearth than the existing brick one so we removed and replaced with a slab of honed granite, and the minimum height for breastplate/mantel shelf posed a few design limitations). TV mounted above fireplace to allow for better furniture placement. Not quite the picture I had settled on 2 years ago, but works with the style of updates we have made elsewhere. Thank you for all the advice. before: After:

One other comment. We have a bedroom off the great room but we set the door back by building out the wall with a fireplace. It helps with sight lines. We used built ins on the left to hide the TV when we have company, and the fireplace is a woodburning BIZ which heats the entire house (we live in a forest,,) the side is for firewood storage and we keep matches, batteries, flashlights in that area, but it does help when our guests are on the sofa from seeing right into the bedroom.

Hi Charisse, what a lovely large space you have! One of my design tips for separating a big space is using large area rugs to create separate zones. So you could have one for the living area, another for the dining area and maybe even another for a kids play area / or a separate reading nook. You could also use interesting lighting and shelving to accentuate the spaces. If you are interested interested in my design services to help you finish off your space, feel free to get in touch. - Vivian

That's good to know :) Looking forward to seeing how things are configured now and what other ideas Houzzers can suggest :) As always, a professional designer would be best able to guide you but you'll most likely get some great suggestions either way :) Do you have an alfresco area or outdoor entertaining area that you are trying to incorporate into this new design? Also.... is this for a low set or 2 storey house? Sorry for all the questions but it all helps to make more specific suggestions for you.