Ok, looks like on arrival guests would enter the living room through double sliding doors on south wall. You need a pathway to dining kitchen. the south and the east wall have limited wall space for tv.

Would this work- 2 couches facing each other with backs to sliding doors. Bring them in well off the walls with a coffee table between, on the back of the southern couch put a console table with a vase of flowers as this is the first thing guests will see,

tv goes above heater for when you are not gazing out at the trees.

kids and dogs floor space between couches and window and n-e corner. with storage cupboard on north wall if needed or in coffee table for games etc.. lovely paintings either side of heater.

orientation is always a compromise between tv and views. Choose couches that aren’t two heavy to shift a little for movie night. Putting felt under legs helps them move, but only do two legs so don’t move too much,

alternative is to do a corner couch arrangement , and put tv in n-e corner. Again back of couch to entry should have a console table. if using two separate couches put a table in the corner of the couches

ideally you will have a generous pathway from entry to dining that doesn’t go between tv and couch. Keeping seating off walls helps This second option is prob better with toddlers and delete the coffee table in favor of a big rug in front of the couches. Side tables at ends of couches are more flexible. This is prob my preferred option for family. Other is better for entertaining. Two couches give flexibility versus a fixed corner couch,

enjoy you house and views

my suggestion would be to have one big lounge and coffee table with two small easily moved armchairs and a round coffee table that can double as a "work" table for your toddller, tall (fixed to the wall enclosed bookshelves eg IKEA Billy?) and a small desk to create a study nook besides the fire and low storage for toys and books behind doors? it's a gorgeous home with a lovely outlook but i suspect that the railing around the verandah may not meet current safety height standards and you could consider modification to the railings (quick and easy: attach steel mesh to the inside of the railing to prevent climbing and a metal worker could also add extra height and a gate to the railing to keep the style and make the alfresco safer for outdoor play

Lovely classic 1960's home, I am so glad a family who appreciates the charms is calling it home. Does the fireplace work? Will you be using it?

The room is it is difficult to furnish as all the walls have openings. I would not buy a large couch, or L-shaped arrangement as it will limit your furniture arrangement options. Keep all new furniture on the smallish side and elevated, so it is easy to move around. 2-seaters, compact three seaters and armchairs are the way to go.

If you are on a budget then look at a pair of Ikea's Strandmon winged armchairs with ottomans as a starting point to give you lots of flexibility that works with the style of your home.

Best of luck,

Dr Retro

of Dr Retro House Calls

Hi Ash Lovely home and I love your current lounges, you do have two? as per Oklouise floor plan I would place one as per her plan and the other next to it parallel to an away from the long wall, the TV wall mounted on swivel brackets above where the toddlers table is, go designer for this little table and chairs.

I find your lounges more suitable than smaller arm chairs, the room will stay more organised as the lounges won't be moved all over the place as arm chairs can be especially with your family.

You could how ever add one reading arm chair

Your long wall would be lovely with built in shelving and cabinets/storage. I will try to do a drawing of your room today to show what I have just tried to explain

Just another suggestion......... One lounge facing the view, another lounge facing the blank wall beside the opening to the dining room and a lowline TV unit on that wall beside the dining room opening...... That gives you the option of looking at the view or looking at the telly and room for the family to snuggle up for either option. I would also put a console table behind the lounge with it's back to the hallway entrance with something lovely on it (like a substantial vase of flowers or a leafy plant) so that anyone walking into the living room (or even past it) has something to look at besides the TV ...... and then still place the bookcases and toddler tables as previously mentioned. What a lovely size room and a gorgeous view......congratulations :)

It keeps life interesting to have a Summer setting taking advantage of the view and outdoors, then a Winter setting keeping thoughts inside. The room seems large enough to cater for a few seating arrangements. A 3-seater sofa and two armchairs (which can sit together with a small table between) and a coffee table in centre (to cater for kids play time (have a shelf underneath to quickly hide toys in a basket. Then in Summer the 3-seater with it's back to thecupboard wall - although leaving traffic space and maybe a table where the heater was for flowers and framed photos. Then a decorative chair or two to add spice - even a couple of dining chairs look good against a wall, they can look like artwork.

Image 1: this is a clever way to hide a TV.

Image 2: interesting chairs together

Image 3: Great wall unit and tonal colouring. TV's come as mirrors and artwork these days.

Image 4: Dining chairs against the wall and walk space behind sofa to outdoors. A TV is behind the sofa, so not being the focal point.

looks like a 1966 style house men has those same internal doors With a toddler i would be putting on some film on the doors inner and outer is they are single glazed to avoid dangerous accidents things thrown or small bodies running into them can be a major worry. On a design point any square room is softened by furniture with curves like round tables curved arms on chairs and couch etc. Furniture that does not sit on floor as with visible legs makes a room feel larger as well. @ two seaters allows a wider variety of combinations than a 3 seater plus 1 chair.