Hi B, I used to live in a "tall and skinny" and the challenges were plentiful, but it was fun to decorate. Check out my artwork for ideas on your walls. Large art can help you visually separate your spaces without having anything on the floor taking up space. I have many originals, and hundreds of configurations of canvas prints that I can print to the size you choose - some of them very large. I ship outside of US on rolled canvas in a tube to manage the cost of shipping. http://www.etsy.com/shop/katshoa Enjoy decorating!

Nicole, you are absolutely correct, in your case definitely NOT lengthways, it will look like a corridor!... laying them across or crossways (if that makes sense, you know what I mean) is the right thing to do... good instincts ;)

where does the short hallway lead and is it possible to remove that wall? with small children i would be keep as much clear floor area as possible with easy access to storage for games and toys and there appears to be enough space for two x three seater lounges and two small armchairs (that can be easily moved into different locations and but having furniture with open legs instead of covered to the floor and small coffee tables and/or foot stools will help the space feel less crowded

Hi Nutty Chocolate, I would place the furniture similar to what I have drawn - roughly, attached. I don't like to enter straight into the middle of a room and the space adjacent the garage is too small for the living area. Also, with the dining table at the end it can be set up really nicely to create a lovely dining area that with a small family can become the focus of your evening meals, and brunches in the weekends with minimal interruptions. Place the living furniture in as big a space as you can without making the circulation space too small. The back of the couch then defines the entry and you can either mirror that with another couch or two big armchairs to fill the space. Ideally you want the TV on the same wall as the windows so you don't get light reflections but you don't have enough space for that so put it and any other storage on the long solid wall. This leaves the circulation to the window side allowing easy access to the rear yard which is also good from the kitchen for summer barbecues etc. This makes the living space the central focus all day rather than having the dining area as just in the centre of all the comings and goings!! There is also the possibility of getting an internal door into the garage. Enjoy your new home. Christine.