Haha. Ok now I've looked and you'd already gone and done it. Very warm and friendly, and arranged!

What a fun transformation!

I'm with Rachylou wondering about the lighting, it has a great effect on how cozy a room feels. With only overhead lighting a room can feel as impersonal as an office space -- compared to pools of light from lamps that gather people in like mini-hearths.

Here is a good description of four layers of lighting from Randall Whitehead: Task, Accent, Decorative, Ambient Light Layering- The Secret Sauce to Good Design

I like to use floor lamps with swing arms for reading next to our living room sofa and chairs, so there is no need for tables. I have found a couple dated bright brass lamps in the trash (!), but painted them with metallic paint (oil-rubbed bronze) and added new shades.

More from Christopher Alexander: Pattern Language — Pools of Light

One thing I noticed right away is that there are at least a dozen horizontal lines all competing on the walls: tops of doors, window frames, pictures, etc. If you could imaginarily snap a chalk line around the room along one of those lines, and hang the pictures you already have so that one edge (top or bottom) aligns up with the line, it would seem more harmonious. Could base it off a shelf or the top of the middle window, you'll see the right one. Could be related to the future window treatments as well (that odd middle window is a PITA as far as unifying the structure of your room, IMHO).

An anchoring x is a fast way to hang pictures if you ever need to make a nice group, to make a vertical and a horizontal snap line and align the starting elements, then fill in the gaps with smaller pieces.

Along with all the excellent advice here - you mentioned Apartment Therapy. I found that site really helpful when I encountered it years ago, but as it's grown, it's become harder to find the basic advice that started it all. So you might consider looking at the original Apartment Therapy book:
http://www.amazon.com/Apartmen.....0553383124

Of course, it's just one school of thought. Like with fashion, there are so many people with their own different pronouncements of "the rules", but the best spaces are sometimes the ones that break the rules. I got interested in decorating, and eventually developed some good results in that realm, well before I really figured out my personal clothing style. So it really informed my fashion choices later.

Just a quick reply, as a lot of great advice has been given already, and I've learned alot too!

As to the wall shelving, it's probably your biggest source of visual clutter. There's all kinds of stuff on it that could go elsewhere, or be hidden.

How about finding an old dresser and repurposing into a TV stand, (clutter hider!)

You could put all the DVD's inside the drawers, put the TV on top, and perhaps make a space underneath for kettlebells, mat, etc. You'd still have everything you like to have in that area accessible, but it would only be 2 things (TV and TV stand) to look at. Then put up some artwork on that wall where the shelving was. Kind of like the pictures I've added.

Thanks, Kim (and others). I agree that the shelving is very problematic. I am not sure how much I can reduce it without getting into a lot of stress with my husband, so I will have to approach that carefully.

Greyscale, I have the Apartment Therapy book!

Thanks for the overlooked perspective on horizontal lines, Rambling Ann.

Laurinda, that primer on lighting has been real food for thought. The room is well lit from the recessed lighting, but it's not interesting light. I definitely could use some accents and task lighting. That would create a need for end tables : D

rachylou, the lighting situation is just overhead recessed lights in that room and the kitchen. In the LR, they can't even be dimmed. As mentioned above, I have to get some kind of lighting strategy. I agree about the accent color. I'd probably go with some kind of tomato red. Something bright and punchy.

I am already thinking post-sofa and armchair...I am not happy with them (less unhappy now with the reconfiguration)....they're too dark and bulky, even if incredibly comfortable to sit or nap on. But for now I have to work around them. In this position, the sofa really swallows up the room's width (even though I like it better now).

Astrid, I hope I can inspire you! I remember being young, not having any money, and also renting places so that I was limited in how I could change my environment. Very challenging. But there are always things you can do.

Maneera, you've given me so many salient and detailed recommendations, I don't know where to start! I still haven't had a chance to stop and analyze most of them. But your experienced eye, love of design and capability is clearly evident.

I will be coming back here to comment on everyone else's excellent advice....thanks again!

Thanks. Thing is I fear I have already done all I can. I have 340 square feet and strange corners. I bought furniture to exactly fit the layout to get everything comfortably into it. I've avoided repainting the walls because it would be a true hassle with all my things in the flat, which is why the white doesn't look all that pristine anymore. My room isn't all that bad actually, but I hate my kitchen which is randomly pieced together and doesn't have any cohesion at all. I would have no idea where to start, with very little money to spend. And since I'm not sure how long I will keep living here it seems a bad idea to start a huge project in any case.

You know who I liked? Christopher Lowell. I think he called his way 'the seven layers of design.' He had a show and books. The looks maybe not to your taste, they weren't mine, but I find the principles solid and simple.

My method, to the interest of no one, is the preppy way: grandma's furniture, chintz, bought super modern bookshelves and chair, and dog fur. I should have chew marks on the sofa, but I can't get Lilypup to do it...

Are cat scratch marks on the brown leather sofa an acceptable substitute?

I think you have a lovely space & I love the way you moved the couch & chair. I agree that the rug looks much better with furniture legs on it.

The chair needs a very small end table with a lamp. I would go round to mix it up. Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls have great deals on home decor items.

I think you can work with the shelves & appease hubby. Start by removing everything from them including underneath. You can get nice matching baskets to store your kettle balls & other items that you need readily available.

Slowly add some items to the shelves of interest. Google decorating shelves for the "rules." Break the rules if you feel like it

I think your rug & art are lovely. Pull colors out of them for pillows, throws & decor items for the shelves.

Have fun!

Cats are excellent! Mind, you will need to video yourself tango-ing for the cat...

You have a lovely home. I think the couch and armchair are good-- but I can see your point about the bulk and visual weight of the armchair, ottoman, and couch combo. If you have another home for the armchair maybe that is the start. I prefer the couch in it's old position, but wouldn't mind a smaller, lighter armchair angled toward the seating area floating in the space in front of the island. I agree, a coffee table and end tables would be nice and I love the console table idea. I think one of the main problems with the shelves is that they are visual clutter, but they don't have the same visual weight to balance the sofa. I think I would personally replace them with something long and low and solid like a credenza. You can always put bookshelves on the sides or hang art to add some vertical elements. Husbands can be hard--

Everyone's given so much good advice already, but I didn't see anyone mention throws. If the furniture feels too dark & heavy for you right now, how about tossing a light throw over the couch? It would help cosy it up a bit too (I am all about cosy, hehe). I really like the new furniture configuration!

Could you hang drapes in front of the shelving unit, so that you can open them when you want to watch TV and close them the rest of the time so you have a less cluttered effect?

Wow! Just chiming in to say I am SO impressed by all the advice here! I am definitely coming to the forum when I need help with furniture placement and interior design. Mochi, your initial room changes have made a world of difference. Whatever else you do now will be icing on the cake.

Wonderful advice so far. I just wanted to add that it might help to add some cooler colors to offset all the warmer colors. Not sure what color you have in your rug - is it a gray green or sage green? Perhaps that color in solid panels for the two windows and perhaps in pillows and throws in a muted pattern. Anything with different texture from the leather would be something to consider as well - fabric, glass, chrome. Just the rearranging has made a tremendous difference!

Yes, viva, the quality and thoughtfulness of the advice here is astounding. I kind of figured it would be good--everyone here is so thoughtful and smart in general. But seriously. The hive talent quotient here is off the hook.

I'm in Montreal for the weekend and have been out walking around all day and am a bit fried mentally But this next week I promise to get back to carefully going over the suggestions. Each one means a lot to me.

In other good news, I am getting a display table from my artisan furniture maker friend! He gave me a great price (I've given him a lot of promotional/social media help). I can't wait for it to be added to the mix. It will be a total game-changer for my room.

I am still not sure of where the sofa should end up. I'm not entirely happy with it where it is (well, I'm not happy with it, period). In an ideal world the gorgeous table would be where the couch is now. The couch would be removed to another room and there'd be a few comfortable chairs. I will have to play around with the table once it arrives (follows me home, heh heh).

Thanks again, pals! Mwah!!!!

If your place were mine, I think I'd go long and modern to show off the space... Long sofa with a chaise end, paralleling the shelving wall. I'd do upholstered stools for extra seating.

Oh, and I do really like those small tables your friend makes. Lots of character. A good acquisition.

Are you satisfied with your storage?