I need help. Not mental help.  I don’t think.  Well, I do think.  I don’t think I need mental help.  Yet.

Anyways. Since moving back to BC we bought a very comfy sectional, something we always wanted and a big improvement in looks from inherited green and cream plaid, but I’m just not sure which way I prefer it in our space.

Since I am actually a certified Interior Decorator, I feel a little silly putting this out there, but it’s hard to be objective in your own space!  I have enough trouble choosing my own paint colours, something that will take me minutes to form hard and fast opinions about in other people’s homes when they’re paying me!  Furniture is a whole other beast.

So here’s the trouble with the couch.  I like it this first way because it’s so open and gives the kidlets lots of play space and leaves room to get around the exersaucer and such… (the little table isn’t there anymore, it’s on the other side)

But then, it has its problems.  In the evenings I have to sit in a very specific place to see the TV or work on the computer, or even do homework, since that’s where the lamp is.  Also, it gives me a mild case of agoraphobia after living for 2 years in our teeny tiny cozy Ottawa apartment.

So we flipped it like this:

This is much cozier, and provides ideal TV-viewing-while-lying-down opportunity, as well as more room to come in the patio door without tramping on my carpet. But company kind of has to cuddle.

Then I got claustrophobic.

Poor Carl.  Little does he know I am just executing a master plan to tone his arms to bulge out of his shirtsleeves.

Actually, this configuration would be perfect if it was just Carl and me living here.  Very cozy indeed.  However, toys tend to get stockpiled in moat formation around the ottoman/coffee table (which I know, should be squarer and not the same colour as the couch but I was vetoed on buying a new one just because we bought a new couch. Boo.)

Anyways, what do you think?  Open, and easy to pull in extra chairs for guests?  Or cozyand ideal for TV viewing and preventing me from spending the evening staring at my kitchen, which inevitably needs work and distracts me from doing nothing?

At least we have no toys or food accumulating under our furniture!

We have since switched back a third time to the open plan since we’re hosting about 20 people this weekend…but aren’t sure where to go from here. Thoughts?