I was playing around with a drawing to see how I want to arrange furniture in the LR and decided to stick with 2 end tables for now, without a coffee table. Also, I want to get a cabinet (for lack of better term) that has a couple of shelves, preferably behind glass) for difficult child's previous awards and media equipment and isn't too tall or too short to put the tv on. Then, at some point, I might get a coffee table and matching sofa table to put the tv on and use the 'cabinet' someplace else as accent furniture. This will be most cost effective now and safe some space, leaving things a tad bit flexible for a while. I do appreciate a nice coffee table but the LR would start to look cramped and I don't expect any 'formal' visits from anyone for a while, except a PO and I couldn't care less if he's comfortable or not. LOL! I can put one end table at each end of the sofa and the chair will be close enough to use one of them, too. Really, I'd love to find a coffee table that has a shadow box (I think that's what they are called) but I have no idea where to find one around here. I haven't looked online because I figured even if I found one that could be ordered and shipped, that would cost me a fortune. I have to get funriture and a bed for difficult child to have a bedroom, too, so this seems most feasible for now. The LR and dining area are combined/adjacent so I'm also thinking that if there are drinks and snacks, we could just sit at the dinette table.
Thanks for all your opinions and ideas!