This is a dilemma indeed! Posts in the middle of rooms are always a little difficult. It would be helpful to have pictures of all four walls to suggest the best layout. From what I can understand of your dilemma, I've attached a layout that may work based on your description. It features a defined entry. So when you walk through the front door, you will see a console table with a couple of ottomans stashed beneath. They can come in handy for extra seating. In front of the console are two arm chairs, followed by a modular sectional - they make up your main seating area. To the right of the kitchen door is a TV console. Behind the sofa is a bookcase and to the right is a round table with a couple of chairs for games, paper work or what have you. You don't mention any windows. Is this the case? If so, we'll want to make sure you've got adequate lighting and colors that will work with the limited light. Hope this helps!

http://www.simplifiedbuilding.com/blog/space-saving-stairway-shelving-and-tv-mounting-system/ Is this what you had in mind?

By placing the tv on the longest wall on left and placing the couch parallel facing the tv you may have room on the back of the couch to put a long table or preferably a chest with drawers..this would add always needed extra storage at the handy location at the bottom of the steps..this concept creates little rooms within a room and enhances the spaciousness of the open concept hall

HI -- Well this is a nice floor plan but it creates problems . Because the space is all open doesn't mean you have to put the living room or the dining room where indicated on the plan . Also where you have marked for the sofa is not going to work there . Not enough room and in the way of getting to the bathroom etc, I do think you may have to have a free floating TV stand between the living -dining rooms . You could have the TV on the wall beside the kitchen and have the sofa facing or on the left wall and the dining at the front . I would put the TV on the left wall near the entrance and have the sofa facing it , leaving a hallway walking space behind the sofa . It's too bad the front entrance is on the left . If it had been on the right then that would be better flow into the center of the main floor . If you do decide to have the TV room divider where you show on the plan , keep it right over to the left wall as a room divider , then it won't cut the room in half so much and it keeps the stairwell open . Remember , you do not need to push the furniture against the walls .