We just bought the shutters. Sunburst shutters, not cheap. Our entire first floor windows are the same white plantation shutters so we won't be painting them. That would completely ruin the shutters. It's been a dark, gloomy, rainy day so I've had the shutters closed when I took the pictures. Normally they are open but no light would be coming in on a day like today anyway. We can't have a family room without a single window. I'm not removing the window to avoid coming up with an idea of what to hang on the walls. When we moved furniture back into the house after remodel we did toy around with the idea of the 2 seater on the other wall but it looked even worse. The lamp is only temporary. Something we had before and it moved back into the room but I hate that lamp, it doesn't stand up straight so it will be replaced, hopefully with a table lamp. Beverly.....I agree about the area rug. Definitely looking for a bigger rug. Again, this is just what we had and reusing until I find something else. No suggestions on what to hang on the wall other than how everything existing is all completely wrong?

Downdraft ventilation is tricky, you can find a lot of discussion threads on here with users giving their personal experiences, pros, and cons. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/is-anyone-happy-with-downdraft-ventilation-allow-me-to-vent-dsvw-vd~2668136?n=70

If you are replacing the cabinets, the walls behind them will be exposed. If the DW is hardwired, can't you run the wire to the other side of the sink, then have the wall patched? The junction box and patch don't even have to look good--they'll be behind cabinetry. You can then put a narrow cabinet between the range and the wall. That won't leave much prep space between the range and sink, but if you leave a positive reveal on the sink, you can use a custom cutting board to provide more prep space when needed. As for other suggestions--the fridge is in a good location. Switching it with the range causes another problem--it won't open against the wall, unless there is filler or a narrow cabinet to the right. Turning the range 90 degrees might be possible, but then there is no room for landing space to the right, because of the pantry doors. I think herbflavor has a good idea if there is space for both seating areas, but that would entail moving the plumbing and wiring for the sink and DW, and the wiring for the range:

I agree with others that a range directly next to a door is not ideal. You’re working with a pretty tight space though. I can relate - I’ve lived in a few tiny rentals where you just make do with what you’ve got. You know what I’d do? Unplug both appliances and switch them just to see if it improves the space. It’s a mock-up in real life ;) And don’t tell the building code police, but could you move the light switch to the other side of the wall? We did that in my kitchen but it’s open concept so it was less of a no-no. Or is there room by that HVAC duct to put the light switch there? I know there are rules about these things but a switch behind a fridge is not ideal either. Could be cheaper to move it than to do the other electrical work you’re considering. Shoot, close the pantry and put the switch there. Ha! Re: the desk. It sounds like the current situation is bugging you. Does the opening there allow for you to use a hutch style desk? The sides would keep the splatter off your workspace and rein in the clutter creep. It’d have to have some distance from the range for fire hazard reasons, depending on what your appliance manual says. Or you could put a small cabinet there with a counter and overhang for a work space. Just something tiny like the attached image. I can’t tell from your comments if that’s appropriate for that space and your use of the desk.