I don't mind the color blocking that's been done...I like to use different colors in open space to help the rooms feel more separate even though there are no walls to define them. I'm not a fan of the colors right now, and you don't seem to be either. I'm also not a fan of the layout as it makes the room feel very long and narrow. Plus, the shelves on the right don't seem to be working for you...probably more display than you need, and it looks like you could use more functional storage. If those shelves are built in and can't be moved, then I would look into getting someone to make doors for the bottom half to give you more enclosed storage. If not, some big baskets would be helpful to contain and store toys quickly and easily for the kids. I would also get some smaller containers for the upper shelves to mix in storage with the family pics. I would also want to put something horizontal along the short window wall... can the desk be moved there? Just something to break up the hallway look. As far as colors, I suggest you start with something you like...maybe the pic on the wall in the kitchen...and pull a couple of the lighter colors out of there that you'd like with the white cabinets. I think I see a pretty cream color and a soft blue in that pic. Paint the wooden shelves the same color as the cabinets. Paint the base of the island black like the counter top. Get some matching window treatments that make use of both of those colors to tie the scheme together between the family room and the kitchen. Maybe something like this valance from bed bath and beyond Then paint say the blue in the kitchen and the cream in the family room. Finally, the other problem you have is simply not enough lighting in the family room. The room is too big to be covered by an overhead fan and an uplight. You need to look at some lamps. Maybe if you move the desk by the window, put a nice desk lamp on it. Get an end table on one side of the sofa and put a lamp on it so you can distribute the light through the room.

How you will use it drives how you make it look. If you will use it as a work area, storing home records etc, I'd build in storage on the short wall, so that when you are working you don't have your back to the rest of the home. Then perhaps shallow shelves/cabinets across the long wall, less than 12", leaving space in the middle for nice colorful piece of artwork. A cozy lamp on those shelves, but of course a task light or lamp on the work surface. I don't think it has to be bright, it can look like a little hideaway, but it should have some interest and a central eye-catcher since you see it from the dining room and as you come out of the bedroom. Do you plan to use color or paint the condo? I don't know how you feel about accent walls, but painting the nook's exterior wall a different color than the interior could look intriguing.

You have nice light golden red wood floors, a big bay window with golden trim, white walls. The problems are the furnishings. You need to replace the oversized sofa and two chairs. Sorry, as someone said, they're sucking light and space from the room. You don't necessarily have to go white or cream if you have kids. Consider a golden camel leather sofa with a couple of comfortable narrow profile recliner chairs for TV watching. The chairs are too fussy for your style, though you should go for something up on legs. Pair of recliner chairs for TV watching: Rug Console table along back wall near front door. Add a lamp. Add a long vertical mirror by the front door

Thank you, I’m actually going to consider painting the top half of the wall a lighter shade, but may do this over the Easter half term. I work in a school and I’m back on Tuesday 😕, I guess my arts and crafts home projects will be on the back burner for a while. The pictures above have actually inspired me, I can definitely use some of the ideas. For now I’m going to buy some canvases and go for a dove grey shade, then place them on the wall which seems to be the most problematic for me. My son is not really fussed, but when I compare it to my daughter’s room ( of the same colour) the difference is very noticeable. She loves art and had already created artwork for her walls. I really do feel so much better after having everyone’s advice in this forum. Xx