I would maybe spring for a desk or fancy hall tree for the entry area, and move the rocker up by the fireplace. No one is going to want to sit in the entry way all by themselves rocking, but they might like to sit by the fire. If it's too tight, maybe a padded bench or ottoman by the fireplace. Also maybe a bench if not a hall tree, in the entry way so folks could sit and put on or take off shoes, rather than the rocker there. I'm a big believer of "shopping the house" for re-purposed furniture. Also a larger rug to protect the floors from wet and mud by the entry way. You've basically got two areas and they both need larger rugs instead of several smaller ones. They make lovely indoor/outdoor rugs for the entry way these days.

You might even consider moving the coat rack and using the shelving unit from the entry way as a low wall to separate the entry way from the fireplace area, visually. Depends on what the back of it looks like.

It's difficult to see what is next to the fireplace between it and the door on that wall, so not sure what could be done there.

I'd add some valences in the blue tones and make sure you have a bit of blue in the new rug. Then find a nice throw for the arm of the couch and do what Grapefruit suggested. Here's a suggestion. Blue valence

I’d suggest a different painting, or other art works, the one you have is brown and white as well as being a winter scene, unless winter is the prime time you use it?

You’ve got the washtub/barrel bucket table, maybe you can add more stuff like that to the walls. You need things with colour, everything looks like shades of brown.

http://decoratingfiles.com/2012/07/beach-cottage-style-adding-color-to-coastal-style/

http://www.in7colors.com/2013/03/11/nautical-cottage-decor-idea-with-soft-blue-color/nautical-cottage-decor-idea-with-soft-blue-color/

https://www.pinterest.ca/pin/251638697904893649/

https://ryan-doherty.com/wonderful-cottage-style-living-rooms-idea/futuristic-style-living-room/

Cottages can be dumping places for random stuff, but they are very forgiving for things that are colourful, kitschy, broken in, mismatching...

I agree that color would help - use the coral(?) from the corner chair for inspiration. I'd change out the rug for a braided one...

personalize the space by changing out the picture above the sofa for a gallery - maybe black/white pictures taken at the cabin (trees, lake, etc.)

and add some colorful pillows

I would center your side table/console on the wall and get rid of small items and pictures, get a larger wall art or mirror.

Celery would an oval rug look better as there are many square items in the room?

What a beautiful cabin! Love those wood walls. When you say "welcoming", what do you mean? To me, welcoming means easy to feel at home in, comfortable, cozy. I find your type of cabin inherently cozy with the warm wood but perhaps you don't find it comfortable? Is the seating comfortable? Does everyone seated have a spot to put down a drink, etc.?

If it were mine, I'd be tempted by those Scandi-inspired interiors - wood paired with white, greys, touches of black and muted accent colours.

I could also see richer colours in that space. Red oriental rugs, tapestries on the wall, chair covered in velvet or faux fur. I don't mind the leather sofa at all - it looks quite comfy. Your coffee table is gorgeous as well.

Some colour palette and style ideas:

Upstate New York cabin

Oriental rug with wood floors and stone:

I could see a long white storage bench on the entry wall. I'd put a large piece of art on the wall where the rocking chair is and perhaps place the sideboard underneath if I needed the storage. Some nice simple linen curtains at the windows.

You have a beautiful place. I'm sure once you hone in on a particular direction for it, you'll be making it as welcoming as you wish. :) Please keep us updated.

The problem is the floorpan and placement of the fireplace. If the sofa were centered on it with a chair beside it, it would feel cozy. With a doorway directly across from it, it just feels like a "hall". If you can shift that door opening, it would make an enormous difference.

Oval braided rag rugs with a lot of red in them...can use various colors and sizes throughout the home for a cohesive feel. Makes me think back to all the cabins my relatives had in Minnesota when I was growing up.

Yes the fireplace was something that was niggling me but couldn’t clarify, usually the hearth is the centre of a room like that. There really should be seating close to the fireplace.

The fireplace might have been the sole source of heat at one time, with the large windows and big glass doors added in a remodel?

What about making the entry area kind of separat with that low shelf (or something like it) dividing the entry area from the rest of the room; the shelves facing the living area. Then, put the coat tree/rack along the far wall next to the entry door. other ideas in this posting sound good too.

The sitting area already looks cozy; it's the entry area that looks like a spot for leftover stuff you didn't know what to do with. Take everything off the wall, center the console and hang a mirror or canvas above it, add another chair to sit with the rocker and a little end table in between. You could add a floor lamp and make it a reading corner, but it needs some kind of purpose.

I wonder if it would help the room to take away the hutch/dresser thing from the entry wall all together, and put more seating by the fireplace, large chairs or small sofas maybe, is it possible your sofa is too big for where it is?

Here are a few ideas from a design we collaborated on that might just aid you with your dilemma.

Alpine Ski Home · More Info

Randy, is there an optical illusion going on with the chair in your first pic?