Are they willing to install lighting? LED razor lights are very slim ceiling lights, more ceiling lighting would be a big plus for me.

Can you post a rough floor plan, that greatly assists with suggestions for furniture layout?

Are they committed to carpeting? Hard flooring with area rugs is so much better, more versatile, in my opinion. And with the wood stove and firewood, those are messy things. Wood look LVP, perhaps?

Thanks localeater. This is their first fixer so they’re open to all suggestions. I will text her for a drawing & dimensions. The room is fairly square. The pics were taken from a position of three stairs that go up to the original part of the house. The wall with the stairs is straight and doesn’t offer any additional space.

As for the carpeting. I did suggest to add wood flooring (to match the main area of the house) and incorporate a rug instead, but so far it’s a no go. Irregardless please feel free to suggest whatever thoughts you might have. It’s vacant right now. Their current lease doesn’t expire until August 1 and the goal is to have the floors & paint done before their move.

I forgot to add that eventually, they want to add some built in cabinetry around the fireplace.

Here’s a rough drawing she had, will this work? I can clean it up this evening if needd.

Is there any possibility of adding more windows? Or solar tubes/skylights? I agree about hardwoods or hard flooring instead of carpet. They will also brighten the area because they reflect the light, if you don't go too dark. So much easier for a room with a fireplace/woodstove.

No, not via the walls, but there is a skylight in the kitchen and they’ve got a couple for the living room on their wish list.

Any suggestions besides flooring? Like paint colors to help lighten the room?

Ha Ha! We know that Annie, but we’re looking for less generality and more specific suggestions. They are buying all new and need help on ideas to pull the room together.

The fireplace brick looks like a black hole, it sucking any light out of the room. It should be painted or ideally tiled and I might knock off the hearth(but that’s cause one of my brothers cracked his head open on a similar one)

yes to painting the beams white, or removing.

i am thinking lots of white with navy accents.

Thanks Localeater, she mentioned Navy Blue (BM Hale Navy) the other day too. I’ll pass on the info.