Lighter walls and a darker rug, and overall more color please. Right now there is no focal point in this room, and I hope you'll consider a fantastic painting over the fireplace and ditch all the small stuff on the mantel. With such a very dark floor the light rug just looks wrong. In nature you have the brown earth, then green grass and trees and then the lighter blue of the sky. Try a warm colored rug (like an Oriental, which has many colors), a glass coffee table which will show the rug instead of the weighty, chunky ottoman, off-white walls and drapes that are not much darker than the walls to open up this room. Pillows with colors taken from the rug which will tie the color scheme together, and then art on the walls in rich colors to glow against the light walls.

The home has a great look. But before you look to remodel you need to look to the furnishings you will put into it. Many people buy a house, paint the walls redo the floors, change the kitchen, etc., then look to purchase furnishings. So think about that first. What do you have now that you will keep for the long term. And what do you plan to purchase new. Have a clear plan as to what these items are, keeping in mind colors, style, and patterns. Then look at floor color, rugs, lighting fixtures and furniture. The wrong order will ultimately make you frustrated.

Of course...but do they have to be raw stained wood?....this finish is all by itself in the room and unnecessarily dictates other choices...nothing else in you space is rustic...it just feels out of sync...and the dark color horizontally makes the ceiling look lower....

Before making a decision, think about the overall feel you want. Consider how to add punch/contrast and in addition to landscaping, house itself should be drawing the eye. At present, roof, siding and garage feel a bit bland. Suggest white for contrast. If you don't really need the railings, consider which look you prefer. If staining, suggest a darker shade (with no railings if possible) ) I would paint the garage the same color as shutters, no matter what is done to the porch. In regards to landscaping, I’d head to a nursery with a picture of your home and a budget. Many will recommend for free, if you don’t need something actually designed. Budget wise, can even add in stages.