Bestyears, I just had to log in to say first, your room is fabulous. I love the color you painted it and am jealous of your amazing sewing skills. I love the fabrics you have chosen. The second thing I wanted to say is to think long and hard before purchasing the braided jute rug from Ballard. I absolutely love the look. It has to be one of the best looking jute rugs out there, but it is a maintenance nightmare. It takes some getting used to underfoot but will eventually wear to a somewhat soft feel. The maintenance however, is tremendous. I had one for 2.5 years in our primary living area with heavy traffic and it was like have 15 large shedding dogs with a few cats sprinkled in. Fibers everywhere. If your room doesn't get much traffic it might work otherwise I would try to find something else first. I replaced it with a cheap seagrass from Lowes for the time being and it doesn't shed at all. Laurainlincoln might can share more if she has this rug. It might not wear for her like it did for me. Shannon

The hutch color now, goes very well with the table. I dont think it is the hutch that make the room darker, it is more the lighting. However, if you really want to paint the hutch, the color of the lamp in the living room, would be a nice color and would go with your table and the rest of your decor. I do like painted furniture, but, I would have a very hard time painting that hutch. It is in great shape, and it is beautiful just as it is.

Condolences for your loss. Mother's Day is coming up. You might consider a digital picture display with a light colored frame with happy pictures loaded to add light and prompt happy memories.. https://www.google.com/search?q=electric+digital+photo+frame&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjd_b7llbnoAhXEmuAKHRT1DIgQsxh6BAgOECs&biw=1366&bih=654#spd=9152850867742305625 You might remove the too small rug altogether and add a small light/bright colored storage ottoman or even a coffee table where she can keep family photographs. Agree with the suggestion that you try swapping the loveseat and rocker locations. With the loveseat moved, you can dress the patio door/window. If that is a sliding door, a wood or metal rod in the bottom rail might make the room "feel" more secure -- no need to block it with a sofa. A lot of people don't care for vertical blinds but I consider them perfect for a patio door or even a large row of windows in an informal / contemporary room. White vinyl vertical blinds would provide more privacy and light control options than drapes. If your mom's window is on the north side of the building, she'll not be getting any sunlight directly into her room and that may be one reason why the room is "dark" . If any light comes in ... or even if it doesn't ... consider adding a brightly colored sun catcher or two that can be attached to the window via small plastic suction cup. https://www.google.com/search?q=tiffany+suncatchers&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigr7T2k7noAhUvmuAKHahuBwcQ_AUoAnoECAsQBA&biw=1366&bih=628 There are fabric covers for sofas and love seats. Perhaps you could find a light colored one for at least one of her pieces. Alternately, a light colored afghan or throw might help. Instead of getting rid of the cabinet(s) in the corner(s), you could add a tall thin lamp with a large white shade there. If the big box store options are out of price range, check with Habitat for Humanity or Good Will or other local charity sponsored thrift stores for bargains.

Lighting brightens up a room, not paint. One chandelier will not solve the problem. Unless you install recessed lighting, you will struggle to keep this room lit up at night. A dining room is usually in use late in the day and into the night, so what you do with the windows will have less impact then what you do with the lighting . You’ll need brighter lights to clean and set up the room, and moodier lighting for dinner. The chandelier needs bright lights on a dimmer switch, and you’ll need a buffet with lamps at either end on the wall opposite the windows.