Recessed lighting will make a world of difference without overspending.

Recessed lighting, an updated fan or chandelier. Floor lamp(s), table lamps. And decor. The majority of your furnishings seem dark in color.

Many people use various light sources when they are in the house. You can get bulbs that emulate daylight if you like. Have all the lighting on a dimmer panel, etc.

On the wall where your sofa is now, consider bringing in a mirror to reflect the light from outside. Don’t get a mirror so large that people’s heads will be reflected in it while sitting on sofa. You can also hang mirror above eye level if you would like it to be less intrusive in the space. And best not to do mirrors with split up sections/I.e. fragmented mirrors.. These are all Eastern Feng Shui related considerations. But a mirror placed there over sofa would make a significant difference in feel of space.

Who builds a house without windows? That is just odd. I would add regular windows, because it looks like, if you added landscaping, the view would be fine.

What kind of front door do you have? Could you replace it with a door with glass and sidelights.

I have never been a fan of those through the roof lights if you have options. By all means add artificial light, but natural light would probably make your home more pleasant.

The fan is on the "to do" list for sure, as well as replacing the furniture (see my original post).

By the way, the wall with the sofa is the garage (so no windows can go there).

@latifolia Seriously, this house has...in total 1 sidelight window next to the front door, 1 glass slider in the living room, 2 55" x 33" in the family room, 1 glass slider in the master, and 1 x 20" x 55" windows in the the two other bedrooms...oh, and a little kitchen window and little ones in the bathrooms. The problem is all but the guest room windows face N.E. and I live in a wooded area, so it's pretty darn dark! Landscaping certainly would come into play, but it's only about 10 feet between the house and the fence.

The front door is one solid piece of metal (photo below)...I am already planning on replacing with something that is at least 1/4 glass, and considering putting an opening into the wall between the entry and the living room. Please ignore the nasty looking plant, it to is on the "replace" list.

@Color Zen Any suggestions on the number / types of lights for the space?

Replacing the front door with one with a window is a good idea. Get as big a window as possible.

You say that you are in a wooded area. If there are any trees shading the existing windows, consider getting them either removed or "limbed up".

Definitely add more lighting to the room. You could consider wall sconces as well as table or floor lamps. For the lamps be sure that they give general light, not like the uplight you have in one corner.

The uplights that you have in your living room area are the problem. They don't light the proper areas of the room, and are pointed in the wrong direction (up).

Get lights that wash the wall with light, i.e. wall sconces, or floor and table lamps with frosted glass or white fabric shades. The corner of your living room should be well lit. Task lighting needs to be adequate for reading. The fireplace should have wall sconces on either side (can be plug-in, no need for new wiring).

If you have an Ikea near you, they have attractive lamps very reasonably priced.

If you spend more time at your sofa than at your table, move the living room area to be closer to the sliding glass door, and the table where you now have your coffee table.

consider putting in another slider or french door in the dining room area (they can be a better square footage for daylight into your room than a window)

Use white lamp shades for more light exposure in the room

Safavieh 2019 · More Info

Note lamp and arc light plaement and the curtain design....simple effective design.

Western Springs Living Room · More Info

This is a a pleasant room with a masucline feel, but the blue softens things, the white adds a modern touch, and the taupe accent wall and photo on the wall say modern......you could do worse than copy this room. Simple and economical too....

San Francisco Home Staging · More Info

between the fireplace and the wall; plant a climbing plant on your fench to create a green zone to obstruct your non view.

check out ceiling light patterns and light wattage for your ceiling and have then installed..used dimmable led in a soft light wattage.

Consider a chandelier over the dining table with five or six lights, bottom of chandelier 30" from top of table, add an arc type light between chair and sofa, add another lamp on corner by fireplace, add a pair of lamps on console by entry, and see what you think.

I'll look in to other lights, I thought by having the up lighting int he corners I was washing the walls in light, but I can see the point that's being made.

@yvonnecmartin Sorry, but the trees are oaks and protected by the city. Plus, I'd never cut them down, it's one of the reasons I bought the home was for the trees which are otherwise lacking in my city, and it can easily get to 110 F around here during the summers.

Where I live, security doors aren't unusual. When breeze is needed, it's locked and we open the front door. Could that work for you? and new door could have even more glass....