kitch4me: The rug is fun, but I was worried it was too dark. The ceiling tiles will have to stay for now, but we will be replacing the fan with a new light fixture as soon as I can find one that doesn't hang too low. sis2two: Thanks for the color suggestions, I'll take a look at those. LOL olychick. I told my husband people would laugh at his sock, flipflop combination...he just laughed. His socks look like blue in the pic, but they are actually grey. tinan: My husband is out of work, but there is some budget for this. We have no mortgage or debt, and have some savings, so we're okay, just don't want to go crazy (I'm not much of a spender anyway) I should have said, the room is cluttered right now, and has things in it that shouldn't be there. The table in front of the TV is actually a stool we've been standing on for doing the sheetrock, so won't be staying. The bench in front of the window is actually the over the fridge cabinet from the kitchen! It won't be staying either. I actually don't like a lot of clutter, although I have to admit, I'm not an overly tidy person either :) I have ordered some white curtains from Ikea, they should be here next week. The angled bookcase was originally in our dining room. When we moved the bookcase to the living room we just threw some binders on. I have the books all piled up in the sunroom ready to go on after painting the room. My dh is pretty adamant that bookshelves have books, not decorative items on them! I agree mostly, though I do like a little variation. My wonderful dh actually finds the shelf full of binders very relaxing! We are both avid readers, don't have many visitors, and our home is where we spend most of our time. We have been thinking about putting in a window seat on the north window. We have to redo that entire wall as it is covered in ugly diagonal paneling! Thanks for all the suggestions so far. The only things that need to stay are: the couch (it's a small 2 seater),the arm chair, the rocking chair, the bookcases (by the window),the tv stand, and some sort of coffee or end table.

I like the yellow you have, but your artwork has more blues in it. If you're keeping the rug maybe pull a blue or teal from that to inspire paint color. As for window treatments I'd do sheer light curtains, nothing too heavy since you already have heavier furniture and you don't want to take away from the beautiful molding and wainscoting.

I appreciate the answers so much! This community is great. A few things: We have an entry table on the wall behind the 2 seater couch (the couch blocks the view). I want to create a nicer area, but living room is first. The couches are brand new and staying, we love them! Maybe we aren't traditional style, I've just been saying that because we don't want modern or farmhouse, rustic doesn't fit with our house style, and I don't really know what a lot of the other types mean. We want something relaxing, not too bold or eccentric. My husband has a high stress job and we really just want a comfortable relaxing home. Gray isn't a color trend for us, its something we really like. Also, the blinds were a quick fix for privacy when we moved in. They were about $3 each and allow us some time to figure out what treatment we really want. @Mon Thank you for your ideas! I love the curtains, I do want something with a pattern (except geometric which makes me feel like I am in college for some reason). I like what you said about the feminine touch, I didn't realize the sofas were masculine until you said that. I think I can balance it out though with accents. I'm having a hard time visioning the chandelier instead of the fan but I will highly consider it. The fan is new, I get the feeling the sellers just put anything up there because it isn't really large enough for the room. @Elena Ermolaeva Your designs are excellent! Is this to scale with my living room? This layout gives the flow I was wanting but I was afraid of putting teh couch in front of the window. I didn't want to try to force the tv as a focal point because I am in love with that large window. I'm definitely not afraid of going a little darker with the walls. Even though our area isn't large, I feel like with all the windows and natural light I can afford to go a little darker. Plus adding in light curtains balances it out. When you suggest shelves, do you mean on the 7'7" wall where the large sofa is now? I didn't think of that, I was just trying to work around the wall. Great ideas! Since privacy is a concern, should I go for nicer blinds, or a shade, along with curtains? Thanks everyone!

I like the darker one because of the contrast. Sorry, but I gotta say this. The rod placement should be the same around the room. The short window looks chopped and out of place.