I like this

Same furniture and style for 15 years? Join the club! I do that also. Do not do anything else until you have an overall plan. This will give you a unified look. Discover your style - put in top search box different styles and educate yourself about that. Eclectic, casual, transitional, rustic, etc. Note what you like and don't like. You may have an inspiration fabric, piece of art, or accessory. I can only make a comment about the lighting. Lighting is often seen as an afterthought, but it is actually very important to the atmosphere of the room. Use a table lamp or wall sconce in each corner at chest height.

Here is picture before the changes. Was just a random one I had on my phone. Gives an idea of all our space

Your biggest issue is how dark the living room is.

Your fireplace mantle is a piece of art. They don't make things like that anymore. If you redo your fireplace, you should remove that extremely carefully and sell it. I hate to recommend painting it because it is just so unique, but you could paint it white. You have dark furniture that it might look nice with, though, so I'd leave that alone until you make other changes first.

Okay, this is a bit of a blank slate which is fun. The easiest fixes for you are a bucket of light grey or cream paint for the walls, a cream or very light grey rug, cream and/or light grey pillows, and lighter window treatments.

Bigger changes: Add built in bookshelves on both sides of the fireplace in white, replace the carpet with a lighter colored option, install recessed LED lights in the ceiling, more lights, more lights, more lights....

Also, you need a coffee table. I'd wait to get that until you know what you want to do with the rest of it though.

Late night / morning comment that the tv placed so high makes it look towering over even furniture on the other side. I know it's just a photo, but possibly it's a real effect in person....?

First things first, tell hubby to lower that TV. Are or you getting a new console under it. The TV should be 6 to 8 inches above the console.

You could put a table behind the couch and put some lamps on it. That inspiration for your fireplace looks really good!

I would start by getting a sofa and 2 chair sinstead of the giand sectional, I would also do the TV on the wall opposite the window use solar shades on the window to cut the glare . The TV needs to be much lower above at least a wide TV stand but I would look at Bseta from Ikea and do a nice wall of TV storgae and a bit of display . Put the new sofa facing the TV and the 2 choirs whith their backs to the DR or the other way around with the 2 chairs facing the TV. Put a table between the 2 chairs with a lamp andd some end tables with lamps for the sofa and some drapes on the larger window, You need one larger piece of art above the FP I am not a huge lover of a bunch of decor on the mantel except at Christmas. BTW that stacked stone on the FP is a very dated look . I would suggest just paint the surround first and see if that looks better. My thought is to do the floor in the same wood as the rest it would make the space feel lrager and look amazing. Lighting is a big issue make sure it is all LED 4000K .A couple of ideas from Besta

Thank you. I have to remove the mantel, it's always been hot when my fire place is on and sometimes hot to touch. I had it looked at last winter and its actually not to code it's too deep and low it traps the heat. If it was higher it would be fine, if I recall 5 inches more. I know the TV is high the guy messed up with the install, it's on our to do list to fix. Sectional is staying, it was a furniture we bought to bring our family more bonding time together. Perhaps not ideal, but family time comes first our teenage now joins us and is excited to have movie nights with us. Now that's a win!!

I will look up the console suggestion and consider the book shelves. Lighter blinds. Would they need to match the window coverings on my slider on the same wall?

Gold a brighter neutral, and like your wood color ? I like the satin nickel rod in their photo. Does this blend with window treatment farther down?

Could extra wide hang to the edge/sides of the furniture for a neat and trim look...

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I can't imagine not opening my blinds due to a privacy issue. The first thing that I do in the morning when I come downstairs, is open up all of the blinds.

You can go to HD or online and purchase some privacy window film so that you can enjoy the outside and light from that big window.