Do you still want it to be a formal living room? How is the room used on a daily basis?

Is that hardwood in the entry? If yes any chance you would put it in these 2 rooms? I would paint the wood work to match the crown molding.

We really don’t use it much. The adjacent family room is where we spend all of our time. These rooms connect, and my husband really likes the comfort of carpeting. The foyer is hardwood and all the trim in the entire home is stained, so we don’t plan on repainting all the trim and doors.

Two of our neighbors have a plan like this with the living and family rooms joined. They are working from home now and have converted their living room to an office. Another who got tired of the stairs, because of bad knees, made it into a bed and bathroom so they can age in place. I have also seen this space made into a dining room, or a pool table game room. In my opinion, two living rooms next to and open to each other with different formallities doesn't work. Newer home plans have just one big open living space, so the best update would be to repurpose this space to something you will use more. All that said, I have just updated my 28 year old living and dining room which are open to each other . We have several living spaces in our home and they all get used frequently. we have a big family with 3 generations hanging out, and so the grandkids go there, the ladies here the men in another space and so on. All of the spaces are decorated to be comfortable, livable, family and pet friendly. In my old ” formal ” living room I got rid of floral drapes and chairs, had them made in neutral beigh cream tones, put in hardwood floors, painted the walls a beautiful Benjamin Moore color called Natural Wicker, and got rid of some fussy accessories and lamps. I now add in color seasonally with artwork and pillow covers that I enjoy changing out every couple of months. We have some of our home with enameled woodwork, and some stained. It works well here. The kitchen was remodled 4 years ago and we did White Dove cabinets. Then last year I had the powder room updated and added white beadboard, and vanity. Our sun porch always was white and so were the stairway spindles. I like the mix of finishes in our home, so if you want to enamel some you dont have to do it all. I hope some of this is helpful to you…

Could you show some photos of the family room so we can see how that relates, and more of your style? I really like the reading room idea Sammie J suggested. I’d keep the red chair. Maybe move the end and coffee tables to the family room?

OP has good ideas for traditional style in her ideabooks.

Thank you! I like the idea of a reading room, too. Here’s a pic of the family room.

All rooms need a focal point, your LR doesn't seem to have one. When you get new furniture, pull it away from the walls & put a nice rug on top of carpet to center the room.