I will add… we plan to get a new couch (same style different color), rug, and small storage bench in front of the fireplace. Along with fabric blinds instead of curtains. Also, I’m aware the tv is too high :)

Trying to figure how the spaces connect. Can you take 1 picture of the entire area? Or draw a simple floor plan. Seems you have a lot of small storage items that maybe 1 larger unit would work better. Is that your only eating area and how do you use with the table against the wall? I think before you make any purchases a longterm plan would be helpful

a TV bracket that allows you to pull the TV down for viewing in front of the fireplace when not burning the fireplace.

a huge piece of art with a lower console cabinet for storage. NOT open storage.

Hello! This room has alot of potential. The first thing I notice is that your built ins look really cluttered and not well curated. I think it could help to either do away with them or else get them really decluttered. Probably small groups of books, not shelves full of them. Any storage could be in matching baskets rather than many different kinds. I think your rug could use an update or the curtains or both. I have a couple rug sugestions and recommend curtains in a lighter tone. I think a group of oversized family photos could look great on that wall you see from the entry and then a larger colorful piece of art by the dining table.

This is from the front door again, you can see the dining table in the back

Yes, and it look like your dining table and chairs could use a little help. Are you planning to replace those?

Oh yes! New dining, new rug, new sectional. We have a 4 and a 6 year old and we finally feel like we can replace the things that have been destroyed without the new ones getting destroyed too. The house is very small- 1126 square feet so this is our only living/family/dining area.

Seems like you could use a larger table with 4 or 6 chair depending on how many you want to seat.

With a lot of open shelving, do you have large and lightweight canvas art to try there? It'd be a nice focus.

Personally, I like the toasty color of seating, and don't know how another color could improve the room... not knowing what color it'll be -- here's a plain combo to tie with dining area, a bit youthful -

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We were thinking light gray for the sectional. And very light blue for blinds (fog is the name of the fabric, photo below) that would be the same on the front and back windows. And a nice colorful rug. The walls were this color when we moved in and I’m not married them so I may end up painting the entire room. I was thinking of doing wainscoting on the two bare walls and put a large canvas or picture like you mentioned above it. I’m not a diy girl though so I’d need to get someone to help with that.

anthropologie has large paper tapestries that are a great way to fill a wall without spending a lot - i love the 3 kids photos that Ceclia posted above, thats terrific -

for the light grey sectional - your floors and walls read really warm in the photos, can you post a photo of the fabric? i think marrying cool and warm tones is tough to do well without a designer

We were thinking something like this… but I see what you’re saying with them being different tones. So maybe not..

This is what I used to have on the other wall to the right as you walk in (I had a large basket for mail, etc. which is why the family photo is up higher. Also the photo is crooked) But maybe I just move the three of them to the other wall? We’re getting 10 year anniversary photos done in a few weeks with the family so maybe I can plan to have her take some specifically for that. I just worried that they all looked too big in our small space

I think a few large framed or canvas photos would be perfect on that wall. I might keep it simpler though with the photos lined up and nothing else. Those you have are lovely. I like the sectional you have or the light gray but I would definitely paint if you get the gray sectional. Curious, why are you considerring fabric blinds? Is it becuase of the sectional being up against the window?

Yes the curtains get bunched, they’re hard to get to and they always look messy to me. We plan to do automated shades.

Ok, well that should be a nice alternative. I know what you mean as I have a window with curtains behind my sectional.

@Lindsay Hopkins If I don't know what to do with an empty wall, I usually hang on it some posters or paintings. Since your walls seem to be rather khaki-coloured, I would add to them some colourful accent on a white background.

I created some mocks about how you walls could look if you hung such types of paintings on your walls. It looks amazing in my opinion. What do you think?

Thank you! Great suggestions!

Telling you my truth - there's plenty of 'busy visuals'. Show art options, and see if there's a large one that's basically liked.

With warm neutral on the walls, good, try a muted-bright warm for the rug. A throw on a sectional can take a very large and/or textured throw on it....

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Maybe you'd like a sofa and 2 chairs....

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Could be fun to use your chairs, with chalk paint, or no change to them.

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@everdebz: I like the idea of an upholstered dining bench for the back wall of dining area. Kids don't mind sliding in and out of them, and parents can get comfortable dining armchairs for themselves. Measurements are important to make sure dining "bench" is the right height for a new dining table.

These faded looks are "low risk" I call them. Runner would add -- Vintage look low-pile poly doesn’t shed.

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