These are some things I had around the house I thought I'd start playing with to see if anything might work. I hung my son's pics back up. I am replacing the two chairs with a chair and a half chaise type in a dark sage that will be angled toward the tv. So I have this chair available if I wanted to slip cover it. I love the idea about painting the half wall dark. I think i will do that when my painter comes back for other work. The lamp is just from another room for an idea. So - any thoughts on this arrangement in the corner?

Don't forget that MWs need venting room all the way around them for safe operation. Don't restrict that and create a safety hazard for the sake of looks! Check those specs. I'll think you'll find that 2" of space all the way around is needed by most. Some countertop MW manufacturers have MWs with "trim kits" designed to surround the MW and create proper venting at the same time. GE for one. If you want a built in look, look at the specs for those MWs and the trim kits and give those specs to your KD and cabinet maker. I think you'll find you have very little actual usable room left over after a trim kit is installed. They usually fit a 30" framed cabinet. Since you have inset, I think you'll have around 5" left over for "something".

I really need to get my basement sorted out. To do that, I have to scan a bunch artwork/schoolwork that the boys have done. That is a huge task. I should have been doing it this winter, but well, you know, Netflix was calling my name. LOL. Once I get that started, I can empty out a dresser that is falling apart and get rid of that. I can sort out the school supplies and such properly and get rid of some other stuff I don't need to be dragging around for years. I think I'll buy a couple of Ikea bookcases with doors on the bottom and then I can properly put stuff onto a bookshelf in the spare room down there. When I get that spare room cleaned out, I'll move all the flooring I plan on installing in the basement into that room. When I had the floors done upstairs, they were on clearance and once it was gone, it was gone, so I bought enough to have the upstairs and downstairs match. I have purchased the sink cabinet and mirror cabinet for my future bathroom reno. I need to price check the tile I like at Home Depot and if it's the same as a local shop, then I'll support the local shop. I want a 24" square tile for the floor and I might have to get that in the US. I'll have to see if we're near a tile place on Sunday when my son is there for soccer. I know the faucets I want but I'm undecided on the bathtub. I don't want to spend $700 on the one I like that is ultra plain. I saw one that is pretty plain and nice. It's $100 cheaper in the US. I'll have to figure exchange and taxes to see what is more worth my while. I'll check flyers too as this is the time of year they have all the home improvement sales. Once I have all that, I'll call the contractor and get an estimate and time frame. I didn't really answer the question. It seems I'm filling up the house not clearing it out. LOL

Sorry I didn't post the other areas....here they are. The hutch/china cabinet were separated for the move. I looked and looked for a tv credenza but didn't find any I thought would go. Then I saw on Pinterest how people took old china cabinet tops and put them on legs so did this until I find a credenza I like. We bought this set in 1981 when we got married...it is solid and better made than what I could buy today so decided to keep it. We redid the handles...it originally had teeny gold handles. Oh, sorry for junk on DR table....am about to make chair covers. LR furniture/art/rug will be replaced in a few years....not crazy about the charcoal sofa/chairs anymore but living with it for now. Thanks for all the suggestions.