Garden, I love that rug. As Les has said, I could understand the appeal since it is so much like the wallpaper that you like. But, IMHO it competes with the wallpaper and neither come out a winner as a result. Re: the wallpaper - I think you have to decide - wallpaper or rug. I would pick the rug myself and as others have suggested, a creamy vanilla about the rail would look great. Wallpaper doesn't have to be a real chore to remove. Read the suggestions about wallpaper removel and various tools, like the paper scorer or the products like Dif that will be the job so much easier. If there were layers upon layers that would be another story. Don't worry about the "big open spaces". The rooms I like are ever evolving, layers placed over time. To me when rooms are "complete" it is time to start removing stuff and finding things I like better. The joy of the hunt begins again. The warm weather is coming so the tag sales will be starting, there are always the thrift stores, many cheap deals under $5 to fill those spaces as you go along. Think what fun! This being said, there have been numerous threads about man vs decorating style. Unless your guy sits and watches HGTV with you, and makes comments like "those drapes are too heavy for that room" then just go ahead and do it. He'll learn to live with it. IMHO as always.

I have variegated hardwood floor in light and dark brown, I have a cream colored sofa, I need an area carpet, do I go light ir dark and should it have a border. This is the sofa and the floor is in the second photo

Holly, I do not have a picture. My things are in storage until I move into my new place in about 5-6 weeks. But I did use it in the bathroom for a while. Patricia is right about polypropylene rugs looking cheap. You can tell the pattern is printed on but I didn't want a good one for the bathroom. In my new place it will go outdoors on the porch. The railing and outdoor carpeting is brown, a color I loathe, and I eventually want to paint the house a pistacho green with forest green shutters and trim. The porch railings will be forest green so a temporary solution until I can afford to do all that painting is having this rug over the brown carpeting. (Painting the door emerald will be nice too.) The cost was so low on sale, about $35, that I don't mind that it will probably fade and certainly wear out. I will replace it when that happens. Just know that because it is polypropylene and inexpensive it is never going to feel like a good wool rug. But buy padding and it will help the "feel" of it on your mama's feet.

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful/helpful suggestions, particularly the rug colour/patterns! As well, I do plan to purchase an additional chair and floor lamp for the LR and will position it as suggested! I have a few follow-up questions, and since some of you have been generous to provide some additional advice on how to use my space, I'd like to expand the conversation somewhat to follow up on those recommendations as well: It seems like the consensus is that a separate rug for the dining set isn't recommended? (works for me since I really like my floors) There also seems to be agreement that the LR rug should be at least large enough that the front legs of my couch are sitting on it; am I also correct in assuming the LR rug shouldn't be large enough that it reaches the rear legs or wall? I've considered rotating the table since it would create more space for the LR area; however, there is a leaf for the table and the room isn't wide enough to fully extend the table. Although I won't often use the leaf and could just as easily rotate the table lengthwise on occasions when I need the extra table space. Given this, would you still recommend rotating the table? Would a decision not to rotate it impact any of your prior area rug suggestions? Thanks again!