just add a few terrific colorful pillows (my fav sources are Anthropologie, Etsy and Annie Selke) and some great art above the couch

Did you choose a new coffee table? Can you take a wider shot so we can see more of the room?

I need help with a new coffee table! I am in flux of moving to a new apartment and silly me, that is the only photo I took!

Agree with the great ideas mentioned above, but also consider getting a nice throw in a soft color to drape on the sofa corner. Something that will compliment the new pillows.

thank you for the feedback - I just tend to prefer a lighter aesthetic, so more so trying to combine our styles.

Go shopping together - online or in person, and pic out a color you both like to accent the space - artwork, pillows. It will make the space feel more both of yours. He seems to have good taste so I'd lean on his opinions.

The size and shape of the former coffee table was good. Nice that it had a storage shelf below too. I'd find something similar but in a lighter feeling color, maybe with glass.

You haven't said what your style is. What do you gravitate towards? What kind of art do you like?

What about the rest of the room? The photo you took shows a well made couch and nice rug. Are there windows that could use some soft, lighter colored drapes? Artwork over the couch should be chosen together so you both enjoy them.

If you have an AtHome store nearby, they often have rows of pillows. You can add some color with those, curtains and artwork and really change the feel of any room.

You’re lucky your boyfriend already came with good taste!

You have great basics to start with. Adding color will lighten up and add a soft touch. You will get the most bang for your buck by painting and window treatments.

Paint the room a pale blue or pale yellow, or any color for that matter, to set the tone. The pics posted show how the sofa and rug are not the focus, it's the accessories. Once you paint, match the curtain panels (ceiling to floor) to the color of the walls.

I find that if you put together an inspiration board, you will notice how a vein of the colors you respond to will guide your choices.

This pic has a simple white molding right above the sofa height, with the color of the wall above it and below forcing your eye to the art and color. Adding interesting cubes as a coffee table makes them front and center.

A pale yellow tone on the wall and window treatments, colorful art and throw pillows is an easy way to transform the room to something more feminine.

Consider peach walls with a brown undertone

As you can see the focus is completely off the brown sofa using vibrant color in art and accessories

I know you mentioned a lighter room, but consider a teal paint. The grey sofa will seem purposeful with art and pick up solid color pillows. Consider a light beech coffee table.

Here's another room with a series of art and coordinating pillows

What was the reason for dumping the coffee table? Round is a nice shape for the space and curves are more feminine. What about a round marble top table to lighten it up a bit?

Here are some ideas. But please post a larger picture when you get a chance. I agree that you have a good foundation to start with. (Not a poofy faux leather recliner in sight!) And congrats on moving in together!

I suggest a glass coffee table such as the one below. But a smaller one, perhaps a round one or two small glass coffee tables.

Art that references the gray and the cream plus other grayed pastels, then pillows, tables, a throw, a chair(?) in those colors?

The fake tree has to go. Then go together to choose a large piece of art that has things you both love. I think you need lighting so as boring as end tables can be they allow for a place to put a drink and add a lamp. So on the one end of the soafa a table and lamp to replace the fake tre a nan interesting floor lamp maybe even an arc lamp to likght the center of the space . Then choose a color fom the art for a pillow if it has some texture like a mongolian lamb even better .I actually tought the coffee table was okay shape wise so maybe something in a wood round about the same size .

Browse greatbigcanvas.com and art.com together to find a new over-the-couch painting you both love. Then use the colors from it for pillows (and not black, white or gray).