change the rug. it seems like in one picture the couch is off the wall but the other picture it looks like its on a wall of windows? the pictures are confusing even tho you you posted a few. start with a larger, lighter area rug with some color and pattern. from there add curtains, and do a college wall of pictures on the tv wall. also please change that flush mounted light in the foreground, or take it down and paint it satin nickle. i would bring in some blue maybe. i would think "soften up" ....too many hard lines and dark colors.

can the collage of wall pictures be photos of kids and family or should I stick to art? Any thoughts on what fixture might look good? Also I probably should have mentioned we are renting so that might change some of the advice I get! The couch is partially against those windows/wall but continues outward into the open area. The back of the couch is backed up to my babies play area which is gated off. I can add more pictures later when I get home from work. I think hubby would like the color blue to incorporate!

well, if you rent, and your hubby is handy, you can take down and store the builders light, and put up your own until you move. it doesnt have to be expensive change, just add some flair (hee hee). the wall collage can be a mix of everything if you like...or pick a theme. i would do black and white for family with some mix and match frames from a thrift store or something that you could paint (the frames i mean). here is a light from lowes, normally im against that ......as you can imagine, but for a temp change in a rental something like this would totally change the feel of that space... http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=339977-82850-38147&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3388936&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1

Yes, and you may even be able to sell the new light fixture to the landlord when you move.

A few more pics