I'm curious what is off to the right when you are facing the TV. Is that a dining area? What about if you are looking back at the stairs- what is in that opening to the right?
PS I'm not a designer, just like getting ideas from this page! LIke your space! :)

You are off to a great start. Fill up those walls!!!! That will make a huge difference. You need some art and color on those walls. Add some colorful accent pillow and you will start to see the space transform.

The TV dominates the room and I personally feel that's the wrong approach. In the first pic, it looks like a TV room but it really should be a living room where conversations sparkle, and friendships are forged! Is there a way of shifting the TV so that it's no longer the focal point? Perhaps obliquely to a corner with a sectional couch opposite? The now-vacant space could have a piece of art which adds colour and interest to the room. The floor is superb as is the staircase.

The best is the stairway. Take out that air-conditioner. What is the wall color? Is it different from the living room?

The staircase is nice. Perhaps you could have a pair of columns built in the style of the newel post, setting them close to the walls, to visually divide the foyer and living area, without impeding traffic flow. Since the style is simple, it shouldn't be too expensive.. My next investment would be some nice cabinetry to showcase some art, family pieces, and provide doors to hide the television when not in use. Again follow the style of the staircase to tie it all together.
A couple of nice rugs, in different shapes, would also help to define the spaces.

Thank you for your comments, I agree that the TV does dominate the room and I will try rearrange it so that its not so much the focus. When we bought the house there was green wall paper on the wall heading up the stairs, we don't want to start removing it because it will be a lot of work. I tried to stay with neutral colors on the walls downstairs so it wouldn't clash. Where the living room the paint color is Benjamin Moore Big Bend Beige and the wall with the two sconces is Benjamin Moore Mt Rushmore Rock. I'm wondering if I should just paint the entire first floor Big Bend Beige...

I thought that wood material is warm stuff. It might be a good idea if you put a soft carpet in the center of that foyer.

I thought that wood material is warm stuff. It might be a good idea if you put a soft carpet in the center of that foyer.

Your floor is beautiful! A long space like that is difficult. It tends to have a "tunnel" feel to it. I think a table behind your sofa with tall candles and flower arrangement would visually define your seating area. A couple of reading lamps by the sofa would add warmth. I agree that the TV needs to move to a corner. The cabinet idea is good. You can also take some attention away from it by hanging art around it. There are some good photos here on Houzz.

Also, is there another place for your computer? It's almost the first thing you see when you enter. Two screens in the room detracts from "warm and inviting." You could use the table it's on behind the sofa as I mentioned above. An area rug in the foyer and art on the walls will help a lot. Even though it's a lot of work, I think you will be happier without the green wallpaper. :-) I'm sure the room will look great when you get done. Keep us posted.

I agree with the TV thing. I think perhaps a good idea- if you're up for it- would be a new entertainment center. Perhaps one with sliding panels that can cover up the TV when it's not in use. That will draw the attention away from the TV and you can put some awesome decor on the shelves around it...

I am also thinking about perhaps a large shelving unit behind the couch to separate the desk and couch area? Something like a large Expedit from Ikea is reasonably priced and you can put some boxes in it with toys, office supplies, DVDs, etc. and I think it will look beautiful! You can have so much fun with the accent colors of the boxes, too.

Though I don't believe you have to keep the entire first floor one color, I think it should be more uniform and you can absolutely add an accent wall or two.

GOOD LUCK!!!

A tv on a very dark wall " disappears ". If all your walls were the lighter color and a color such as BM Willow painted on tv wall, it would also foreshorten the appearance of the room.

Yes, area rugs to define each of the two spaces. More artwork on the walls. I suggest white mattes or white in the artwork to brighten up the place and break up the monotony of the beige. Some kind of low cabinet or shelf unit to display artwork against the back side of the couch in the office area.

The wall with the one small piece of art on it is a great place to use to divide up the room. I would recommend 3 maybe 4 smaller pieces of art in the portrait orientation or perhaps a single larger panoramic.

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