A rug is a perfect place to start.

I'd get one with some color/pattern in it. Then it's so easy to pluck some shades from the rug and throw them around your room. When you tire of your accessories, just change them out.

Art and pillows and vases in colors like Turquiose, red, orange, yellow will add spark to your space.

Key question: do you LIKE patterns? Not everyone does. Some people like a mixture of solids (or near solids), with minimal patterns. Personally, I always think I like patterns (and I do in other people's homes). In my home, however, I find that more than one pattern feels too busy for me.

deltabreeze....yes, I do like patterns. I think my problem is that I have had drapes and a wing chair in a pattern for the last 11 years, and I am looking for a calm, un-busy room for a change.

You don't have to do patterns, textures work too. I vote for theedgrad's colors, to spice things up. I (personally) would add a blue, either aqua or light blue, and maybe orange - in pillows, throws, vases, etc.
Diane

Here are the colors I used in our living room to spruce it up. I love the warm neutral wall with the bright, but warm accents.

Dark drapes agains a lighter wall can look somber and it makes the drapes the focus of the room which is not what you want. If you don't want a pattern in the drapes choose a nubby, richly textured material that is not too different from the wall color. It will really open up your room. For a carpet I'd choose one that has only two colors (again I don't think I'd opt for brown) and then pick up one of the colors in the rug for accessories. Wall art can do a great deal to give a rich, warm look to the room and take it out of the ordinary zone.