I would say, accessorize with soft yellow, ivory and pastels. Add flowers, replace the side tables and painting, and add more seating to create a cozy and intimate area. Add side lamps too for better lighting. I played with the main photograph you uploaded and added a few accessories to help you visualize your space. Hope this helps!

Colors and a defined function can make a room more inviting. Here's some suggestions:

1. First, I would start with taking out every accessory to "see" the room. Leave the paintings on the walls, if you must keep them.

2. Your color scheme has cool neutrals and the dark wood furniture all cast a feeling of formality. Add draperies and decorative pillows in colors that "warm up" the room. For example, rather than the maroon pillows, look for fabric that has a shade or two lighter than the maroon. If you like patterns, than go for a classic but updated version of such patterns as an ikat or a Greek key. If you prefer solid colors, than use a much lighter shade of the neutrals you have but add a warm color welt to the pillows, and to the draperies you can also add a warm color border.

3. On the drapers, make it floor to ceiling. If budget is an issue, than soften the blinds with drapery panels on each end but tie it together with a valance.

4. Define the function of the room: reading? table games? tete-a-tete? This will determine what additional items to put in the room. For example, if it's a quite place to read, add a wall high book case with lots of books and even favorite collections of the family, such as photos, hobbies, etc. If table games, add a small table with chairs and place it in front of the window.

5. Add informal seating, such as poufs on the other side of the cocktail table. Poufs are fun and can easily be moved around.

6. For accessories on your tables, try adding just odd numbers of similar items but not too many or it starts to look busy.

7. Soft lighting, particularly, table lamps in the corners of a room will "soften" it.

8. Finally, and not least, (perhaps first), add an area rug with warm colors or the lighter shades of the neutrals that you have. In fact, if you got the rug first, you could pull the colors "warm ones" from this for your draperies, throw pillows and poufs.

I didn't say which warm colors, because this will depend upon your personal taste. I will suggest that you can start with browsing through an online fabric store, such as Inside Fabrics. They have a great selections from which to just get ideas. Then narrow it down to what works in the room and colors you and your family would love. I also like to tell people, go to your closet and you will find your favorite colors. In your case, if you have a lot of dark neutrals but want to "soften up" that room--don't go to your closet! LOL

Good luck.