Is the sectional staying? It's really too big for the space. White cordless cellular shades would be fine, but you still need some curtain panels for color. They can be mounted to the outside edges of the window, to cover up as little light as possible. I also would take out the tall bookcase...it's too big and makes the window look cluttered. I would mount the TV on the wall with the console under it with some accessories.

Hi Nicole thanks for responding. All the living room furniture is staying. Our budget is tight so we're not looking to replacing any furniture in the living room and there really wasn't anywhere else to put the bookcase (our bedrooms have no space). But I appreciate the advice about mounting the TV. That's something I thought about and then using the table top on console for like family photos.

ahhh...now more pictures showed up...ok, how about moving the tall bookcase to the left of the "play-yard" to get it away from the window? Get some cute baskets for the bookshelf to keep toys and kid stuff. Bright pillows for the couch. Check Ikea for curtain panels. Can you put the highchairs on the back wall of the eating area, to the left of the window? Yes, on a new light over the table, and with little ones, a rug under the table is never a good idea.

My thoughts too Nichole! I would have no rug under the dining table so you can use a dust mop for quick clean ups without a vacuum cleaner.

How about two storage benches flanking the tv? (Remove the bookcase). Then, hang two of the art pieces (that are above the sofa) two each above the storage benches. These benches will be great extra seating and more importantly, a toy box for quick clean ups.

Replace the mirrored closet door with sliding wood panels so the clutter isn't doubled.

A brighter home has good lighting. The torch lamp behind the sofa isn't the best lighting. How about an arc lamp there? I'd replace the ceiling light in the dining area with a flush mount since it isn't centered with a table.

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White opens a space up... Bringing height around windows raises the ceiling, so consider a decorative curtain ceiling to floor, light in color. With the place being quite busy, Id stick to solids, and stay away from patterns, Storage bins, built in storage to conceal the toys, and eliminate any exposed storage such as book shelves, or anywhere else where things accumulate. Go with large, single pictures, rather than gallery or multiple pics/ art. Reflective objects make a place seem bigger. Decorate with mirrors to open the space- in front of a window reflection if possible to balance and play with light. Use a lot of light in the space (natural or otherwise), reflecting off of walls if possible to, again, make the space grow and glow. Hope this helps! remember... light colors!

I'm thinking adding color with a fun area rug, then keep everything else a solid....You're young so some fun is in order! With this rug, you can leave the wall color.

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Nicole/Darzy - Great suggestions. I have my daughter's play kitchen left of the play yard (I think you can see part of it jutting out in some of the photos) so I'm open to moving the bookshelf there but then I don't know where to put the play kitchen. I had it in the dining area recently under the picture of the flowers but moved it around to accommodate the bar cart as it was originally next to the window. We moved it into the corner because the sunlight and the radiator under the window was making the cart too hot and my husband owns some expensive whiskeys.

Michelle - Thanks for the great tips. This is the kind of stuff that I'd have no clue about... =\ Any suggestions on colors for the curtains? Should I go sheer or regular panels? Only thing that comes to mind in terms of colors that would match would be like ivory or beige but it sounds so boring. Regarding the use of mirrors, would you recommend replacing the wall art above the sofa with a large mirror? I was considering on changing the art but if a mirror would work better. I'm certainly open to that.

Also, I had in mind replacing the ladder bookshelf in the middle of the room with an entry way table with a mirror over it as that's how the previous owners had it and I thought it looked nice. Right now, thought the stuff I have on the ladder bookshelf are sentimental things I want to display so I don't know where else I'd put it. If I do have a mirror there then would it be too much to have a mirror over the sofa as well?

Hi- My focus and the first thing I see is a need for lighting in these spaces. From your first photo, you can see that most of the light shines on the ceiling and not the room. I know you got a chandelier- I love the mixing of styles-just be sure that there is enough down light coming from ceiling fixtures. Also in the other room there is 1 table lamp and one torch lamp that shines upward. You need to have more lamp light at a reading/task level for both areas.

Lighting is an important element and so you need to be sure you have down lighting from the ceiling and ambient eye level lighting when seated.

Let me know if you have any questions.

First off, I love your home! It's so cute, and has so many possibilities! Do you like to paint? My suggestion would be to paint some of your dark pieces. I also like the idea of using mirrors. Is it possible to move the dining table to where the play area is now? Use the existing dining area now for the children's area. Your children will be growing so quickly, and even though you have a lot of baby items now, I know that doesn't last for too terribly long. (Savor these moments!) I find a lot of pieces at garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores, etc. for a lot less money than going retail. Maybe some light colored blanket throws, pillows, plants, for some pops of color. Don't feel like you have to stick with a solid curtain, there are some great prints out there as well. Have you thought of a pretty shade of blue? I'm not a decorator, and my style is eclectic-shabby chic, so sorry this is a little jumbled. I know that at the top of the Houzz heading where you can search, type in "brightening up dark spaces" for some inspiration. Good luck, Cant wait to see the result!

I think adding mirrors may not be such a good idea. A mirror over the sofa will reflect another tv. Or, a mirror above a console will reflect the play space. You don't want to double the clutter look! Since the budget is tight, get the chandelier you like and put the dining table centered with the chandelier. Curtain panels that have a color from your art above the sofa (lower the art a bit) on the windows. If you have good lighting, it will not feel so "dark". Plus, if you edit the small knick-knacks, lower the art and find some storage solutions, the space will feel cozy, yet bigger. I wouldn't even get toss pillows for the sofa.

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Wow..that is one dark and crowded room but I think you can make it a very nice and functional space with just a little bit of work. First thing I think you need is an entire wall of storage where the TV is that will provide space for all those toys and clutter to be placed out of the way but handy when you need it. I would go for something with an open back to keep it as light as possible. YOu can also place a lamp no one of the shelves to bring light to that side of the room. I would definitely add a new chandelier, crystal or otherwise--whatever you like, that will add more light to the entire area including the dark kitchen. To preserve space I would build in a banquette against that dining room wall or add a seating bench up against the wall and keep the table in front of it and out of the way. Maybe one swivel stool barstool at the counter in a bright leather such as those found on grandinroad.com. Mirrors can be added to the two walls on either side of the kitchen doorway to reflect the light from the one window in the living room. Shutters might be a better window treatment option allowing you to open them completely or control the amount of light and privacy when necessary. If you do get blinds then make sure they stack all the way to the top to allow as much light as possible to enter the room. Color can be added via pretty throw pillows and a colorful striped or patterned rug will not only add color but also mask any dirt and stains from the kids. A storage coffee table ottoman will be safer than the glass one you have and provide lots of space for toys, games, blankets etc. and some life through the use of a large plant etc will make it more enjoyable. If budget allows I would replace that big brown sectional with a sofa and a chair in a child friendly fabric or even a lighter brown leather like a saddle etc. Dont overlook storage and display space by knocking out the drywall and utilizing the storage between the studs that will preserve floor space. To brighten your little entry paint the back of the door a nice color and hang some family photos and a coat hook on the wall. Keep your wall colors light and bright and bring in color through other items. Maybe even paint them white and add color by painting the crown molding and door and window trim in a contrasting color like sage, gray or even the beige of the wall color you have now. Depends on your own design aesthetic. Good luck and have fun and remember that one day you will not have all those toys to deal with!

honestly i thnk you need to just pull the sectional out of the corner and put the play pen behind it along with some low shelves or bins or even a storage ottoman to put the toys in until you're out of the kids everywhere mode! and remember one toy in = one toy out!! life is meant to be lived and sometimes you gotta put the kids in the corner so their stuff doesnt take over the world! and when you have guests it's crazy simple to toss everything over the couch and pretend it's not there!!!

More and brighter lights and mirrors, especially opposite windows to reflect light back into room!

more than dark, I think you feel closed in. I would consider, storage solutions. I know babies have stuff, so its not like i think your messy, its that i think the combo of adult and kid stuff is jumbling together. Im thinking of turning the dining table flush up to the pass through wall, with the three chairs. then putting a large or two smaller book cases, on the wall of the window. filled with baskets, lower ones for kid stuff higher ones for adult stuff. I would also like to see the cabinet to the closet side go away. it seems more like stuff just ends up there. put the little coat hanger in a bedroom. put the ladder shelf there, with much less on it. to not block the closet. Also they have closet organizer systems that might help you with shoe rack and shelves on one side hangers on the other? there is lots of natural light, and you have nice things, just have to get you through the tot stage, and things will open back up. Dont buy anymore dark furniture.

Put the play yard thing in the kitchen area so you can carve out an area that is clutter free. I promise it will make you so happy (we did this in our house as well and we have a peaceful area to relax when they're asleep or to have snuggle/reading time on the couch - no point in a whisky if you can't relax while drinking it). Get a round dining table in white with a small pedastal and put it right where your play yard is right now. You can use your current table but it would be flush to the wall and a bit "blocky." If you keep it, try to recover the chairs with something bright. Stick the high chair behind the part of the wall that sticks out so when you walk in you don't see it. Move your red art to the wall where your dining table will be to define that as a dining area (or get something new). No rug underneath until they're 8 or 9. If your bookcase by the window will fit, put it on the little slice of wall beside where the play yard is now. If not, how about the bar cart there. Or move the ladder style shelf to that slice of wall so it's out of the way a bit more and move the bookcase to where the ladder shelf is - again less visual noise in the space and maybe less likely to get knocked. Maybe??? a white coffee table (or teal or green or red for a pop in the middle of that room) to pull the dark brown and white together from the two rooms and to lighten the center of that room. Lots of bright, bright, bright throw pillows for the couch (I find Ross, TJ Maxx, and Marshall's to be great for this or if you have a lot of pillows just buy new pillow cases on amazon so you don't have to store anything - they have some really beautiful bright ones - and they're washable for chocolate or sweet potato fingers). Replace the lamp by the window with one with a white lampshade. Get a new blingy lampshade for the cute brown lamp on the side table. Mount the tv because it really can't go anywhere else (safer for the kiddos too). If you find a light weight and patterned curtain that you love, that would be great too! It will draw the eye into the far end of the room and the light and away from all the things that come with having kids. Get a kallax shelf from ikea (4X2) and some bright "bins" to put in the shelves and stick it under the window in new play area. Put the little table and chairs where the ladder shelf is now for the time being. Most of all - don't put any other furniture in there until you get some of it out of there. ...I think your sofa looks cozy and it's the perfect material for kids. I'd save the investment of replacing that for another time. Throw pillows and throw blankets will make it less overwhelmingly brown.

Thanks to everyone for such great ideas. I didn't even consider moving the dining table into the living room area and then making the dining area just the kids' space. I would really like to do that but my major concern is the huge shag rug in the living room. I would never have picked that rug out for that space except my building requires 80% of our floors to be carpeted and that was the most affordable rug I could live with to fit the requirement. We removed the other rugs we laid down for our inspection but that rug is so big it's definitely not going anywhere and I just can't see us being able to keep it clean with the dining table on top of it.

I was never really happy with the ladder bookshelf where it was so I may either sell it or try to find space in our bedroom, put my daughter's play kitchen there and her little table and chairs right in front of it. I'll then put my kids riding/push toys in that corner where her kitchen was next to the play yard so that it clears out our dining area and maybe buy a sideboard to replace the bar cart and store some of the stuff that's cluttering up the kitchen counter and the top of the shoe cabinet in there.

Also taking into consideration the need to lighten the color of the living room, was thinking of maybe two of these little white ottomans to replace the brown coffee table or would that look too small next to the big sectional?

I'm not opposed to getting the Ikea table I was planning to buy in white instead of black but I like a more modern look and always felt like the white was more country then modern. Is that wrong? Also, if I do get the white table then any suggestions on chair colors? I'm pretty set on getting leather or faux leather chairs.

So I took some of the advice and moved thd black step ladder and mad some changes so that I could move my daughters play kitchen and table set to her room. Also got rid of the dining room rug and pushed my son's high chair to the back. What do you think? The only thing I don't like about all bare floors is that our floors are not in good shape and I feel like the lack of a rug emphasizes it.

Hey, the floors have character! I wouldn't worry about that and besides, the children can scoot on their toys better. BTW...your kitchen table is quite cute and seems just the right size. How about just getting new fabric for the seats? Scissors, fabric, screwdriver (to remove the seat) and a staple gun and you'll have new chairs. :)

When you purchase your new shades, consider ones that can be lifted from the bottom up. They provide a bit more privacy and allow in more light. Also check the light reflective value when you choose new paint. Many of the shades in modern color palettes really brighten a space.

seems, so much larger already. and with less obstructions . the floors look fine. tho a rug in the dining room might help defined the space a bit. i feel like i can look through the rooms now.

Some color would really make the room pop, even if it were just accents