What can brighten a room? Perhaps the answer is as simple as light. I see no lamps, either floor or table lamps, in your photo.

You have too much dark furniture. Lighten up! You can actually do this without getting rid of the furniture. Add a light tray on top of the ottoman. Add light colored throws to the sofas. Remove dark pillows, substituting light colored ones. Your pink ones don't seem to be doing the job.

Consider painting the wainscoting a light color. I'd love to see some lemon or golden yellow in this room. Pillows should be larger than the sizes you have (excluding the dark ones).

Hi, yes to everything Carolyn recommended.

Here are some photos for ideas and examples. Add in a light colored rug and white/light accents. I agree the throw pillows need to be addressed like Carolyn suggested too.

If in budget, I'd even suggest a new coffee table with some lighter colored materials and/or glass/metal. That should help balance out the look of the dark and heavy upholstery.

The drapery rods should be raised a bit. And if the current drapes aren't long enough once the rods are raised, replace them with some lighter colored drapes as well....perhaps something in a pattern include the colors of your sofas and the new rug.

Finally, not sure if there is artwork already.....if not, bring in some artwork to add more life and color into the space. Your new throw pillows and accessories can coordinate with the colors in the art.

id like to see more color. agree a floor lamp on left corner of room. how about a rug and change out the ottoman for something different?

The salesperson talked you into buying the whole set, eh?

Try natural materials--burlap, jute, reclaimed wood. A little blue and yellow wouldn't hurt. Lose the pink.

Grover is in the texture business - and I mean that in a good way. The second pillow idea sells in only tan/gold or green...

Don't forget mama bird and baby... [oh boy with polka dots on back]....

Bright area rug would help, with reds
I'd get rid of the curtains, do you need them?

You should consider using a mirror on the wall to bounce of the light. This will also give the elusion that the room is bigger

Paint the FP and wainscot to match in warm white. Slipcover the hassock/coffee table in a bright print fabric and top it with a light colored tray. Pull that fabric onto the sofas with pillows and find a light color in the fabric to use above the wainscot. Lamps, and a new ceiling fixture (semi-flush drum style) and light dolored inside mounted roman shades, no drapes, should lighten things up.

Definitely draperies from the ceiling in a light colour. A rug/throws and scatter cushions in bright tones - I see some kind of aquarium in the corner of the photo that's giving off a turquoise hue - maybe bring that in as a colour theme. Turquoise and brown compliment each other. Wall art and lamps and brighten up your accessories and art. Nothing suggested here is costing a million dollars and can be slowly built on.

Hi Carolyn and all! This young lady could use some space planning and I'm not helping much. :)

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Limewash the fireplace

Hey there! Here is my take. The first thing that hit me when I looked at your picture are the blinds. I'm sure you need them, but get white, or try matchstick blinds. They filter light and have a lighter feel to them ( no pun intended) I'll have to take another look and add on to this post.

I agree with the poster above. Love the look of white against a darker wood color.

Okay I'm back.. Lol. If you remove the divided color of dark on lower half with lighter on upper half and just make it one color it will make the room lighter and appear larger. I like the dark trim. Another thing would be if you could get wall mount light fixtures for each side of the fireplace. Paint the book shelf if you have to have it in that room. Use the same color as the wall, and it will blend into the wall taking away another aspect that chops up the line of sight and flow of the room. Invest in a unique rug, give the room some pizazz and buy one that has some subtle colors, then get a few pillows that will pick up those colors and lighten up your sofa at the same time. A lamp in the corner by the sofa would be good. Get a nice serving tray, size to scale of furniture & ottoman to sit on the ottoman, use a light color and natural material.