If you want to keep the existing furniture, please post additional pics. I think a new furniture arrangement would make a big difference. What color is the carpet? Is this room open to the kitchen? If so, please post pics of the kitchen dining area as the wall color should probably compliment.

Ok. Let me see if I can find previous photos I have taken. Or I will take some new ones after I pick up a bit from Sunday breakfast. I have a big family - 5 boys!

The carpet is that neutral, builders standard.

Here is the transition place. Green on green! :P Please swallow and keep from gagging!

I agree. The dining toom buffet could be better suited as a tv console. Thr dining room pieces don't have to match, especially in a rustic style.

Rearrange the furniture. Switch the positions of the couch and the two chairs. Move the couch to face the tv. I would center it so that you have access to the living room from the left and right side. Also, move the chairs where the couch is now.

Please post more pics of the living room.

Paint the kitchen walls Ben Moore muslin to complement to complement the olive and brighten furniture, replace fan with white lower profile to blend into ceiling, furniture needs rearranging but need more pics

Paint the walls SW Kilim Beige. That will immediately lighten things up. Remove the pot rack. Visual clutter makes the room feel smaller. When you are not watching TV keep the blinds and curtains open. When I think about it we rarely have the TV on while it is daylight!

Re paint, all suggestions abover good for color :-) Move Tv to the patio door wall. Move buffet under TV. I can't see around the corner in the Fam. Room, but assume you have a 3rd wall there? I hope ...
Get rid of black couch, and at least one of the recliners (and anything else in your way!) With 5 boys ... you need simple/simple to keep things tidy. And you need seating. You need a sectional (not an overstuffed one, but modern, low, clean lines and easy care upholstery) Think Ikea, not overstuffed.
Hope the picture makes it clear?

If you give me your room dimensions, with window sizing and door sizing. I would do a floor plan. Just not today :-)

Thank You for all your suggestions!! Yes, what you don't see is a third wall. There is a black futon couch along the 3rd wall next to a side table and my sewing desk. This room is indeed cluttered with mismatched furniture, partly because some of my stuff came over in the move and I just didn't know where else to put it in the house. The futon couch is there for more sitting room- We need seating for at least 9 people. I didn't mention the other kids who are at college now. I will look up the colors tomorrow. Oh and yes I can't wait to get rid of all the black couches, bulky lazy boy chairs and big side tables. Oh that first marriage taste in furniture and colors is a huge thorn in my side. Saving up for the complete make-over.

If you got light filtering and blackout shades (2-in-1 shades), you could have the best of both worlds. When you want to brighten up the space, you can switch it to the light filtering shade. And when your husband wants to watch TV, you can switch it to the blackout shade.

http://www.selectblinds.com/cellularshades/1-2-inch-day-night-cordless-cellular-shade.html

Good luck!

Can you take a picture of the room corner we aren't seeing? This may or may not be your ultimate style, but something like this. I'm actually thinking a longer seating section (not a chaise, but a full L) I would have the long side of the sectional facing into your dining area, short end in the corner we can't see to the right. TV on the wall with your patio doors. But this give you and idea on how nicely it could integrate with your dining area.

In addition to moving the buffet, I would paint the walls off white and add color via curtains. This isn't the best visual but hopefully it helps.

Sources: curtains and lamp from target.com, sofa from IKEA, coffee table from Craigslist, end table from Overstock.

We have found that one does not have to have heavy dark curtains in order to watch TV. You can go as light and as colorful as you like, away from the claustrophobic cave look that you don't like anyway. Wood floors are a great idea. If I had to choose one thing to do at a time that would be the first one. I love the fresh green walls in your kitchen, but do you? I agree that you may want to relocate that pot rack. It makes the space look cluttered. If at all possible let the overstuffed chairs go and think about sleeker sofas or a sectional. How high are your ceilings?

Sell everything except the console and the TV on Craigs List. I agree that the room should be painted a light color to brighten and wake up the room! Neutral whites are the new beige and Revere Pewter or Repose Grey by Sherwin Williams can be really beautiful too. Put the TV on the buffet and move it into the room. Then go shoppping and buy a sectional to begin with. Beware when you are shoppping; everyone will want to sell you the brown overstuffed sectional that will be too big for your room. Find a picture of the mood you want and take it with you; keep shoppping till you find it. You will, but you will find a lot of reluctance from all those boys. haha

The set below could work nicely all the way down to the recliner; your room might hold two in a coordinating color or print or bright leather. No black, no brown, get what you love! The men will adjust; you set the mood they will follow.

I googled comfortable sleek sectionals with chaise. This is the one I liked the best as being neutral and roomy and not space gobbling!

This is only 1199.00 so good achievable prices are out there. Check out more info for dimensions so you can tape it out on your carpet to see the best place for TV viewing. This is a great exercise so everyone can see what you are aiming for!

Sell, paint buy and enjoy without you being the only one uncomfortable in the room. Celebrate your new marriage (I think) and your lovely new family! You can do this this weekend. Keep us posted for sure!