It is a lovely room but you may be feeling the need to edit your collection. I think you have so many things you love, that you don't have room to showcase all of them. Simply take down some of the display pieces and find a place to display them in another part of the house. You may also want to store some of them to be displayed at different times of the year or sell/donate what you aren't in love with as you edit.

I just saw a room done by Candice Olson with a tv console inches wider than the tv. Looked like one unit in that case.

I like the monochromatic look. You've done a great job. Of course I'm biased since my room looks ALOT like yours except my couch is brown leather.

I compared your room to one similar in my idea book to see what was different. Maybe if your walls were lighter like this one:

Or this one that has a touch of light green accents:

You have sort of the same elements. Like others have said the small items on the wall are sort of throwing it off some. But, like I said it looks great.

think more like a minimalist and I think it will be great. Less is more.

Try things like removing some first ? The shelves are good in that they're randomly placed and ok -- but there are a few too many things at left....

I would try removing all other dark items like map, mirror and ladder: too much.

The dark couches are fine but need at least one bright throw..... then bright art over the sofa.... whatever semi-bright that you like.

Here's a staggered look like yours, which I like.... they painted too.

Here's rust [with white like your sofa] and it's good with bronzey olive. Is your sofa about that color?

If you want to keep the map, maybe you could paint it a bright.... are there grooves at the state lines? or paint/wax in them?

Ideas / maybe where mirror is? I have this in red, and like it.

Some of the apricot, sunset, sienna colors go well with both olive and off-white couches, just for example.... the burnt colors at top are good with olive but the pretty warm flower goes with dark and light......

Light background like your couch, and flowers again good with olive. Keep repeating those around the room. :)

BUT if you painted the tv wall a muted purple for example seems less would need to change on other walls ? Course rug or table could be more colorful........

I really think you should start with the tv wall. Remove all objects from the shelves. I just noticed what looks like a calendar on the wall. Also, the top right hand shelf is too close to the ceiling. The tv screen is adding to the dark distress. There are ways to make the tv screen less imposing. The suggestion to paint behind it is one idea although you do not have clear boundaries for that. I would take everything down, including the shelves, and then give us a picture of the tv wall. Would you be willing to paint anything?

See how this wall reduces the impact of the dark tv and how the shelves are placed?

maybe if you put all the shelves on one side of the tv and lined them up and the map on the other side of the tv you would balance the wall and the darkness. then add just a few objects to the shelves or even paint them white.

Everyone's comments are so incredibly sweet! I'm amazed how you all are coming alongside with great idea pictures and a variety of helpful suggestions giving the gift of thoughtful consideration and time to help with a decor dilemma. Tiarock, beautiful room. What you have created looks warm, inviting, and very, very nice. I agree though with some others -- a little too much decor (clutter on walls and the many pillows) and maybe introduce some subtle color with decor or a soft monochromatic pattern in either curtains or in the rug . I wouldn't go with bold color.

Me again to say I think the shelves serve as camouflage for a tv. I favor your shelves cause they're up and mostly great, for the 'lines' they create even....

Have you tried switching the white and brown sofas?

I would add white/cream throw pillows and mix up the existing ones.

I too favor the shelves, but rearranged and simplified. Under shelving light will really help. We need a picture of the 'fourth' wall.

I like all of the natural elements in the room & you seem to favor neutral colors. I think painting the wall behind the TV a light color would be great. I love green or blue. Also a tall houseplant would bring in some life.

I agree with others that removing the little items from the wall will
open up the space, then you'll need to add color and texture. Check out
my artwork for ideas. Many colors and sizes available:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/shoagallery

Some suggestions below. (I'm not as good as others in photoshop but you get the point :) )

A couple of sets:

Or you might want to mix up artwork with a plant or something else so it's not too boxy:

For your other wall (I love your map by the way but yeah, too dark):

Many more available here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/shoagallery

Enjoy decorating!

Ok Well the space is great. I agree that you do not need all three sofas. I think removing one of the darker sofas is a good idea replace with accent chairs that may bring out the lighter sofa a mix of lighter color or a bolder look.

This is my family room and if you can see I have light and dark with chairs that have both colors. I have light drapes. I think your shelves are a bit much and if you do keep them they should be in a uniform space. I think the map is great but you should add some additional artwork and bring out the same color that is in the lighter sofa and chairs. The room is great

WAY TOO HOME GOODS, IKEA, KIRKLANDS AND NO THOUGHT, SORRY, JUST MY OPINION....

Don't want the hour to pass without saying that you did put thought into it - I see that your shelves are done tastefully - you didn't throw 1 up there to look 'lost' and you didn't put millions of collectibles.... what a comment just made.

I think I get the point, but it takes time and yes thought to make it your own....browsing around....

I agree with the comment about being a minimalist. There are too many focal points. It is a nice cosy room though.

I like your room too- all the textures and subtle print/patterns within your monochromatic color scheme are very visually interesting. If your finding your look a bit dark or heavy, replacing your coffee table and/or TV stand with more of a weathered driftwood or even industrial metal look would help. Then pick your favorite bright color for new throw pillows- turquoise, coral, even a fun beaded metallic will look lovely. Good luck!

New pillows and a glass and metal coffee table would be a great place to start. Finally I would change the ceiling face to a spherical Chandelier.

I have a few blog posts that may help you out.

http://www.timothyriversinteriors.com/blog/

Agree with the comments that recommend editing the shelves on the TV wall; possibly lowering the shelves (to ground them and create more air around the ceiling); and/or replacing or painting them white to disappear into the wall.. I suggest from my own experience that yu first try to lighten up by editing stuff out before adding other things like color. But, if you wanted to change something relatively inexpensively, I would suggest a glass or plexiglass coffee table in perhaps a round shape (or a series of nesting smaller glass tables) would bring the light carpet to the foreground without much effort. I do disagree with those who suggest a larger or longer TV stand beneath the monitor. IMO, it's a big chunk of black, and if you can go smaller or introduce a bit of airiness or white wall, it wouldn't hurt. Regardless, it's a lovely room.

A large piece of Art can really bring in a wave of deftness to your room. It acts as a style to your room.

Here's some suggestion for your wall you might like......to know more about my Art work and collections please visit my shop on Etsy website -

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PooArtGallery

Paint the center table a light color. Maybe a Light or bright shade of blue.

I like the suggestion to get a glass and metal coffee table. Add a colorful patterned rug (perhaps a geographic print or stripe) and add artwork beside the TV. When you remove the shelves you might want a longer console table. Rebecca Robeson (designer) recommends buying a second console to match the one you have and put them together to get your long console without spending the money for a really large one. Gives the same appearance for less money. I also like the idea of painting the TV wall in an accent color. You could choose that color out of your rug. Your room is lovely. Just a little tweeking to lighten it up.

After dealing with the tv wall, get yourself some Annie Sloan chalk paint and go to town on those dark pieces. I do not think a glass coffee table is going to help much. Paint is cheaper; I like your black tables; it is just too much black.

Why not paint the wall that the TV is on in a rustic red shade? I think that it would tie everything together...and warm up the room...but maybe I am way off base..lol..

A lot of great advice! Some of the dark pieces and matte finishes are absorbing the light. Can you move one of the dark love seats to a bedroom? I agree with the recommendations for colorful throw pillows. If you paint the shelving, the coffee table and maybe the picture frames the same light color, use a high gloss finish to reflect the light. Lamps, metallics, mirrors, glass and bright shiny accessories can finish off the look.

I agree with acm. Too many items on the wall. I'm curious as to why the tv is on that wall. I would prefer it on the other wall. Put one sofa against the wall where the tv is, and then use two chairs in place of one of the sofas and put them closest to that dining table. What is the mirror reflecting? What is all going on in that corner near the mirror. I would remove all that. Simplify will help. I would try to use some glass tables when possible also.

you have no color in this room at all, everything is either light or dark. I would take the shelves off the wall and take the Map off the wall and mirror. If you want to keep the shelves paint them. I would buy a rug with color also paint your lampshades or buy new ones but since they are white you can paint them. I see you have seashells so maybe a blue rug. I think all the couches are ok. I would put some curtains with color in there also. Your taste is not bad, just bland. I see you have a photograph of you and your husband, maybe you could have some printed out on canvas, 24x24" and put that as art. The colors you have are very neutral so any color you pick will go with what you have. Let you color flag fly girl, don't be afraid of color, it can be your best friend! Plz post a pic to show us what you do. Happy decorating :-) D DeBlanc

Haven't read all the posts but here is my two cents...I think I mentioned this very early in your dilemma...take all the shelves or maybe only 4 stack hang all on one side and fill with family photos but use one bright color for all the frames...take the color you picked for frames and add a throw in that color add some colorful pillows and one piece of art to other side of tv....here are a few suggestions..

I would add a touch of red from the pillow for a pop of color on the coffee table.have fun...I think just adding a few colorful accent would be fun.

First, I would like to say, you have done a great job! I understand what you are saying about being too dark. Is it possible the green couches could work in another location in your home, say a media room? I would opt for at least removing one of the green couches and going with some lighter colored accent chairs. Also, depending on how adventurous you are consider grey washing some of the darker furniture. I like some of the ideas given too about adding art, but just be true to yourself and your likes and taste. Also, a mirror goes a long way to make almost any room look brighter and bigger!

I happened upon this dilemma as I browsed for something completely different. Your "problem" and the suggested solutions sounded like something we all (including myself) go through with while designing beautiful and comfortable rooms in our homes. To start, you have a LOT of nice pieces in this room, just maybe too many overwhelming each other. We all have many things we love, a need to plan space not only for ourselves, but also for family and guests and a limit to our budgets. With those elements in mind, I would offer these suggestions to lighten your space, echoing some of the previous comments: declutter the walls and floor before any other changes, add some middle-ground neutrals to bridge the lights and darks, perhaps painting the walls a warm gray (I used Behr Ocean Pearl), move out the dark sofa and love seat, move the white sofa to the wall the TV is on now and add two armchairs (perhaps in a darker grey than the walls or a neutral pattern) to its right, the TV to its left. This leaves you a wall above the sofa for art, mirror or a combination of these, and it will be opposite the sliding doors entrance to the room, making the room feel lighter and more accessible. Once the basis has been established, add the color: pillows, rug, art, plants, collections, books and even small furniture pieces. But go slow with those things, a little at a time until you're comfortable. You can always take away accessories or change colors easily. Don't forget the lighting to accent all your good work at night. A final suggestion would be to find some unique items (flea markets, antique stores, online) that attract you and bring your own personality to your space. Have fun with this!

Because my email showed me a new post, I looked at your initial photo, and yes there were sea shells, and a head on the wall, etc.... edit?! Can the shells go in a bath/ bed/ den?

I noticed you have a couple of vases of seashells in the first pic. Maybe add some light, beach scene canvas paintings? Like others mentioned, I would remove the shelves on both sides of the TV and add the artwork there. One canvas on either side. example:

Then reduce the number of pillows on each couch, I think its too much. Just substitute a few pillows with blue decorative pillows to add some color.

Our great room looks similar in layout to yours, except it is larger because the kitchen and informal dining room is included. There is also a sunroom (conservatory) attached. Overall the space is quite large and it has windows/patio doors along the east and west walls. We would have too much sun if we lived in the southern states but here we average just 51 days of sunny days and 152 days of weak sun (gray days). Also, our property is secluded and there is no need for window dressings.

We lived for six years in what had once been a ancient greenhouse in a convent. It was built next to a heavy stone wall that was 15 feet tall. The windows were huge but they all faced east. Too much light in the morning when we were not there and a total blackout at night. Considering your longitude and latitude, local seasonal weather patterns, and your family's habitual needs must be your first consideration.

For me, the consideration is the tone of the soft furnishing that are
infrequently replaced: the silver gray our sofa which we paid
quite a bit of coin for. We've had it for 15 years now and thus years every thing has been built around that sofa, including the wood
furniture. We happen to be very comfortable in a blue undertone
palette. I happen to love dark wood finishes. Those two combined do not
work well; any room thus furnished tends to be depressive instead of restful.

The first thing I do is use tonal paints on different walls in the same room. They may even have different values. I use Adobe Kuler to work with my selection and then I find the paint to match. This, however is not the end. I buy enough paint samples that I can paint each wall in the room with 18" by 10" blocks of each color so I can live with it them for a month. This way I can evaluate the LRV or Light Reflective Value, which I have found is equally important to the value. e-paint.co.uk can help you with determining the LRV if the term scares you. Our current great room is done in Farrow & Ball with the following paint numbers & names: 228 Cornforth White - 27 Parma Gray - 242 Pavilion Gray - 205 Skylight - 274 Ammonite. This sounds and may seem like a confusion of paints mod-podge of colors but it is not. Guests and contractors seldom notice the differences because I selected the placement if each paint carefully and at no point was I reluctant to change value, tone, pigments, or LRV on any given wall. My husband didn't even notice for 2 years.

I also choose my lighting tones as well. As you, we have recessed lighting. It is not a kind lighting to people over 35 because all shadows are downwards. That is why I have multiple light sources throughout the room and they are all at or below eye level. I use rope lights behind large pieces furniture that is next to the walls. I just counted and I have 22 light sources, all within 15-60 watt range but all LEDS now, scattered in a 950 square foot area, not including the recessed lighting. I am not going to go turn on and off all those lights every day. They are on timers.

I carry all the color swatches assigned to walls, along with lighting stats, in a photo wallet in my purse. It works like a quick reference guide which serves to limit my purchases of the things I regret later.
You might be thinking all this is a lot of work and time. It is. But how many hours are you going to live where you live and how comfortable are you in that area now? Also, once you have made your choices and done the work you will be less likely to become bored with it. You will find it is easier to change out the seasonal and holiday decor items. Finally, it will be easier to do touch ups as needed since you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt what color and light source go where.

Sauve, I really admire your approach! I don't think i would have the patience to do this myself, but I like the fact that you consider colour and light in such a scientific manner. Great idea to put the lighting on timers!

@tlarock, I have nothing to add to all the great comments above. You have a lovely room, it needs very little to be done to it (mainly de-cluttering the TV wall). It would be great if you could post some "after" photos :)

i really like the theme / decor you have, but yes it is too dark. Throw pillows are not going to do much, but large wall art would improve this room greatly. If you choose original art try to connect with the artist and learn the story behind their inspiration so you invest in a conversation piece! I have listed a few ideas and also a link to prints because not everyone has a budget to buy original art. The below pieces range anywhere from $170 - $1100 inclusive of Shipping.

This is a highly textured original 36x48 beach theme $1100, purchase the original by emailing the artist at andersonmodernart@gmail.com

This is another "beachy" earth tone piece that is textured and original, only $395 available here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/243053216/sale-free-ship-large-wall-art-abstract?ref=shop_home_active_11

Here's a neat print that would really brighten up your space but keep with the theme: ( a metal print is about $150 at 36" )

PRINT available here: http://fineartamerica.com/products/intertwined-holly-anderson-metal-print.html

a mirror would be a great addition too !!!!!!

get rid of all the items on the tv wall, shelves also. I would look at some artwork there, long and not to wide, each side and a set of art, maybe a canvas wrap.(keep the right side shelf if you want) Color can start there. Maybe some turquoise or blues ...Get rid of the throws and the small pillows on the sofas. Get pillows with some white,cream brown and the turquoise. The coffee table to me is to large. Replace with a nice fabric ottoman(round) or two small square ones with some color pattern to go with the pillows and art . Take the candle lantern off the sofa table, its heavy..If your ambitious, paint the sofa table and end table white....

Lots of great ideas. Sometimes what you need is right under your nose. A friend of mine once rearranged a few things shopping in my own house for accents. Cheap and a refreshed perspective through friendly eyes that already know you!

Have you done anything?

interesting thread, esp as this room is so close to being just right. a couple ideas that may not have been mentioned yet: rather than losing the wall shelf brackets entirely, i'd suggest starting by lowering them to credenza height. add color with an array of contemporary (vintage finds maybe?) ceramic pieces. if framed pics remain, keep em small i.e. cool family/friend photos. imo, it's color + diff material + some reflectivity needed in a room that has so many light absorbing surfaces right now. agree on removing 1 couch and replacing with 2 chairs (club chairs?) imo in some vibrant tapestry/print. this fabric/color group can be echoed in pillows on the couches. i can see your couches require the pillows for their backs - maybe the littlest ones go, and replace the side/accent pillows w that pattern or color pop. maybe diff table lamps - match or contrast whatever other color gets introduced w brighter ceramic bases, or go for gold or silver/reflectivity. i do like reorienting the room as seen in pics, but cannot tell what is going on on the other walls.

Large walls are a big challenge. You seem to be trying to fill the space with lots of small items. Fewer and larger might work in this case. You might try putting the TV in or near the corner. Personally I think all TVs are ugly and need help blending into our living areas. A friend of mine installed a large shelving unit completely across a 12'-14' wall to nearly the ceiling height. Some shelves hold knic-knacs, some books, etc and one area was sized for the TV and it looks great and organized. This way you have a place for all the small things but overall it has the effect of one large item. I also saw a shelving unit that had doors that closed over the TV. They could be made of barn wood, hinged to the shelving unit to open like shutters or they could be short barn doors that ride on pulleys. I would remove all the small stuff, immediately pack away 50% of it then slowly start to add back some items. Right now all those items are competing with each other for attention. Right now the theme is "I am TV, hear me roar". If you have a friend that is especially talented with interior design you might have her/him over for dinner and have them critique your situation. Or get a professional (get references) spend half a day or so actually arranging your stuff. Good luck, you have lots of nice stuff, I'm sure it will look great.

Shiplap the TV wall and paint white! Put a light neutral color on your other walls (like a rich neutral cream). Replace the ceiling fan with a fabulous light fixture. Chalk paint the coffee table and use a wool rug with some traditional patten. Your colors could be olive, white and cream and the wood floor color as your wood accent color. I would get a nicer solid wood TV console eventually that is similar stain to your floor...use a few more organic elements like topiaries and fresh hydrangeas! I think you have a great foundation but some tweaking could definitely make it one of a kind!