Removing valences on your drapes would help. You can even raise them higher above the window so that the bottoms just overlap the tops of the windows.

I agree with Karen above. Also, if you add pot lights, add a dimmer switch so you can control the amount of light. We have 14 pot lights in our living room, way too many, and I wish we had a dimmer switch!

I would add the can lights, maybe four, and then keep the chandelier. The one you have might not be giving off enough light because it is colored glass. Try one that has more lights and maybe exposed bulbs. Then yes, I would just do panels. You can probably just remove the valence. I am not sure that painting the beams would make it feel too much lighter though.

Light from the top of the window goes the farthest into the room, so removing the valances as others have suggested will help. I notice that most of your pictures are dark. I think I would replace them with brighter colorful prints. Also, I really like the three light sage vases and I would use that color on the two built-in cupboards. I wouldn't paint the wood; it really is a feature. I also agree with changing the light fixture.

I think it's a great idea to add lighting as well as changing out the light fixture to something that will add brightness to the room. I would also recommend changing the paint color to a brighter tone of white/cream...there are so many options. If you have a space from across the window to add a mirror this could bounce the reflection back into the room. On the table try one or three white vases with bright fresh flowers.

Have fun brightening up your room :)

You've done everything right so far, it just needed that little extra as suggested by Houzzers above. My dibs worth is where you can add metallics (either in a wallpaper or any sheens to amp up the reflective surfaces and bounce more light around the room. In the end though, artificial lights as suggested by Barnhart will definitely be required.

Removing the valances as all of the above said is the first thing to do. Or raise them so they are above the molding. Push back the curtain panels so that they cover only the nearby wall and window molding, no window glass, and this will help too. Maybe a natural sisal rug would be beneficial too. Your cream walls are reading pink on my monitor. (Your built in cabinets are indeed white though). I'd hate to suggest another paint job so I hope getting control of the curtains is a big plus. Good luck!

Try removing all the curtains to see how much light comes in. If you like that effect but want to keep the curtains, replace the two rods over the double window with a single long decorative rod, wide enough that the curtains can be swished completely off the window glass. If you sew, you can use shirring tape or Ripplefold tape and some clips or carriers. Don't use the valences on the windows. You could use them on a tension rod over the air conditioner cover or make pillow covers out of them or a long runner for buffet or table. If you sew, you could convert one set of panels to a Roman shade for the single window with the a/c.

I agree that new can lights on a dimmer would be great. And do replace the chandelier.

For extra drama, you can run a line of LED lights along the top of the crown molding. Buy a two-foot length with cord and see if you like the look. Or just try out the look with some $10 fairy/Christmas lights. You may need to add a thin strip of molding to block view of them from the front, which would be cheap and easy to install.

would you consider painting your table white? i did that to a dark coffee table in one room, and it made a lot of difference.

Don't paint that beautiful wood or the table. Just add more lighting. I think you'll find that a light intentionally chosen to flood the room with light will make so much difference. Even all white rooms can feel dark. Change the light, then if it still doesn't feel bright make more permanent adjustments. And while your curtains are light, curtains by their very nature are going to keep more light out. Why don't you try a window treatment that is smaller/ retractable/ let's the windows shine...literally!

Absolutely remove curtains! Looks like you might have screens and/or storm windows over your window panes. If possible, remove those. I wouldn't paint the beams, they're beautiful. I'd clear off the chest and hang the mirror just 4 or 5" over the chest. Get two buffet style lamps one for each side. Right now you have too many small knick-knacks on the chest. Your dining room is very lovely so play up the antique quality it has. Add a white linen table runner and a small wooden bowl of lemons. Apple Pie above has a great idea with the led lighting...I've used rope lighting that is completely hidden but it casts a soft glow and looks almost magical. If you're getting a light go with a small crystal chandelier to reflect the light. Two of these lamps on your buffet would tie in with a crystal hanging light.

I would not paint the table. If you want to add additional color on the table; a table runner would give you color.
It appears that the drapery choice is not complimenting the room. If you want to get more light in, move them off of the windows as has already been suggested perhaps with tiebacks. You may also want to add additional color on the overlap areas of the draperies which would be the same as the table runner. You can do this yourself with iron on fusible products or glue. I would definitely move the top valance off. It is taking too much of the light out of the room. I agree that the paint color is not working; too pink or peach looking.

Wow -- lots of responses while I did a quick illustration. I chose gray to lighten your beams, and a trellis pattern to pick up on the lines of your cupboards. A silver tone to your bright new lighting (all of these options were in the $100-200 range on Lamps Plus), and the white stripe over your shelves represents the backlighting I mentioned, casting light upward. (Cursor over image to see it wide.)

EASY BREEZY.. GET RID OF THE DRAPES.. NATURAL LIGHT IS JUST FEET AWAY..LET IT IN...
MIRROR ABOVE BUFFET...PAINT IT LIGHTER AND RAISE IT....5 INCHES.. CHANDELIER MUST GO. KEEP TABLE COUNTRY SWEET.. THE ROOM COLOR SHOULD BE ''ONE'' AND LIGHT AND BRIGHT... NOW THE CHAIRS PAINTED A LIGHT OFF WHITE WOULD BE WONDERFUL AND ALL OF YOUR PICTURES COULD BE PUT ON EITHER SIDE OR BOTH SIDES OF MIRROR IN NEW PAINTED (YOURSELF) FRAMES TO MAKE AN INTERESTING VISUAL INSTEAD OF SCATTERED... PUT NOTHING ABOVE THOSE BEAMS EXCEPT THE SAME PAINT COLOR AS BELOW.... UNLESS YOU WANTED TO DO IN A FEW ODD NUMBERS SOME PLATES THAT COMPLIMENT ..... REMEMBER.... 3'S - 5'S - 7'S.... AND THAT'S ALL.... GOOD LUCK...

Thank you for all the suggestions. We are going to change out the light fixture for one that points up and has more bulbs. I want to know if sconces or pot lights or both should be added and if pots how many?
I live in a city, so completely removing the drapes is not an option, but I 'll try them without the valance. There is a mirror across from the two other windows. Most of the doodads you see are candles from our Hurricane Sandy week.

Instead of painting the table, you could go with a white table runner and if you sew, white or linen covers for the backs of the chairs. A light fixture where the light points up is a great idea, no one ever said light bulbs are pretty to look at!!!

Do you like to shop junk or yard sales? Try starting a collection of interesting mirrors to hang on the wall above your chair rail - fill it up to reflect light and keep your country simplicity theme going. Right now all the display up there seems dark and blocky. For privacy, try simple white roller shades to pull down at night. Flank them with white linen panels hung high and wide floor to ceiling and just barely covering the gap between the shade and window frame. Do remove the storms in summer. If you need to ventilate with screens in summer you can buy extension screen panels in several sizes that wedge into the open window space and work fine. They are easily removed any time you want to close the windows. Also try large white linen dinner napkins, folded slender and hung over the backs of your chairs and add a matching runner that is long enough to be bunched and ribboned down the center of the table with your duck tureen centered on it. Do you like ironstone? That would make a difference in your two china hutches if you can pick some up while yard saling. I might paint the interior backs of the hutches in a nice accent color to help show off the contents. This is where you can add a bit of excitement. If this isn't where you eat meals everyday, here is a cute idea to replace the light. Just a piece of lucite in the bottom to keep candles from dripping on the table is all it needs.