get the lighting installed first. you have no idea how bright it will be in there when you do that.

also why do you have all the shades drawn? is privacy really bad?

I am an architectural color specialist and charge by the hour for it. We can always go in that direction but for free, I'll give you some advice.
1. The advice tto install your lighting first is excellent because you want to look at the colors under all different kinds of light. Especially the light that exists when you most often use the room.
2. Consider the sheen of the color you use. For example, a dark color and a semi gloss or satin sheen can be very cozy on the walls and ceiling of a small room
3. Whatever color choices you use, in a small room with limited natural light I suggest keeping the walls and ceiling the same color as it decreases segmentation of the form of the room.



you choose. The glossier the sheen the higher the light reflection will be.

Looks exactly like my living room when we moved into our cape four years ago! I love the rug and furniture; so what I would focus on is adding light but maintaining privacy. I think white shutters would look really nice as long as you paint the little trim white too. Hope this helps!

Ooh, floor lamps help too. Maybe one in the far right corner?

All good advice above. Lighting 1st for sure- you want to layer the lighting rather than have one overhead fixture. ( for ideas see [https://www.houzz.com/magazine/a-beginners-guide-to-lighting-in-layers-stsetivw-vs~60963736[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/a-beginners-guide-to-lighting-in-layers-stsetivw-vs~60963736) )

After that is sorted, it looks like the drywall hasn't been properly finished,so patch and finish 1st before painting (also: if you want to install new lights or move electicals around a bit (eg. that heater thing on the wall and the tv) the inevitable holes can be patched at the same time)

Then there is way too much big furniture in such a small room. And way too many bitty tables and shelves. The scale of the furniture needs to be similar for the room to feel balanced.

Not sure how many people need to be accommodated in this room, but if it's just 2, keep the chairs, add a chunky coffee table and a console for the TV on the wall across from the chairs and put the couch somewhere else. If you need to fit more than 2 people into this room then all the furniture needs to go and smaller scaled furniture used so that you can accommodate more people without feeling crammed.

I would opt for cellular blinds or a clean lined alternative (e.g. the shutters as a previous poster suggested) rather than the current valances or complicated drapery..Good luck and remember to enjoy the process!

Thank you all. Recessed lighting gets added on Tuesday. I can't wait!

I will look at valances and rugs and a clean line alternative to the blinds.

I laugh, because I agree that the furniture is too big for the room, but we have several big people who come and it is so comfy that the furniture will be what stays.

What a difference lighting makes.

This was taken tonight.

It is the first day of recessed lighting and I haven't put the real LED bulbs in yet.

wow! see, the room is no longer dark. Im just curious about the layout with the tv like that , is there no other place?

Lamps are flattering to both the room and the people in it. It doesn't matter what the wall colour is if the ceiling isn't picking up light from lamps. Without reflected light, a ceiling feels gloomy and lower.

Thanks, downbytheriver. I agree about the television, but this side of the photo is the front entrance and it didn't make sense having people enter in front of the television. I could move it to the wall on the side with the love seat, but if I moved the love seat to the other side of the room, that would block the floor heating. And there is a closet near the wall-unit so it couldn't be mounted in that other corner. I am stuck with it where it is, which is a bummer, but it is what it is.

I am so happy with the lighting now and I feel like I can go richer with a color if I want.

RL Relocation LLC was right. One big tip on color: paint store people are trained in helping and it's free advice! When you paint, if those are serious stains, make sure you have the right primer. Good luck