Mirrors

Count the number of items (not just mirrors) on/in that wall (don't forget the return air vent.) The idea is good but not working here. Just too busy. I counted 14 items. At the least, remove all the small mirrors. Let us see the rest of the room and we'll help you with this dilemma.

Here are some quick pics(sorry for the mess, just wanted to post for reference).. also added the pic of only the white mirror before.

the idea was to add more "natural light".. aside from lamps, overhead, etc- so I was trying to bounce light off the windows.

The room color and exposure looks light enough to me. I think your task lighting is inadequate. Try new white shades on the two lamps. Replace the table lamp by the stairs with one that has a white shade. Use LED's in all of them. The corner accent light that throws shadows is giving you a dark pattern on the wall, so I'd replace it with a floor lamp. Add a pretty chair and ottoman there for a reading corner. Unless you need the fan in your climate, I'd replace it with a nice semi-flush drum fixture. Have you tried the large mirror at the stairs, instead of the sign, or is it too big?

Using a mirror is a great idea. I think yours is too small for the size of the wall. Here are a few ideas on how I would use mirrors. Good luck!

@deco-- thank you for your suggestions! I have tried the mirror where the stairs are but it is too big unfortunately...
and yes, we will be replacing the current fan with either a drum or a more flush, updated fan.

@beautiful-- the wall is pretty long, that's why I tried to add in the smaller mirrors with the larger mirror. I liked the look of the white "antique/rustic" looking mirror so perhaps I could find something similar, just larger horizontally instead of vertical

Mirrors are the last refuge of a decorating scoundrel...Isn't that the way the saying goes?

Windows and mirrors won't help you after dark, so it's all about better artificial lighting. Your current lamps are too dinky and unevenly spaced about the room. You need much bigger lamps and more powerful 3-way bulbs. Tables on both sides (or a table one side and a chair and floor lamp on the other side) of the fireplace with a lamp on each is a good place to start.

@sammy-- I'm not so much concerned with lighting after dark.. I am wanting more natural light, trying to reflect the windows across. The windows are kind of short and we have a covered porch so we don't get much light through them.
We have even considered extending the windows to be longer to allow for more natural light

With a covered porch, you simply don't have much light coming in. Making the windows longer will be expensive and I don't think will make any difference at all. And since you don't have much light coming in, there isn't any light to bounce around with mirrors. That only works when there's light coming in.

Most homes have little natural light in the areas away from the windows, unless you have the sun shining right in at some times of year. You'll just need to turn some lights on during the day.

We have this in our home too. Our windows face east and west, and especially in the winter when the sun rises and sets further south, at mid-day the areas away from the windows can be quite dim. My parents' home is very different. It has large south-facing windows and in the winter the mid-day sun is low in the sky and the sun comes straight in and floods the house with light. Just depends on the house and the orientation to the sun. Mirrors can't bounce around light that isn't there.

Agree with Beverly. Totally.

Oh! I get it now, Stephanie, re: the daytime light dilemma: You posted the additional pics to show the layout of the room, and they just happen to have been taken at night. Oops on me!

@partim -- thanks. We do have "some" light in the living room, but mostly in the morning hours before noon. I will try to post a picture if I have one from day time in the room.. I do believe the white mirror helped some with bouncing light, however many thought it was "lost" on the wall alone. I am considering adding something other than the smaller mirrors on the side.

@beverly- - my mistake on the lamp bulbs (lazy and forgot my mom had given me a different color bulb

@partim -- thanks. We do have "some" light in the living room, but mostly in the morning hours before noon. I will try to post a picture if I have one from day time in the room.. I do believe the white mirror helped some with bouncing light, however many thought it was "lost" on the wall alone. I am considering adding something other than the smaller mirrors on the side.

@beverly- - my mistake on the lamp bulbs (lazy and forgot my mom had given me a different color bulb

@beverly- - my mistake on the lamp bulbs (lazy and forgot my mom had given me a different color bulb

@sammy-not a problem! I'm thinking my daytime lighting may just be "as is" and there's no fixing it!

(Idk why my whole comments won't show up) new to Houzz so plz forgive my ignorance and multiple comments

I've added some pictures of the design style I am interested in, I just can never find the pieces to pull it together (re- teal mirrors) also, these pictures all look light, bright, and airy and that is the vibe I'm trying to give off in our living room. Also there is a picture of our exact white mirror posted- does this look any better here with the two galvanized pots beside of it? I'm thinking at this point no amount of mirrors will "fix" my daytime lighting issues.
The picture I've added of my space is old- just for reference on daytime light in the space

Hmm... I just had a crazy idea. Which direction does the front of your house face?

Would it be possible to move the tv to the corner where the small white table w/lamp is now located. Possibly on a corner console? Both couches would have a better view and no one would develop neck pain.

@sammy - north east.. if you are looking out of our front windows the sun rises to the right of the porch.

@fpmac- it may be possible- just have to add a cable hookup.. there's one to the right of the fireplace currently.

Your mirror is oddly placed. It should be balanced by a table or bench or something. Just take it down. I would add a nice torchiere lamp with led bulbs and 3 levels of brightness and put it in the corner left of the fireplace. Add a chair here also.
Two tall buffet lamps on your table behind the sofa.

On the wall with your current mirror is you can put a nice set of two Large prints with white frames and white mats and it will lighten up that wall. I would paint the air return grill the same color as your wall color. Best of luck.

I agree with @sammy as the tv dominates the fireplace. It would look great in the corner.

Since you mentioned the possibility of lengthening the existing windows, I thought perhaps adding windows on either side of the fireplace might be a solution.

I've suggested this before. Please paint the vent to match the wall.

Your fireplace wall would be much improved by putting the TV to the side.

@sammy-- we have thought of that- however I think that would be more expensive than just lengthening the existing windows. Just because you would have to do new framing... but, if we did this do you think there would be too many windows in the small space then?

@grover-- yes, I remember- I do like the idea of the TV on the side; it's just a matter of figuring out how to get cable to that side, and then also figuring out how to enclose current hole where TV sits now