I'd be also superworried. Actually I'd be quite mad. LOL

(it's not like I'm innocent myself buying art that my poor husband has to endure until he gets used to it..)

But. He could do so much worse. Honestly. This one is fairly easy. The lines are streamlined, it's not too puffy, it's big, yes, but not huge.

You're very right in your thinking. Rug. Ottoman(I'd suggest something more metallic-glassy-shimmery for the coffee table but ottoman probably better for comfort? is it where you're going to watch TV?) either different color or pattern. Think light, or bright..or sheepskin)) Throws. Throw pillows. Tray on the said ottoman-same idea-different-something reflecting light. Lacquer maybe?

Art. Plants. Do you need curtains? here's another spot that can balance dark leather out.

In fabrics, go with textures thar are not too sleek..leather is kinda sleek already. Go for vevet, linen, knitted things, fur, cotton..

but in accents go for both shiny and glossy-and textured and rough.

Think of the colors you'd love to have. Start putting them together, maybe first in inspiration pics even. Maybe you'll discover you want geometrical prints, or tribal motives. Maybe you want to add more white, maybe you love gold or silver, magenta or cobalt. Or orange. Or very light gray. Or ..you name it.

You have great base to work with. It will all come together. Start with something..even if it's a picture you saw somewhere . Don't rush. It will be cool. One sofa doesn't define a room. Right now it's all you can see, and it's not what you wanted, probably-but it will be just a part of a puzzle.

Oh. Lights! How could I forget. End tables. Books. Flowers. Take it slow, figure out what you like, never buy all in the same place.. will be cool. Believe me.

Thank you. I can tell you can sense my panic! Your suggestions have helped me calm down!

It's dark considering the color of the floors but not the end of the world. I'd lighten it up with a light colored area rug and light pillows. Basically just keep everything else light in the room.

I think you could go any color and still lighten up the space. Start looking for rugs you like. Also, the tables/tv stand you get should be light. No more dark accents.

You've gotten some great suggestions and mock-ups and I don't have much to add. I would only say, get a very large area rug with a pattern, something tribal or Oriental would probably work well. The idea is to make the couch disappear into the beautiful rug and also to make sure that the rug and floor are far enough from each other that the difference in color isn't noticeable. Large paintings will certainly also deflect the eye beautifully, ditto colorful pillows with patterns that go with the rug. I don't even like leather furniture but your husband chose a classic pattern that will look current for many years, and it does look comfortable.

This rug in my dining room is what I had in mind when I say tribal pattern. It's not so light that the dark sofa will stand out even more, and has enough colors to play with in terms of accessories, pillows, throws etc.

yes too big..

if you can do the restocking fee thing..I honestly think that your beautiful room(the floors! the fireplace!) deserves better. plenty of people just put up with, and no end of the world but if you can choose..and would rather choose..choose something else

plenty ideas, since many beautiful sectionals out there..but need some info from you..set on leather, or fabric's fine? what style do you prefer? something more streamlined, or not neccessarily? your favorite color/s? and the dreaded question-what's the budget? and less dreaded question but one that takes more time..your room dimensions if possible? also-has to be sectional, right?

I don't think the size is as much as a problem as the size + dark leather combo. If it were in a different fabric, if the size and shape works for how you use the room, I think it could work. It looks like a really comfy place to watch TV and enjoy the fire. I like the rug/color combo suggestion that kulrn posted, but in real life (ha, I mean on my monitor) your sectional looks more black than brown, which makes things more difficult imo.

How do you feel about the size? The color? Do you need it to be leather? Is hubby contrite? Lol...

What colors do you imagine in this room? You mentioned your barstools - I'd pass on brown or black. Maybe gray or white or a real color if you think you'd like that?

Maybe just keep it light all around, and no more heavy items or brown items!

Much you can do to make the space great.

Right now that sectional is the only thing in the room, your eye is used to the empty space, it looks overwhelming. Kulrn has given you some solid inspiration for a great looking, comfortable room. If you can add some cabinets/bookshelves on either side of the fireplace, with a built-in look, your room will be more balanced. Add rug, lamps, tables, pillows for texture and color, and you are done!!

Use a couple of colorful throws on the sectional (draped lengthwise along the back) along with some pillows. Choose an area rug that has some of the same colors as the throws and pillows. That will draw the eye to the coordinating colors. Cover up as much of the brown as possible, that will help divert the eye away from all the darkness of the sectional.

I wonder if there is a part, like a chair, that I can see in the back of the sectional, that can actuallly be taken out?..

it will still be big enough(it's rarely that more than three people will share even big sectional anyway..unless little kids) and comfy-and then you play with it as suggested..style it and around it. put a throw on the back..not the full length just fold it and put it there(obviously use when needed..unused things get sad). That always "anchors" the piece in the room somehow..how I don't know, I just find it to be true every time I have to float the furniture in the room and the back feels as too big..and doesn't matter, can be an armchair and light colored, but this trick helps.

For me, I would pay and return it. I could never be happy as the size makes the room out of balance. If you like leather, go for a lighter shade and a smaller version.