Have you considered pulling your furniture away from the walls? I know that is not going to make it brighter but just something I noticed.

I too think a rug would look great and lighten the space with some color. Try a polypropylene rug. We have pets and ours hold up well. I have a friend with 4 kids and her rugs always look nice. Just make sure to clean up spills when they happen. Esale rugs has many to choose from and great prices along with free shipping.

I would add some lamps next to the couch and maybe try another floor lamp next to the chair... or you could find a small side table and place a lamp on it. Lamps are very important for ambiance lighting. Rooms look more bright and balanced when you have a lighting source that is not just from overhead.

You have a lovely space and I am sure with a few changes you can brighten it up!

Thanks for your suggestions. I guess I will look into a rug... I would love to pull my furniture away from the walls but there are doorways and doors in so many places... and ideas how to do it without making the room feel too small and keep it all doorways/ door accessible? I also have two lamps on that table under the window.. wouldn't more be too much?

There's is no reason to be afraid :) If you don't like it, you can always return it. If you can find a rug with gold and gray in it, it would tie everything together.

Patterned rugs hide a multitude of sins and the poly ones that atkillery mentioned can be cleaned outside with a hose!

This is from eSale rugs. Many people here use them. A tip - first order the smallest size to see if you like the colors, it is much easier to return if it doesn't work.

eSale rugs

A rug like the one d_gm posted would work well to pull in the blue from the dining room. Try pulling the chair out on an angle to sort of face towards the sofa. It will look more comfortable and still leave your traffic paths open. You can never have too many lamps! IMHO

I really like gold and white.. was thinking a larger gold and white coffee table and gold and white lamps. Will look for a blue and gold rug. Do the curtains I posted work with all of that? I have been looking for gold and white curtains, but everything that I find either seems cheap or for a kids room. And what color throw pillows? I hate too many, as I feel they always look messy... do I go with gold and white or blue? And do all the blues need to be the same? Thanks for all your help!!

I'm in the same boat which led me to this post. Might seem rather elemental but open up your blinds? Not sure what is on the other side but it looks like there is light trying to get in. I never close my window treatments in the room I am trying to brighten, or any other room for that matter, byt privacy isn't really an issue for me.

The wall color is great, love that!

Agree with moving furniture, it can be done even with doorways, and getting a larger airy coffe table.