Here are some examples. Would you consider switching out the ottoman for something a bit lighter?

If you keep the red chest, I think the patterned chair has to go. Perhaps you could try flipping the positions of the patterned and plain chairs.

The birds feel very, very busy to me.

Keep the red chest/rug.

Paint your walls a darker, richer color to give a better back drop for your upholstered pieces.

This is B.M. CSP Wicker Basket.

No need for all those pillows. Pick and choose carefully.

I agree with others that the clock should come down, and Grover makes a great point about the filigree in the room. I also think the room needs brightening.

Your living room is transitional but your blue table and chairs read cottage. Here are a few ideas for marrying the living room with the cottage style:

wall paint: BM Decorator’s White

living room rug:

Can you sew? I’d like to see just two inviting, substantial pillows on the couch - 20” with down inserts, with covers that add interest through texture. I like this fabric with your couch:

Maybe a throw that picks up

Here’s a painting from etsy that picks up the colors from the rug and your table/chairs:

Living room light fixture:

Dining room light fixture:

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas! I would love to replace the chair because the pattern is too difficult to play with. I also thought about painting the room because at times, the gray reads green. Any thoughts on a chair other than beige like sofa and loveseat?

hmm honestly I did think your grey was green. Gray Owl can also read green but would really brighten up your spice. Or you could go more beige with something like Collingwood (also Benjamin Moore)

For a chair, what about something like this in the seersucker?
https://www.pier1.com/chas-zinc-gray-velvet-armchair/3134254.html?cgid=chairs#nav=tile&icid=cat_furniture-subcat_living_room_furniture-subcat_tile_chairs&start=1

Leather is also always a solid choice.

Thanks! Lol, it's SW mindful gray. It changes color throughout the day which drives me nuts. I love the seersucker chair or leather. I'd like to start over with this room, but my budget won't allow me. Paint , art and possibly a chair would definitely help right now. I think I'd like to go for a cottage look since I have a blue table (another costly mistake) ugh.

Honestly I think your room is quite nice and I love your kitchen and table. It's far from being a costly mistake. But if it's not your style, I wouldn't continue to build around pieces you don't like. The table should be easy enough to paint. Or just treat the living room as its own space and don't worry so much about matching a table you don't love.

I hadn't looked closely at your dining table before, but I like it a lot and think it can work here if you just simplify. You have some things that are at odds with each other--the industrial dining pendant and the living room light, for one. A plain drum fixture in the living area would settle that down.

The patterned chair next to the red chest is another problem. Try switching it with the plain chair to start.

So here's what I see. The table on the left wall between the chair and the sofa - whether the first one posted or the red chest - it's only purpose is to be decorative. There is enough going on that it just adds visual clutter and creates another piece that you have to try to fit in with everything else, and another space that needs to be decorated with things on top and art above, etc. Your room is a lovely space and you have nice furnishings, so to me there's really no reason to add more decor there. I wonder, do you have room to pull your whole furniture arrangement off the wall and put a console table behind the sofa? Then you could lose that decorative table altogether, leave that wall alone, and have a couple of nice lamps on that console table flanking a large piece of art above the sofa. Move the end table from the sofa to over by the chair instead because people on the sofa can use the coffee table.

I agree with others about too much filigree and the bird print is way too busy for what's already going on.

Hi JudyG.! Thanks for your suggestions. My last post was primarily for an area rug which I settled on, however, I'll be open to changing if I alter other things in the room. I didn't think to continue that post. ALL comments are greatly appreciated and I did make previous purchases and changes based off of the wonderful suggestions. Per this post, I've also gained some incredible ideas from everyone that contributed and I'm very grateful. I'll be changing ceiling light, purchasing art, etc. I'm loving the additional ideas.......thanks so much!

Thanks everyone! I've decided to change the ceiling light to a drum and move the red chest back out. I'm going to try a sofa table and hunt for some art.......not busy birds, lol. All the awesome ideas are greatly appreciated!

Ballard

love these gray and cream flowers...2 large over sofa

Love the art suggestions! Thanks so much!

Does anyone like this style drum ceiling light for the room? Thanks!

I like that drum pendant.

I'd love to see a photo based on the suggestion by Gwen to use your console as a sofa table if there is enough space. And I'd love to see the vignette(s) you could create on that table to tie it in with a piece of wall art.

I must add: I don't understand the comment by JudyG and find it rude. There's nothing wrong with working on a room for five months! It can be so easy to decide for someone else...and so hard to make changes in your own home. I know it is for me!

Thanks! I may go for that drum pendant!

Dsimber, I put the console behind the sofa, but space is an issue. I decided to get rid of the red chest. I'm having the chair and ottoman reupholstered with a blue to tie that darn dining table in. I'll add some pops of color with art, replace pillows.....maybe paint the room to brighten it up. Ugh, where did it all go wrong, haha. One bad decision led to another. BTW....I appreciate your comment regarding JudyG. Truth be told, I had to step away from redecorating my space because my daughter passed away and I was emotionally out of touch with everything. She left behind 3 children that I'm now pursuing custody of. The room has always depressed me, and now more than ever, I want It to be a cheerful space. I'm very grateful for all of the advice and I'll get it all together soon I hope. Thanks so much!

I am so sorry. As an early childhood specialist, a mom, and a grandma, I believe that three children will surely help you to create a more cheerful space. I look forward to reading about and seeing your progress.

I love those pics that Kjoy just posted above. I think something along the lines of that with substantial bright white in the art like she suggested really brightens the room up so much and might help you find it less depressing without having to paint it even. And also you don't have to apologize about it taking time to do a room now or ever. I've been farting around heeing and hawing over many things in my house for years and haven't had half the year you have. I wish you much luck and strength on your journey. You deserve it!!

((((((((Elaine C and grandkids)))))))

So sorry for your loss.

I am so so sorry Elaine. Sending you strength and love.

i really like your red chest. And the painting that you hung over it. With all the replacement you are doing, I think your room can handle the chest.

The room needs light colours because everything is dark-plus the grey walls and flooring-and doesn't look well-lit. The red console table is great but in order to tie it in, you need to lose the busy fabric grey armchair and add instead a white or creme coloured large armchair, also I really don't like the rug, (red and beige-both) because it makes the space feel a lot smaller. The dark grey on the walls is a big mistake which leads to not being able to add any wall art or accessories (clock). As for the chandelier I'll send here some choices to add instead.

great chandelier, would definitely match

Elaine, I am so sorry. Sending lots of good thoughts your way.

dsimber,

That chandelier is small, too high, needs to be lowered, but still doesn't match in my opinion, because if you want this chandelier you need to add some statement (black-vintage) table lamps which don't exist.

even now that I'm looking at the black coffee table, I'm wondering why black? what fabric is this? The walls are grey flooring is dark, why add more black with this big coffee table? wrong choice.

Hmmm... well, everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion!

I like the new drum pendant you picked out Elaine and I am so very sorry to read of your daughter. Blessings and prayers sent your way and for those three kiddos.

Also I feel badly that you feel like so much needs to be changed. ?? It's a lovely room as-is that is Pinterest worthy IMO.

Checking back. Hoping to catch your progress when the time is right. Reading this makes my head spin: red table in, red table out............lol. I'm stuck in my project so I enjoy reading about yours!

First, thanks to everyone's advice and thoughtfulness. Well, I decided to go out on a limb and cover the chair and ottoman in some blue tones (can't be done until September....yikes) to tie the dining table in. I think I'll get some art work, pillows and a light fixture. I found a few lights in my budget that I'll post for opinions. I even thought about painting the room, maybe repose gray. Originally as I was decorating the room, I knew the direction I was going in just wasn't working and it has bugged me ever since, lol. I like a cheerful space and it's the opposite! Geez, what went wrong???

Since I don't have much of a specific style going on in my home.....ugh. For the LR ceiling fixture, I'm trying to go with a nickel finish like other fixtures. I like the modern farmhouse styles like an orb or even a drum as discussed. It probably needs to be 24" wide (give or take)

Although not nickel finish....I love this fixture for the living room. Thoughts???

I love the look of those types of fixtures... when the light is off. The problem is that you need to use dull yellow Edison bulbs to keep them from hurting your eyes... which doesn't fit your "light bright" desire.
In this case I think a simple drum light will work best. Not every design element needs to be attention grabbing. A drum light will fade into the background and not visually compete with the other design elements.

Elaine, you seem to be drawn to detail and filigree and scrolls. Part of the original problem with the room is that there is too much pattern. Don't replace your current detail-heavy light with another detail-heavy one. Keep it simple.

Hi! I like the drum lighting fixture in the above post by groveraxle. With all the different posted photos, I'm confused about what your room looks like now. I went back to the beginning, and I have to say...I like this...

but I prefer the print you had in the "before" picture. I honestly think the print chair looks great in this photo! and would not change it unless you just plain don't like it. And, in my opinion, this all looks really well next to your dining area! Personally, I would only change it by adding one large print over the sofa...something maybe 3/4 the length of the sofa. Grays, reds, blues...they all work well together!

But if you are not happy with the space, the go for the blue! Once your chair has been reupholstered, you can switch out the red for blues...and maybe a pop of yellow. (Someone just suggested yellow as an accent for my very neutral room, and due to her virtual image, I can now see it! Hop on over to my dilemma, "Cold room needs warmth to make this a home!" if you're interested.)

Pier 1

I like the light and airiness that print adds to the room, kjoy 1.

Elaine, have you yet shared a photo of the blue fabric you've planned for your chair? That would be helpful if people are posting suggestions for other things in your room. Eager to see!

I love kjoys art too!

I like the art, but it doesn't read "cheerful" to me. But neither does switching out everything to blue. I have done this recently with my front room: blues and teals and gray, in preparation for selling. Everyone's comments when they walk in is how peaceful/calm/tranquil the space looks, not how cheerful it looks.

Elaine (and Gwen): I'm sharing this based on the "cheerful" comment. I need that, too, and wanted to add light blue, aqua, and greens as they are complementary colors for the cherry furniture and warm colors in my granite (open floor plan.) Nevertheless, several contributors stated that I needed to add warm colors, not cool. This virtual image of my currently neutral room shows accessories including yellow-gold and was generously provided by celerygirl. I was surprised by how much I like it! Maybe it will help you to visualize yellow in your room? Is there a Houzz contributor who would be willing to do this with a photo of your room?

Below is "before" shot:

btw: If you want, I'll remove this once you've seen it, so as not to clutter your thread.

Do either of these read "cheerful?" Wall art with yellow...and blue, too!)

Elaine, I was just reading an article on Houzz, and thought of you! See quote from this article, below. You might want to go to this site to see what he considers "cheerful blue."

Designer Tips: How to Decorate a Living Room

Yanic Simard May 16, 2018

LDa Architecture & Interiors

When in doubt, look to a cheerful blue — it’s a hue that usually everyone can agree on. It perfectly contrasts warm elements such as leather and wood, and it feels just neutral enough to work with basically any other future accent colors.

Uttermost

Blue Belle

While searching for my family room, I keep finding "blue" info which makes me think of you!

"Shades of blue in complementary patterns liven this family/kitchen area...." (herringbone and ikat)

https://styleblueprint.com/everyday/mixing-patterns-in-interior-design/

Lisa Mowry, author

I appreciate all of the wonderful ideas! I had to take another break from decorating due to obtaining custody of my 2 grandsons. The transition has been challenging but things are good now. Now that things have settled some, I am eager to jump into tweaking my LR....with a little help from 2 little guys, haha. I'm going to start with a new light fixture and move to wall decor, etc. I know I lean towards pattern, but I'm really liking the following. Keep in mind that I'm removing some pattern from the room and the fixtures are nickel. Thanks so much!!

Elaine, I'm so sorry for everything you've been through, and admire you for still having the energy to think about your surroundings. I have to say that your picture with the red chest shows a very nice room, except for the very large clock. I'm sorry that you're changing so many things when you already have a lovely space. The new ceiling fixture will definitely make the room seem lighter and brighter, and a large picture over the couch with a rather graphic, non-fussy design in lighter colors will help the process along. I don't think there is a thing wrong with the red chest and the chair with the pattern next to it, especially with the painting over the chest instead of the clock. It really depends on what style you like, and the more minimal look that is being suggested here may be trendy right now but is certainly not the only way to go. There's a reason why the English country look is successful; and it has to do with warmth and comfort, and with interesting surroundings. The red chest is interesting, and so is the patterned chair, and they can both live happily in that room. However, the only important thing is what makes you happy, and the little persons that are now entering your life. I wish you the very best in this new chapter of your life. Your grandchildren are so fortunate to have you.

Love that fixture!

I guessed on size...

Thanks to all for hanging in there with me. All of the comments have been much appreciated. I know I have so much more to focus on now and I will be gradually working on the room. I'm hopeful by changing a few things, I can finally love my space. I don't have a fabric swatch for the chair, and ottoman. The chair is the same blue as my dining table. The ottoman will be a lighter beige pin stripe fabric. The lady that is reupholstering them can't do it until mid September, I'm leaning towards the picture kjoy1 suggested for above the sofa to replace the clock. I may purchase some taller lamps as well. We are painting the room with a true gray as the current gray color leans really green. The room is west facing so it looks really drab as the day goes on. I will tackle the paint and light fixture first. I will post pics as things come along. Again, I am grateful to all who have assisted me and the kind words mean so much.