I would add an end table with a lamp on the corner of the sofa and loveseat. A floor lamp could go at the other end of the sofa. I see you have an area rug. It appears to have a fairly light colored background and that could help. You could add a light colored throw and pillows to the sofa as well. A mirror hung where you have the metal scrollwork may bounce some light from the window back into the living area. Hope this helps!

Is that your front door in the corner? If you could replace that with one that has a glass insert, that would bring more light in. You may want to do some type of privacy glass like frosted or seeded, but it would let in natural light. I would also go for lighter, brighter artwork, and some plants.

If you're willing to replace the couch and chairs, choose light beige couches that have material instead of leather. All that leather does not make for a homey feeling, and it's worse because you have no curtains. You need a rug that's large enough to go at least partly under the couch and chairs. Please don't get those clunky chairs again which are really dated, but rather chairs that are different from the couch but have the same color to make the room look larger and more cohesive. You might want to remove the metal decorationl and find a beautiful mirror or better yet a large painting, and another one where you have the small one which is hung too high. At the very least I would find lighter colored furniture because it's just so hard to decorate around that dark leather.

If you are willing to change the furniture definitely get lighter pieces. Pier One has performance couches that have a slip cover you can take off and wash if your worried about the kids and light furniture. I agree that drapes would make the room more homey.

Here’s chairs I recently ordered that are light. Inexpensive from Birch Lane.

Another option are solatubes. I installed two for about $1000 and they have made a world of difference!

I would start with lamps and a mirror. I bet this will help a lot.

You have nice light golden red wood floors, a big bay window with golden trim, white walls. The problems are the furnishings. You need to replace the oversized sofa and two chairs. Sorry, as someone said, they're sucking light and space from the room. You don't necessarily have to go white or cream if you have kids. Consider a golden camel leather sofa with a couple of comfortable narrow profile recliner chairs for TV watching. The chairs are too fussy for your style, though you should go for something up on legs.

Pair of recliner chairs for TV watching:

Rug

Console table along back wall near front door. Add a lamp.

Add a long vertical mirror by the front door

I am following. I have a room with dark furnishings and did my best to style around ...but ultimately , for me, it still is too dark. I am going to sell my black furnishings and get something lighter.

I am no fan of the furniture, perhaps something lighter weight would be helpful. My first thought though, is that there should be an opening to the front window. The couch is such a visual barrier .

If you have to keep the furniture then try side tables with lamps, a light rug, and perhaps a mirror on the wall where the door opens. If you can get new furniture then we say go for lighter furniture. Below we will include some designs of ours to help:

If you can afford a glass front door that would add a lot if light in that corner.

You could have six cam lights with a dimmer installed in the ceiling. I've been in a few home exactly like your's and that is what they did. Then you don't need to add table lamps, although one or more would be good for reading.

Please, no cam lights. They cast a harsh light that makes people and everything else look terrible. Table and floor lamps give a much warmer feeling and are much easier to live with.

I just came across this photo on Houzz that shows how a camel colored sofa in a room with reddish gold floors can lighten a space tremendously. If you do get a new sofa or chairs, get comfy deep seat and back cushions but with a frame up on legs, with low arms, and a back that's not too high. This opens up and lightens space.