This is the current state of our living room.

Please excuse the mismatched garishness of it all! We are in the process of buying a new sofa/curtain/tv stand/ etc.

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UPDATE: So I have a really good idea of what we're going to do in the space now. I've compromised on moving the TV, my SO has compromised on getting a new paint color & down-sizing the tv lol, and we're going to add custom-built shelves in the tv nook area.

If you still want to reply to this discussion that's still welcome! As you can see we aren't professional decorators by any means.

We need to see the entire room and its furnishings to make viable suggestions. You might consider closing up the recess and wall mounting the TV there.

I think your tv is way to big to go over the fireplace. I agree with those above to drywall that niche and then your tv can really go on the wall. More pictures would be helpful.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I added another photo with a view of the entire living room.

Yen, I'd try one of these colors on the wall. That yellow is just way too bright and really doesn't match anything in the room.

Do you know what color sofa/rug you're going to buy?

Can you stand in the front door opening and take a picture from that angle?

here are some neutral colors that work w/almost everything, including your floor.

and remove those sagging drapery rods. (see how it bows in the middle?) the drapes are too heavy for the room. Get some lighter ones that hit the floor and raise the rod up higher.

do it like this pic

see how the rod is mounted at least 6-8" above the top of the window? do that, then measure down to the floor. that's how long your curtains need to be.

Or just do some inset blinds like they have on this window, or these:

@Beth H. : I love all your ideas! We need someone with your mind around here!

On the color of the walls...I'd change them to white in a heartbeat but my SO (who is also paying for the majority of new items in our living room) is in love with the mustard so I'm trying to compromise with him.

He wants a two-toned sofa, a beige and brown mix that will match the dining room set and kitchen. Which is why our current curtains are like that.

I want a beige sectional to brighten the room.

--Examples--

But I think that's probably a whole nother 'design dilemma' discussion.

For the 'front door opening photo' that you requested did you mean you want another angle from the white door? That door actually leads to the backyard. The front door foyer has a small hallway that leads into the living room/kitchen.

Some charts to help you fix the issues of curtains, TV and lack of lighting. The ceiling fan/light should be dimmed down or turned off once you've seen how to get into the room in the dark. Then task and accent lights come on. They will help tone down the mustard, which I like as an accent, but not the entire room. It goes well with eggplant/burgundy, black and gray. Unfortunately, the room will continue to be "garish" unless you can find large art and tall casegoods to cover up some of that mustard.

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yes, angle from that white door.

well, see if you can compromise w/SO on the walls. do a more neutral wall color, and then bring in mustard pillows, throws, artwork, etc. Tell him we all agreed on here that those mustard walls just do not work w/that room! and bringing in more brown is going to make it look like something from 1990. That canary yellow on the walls belongs on a caribbean cabin. outside! That yellow is far too saturated to use on a living room wall.

if he likes yellow and brown, this is how you do it. (show him these) Notice, all the very bright yellow is done w/accessories or drapes. a little goes a long way. You live there too so speak up and get a compromise!

if he wants yellow walls, tone it done w/a pale gold or buttery yellow.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I will definitely update the curtains in the future and it never even crossed my mind to raise the rod. The examples look so elegant!

Here are more photos of our living room in daylight.

As you guys can see it's not just the living room with mustard walls but the majority of the first floor is this color! Unfortunately, the living room/kitchen color is still better than the rest of the house which has dark orange and light yellow accent walls... At this point I'm done fighting, I just want a nicely decorated home with ugly paint!

@Beth H. :Speaking of the 90's I'd really like to avoid that lol. We're going to go shop for a new sectional this weekend. Would you mind sharing your opinion on what color would best fit our space? (Or should I just say outright the walls...) Should we try to match our dining area?

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Yen,,keep working on getting those walls painted! Did you show him the pictures I posted?

as for the sofa, a nice neutral that works w/your very warm floors and walls. For instance, you don't want to bring home a cool lavender/gray. You'd want a neutral gray. Until you address those walls though, anything your bring in is not going to look right. Sorry, but red floors and bright yellow walls, I mean, how can you work w/that? either stick w/black, gray or white or repaint!

and please look into some blinds or longer, neutral color curtains.

Update on our living room planning!

@Beth H. : i showed my SO your photos and he got excited about a lot of your suggestions down to the PALE GOLD PAINT! I'm still pinching myself, the conversation felt like a dream! :D I showed my sister this page and she brought up your paint comments as a joke in his presence. He wants to repaint after getting all the new furniture and fixing the nook but I feel pretty optimistic the house is finally going to look decent in the near future. Thanks again for your direction!

Also thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to this discussion every comment was appreciated, it really helped to get different ideas/perspectives on the space. :)

Yen, so happy for you. I'm sure you'll both be happier w/new colors.

And if you want more ideas, just search here on Houzz or even Pinterest, "yellow and brown living rooms' or yellow wall decor ideas" or how to design w/yellow paint' Things of that nature. this way you'll get a variety of pictures w/ideas. Some times we don't know what we like until we see it!