A dark area rug could add some contrast. Or you could go white shag to completely own the light tone of the room. But my money is on a dark area rug.

I'd add a larger area rug with some color in it (maybe greens, blues, and oranges to go with your images on the wall). Make sure it is much larger, so that the sofa and chair legs sit on it. Then add textured pillows and a throw that have the same colors. I think a large square glass-topped table, with metal legs, would look great in place of the one you have.

You need more high-contrast pattern in the room because you have too many pieces in the same light shade. Get some great pattened, high contrast pillows in more saturated shades of the palette of the art you have on the left and in your rug--gold, blues, brown. Ditto on your blue daybed.

You could also change out your curtains to a pattern, but start with the pillows. Your room is great, though--gorgeous golden floors and trim.

Picasso Singer Decorative White Pillow Cover Hand Embroidered Wool 18x18 · More Info

Mecca Printed Cotton Curtain 1 Panel, Gold, 50"x108" · More Info

A glass coffee table with wood or bronze trim would open up more pattern in the room whether you replace the rug or not:

I like the couch. I agree with others that a bright pattern rug would help. Take a look at Overstock. I got a rug for my den from there several years ago and I'm very happy. Love the art on your walls. I think you could pull the drapes close a bit more so the sides of the windows don't show. You could sew or hot glue some colorful braiding to make the more interesting. All in all a great rug - a bit larger than what you have now should do the trick!

I think the room is lovely. The couch is beautiful and I love the wall color and drapes. I agree the two chairs on either side of the TV could be changed. You need a larger rug and I'd like to see a pair of matching swivel chairs beside the TV. Since it looks like you have a blue piece of furniture in the other room, I'd get a larger rug with blues and swivel chairs to coordinate. Some colorful pillows and a throw and it will all come together.

the room is not bad at all, really. you don't need to go nuts. keep the curtains white and go slowly. changing everything all at once might get too crazy (and expensive). but I do think the rug looks dull and should be the first thing to go. choose accessories that go with the new rug (pillows, blanket, maybe some vases or planters).

In addition to the above suggested additions of color, your room needs more lighting...both floor lamps and table lamps wherever you have sockets.

agreed. overhead lights are the worst, esp if they're the only light in the room.

I really appreciate all of the thoughtful and supportive feedback!

I hadn't thought of changing the rug before. But I can see where a bigger size and more contrast/something darker could really help.

Design Girl, I had in mind matching swivel chairs on either side of the TV :)

I'm pondering all of the other ideas, too. Thanks again!

Threers, I agree on the lighting. This picture is particularly bad because only the overhead light is on. We do have several other lights in the room, but I don't think they are enough.

Artwork over the fireplace rather than the mirror.

If you remove the light bulb from the overhead fan, your problem is solved! Also, would it be possible to change drapes to a pretty colored pattern...that change would certainly add color and personality to the room.

Can you show a pic of your current area rug that is in front of the sofa?

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/9-ways-to-boost-your-all-white-color-scheme-stsetivw-vs~49212922

I have an off white linen sofa and b/c I have cats, a husband and 2 kids, I bought one of these pom pom blankets to drape over the bottom cushions. I prefer the look with the blanket. I also had a nice striped brown and navy Ralph Lauren blanket there for awhile.

Denita, here's a photo with more of the rug visible.

Instead of buying all new curtains, because you have a lot to buy, how about adding like a Greek key trim to them, in whatever color you decide. It will change the whole appearance of the windows without a huge cost

Ideas.

https://mariakillam.com/dont-make-this-common-mistake-when-choosing-an-accent-chair/

Agree that a rug with richer, deeper colors and more pattern would make a big difference. Just as examples (not suggesting these specific ones):

.

Similar to above, but not quite as dark:

Thanks for the various mock-ups! (I tried using an online service to get some advice, but you all have been much more helpful and creative.)

That's perfect Jinx! Then, maybe select the coral or teal blue tones for the new accent chairs and for pillows/throw.

following

Just wanted to share what I decided to try:

• I ordered two of these chairs in crossweave navy, to flank the TV: https://www.potterybarn.com/products/larkin-upholstered-swivel-armchair/?pkey=cchairs-ottomans&isx=0.0.1653
• I'm going to make a couple throw pillows out of this material for the couch: https://www.fabric.com/buy/0488702/dwell-studio-modern-toile-peacock
• I changed up a few of the pillows on the futon (blue, in the background) for some other pillows in the house, to get a bit more contrast.
• I'm holding off on the rug for now. Although I think a bigger rug with more contrast would be great, the one we have is wool, really comfortable, and has held up very well for 10 years. So I'm going to see how it works with the other changes first.

Other things that I'd like to do at some point:

• New coffee table: I have an idea to get this coffee table, and use a glass top (possibly back-painted): https://www.wayfair.com/Beachcrest-Home--Cosgrave-Coffee-Table-with-Storage-CDNI5828-L441-K~BCMH4717.html?refid=GX217610917644-BCMH4717&device=c&ptid=487141415478&network=g&targetid=pla-487141415478&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=30683840&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=32972218&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwcOSg-qT6AIVFq_ICh1V2ghGEAQYASABEgIEgfD_BwE (I have small children, so I'm not ready for a regular glass table. Although these dimensions may not be visually the best, I think they would be pretty functional for us.)
• I'm hoping to get some greenery for the room, and another lamp or two.

It's a very pretty room, and I like the soft rug that you have. I'm a monochromatic kind of a gal, and I think you have a enough contrast with all the different woods. I'm also a big fan of window treatments the same color as the wall. How about you close the drapes a bit to cover a little of the wood so the geometric shapes aren't as bold. And use one large piece of art instead of 4 small. If they are your photos, blow up your favorite pic onto canvas. I think the mirror over mantel should be simple and go to the ceiling, or at least as high as the drapery rods. And hide the speakers if you can...all of them.

mirror

I'm just sharing some photos with the changes in place. I got new chairs, a new-to-me coffee table (which I hope to refinish in a light finish at some point), some new throw pillows, and a few other minor changes. The differences probably look minor, but they make me like the room a lot more. So thanks again for all the input! It really helped me sort through what I didn't like about the room and what changes I could reasonably make.

I think the front legs of the sofa should be on the carpet by about six inches. The way it is now it looks "disconnected" to the rest of the room. The coffee table should be about 18" in front of the sofa, so that people don't bump their knees on it when they are sitting down, yet it will still be close enough to be able to place drinks on it.