It's the rug. On my monitor the colors in it clash with the fireplace and the orange chair. I would look for something lighter and more feminine, with maybe a little salmon in it to pull in the chair and the flooring. And pull the chair over so it's on the rug. A new curvy coffee table will help too.

Laundry in the kitchen is only done in the U.K. or small spaces and this needs to be challenged first off. There is no way that anyone that has as much space as you have should do this. Laundry in the bedroom area makes sense or the basement...classical installation. Laundry and food- is not pleasing, on any level. Back to the kitchen: Considering that we do not know what happens in your basement, it is difficult to judge exactly what can or cannot happen.The current plan is incorrect from a functional aspect. It is too open in the wrong areas. Try to make an L shaped or a U shaped kitchen- and add some walls...Open is not always best. A wee bit of closed areas remove doors, dirty dishes after a dinner party and overall creates a specific space on it's own accord. Contact a registered Interior Designer in your area...ASID in the States, in Canada Association or Registered Interior Designers of.....fill in the Province. Architects would probably want to retain the project- however, they are not interior experts or kitchen experts. National Kitchen and Bathroom Association is another contact. Please note, it seems that you require an entire level replaced which is the jurisdiction of an interior designer. I hope that was of some assistance. Good Luck!

That would look great. Oriental rugs do not have to match. If you post some images of your space, we can help out a lot better! Also are these hand knotted orientals or oriental look a likes?

I would suggest moving the TV to the opposite wall and place your sectional opposite the TV. I think your sofa could meet the edge of your faux fireplace, thus creating a divider of sorts. I would add a different rug, a coffee table, side table on the short end of the sectional, a sofa/console table behind the sofa and maybe a nice tall plant in the corner near the window. Now, in the left over empty space I would add 2 matching chairs and maybe a small table to create a conversation area. You could also add a bookcase on the wall where the TV is in the photo. I think dividing the room into 2 separate areas might make it a little more cozy. Good luck!