to lighten up the space, what if you went this route? (just look at furniture and the style, not so much the layout. try to imagine the pieces in your space)

a nice sectional, new rug, less bulky end table, new lamps. Instead of the round covered table w/the lamp, replace it w/a tall potted plant. you have table overload!

if you like the two sofas, you can still do that.

also, lighter drapes. maybe a few plants,

Your game table is fine, but what if you painted your dark chairs? you can spray them any color.

You just have too many things in the room. I would likley get rid of the oriental rug to give a more peaceful feeling and get rid of some of the chairs and the round table with the cover. I would hang the TV on the wall and get rid of either the entire TV stand or at least the top and the decorative items on the top of it And on top of the China cabinet. I would pick 3 or 4 of my favorite of the decorative items and keep only those. The leather chair does not really fit with the other chairs but I bet it is someone’s favorite for TV watching. The club chairs seem to be showing the most use. The sofa still looks great. if you get rid of the tv

stand you could move teh sofa to that wall and put the TV above it. That would open up the China closet behind it. Perhaps the white side chair and mini rocker could go in one of the bedrooms?

Some times with just a layout change and a few things removed or changed a room can feel refreshed. First start with your larger pieces. Have you ever had the sofa under the window? If you remove the china cabinet that would free up some floor space and in that area you could place the two club chairs. Hard to tell but you may have enough room to put a table with a lamp in between if the chairs if they are closer to the wall where the china cabinet was.

Oh my goodness! You all are amazing! You have the wheels turning and I'm so excited to try some new ideas! We are trying to pare down all our "stuff" and this helps me to know I have to make decisions that are sometimes hard but in the long run will be good (thanks for the suggestions to remove items and take a fresh look decoenthusiaste, Beth H. and tedbixby.

So for now, from your suggestions, I plan to:

Completely take away the round corner table with the cover, replace with a floor lamp with a drum shade and replace the lamps or at least get drums shades if I keep them; Replace dark curtains with straight ivory curtains, relocate the large china cabinet behind the sofa to where the white console with basket on top is....Maybe this will balance the room a bit more. thanks housegal200!

maureen214 you are so right about the leather chair..It has to be in a place for TV viewing so I may not be able to do any changes here....

I will also change the club chairs and sofa positions with each other and maybe find a large picture for the wall behind the chairs.

I would like to have a new sofa but wondering if this old one could be reupholstered.... maybe even the chairs. Still wondering about colors of fabrics.....

Please keep any ideas coming! Again, I am so appreciative!

Probably too expensive to reupholster the old sofa. Your two round wood tables are too tall for the current seating. Should arrive 1" above or blow the arms. Those might sell well and you could use the money to add one round table between the chairs, and angle them. If you want them straight on, then a rectangle table would be better. Here's a chart for getting table and lamp heights right.

Like the comments. I tend to agree about a new rug, less traditional. I like what you have, and the flower art, and red lamp, etc... decorator's table, called?

Clear gold patterned curtains. Shown with rod like yours, to still use?

Abstract Blackout Darkening Curtain, Set of 2, Misted Yellow, 50"x96" · More Info

Child Braiding a Crown- Gallery Wrapped Canvas Art 28" x 42" · More Info

Or - barn reds/browns....organic.

Shiba Transitional Multicolored Handloomed 52"x67" Wool Blend Throw · More Info

Elements Marbled Patina Beige/Blue Area Rug, 6'7"x9'6" · More Info

A distressed aged rug might go with vibe of handmade looks in items you've placed above units.... crackle lamp, etc....

Signature 1 Light Table Lamp in Blue And Gold · More Info

Safavieh Monaco MNC259M 6'7" Round Blue, Gray Rug · More Info

In DR or other - clearer lighter blue would seem good with soft white furniture around... lemon tree art? this has that color too. :)

Safavieh Monaco Mnc255M Rug, Blue/Light Gray, 8'0"x10'0" · More Info

Home Queen Solid Color Area Rug, Teal, 6' Octagon · More Info

Contemporary Theia Area Rug - Contemporary - Area Rugs - by RugPal (houzz.com)

CB, you are in good hands with all the contributors above. I don't have specific suggestions but I am curious (because I may have missed your response) - how many people use the room all at once? It's very crowded. If it were me, I might take almost everything out and slowly put stuff back one piece at a time to see how much less furniture you can live with. That would be a lot of work, though.

What kind of space and what colors are adjacent to this room?

Was it housegal saying "outside the box" - this coloring could blend with what she posted.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/871285533/elk-wolf-bear-eagle-set-of-4-painting?ref=listing_page_ad_row-2&plkey=0005fecbb818e0bcee99e945e5386e76ceec1055%3A871285533&pro=1&frs=1

possibly this rug has a hand-painted look that the wood painted items on etsy have... vibe.

Contemporary Meadow 9'x12' Rectangle Poppy Area Rug · More Info

Items high up - lower wall shelf with mr. shiny pig, or such?

Sitting Winged Pig Figurine, Apple Green Gloss · More Info

Do you want a new sofa? Start there OR start with a large rug that works with your wall color and the leather recliner. I would just buy the most important piece first, rug or sofa, that thrills you to pieces.....don't settle, and get exactly what you want as it will be around for a long time. Put it in the room, and see what you need next; go slowly to make sure you get the space and look you want....no hurry at all.

I also think you need to remove the stuff that is not something to sit on so you have a clear way to place the sofa in relation to the TV. If you play games decide if you want a table or if you will play games on a large low cocktail table in front of the sofa. The sofa will make a difference; make sure the size fits the room with ease for walking thru the room.

I have listed some pictures with different floor plans and color ideas that might inspire you to think about possibilities? Some of them have large cocktail tables but no game table that adds to the available space in your room.....something to think about?

small sectional on one end of room

Easy-going Elegance for an Irvington Family · More Info

long room

Traditional Living Room · More Info

small scale furniture floating in room

Traditional Living Room · More Info

Beverly Hills Family Dwelling · More Info

tv on side down low built in unit

2012 Fall Parade Home · More Info

down low built in with tv on side

Traditional Living Room · More Info

open concept if you want to remove a wall? anything is possible.

Locust Hills Chateau · More Info

Those are all wonderful thoughts Susan! I love the idea of going slow....I will post pictures of any changes I make as I go. Thanks so much!

Something to think about is the vibe - do you like historic feeling of "old gold" etc....

this could vibe with sofa pattern, and look nice on ivory chair.

Or a solid.

Baagh Boiled Wool Throw, Mustard, Ivory · More Info

Finn Knit Throw Blanket, Mustard · More Info

I like a lot of the recs above! Lamp in corner where the circle table and cover is. A sectional would be a great choice and the other end you could get a unique end table (doesn’t have to be matchy matchy with the coffee table). Could be wicker or could be all black sculptural piece. I’m a huge fan of lenda curtains from ikea they are linen heavy and CHEAP! Could do black curtain rod. I love all the decorative pieces around, I think some could be used for a gallery wall esp as 3 dimensional like the big basket you already have on display.
Now the two big cabinets, what I don’t like is we can’t see the things you love in the China cabinet. So maybe book shelves that look built in to display your favorite pieces instead?
Tv stand I would replace with a long low stand so tv is at eye level and it opens the wall up! The current piece although super cute feels like it just clunks up that wall. Can’t wait to follow along!!

It’s a lovely room and you have lots of good advice. I just have a few comments.

If you buy a sectional be careful that you don’t get a very big one or you’ll be right back where you started: too full, too crowded.

The brightly colored print you currently have is very nice. I like it and it gives some color and interest.

The table and chairs at the front of the room look stark when compared to the rest of your furnishings. Maybe a paint job would help. Or a centerpiece of some kind that’s easily moved when it’s Game Time.

Thanks! are you talking about the print on the sofa? I think one of the things that bothers me the most is that fabric....or maybe it's the combo of the sofa and rug....seems SO busy!

Oh sorry! No, I was talking about the print hanging on the wall. The orangey-red flower.

Got ya! 😊

(Sorry, long post and many photos!)
Happy New Year to all my decorating-loving friends! I so enjoy reading all your posts and advice over the last year. So here again, I find myself 12+ months later, still trying to update my living room (and other rooms in our small house for that matter) in a effort to be a little more “modern” but still use some of my older, traditional items. I made a few changes over the last year from many of your suggestions as you will see in my pictures.
As I write this, I am having hardwood floors installed in the living room and re-finished in the rest of the house so that is going to make a big impact.
Here are my two most immediate concerns:

1. I have decided to have my old sofa and two greenish chairs re-upholstered as they have very good “bones” and there is a very good and reasonably priced upholstery shop here in my town. I hope to be able to find some fabric at a nearby Ballard Designs Outlet or other fabric store. My immediate issue is the color and type of the fabric to use. My preference would be neutral solids for all three pieces as well as fabric that would be “forgiving” in terms of the grandkids. I figure I can bring in some color with pillows. I would like to build the colors around my wonderful new Ballard Designs picture, “Southern Oaks”.
2. The other dilemma for me is the colors and solids vs. patterns in the area rugs throughout the house - living room, game table area, dining room, even kitchen. I am confused about how to make them blend with each other.
   Thanks in advance for any ideas you may have anywhere throughout the house!
   
   

More pics

More of living room /dining room

Mostly dining area

Dining area and adjacent office

Our three bedrooms - obvious fan of Ballard Designs!

Idk what items are keepers? for instance, the curtains have their own neutral color. Btw, I like your bedrooms... checks seem to be back 'in'... wish I could see the top of the wood headboard. :)

Seems the warmest that I've found -

Pimlico Textured Chenille Upholstery Fabric, Satsuma · More Info

Coral Abstract Mesh Art Damask Upholstery Fabric · More Info

Is that the same round dining table?? I think once you get the floors in, it will help push you in the direction you want to go. Assuming still trying to lighten things up? ETA: your rooms look nice. I think you need a lot of editing in the living room area still. Is the tv cabinet in 2 pieces? What are your thoughts on removing the top peice?

If it goes with solid sofa - how about this for sofa at the window? with rug idk. :)

Blake - Fabric by the Yard, Oxford, 1 Yard · More Info

Heavy duty, neutral Bark -

Sandy Woven Texture Upholstery Fabric, Bark · More Info

Hi! Yes,that is same round table we use as a game table. I took off the old very thick brown paint and added lighter stain so it is now kind of a weathered look. And yes, I definitely want things lighter. Thanks for the compliment though! Not sure the hubby will go with taking the top off the tv cabinet, though I think it would be worth a try….it is a big wall….

Everdebz, the headboard is just like the footboard…

And not sure if the “orangeish” would be too warm for the sofa and/or chairs…but maybe for pillows?

Flax, Laguna, etc...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/280711282/upholstery-fabric-paddington-flax?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_-craft_supplies_and_tools-domestic_high&utm_custom1=k_9c67d61f6d5c1dfb3802b7cb88eaa797_k&utm_content=bing_412372913_1308419135222460_81776259722171_pla-4585375810933315:pla-4585375810933315_c__280711282&utm_custom2=412372913&msclkid=9c67d61f6d5c1dfb3802b7cb88eaa797

The Flax is nice….just thinking more toward solids

And you must be thinking the sofa under the windows?

A bit of modernizing look if a sofa or chair had a neutral in this -- and a custom pillow in another of the colors layered in-

https://www.etsy.com/listing/942485065/velvet-fabric-54-wide-by-the-yard?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=upholstery&ref=sc_gallery-1-7&frs=1&bes=1&col=1&listing_id=942485065&listing_slug=velvet-fabric-54-wide-by-the-yard&plkey=da638bd28ac58c47ef2ba51bdc53e8f3805455ab%3A942485065&variation0=1757216185&variation1=1757216167

Pretty sure there are similar in the greens too -

https://www.etsy.com/listing/882011669/velvet-pillow-cover-with-invisible?click_key=efa6678b589054a495d5dd9565d7f52c43dd6fb3%3A882011669&click_sum=32ca5b4b&ref=related-6&frs=1&variation0=1764450805&variation1=1562637602

Never used a velvet…how does it hold up?

I think there must be different fabrics that have the characteristics that label it a velvet. Do you like shiny fabric? Idt velvet is.... Do you like a plush feeling -- I think that'd be velvet for an option. Velvet googled: a closely woven fabric of silk, cotton, or nylon, that has a thick short pile on one side.

I see 2 sofas ... yes, no?

What aspect of your art do you appreciate? and what do you like as to its 'part' in the entire decor? [e.g., do you like the greens in it with the golden beige in the room]

As far a fabric texture, I prefer non-shiny, almost linen like. And color wise in the picture, love all the colors, especially the greens and greys.

can't tell the wall color, and could make green/grey an interesting challenge... ?

The wall color is revere pewter, so hopefully that will work.
I think I have narrowed the sofa and chair colors to something similar to this picture… a lighter one for the sofa and a greyish one for the two chairs

Light sofa, and light chairs. Is the leather chair staying?

Wall color is light also. For the art to "look even better," i can't tell if even pillows would do it. Is the rug a warm red and beige?

Sounds good….The picture was just for the sofa and chair colors… not the pillows or rug necessarily. I do want to bring in a little light blue since that is in the large wall picture