We also have babies

what about an espresso stain? it would catch in the grain and darken them up...but wouldn't be as heavy as black? Also, i'd be tempted to take out the small bit of cabinet in the cubby area and make it a desk area? or just place a piece of butcherblock countertop across the area mounted directly to the walls? if the topper cabinet looks good, keep it....if not, let it go? a console of some kind under the tv might anchor it a bit. ------ it looks like a nice room. good luck

It's best to save up to do a 'proper' expansion instead of spending the money and headaches of renovating this space twice.

Agreed, but I'm not looking to spend a lot. Just what's necessary to make it look finished. We will most likely be able to keep the bar area when we expand and add on, so that won't matter.

Perhaps some floating shelves with interesting decorative items on them? Also just a question, did you drill a hole in the wall to wall mount your tv?

Media room: I would paint the entire room that orange and then a very dark ceiling. I would do the cabinets in black. Put up great window coverings to block some light for viewing.

Cubbie: create a desk area? Could be used for hobbies, laptop.

Looks like a wine fridge and rack in the cabinet area? Will you be using that as is, or not? I'd simply clean the wood with Murphy's oil soap. If you want to deepen the tone, use Olde English scratch cover or a simple gel stain. For a great re-do without much expense try rustoleumtransformations.com. Just takes time and elbow grease. Might consider putting anupholstered storage bench window seat under the window with a hinged lid for toys. Then turn the sofa to face it so you can seat more people and have a conversational situation too. The recess could use some shelves for decor - maybe framed photos of movie stars.

There is actually window seat with storage already under the window. It just needs an upholstered cushion. We already have an office and another desk area in our laundry room for crafts, etc. otherwise I would definitely do the desk idea. We did drill a hole in the wall behind the tv for cords. I need window treatments too. I was thinking about a bamboo black out blind

I'm liking the espresso stain idea.

Yup, espresso would be better than black with your orange. We don't want a halloween party!

Guess that cubbie could be turned into a closet.

The orange is actually a red. It has an orange or coral undertone. There is a huge closet in the back of this room. I mean its the size of a bedroom. I don't want to be difficult but that cubby is bothering me. I guess it could be an area for a play table an chairs or shelving

I agree - paint all the walls the red/orange, stain the built in cabinet espresso. In the arched niche I recommend cabinets below and shelves above in the same style and espresso finish as the bar cabinets. I would square off the arch over it. Add a long espresso stained console under the flat screen TV or one painted the same color as the wall only in gloss finish. It also could be simply long floating shelves. It will have to be asymmetrical because the end wall cabinets go all the way to the back wall. The cabinet or shelves can start a couple of ft. to the right of the TV and then extend several ft. to the left. Hang large scaled art or posters to the left of the TV to balance the wall. Woven grass or bamboo blinds would add texture and rich color. Add a large espresso stained tray on the ottoman to tie in the new wood stain on the cabinet. Change the white pillows on the sofa to a deeper tone such as the rusty red or dark chocolate brown.

Oh jeez, I hadn't seen the second photo. Would not have recommended white for anything you put in the cubby area, if I had! Sounds like you have had some better advice since, though. :)