I like the rug and your paint color ideas.

More pictures

Kandrewspa thanks for such a quick reply!

I like the rug too - is the sectional navy or dark grey?

This is not the exact rug, but it's close. Not sure it's the best choice for the room. I suggest the rug be turned for starters

None of these rugs would be my choice. I do think the rug should have a light background.

I like your rug, but I also think that Beverly brings up a good point about the rug being lighter. Here are two other options to consider. The Anatolia is a lovely look. I saw it in two places. It might be available on other sites.

Here’s another option.

Love the rug!! You need better lighting in the room. Not crazy about the light fixture, maybe something on a dimmer switch so you can control the amount of light and some floor lamps, plus art for the wall.

@sy

I love that rug on your first pick and I love your ideas... You have a lovely home.

Is the rug that is in the last photo staying? If so, I agree with the others something brighter with more color. A favorite rug of mine in similar colors is by Safavieh for Ralph Lauren called Darcy

Super White by BM is my most favorite white. It is crisp and bright. It can sometimes make other whites look dingy. What is the white on those kitchen cabinets? Hopefully it will look great with the Super White

I love the idea of a round coffee table. Something heavy to set the tone.

I am looking forward to seeing this beautiful space unfold.

I think this rug is a better solution for the room.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Karastan-Rugs-Ezine-Cream-7-10-x-10-3-Area-Rug/3095596324

When I add your coffee table selection it doesn't seem to work with anything in the room.

I'd select a more contemporary table for the room.

That ceiling light from IKEA casts the worst shadows in a room. You might want to reconsider using it.

I like your current rug better.
It’s magnificent 💖

I’d keep the rug.

Add new, larger lighting.

New lighter colored throw pillows.

Maybe a glass or a white coffee table.

Before I would offer suggestions - I would ask

What is your intention here? You want to freshen up, but do you want to shift your design style?

Its easy for us all to throw down ideas - but judging by your other furniture it is more classical/traditional. Careful with adding in super modern ideas in this space unless you have other ideas of modern accents.

As it is an open concept - do you have any intention, down the road to make changes to your kitchen as well?

I really appreciate all the great suggestions. So helpful particularly seeing the other rugs, coffee tables, light fixtures, etc. The current rug that I have is lighter it has some creams and grays which work with our current wall color and the sofa which is kind of charcoal. I don’t hate the current rug (9x12)and I think it could work with cream walls, but was hoping a brighter rug would let me pull in some additional colors. I want to paint the walls a cream as the ceiling is already dark enough(but we do really like the ceiling and will not be painting it ) the kitchen cabinets and the trim are super white BM. I looked at the color wheel chroma, and there seems to be enough of the difference between the super white and alabaster to work and not make one or the other look bad.. I will test samples of the alabaster later this week.
I have not found art yet because I need something large that speaks to both my husband and me and I want to change the wall color first. We definitely need more light. The IKEA light does cast terrible shadows but I like the way it brings the white from the other half of the room into the living room side.
I like things pretty simple and traditional/transitional but our space is lacking personality, and I think it could be improved.

Inspiration

I was thinking that I needed to pick the rug first before painting the walls. And I was getting stuck. Now I am wondering if I should go ahead and paint the walls alabaster and look at it with the rug I have…

Two round tables so close to each other feels repetitious…besides the fact that in your seating area the round table will not be in reaching distance for many of the seated guests..a rectangle lengthwise in front of the couch will also be more proportional..lastly pulling the sectional away from the wall a little will reduce “ the stuck in the corner” feel

The ceiling light style and placement are out of sync with the style of the room and not really serving a needed purpose..a corner arched lamp will add some needed curves to the space as well as flexible lighting to direct/rotate to where it is needed

What about something like this one ( listed on Marketplace). Sandstone top- not sure what that looks like 😀

Or square and light