It’s connected to the kitchen. Thought of tying in the green island color too.

Remove the cabinets from around the fireplace. The beams look unfortunately fake.

Thanks. We’ve debated putting in windows. But we have stucco and it’s $$ and skilled job to cut open. See inspiration photo below

There are 3 beams, from what we can tell middle one is structural the other 2 are fake

are those real actul beams ? I agree very dark and not even atractive since they make the ceiling feel so low . There are none in the kitchen and that space so much much brighter. If they are real then I would paint all that woodwork for sure but not green. You need to add some more lighting in thta space too. As for the green from the kitchen use pillows or a new rug to bring thta color into the space . If the beams are fake I would be looking at having them removed and I see one is structural but maybe see about at least the rest revoved al all thta dral trim at the top of the walls .

First things that jumped out at me were the weird cabinets beside the FP and the beams. Asbeams.As @shadywillowfarm suggested remove the cabinets and work on removing the beams. The bar cabinets are also sucking light from the room. Declutter and paint them. I would get rid of the glass cabinet doors, next the wine rack they're too busy. Also a lighter backsplash would help.

Thanks all! We bought this house recently and it was VERY dark throughout.

Maybe it’s worth just doing the windows, and painting out the rest if woodwork white. Was just trying to avoid that and save the $10K we’re quoted for 2 new windows in stucco exterior.

I agree with the suggestion to remove the shelving around the fireplace. The proportions seem off.

I would try painting a sample beam and the ceiling trim before removing to see what you think. Painting might be far less work than removing and patching. I would paint the bar area as well.

Where could a mirror function in the space to reflect light from the door?

What a lovely house! FWIW— I rather like the cozy, old school, drinks cabinets, but definitely paint the beams. Generally, I love wood, but your beams are not attractive and they appear to lower the ceiling. Step 1: Just start with the painting the beams and see how the rest looks to you then. This room could be a great snug.

Putting in a window(s) where?

Just looking at the beams make me want to duck. Maybe get rid of them, paint and then decide about the window(s).

I would start by painting the room a lighter color (something with a high LRV--light reflective value) and painting the hat band the same color as the walls. Leave the beams as is for now. Remove the wet bar tile backsplash and paint it the wall color. You don't need a double splash there anyway. Or remove both backsplashes and then tile in a light color. Are the cabinet interior backs on that wall dark? If so, change that. LED light tape under cabinet lighting?

See where those changes get you.

I would think about removing the top section shelves on the fireplace wall. Maybe the bases, too. Cushions on the extended hearth.

A mirror or two? Recessed lights in the ceiling?

I know it sounds like a lot of money to add windows, but the windows will expose a nice view, I think it's worth it. It's something you will only have to do once. But I would try the other suggestions you got first since they're less expensive to see if they make enough of a difference. Do the windows face north? You could also try a different wall color, one with a little more yellow. The one you have looks pretty appropriate, but colors tend to look dead in northern light. At least half the windows in my house face north, so I am very familiar with this.

Wow! Thanks for all the advice. The fireplace wall faces west and overlooks our backyard, so it’ll get sunlight.

I’ll start with painting the beams, 100% agree it gives the illusion of a low ceiling.

I like the idea of mirror above sofa, to reflect light in the room.

I’ll start by painting beams and trim, then see how it looks and go from there.

The bar, I’m going to update later. We aren’t huge drinkers, so I’m going to make it smaller. But agree the black backsplash is ugly.

What will your primary purpose be in this room? TV watching and lounging? Will this mostly happen in evening? I like the idea of going with the natural dimness of the room and making it really cozy- a snug as another commenter mentioned. You could paint out the woodwork (but not the beams) and walls all in a lighter medium tone of green (you mentioned green tying into kitchen) or a pretty greenish blue color. A darker wall color will help the wood beams not seem so dark and heavy. Add lamps for more lighting- one on the bar counter and maybe a well placed plug in wall sconce or plug in hanging pendant over the chair near door to outside.

There are 3 beams, from what we can tell middle one is structural the other 2 are fake

Before I went to the trouble of painting those beams (which is going to involve quite a lot of prep to seal, fill, sand and prime with pigmented shellac to block tannin bleed & caulk the joints), I would determine which, if any, are structural. If only the middle one is structural, I would consider removing the wood and wrapping it with drywall and removing other two decorative beams.

And, the reveal on the beams is going to be much more apparent with paint.

^^^Reasons why I would leave paint as the last option.

I am another one, that would like to see the cabinets by the fireplace gone. I would spend the money and add some windows, in there. The whole interior in your pictures, looks very dark, and unwelcoming. Windows and lighting, would be the two most important things to do. Leave the painting until last, because, once you get some brightness in your rooms, you may decide on using other colors for paint.

Is it shadows or my computer but the cabinets around the FP look like the same wood/stain as the beams then the doors and the bar across the room are oak. THAT difference really drags the room down. All the beams are pretty deep. They may be glad poorly but that doesn't assure they are fake. They seem to cross the wall depth. The brick on the FP is pretty dark which is why the beams are no doubt. I would begin by removing the book shelves that flank the FP, move the TV to the left side and paint out the beams. Removing beams adding windows is all cosmetic changes that most homeowners aren't going to afford. I would try the less expensive first and see if it works for you.

I think before you do anything, I'd add recessed lighting to the ceiling between the beams. That's a far less expensive project than adding windows to the space. If you're still not happy with the dark wood after that, then painting is a good option. I'd leave the beams alone and just paint the cabinetry.

Looking at this again, I would remove that hatband/ frieze entirely rather than paint it. Just doing that will give the ceiling a big lift, taking away the strong horizontal element and removing several square feet of dark that is sucking up light.

You all given me so much to think about. Thanks! I’ll look into painting white for now. Next year after we’ve lived here longer, I think we’ll punch out and place 2 large windows.

And for recessed lighting, yes. I plan on placing more in between the beams ‘section’

The white paint will really help, as will turning on the recessed lights that you already have. Not every room in a house is blessed with abundant natural light, and when a room does not have this, you need to lighten it with electric lights. So always turn on all the lights before taking a picture because most people don’t sit around the house with the lights off complaining about the lack of light.