"The only pathways are between the chair and couch and the right side of the love seat. I don't know whether to go dark wood or what. I don't want.........."

Bear with me?

You bought with no plan. Would I have purchased the loveseat? No. I would not have bought it.

How 'bout this?

Before you contemplate more? give us an accurately measured drawing of the spac and include the surrounding areas. Add more pictures as well

The drawing? All the walls, windows, the hearth and in feet/inches..any where it is open and how much. Where the kitchen island is located..All of it: )

Upload as a jpeg , neat, bold, legible.

I'd start with a colorful rug from which you can pull colors for the accessories like pillows, throws and window treatments. See examples:

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I'd also think about adding some texture for your coffee table and side tables. And perhaps some woven wood shades to go under drapery panels.

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Don’t forget lamps so you can have pleasant and cozy lighting in the evening

Yes, definitely lamps as well

The only thing you "start with" is a measured drawing of the entire open space.

Then you can b.e.g.i,n to do as Sabrina Alfin above....: ) : ) and yes to lamps but know where, and how many, first.

I did a lot of measuring. But I am also really visual, so it isn't the best combination. We do love our view. I am thinking shades. We are also considering just starting over. with seating. So I am open to suggestions. The furniture is really not as comfortable as we would like.

Can you print that, take a nice heavy tape measure!

Put the wall dimensos , the island, all the windows same! Note all thise on that plan and upload it same way- as a jpeg.

Ill be back!

I can! I am about to leave for a while. Can do later today
Thank u

Houzz has a bunch of stories about color

7 Spicy Hot Color Palettes to Fire Up a Living Room (houzz.com)

9 Fashionably Cool Living Room Color Palettes (houzz.com)

10 Ways to Make Your Neutral Palette Shine (houzz.com)

Search for them, click on pics you like and then look at similar photos.

You can often find stories about things like dealing with common problems, from small kitchen to defining space in open plans.

Sabrina’s comment about starting with a rug you adore is spot on! Find one that you love and then you can use that to pull accent colors for other parts of the room. If you are considering switching out furniture/seating too, I would stilllll (personally) choose the rug first. Beautiful space!! Good luck!!

That is awesome
Thank you!

Can you post more pictures or the rest of the room so that we can see the style of your dining room and kitchen and what colour you have there.

I agree with Sabrina and Sophia

Start with a rug...

And since you are visual person, start collecting images of the living rooms you love. Are there features you like in each or tables, or lights or colors? Start collecting ideas that you can put it in your own space.

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Great start so far! I agree that adding a lovely rug with colour will be ideal and then you can add coordinating cushions, etc. from that point. I’m sure you are planning on adding a couple of accessories to the tv console, but I think that you might need to lower the tv a bit.

I think your seating pieces look fine. You say they are not as comfortable as you would like - but is that BH or AH ? ( ie, before Houzz or after Houzz... :)

Were you planning to buy all new furniture prior to coming here? If any of the folks who don’t like your seating pieces are willing to send you checks to purchase something else, go for it.

What you currently have is fine.

You are not going to go from a room with 3 seating pieces in solid grey - to a room full of color. You mention that you are comfortable with the grey pieces and like a neutral palette - but didn't just want the black and grey pillows that came with the furniture. You also mentioned you have had thoughts of possibly a beige rug. All understood.

So this is what I recommend: Consider a natural fiber or natural fiber-look type rug in a beige tone. Then add some throw pillows and a throw.

ETA:

And you can really go any number of ways with color, pattern, etc., on the pillows and throw, because you basically have a blank canvas with the grey seating. And also with the natural fiber type rug.

https://www.livingcozy.com/blog/throw-pillows-for-gray-couch

Thanks everyone's help. It took me a bit to get back due to interruptions. I do like the idea of starting with a rug. Regarding the furniture. While the furniture does look fine. Once we started talking about some of the discussion here, my husband said " I don't think the seatring is comfortable". We rushed in buying it and at the time, he thought it was great. The chair is comfortable, but I don't think the couch is comfortable. So, we are looking at changing, I just want to make the right decision this time. And I also, don't want white. It doesn't work well for us.

Here is the floor plan with dimensions. And additional pictures. We have only been here a little over three weeks, so we really have just been emptying boxes. I am just now focusing on decor.

I have no real vision yet for the breakfast area. I have always wanted a copper table top and am thinking about it.