TV’s are never elegant.

Do you have funds for remodeling? If not, then paint is going to be your best option. You might want to post more pictures but it looks like a modest home. If so, elegant might not be the best design choice. If you post pics of what is elegant to you, that would help, too.

I would start by painting the soffits ceiling white instead of the blue but other than that we need daylight pictures and more information from you

Agree the blue has got to go! White, grey, color matched to the cabinets? Daylight pics please. Can't do much with these.

Is this your place or are you renting? Do you have furniture you are planning to use? Do you have children? If you do, the existing carpeting is even better. You could have it professionally cleaned. Look into “green cleaning”.

Any space can be elegant. You do not need a mansion for that.

What is your overall style? Do you have any inspiration pics?

If that is your decor on the shelves, you could simplify it a bit.

You could change out the fan for a more updated fan or a chandelier.

Number #1 elegance objective - find another location for the trash.

I’m inspired by the last photo posted by freedomplace1. The neutral tones and limited color palette looks very elegant to my eye, and would work well with the pale wood tone of your cabinets (once you paint over the blue walls). I’d think about this natural palette when styling your built-ins.

The stools at the counter-why? You don't have an overhang so one can sit comfortably. IDK if TVs aren't elegant but since they are a part of life place them well. Over the fireplace is a very poor TV placement. We can't suggest where to put it w/o more day time all views picture of your space. Easy fix on the blue-paint to match the ceiling. The cabinetry in the kitchen looks pickled? Is there a faux finish on them? I wonder if they had cabinetry over the peninsula at some time? The cans look oddly placed. A couple of pendant light fixtures would look nice.

Paint, clean and live with it at least 6 months to decide what really needs to be done. But of course move trash can. I keep a small waste basket under my kitchen sink and the larger one in the garage when the small one gets full I transfer to the larger one.

It will be fun to see what you do. You are going to be so much happier when you get this painted!

As someone else asked - do you own or rent? If you rent am assuming you will be limited in what you can do to the place.

Paint the soffits to match the walls then the ceiling will look taller

MY question is elegant what ???? Ther eis nothing elegant about this space as it is . THose shelves filled with stuff not needing display is a far cry from elegant . BTW when you post and we ask questions we need answeers and lose interest quickly when we get no answers. IMO if you own the place that soffat has to go it makes no sense so first step find out what is in it and figure out how to deal with that, A good plan is to post some pics of your idea of elegant then we have some clue . PLease DO NOT satrt another post since we will lose this one .

We need some more pictures and please turn the lights on.

How big of a project are you wanting to do? Cosmetic, full renovation, partial reno?

Some elegance is just a clean simple look where every piece " earns " it's place. For others it can me more luxurious - think silk drapes, velvet pillows, crystal fixtures, saturated colors.

I would find some info pictures that speak to you so we can pull them apart and apply to your space.

Minimal decoration - the ones that are there do relate to each other - not just random stuff. Nice crown molding. No beadboard on the back. More monochromatic.

For your kitchen , paint the soffit for now but I would save up to redo it. The layout isn't ideal, neither is the visual. You won't really know what you need there until you live in it for a while.

Take your time and put together your vision first. Then start working on stuff.

Congrats on your new place !

If you can post more pictures with lights on so we can see the actual colours and also pictures of what is facing the kitchen and facing the wall unit that would help.

Also, is your plan to only paint the walls or what does your budget allow.

On my monitor I see the kitchen cabinets as the inspiration for the entire house. Keep in mind, I said on my monitor...which is fickle.

I see B.M. Linen White working throughout the house. Do the walls in an eggshell finish, the ceilings in flat finish and the sides of the ceiling drop boxes eggshell finish and the under side flat as the ceiling. Trim in the house gets semi-gloss. Sounds difficult, but you have 3 buckets of linen white in three finishes.

Slipcover...do whatever it takes to do the entire house in the linen white tone.

OP where are you we need info please .

Random thoughts:

- The bookshelves are nice.

- TV options: Get one of those mirrors that covers the TV /shows can play through the mirror. OR show artwork on the TV.

- Do you NEED the fan for comfort? If so, leave it -- since it's white, while it's not the height of elegance, it blends in. You might consider changing it out for a larger fan -- this one's meant for a smaller room.

- On the other hand, if you don't NEED the fan, a chandelier would be more elegant.

- If you're keeping the fan, you might opt for a more "blingy" light kit underneath.

- The blue in the kitchen stands out, and not in a good way. I don't really have any advice, but riding your life of these intrusive stripes of color shoudl be Goal 1.

- Lose the barstools (and the small mat under them). With no overhang for seating, they don't work.

- Consider adding a couple blingy pendants over the peninsula.

- Do I see three dog beds? Could these be placed elsewhere? Maybe tucked behind a sofa?

- Are you keeping the cabinets "as is"? They're fine on the elegant scale, but the cabinets are a large feature and you'll have to lean into their yellow undertone.

- Definitely add a curtain to the window -- if you need the plain shade for function, keep it under the curtain.

- If you're looking to go to more trouble and expense, popcorn ceilings and carpet don't lean "elegant".

I don't think 'elegant' is possible any time a refrigerator is involved.

Don't cover tv with mirror thing. If lights are on or there is a lot of light in the room, you can't see the tv. A frame tv will work. I have both. (Different rooms)