Do be scared to comment! Looking forward to reading your ideas!

The TV room looks pretty modern to me already, it does seem dark though - what about adding some nice sleek lamps to bring more light into the room?

I agree the style you have going is modern but the lighting is bad. Not sure about the must haves in your kitchen where you are but start there to get those items included in the space in a more cohesive way. Do youy need drapes ? If so you need ones that are fuller and shorter since it looks like a AC unit there . The raised bar seems odd since it is open storage and no place for stools so if at some time a real redo of the kitchen is the plan then just one level for that area no stools and closed storage. The LR needs pot lights if possible and lamps too . Is there a TV in that space ? I suggest all lighting in both spaces to be LED 4000K to mimic bright daylight .It seems storage is needed in the kitchen so if the freezer must stay then some upper cabinets on that wall above the freezer or better an upright freezer with pantry cabinets on both sides.

I think you have the TV and bookcases on the wrong wall. I can't see all the details in the room but perhaps this layout will work so that all the sectional pieces can be used as one piece.

For the TV room, you’re right to tread carefully with all-white everywhere, white ceilings can brighten, but if the rest of the room stays dark, it might feel washed out or too stark. Instead, try a soft off-white or warm neutral for the ceiling (something with a touch of warmth so it doesn’t look clinical), and add contrast on one feature wall, perhaps behind the TV, use a deeper accent (textured panel, wood slats, or matte charcoal paint). Then layer in ambient lighting (wall sconces, uplights) and floor or table lamps to break that darkness. For walls, something like a mid-tone gray, muted taupe, or even a soft clay works well in dusty zones, it hides dirt better than pure white but still keeps things airy.

About the kitchen cupboards in a dusty environment: white is risky, but you can go for lighter tones with grit, off-white creams, greiges, or muted pastels with a matte or low-sheen finish (easier to maintain). Use durable, wipeable surfaces (laminates, thermolaminates, or painted enamel) and consider adding protective glaze layers or topcoats for easier cleaning. Also, design in backsplashes and accent trims that are easier to wipe (like glass, ceramic, or quartz) so the most dust-prone surfaces take less abuse.

Thank you for all your amazing suggestions! I am still trying to figure out how to comment on individual posts.

But yes! You are right la La girl & Patricia, it does look modern now that you mention it. It’s just very dark and doesn’t exude any brightness.

Beverly, the reason for the layout is cause of the plugs. There is no power outlet where you put the bookcase in your layout. I will ask the electrician how easy it will be to move sockets around.

Tejjy, your suggestions are very feasible and I love them! An accent wall to add some character seems like an awesome idea! The kitchen with lighter tones with grit is the only suggestion I wasn’t familiar with. Let me ask chat gpt to explain. Definitely loving the muted pastel option for the kitchen cupboards.

Thank you again. Can’t wait to put everything together to get the ball rolling soon!

You might be able to drop the electric onto the wall from all that you have in the ceiling.

That’s a good point! Will check with the experts. Thank you Beverly.

Move the two couches a bit closer together and get a big, colorful rug. Adding some lighter colors through a rug, accessories (pillows?) and artwork will cheer the place up. It looks too “gray everything” right now. Even colorful lamps will make a difference.

I would also consider getting a narrow console table behind the larger couch. A light color, or light wood one, not anything dark.

Thank you Redryder! Appreciate your input and will definitely take your input into consideration. :)

Feels like it needs some artwork on the walls. Not sure where since you might change the furniture layout, but once you land on a layout, add new pictures for ideas.

I understand the concern about white cabinets, but your kitchen ceiling is quite intricate, lots of places for dusty dirt to settle and it looks immaculate. No dirt at all. Do you have to work to keep that so clean?

I dont see anything wrong with your living room, except its too dark. Light doesnt come from paint, it comes from actual lighting, and you need a lot of it. end tables with lamps, if you can fit them in. Floor lamps, and I hate to even say it, since I absolutely hate them, pot lights too. I would not want to paint that beautiful wood ceiling. As to your kitchen, it needs lighting too, and maybe some color, either on the walls, or in accent colors here and there.