I'd lean into warm colors, rather than the blue.

I would not add the shelves. If you look at the pictures, there are already 6 flat surfaces with small items on them. Shelves would just add more. Once she decides on her art, she should also do new pillows with a color she likes. The current ones are a bit bland.

painting out the blue is a great idea. I'd go one lighter with SW Alabaster, it always looks darker than you think.

Mirrors, not so good, they don't reflect anything grand, and the room needs some color, so why not a framed piece? at least 36" square, you already have plenety of rectangular with the two sofas. Little things on shelves are just clutter. Bigger lamps with color, and a bigger coffee table/ottoman and eliminate all the little plant stands.

for a real change, blinds on the windows AND drapery panels, rod extended beyond the window trim on both sides.

Get a credenza for the plants if that is the best spot for light on the plants.

Thrift or 2nd hand stores have great pieces that can be painted. A fun project for you and your mother.

Thanks for the advice!

She added the pillows to try to bring the blue from the walls, but with cream walls, what warm colors would look best to work with the carpet and couches? We can choose a different piece of art and then bring that into pillows. Thx!

The green of the throw looks like a good color option to work with couches and carpet.

Lyn, thank you! If we get rid of the mirror, do you have any advice on choosing artwork for both walls? I’m terrible at figuring how to make 2 walls work together with art… thx!

The long piece of art will be nice. Perhaps 2 or 3 smaller pieces on the adjoining wall. Don’t think too much about matching color or styles. Artwork should match your sensibilities not your room.

That sort of layout could work nicely. Maybe just a touch lower on the left. I’d urge you not to feel compelled to find it all at once. Let acquiring the pieces that call you happen more organically—- even if you have an empty wall for awhile.

Some thoughts:

--Yes to painting the walls

--Yes, to getting a large art work your mom loves for over one sofa. Get a few patterned sofa pillows that echo the art work to make the room more lively. Here's how to pair pillows with a painting: choose same palette. Check out society6.com for sofa pillows in every palette. But the pillows go with the art work, not the other way around. Don't be afraid of a little pattern.

Oversize Blue Green Silver Frame Abstract Wall Art, Painting Pond River Aqua · More Info

Child's Play 2 - Hexagon Pattern In Soft Blue, Pink, Peach & Aqua Couch Throw Pi · More Info

"Lily Pads III" Acrylic Painting, 30"x40" · More Info

Empire Ruhl "The Blues" Blue Navy Throw Pillow, 16"x16" · More Info

--Add a comfy throw to one of the couches.

--Move the rectangular mirror to the other wall to reflect the window light.

--No bitty shelves--just the big painting such as the one she likes that influences other choices and the big mirror to reflect window light across the way.

If you decide to do a mirror on the wall which would reflect the light, I would do something other than rectangular if you are doing rectangular art on the other wall. Too many rectangles.

Before anything else, Donna?: Draw and measure the room, please?

Second....I see no tv, so assume she watches tv elsewhere? What does that room look like?

As to carpet? Is it all over the home? What is nearby THIS room? A dining room? Lets see it!

Do all of that and come back,! Add all below in a comment box.

It is never wise to begin with the OFFENDER in the room. That is the rug, and TWO sofas, the color of mud: ) and little light to boot: )

It is never wise to begin with the OFFENDER in the room. That is the rug, and TWO sofas, the color of mud: ) and little light to boot: )

But if she is on a budget and cannot replace the rug or sofas, where would you start from?

I'm sure she is on a budget! But you don't throw good money on bad. That is why I ask for the drawing, the measure, what the other spaces may look like..: ) Does she NEED two sofas? What about a better arrangement?

You need more context to KNOW. WHAT WOULD a designer see if in her home? Everything: )

Begin at the...........beginning. Don''t just LEAP with no look.

Basically that is a mistake made here every day. Lack of context leading to V8 head slap.

Following to see if more picture of floor plan with dimensions will be posted.

Following along.

Thanks all! And Jan, I agree all that is needed for an overhaul of the room, but I’m just looking to help her with some easy decor updates. She isn’t looking to make any big changes. Both couches need to stay. Someday she will update carpet , but not yet.
But to help, it is their formal living room and it is used to hang out and converse. It’s fairly small. TV is in family room downstairs. This room is off the kitchen and the stairs that go up and down. Kind of a split level..
Based on feedback received here so far, which has been sooo helpful, thank you!!!… she is planning to have the walls painted a creamy white. She will remove the blues and accent with sage green, maybe olive and maybe camel color. We will look for art and pillows in the new color scheme. Art first! We will look for a small credenza for in front of the windows to go next to the chair. And add drapes in color scheme. Maybe bigger lamps.
Any other decor suggestions?
And any suggestions for carpet in future? She’s thinking a beigey/taupe to better go with couches vs the goldy beige.
Thanks all!

Here's a visual showing a few ideas... The gallery wall can be family picture (black & white is always nice).

Thank you lisedv! Love these!