Would a rug like this work?

Maybe not

The blue pillows add to the coolness of the overall color in the room. You might consider looking for something in a warmer color. Maybe this ochre color velvet.

https://www.wayfair.com/home/pdp/sherry-kline-square-velvet-pillow-cover-insert-w002059965.html?piid=940553632%2C940553634

I'd also consider bringing in a wood tone for the end tables. Something to add a little warmth. Perhaps a gold or brass tray on the coffee table as well for just a little shine.

I can understand not wanting to move the canvas as it has sentimental value. That’s important. You might try mirrors in place of the contemporary artwork.

Originally the sofas were supposed to be a deep blue but I was uncomfortable going with so much color on the sofa. I think it would have been gorgeous though. Can I bring more color in on the rug that would tie this all together without clashing with the grey of the sofa?

I don’t know if you can tell much from this photo the exact color

Beverly - I don’t see the adjusted photo

You can definitely bring in more color with the rug. Just bring that color up to the sofa in your accessories.

Looks nice, thank you

My only concern on the mirrors is that those artwork light are over them and they are hard wired in.

Before changing out the artwork, work on the rug and adding warmth there and via cushions on the couches. Getting your lighting to warm rather than cool, will also help. Then you can think about the art and if you want to change.

And the mirrors will reflect the kitchen which is not ideal.

I like that red and blue rug or something else with blue. The colors in the picture of your daughters has a nice red tone. I think you have room for

more art on the other side of the room. Bring in more blue, red, green. Patterned pillows will add interest. Some large colorful

books on the cabinets on both sides of the fireplace under the pictures

adds color and interest. And not expensive. This dumb website - sorry for the spaces.

Yes, I’m looking for new barstools. These were just something I had.

@renner65 ….. I don’t believe that art needs to ” play well” with other pieces of art in the room, actually I think just the reverse, more interesting, less like a hotel lobby. Just glancing at your room I think more interesting pillows would be nice. Some accesories added would be good, but take your time, don’t try to do it all at once.

Agree… I don’t think Art has to “match”… I think it’s more important that it’s work that you like a lot and also that it is sized and framed appropriately for the space.

Would you keep the ottoman or replace? Also, not sure how to mix woods. Thank you all so much for the suggestions and mockups.

It depends upon how much dark you like. To me, the large dark ottoman with the dark chairs and dark cabinets is quite a bit in that space, and I like simply's rendering with the lighter coffee table, but it's what you like. Plus we have only seen one picture of the space with the view from the kitchen and it might not feel that way IRL.

I would want a light color in the coffee table position. That could be the ottoman if you're willing to paint or refinish the base and reupholster the top, or it could be a new piece. (The tables I showed have light wood bases and travertine tops, but AI drew them; I haven't looked for some like them in real life.)

As for mixing woods, to me it's no different than mixing upholstery colors. The room currently has light sofas and dark recliners. There's no reason it can't also have light tables and dark chests flanking the fireplace, is there?

This is the other side of the room.

You have a beautiful home!

I don't think the ottoman needs to change. You can lighten it with a light- colored throw and a light-colored tray with some colorful books, for example.

Also, I would start with choosing art if you see something you love. More colorful art without the dark tones would make a positive difference, in my opinion. The size you have now is fine. If you don't find something you love, then it would be best to wait until you do. Alternatively, look for the rug...

Would you be interested in an area rug that is lighter or brighter, and in a warmer color? I can't really see the colors in your photo on canvas. The color doesn't need to match, but it can be in the same hue to a color in your art. [Example: I chose poppy red to pick up on brick red in my area rug.] I quickly grabbed a couple rugs that may pick up on a color in your art.

A coral color...

A more subtle one...

The mantel in a lighter wood such as oak looks nice, but you may have too much invested in that. You can add it in tables or accent pieces.

Personally, I like the arrangement of your sofas and chairs! A favorite designer here on Houzz used that arrangement in her own home, and that's good affirmation. The placement of your recliners is best for tv viewing. From the sofas, it would be too hard on your necks. [I know this because I sit on the sofa at my brother's home. After a while, I have to lie down on it to avoid the pain. Luckily, they don't mind.]

With any of the suggestions you've received, including mine, you don't have to use them if you don't like them, but you can try something to find out! Good luck shopping for some lighter, more colorful items. And nothing has to be decided in a rush!

Thank you everyone for the ideas you have given me. I’ve started to implement starting with sofa pillows.

You have a good eye for design, and a beautiful room. Tweaking is all you need. Take the advice that works for you, and trust yourself.

I think the rendering is moving in the right direction, but I’d be careful not to solve the “sterile” feeling simply by adding more decor. A stronger overall design direction — especially through lighting, color, texture and one clear focal point — can make a much bigger difference.

I recently experimented with this by transforming the same living room in four completely different ways. You might find some ideas that help you decide which direction to take yours:
https://youtu.be/R-2ZyyBc6EY

Guess I’m just feeling overwhelmed.

The good thing is that you already have a nice room and lovely furnishings. The accessories and rug are just icing on the cake, and while you want to look nice, don’t let it stress you.

Create a mood board with the furnishings you are keeping, and then as you see items you like, add them to it and see how well they work together. If they seem off, it’s probably not the right piece for the room. Don’t be afraid to purchase items to try out, and then return if they don’t work. Buy more accessories than you think you’ll need and play around with them. Again, just return what you don’t use.

Play off the colors in your sentimental print on the right, and let those colors be your guide.

Is this vase too big to go here? I have two of them.

One looks fine… you likely don’t want two of them in that spot.

The other would be on the cabinet on the other side of the fireplace

Two identical vases one on each side of the fireplace is going to emphasize all the symmetry you already have going in the room. I suggest using the second vase someplace where it’s not in same view plane with the first one or returning it. If you must have the right and left the same on both sides of the fireplace pick a smaller item…your environment ends up very formal with all the symmetrical features…the right and left being identical. The large vase is white and large, and I would not use one on each side of the fireplace

I’m not sure how to do that. I do like symmetry and I understand that I can have that symmetry without using the same exact items. Can I use the other vase in the same room, say on the kitchen island or in the entry way? It’s pretty much open concept all the way around. I’ve had these vases a long time so they cannot be returned.

I agree with lia, only one vase. Yes, you can use the other vase elsewhere just not one on each side of FP. It's one thing to like symmetry but not everything has to be identical. IMO that's what is creating the formal, "sterile" (your word) look. Have you gotten some new pillows or added anything to the ottoman to soften it up?

This is what I have so far.

I just put the wrought iron candle holders there to see what they look like. Not sure I will keep them there. Still looking for more pillows to add.

Nice job on the ottoman! Really softens it up. Pillows next-and not all matching. 😀

Your cabinets are really pretty now that we can see the detail.

I like what you’ve got there so far it’s looking much better! and yes, I would do more pillows… of some different colours and don’t do exactly the same thing on both sides. Looking at what you’ve got I like the smaller white vase on the right hand side….as is…so not sure the larger one will be an improvement….everything is balanced right at the moment in terms of scale. The two white vases echo each other, but are not the same, the one on the coffee table, and the one on the right. I would try to find another place in the house to use the two larger ones. They look large enough to sit on the floor someplace… with something in them. It’s that kind of style appeals to you.

I like the candle holders, even though they are the same. The arrangements on each side are different and they’re very open.

You could try doing a photo of the room with the large vase. It’s very difficult to judge scale without seeing the whole space. It may look very unbalanced. You’ve done such a nice job right now…

This is a size comparison of the large vase.

Do you love the art pieces flanking the fireplace?

My husband hates them. I’ve been looking for different ones but haven’t found any yet.

Are they valuable pieces? I'm not above modifying inexpensive prints (painting over or gluing on) if there are parts of them I don't like. Here I painted over the bright yellow areas to look like skies visible through sea arches, and introduced a bit more light and variation into the darker areas. Then I asked Gemini to straighten the TV and turn on the lights. You can see what you think. (Warm, varied lighting makes a huge difference in a room!)

And, just for fun, here's a variant that changes the art and pillows to something lighter and softer, picking up the softer colors in the photo of your granddaughters. (That's a Peruvian mirror with an interesting frame on the left; art on the right is of sunlight through a frosted window in winter.) Variation in the pillows, and again, warmer and varied lighting adds interest.

I like the art, I 'd add yellow/mustard color pillows or even the rug to make connection, bring warm and the right complementary color to the dark brown, can be withe that nice blue pillows.. Side tables out, Two standing lamps with warm white color, between sofas and each chair. If possible, shift table behind sofa under the big picture together with table lamps. But mainly, if chairs would be the same or similar light color than sofa - it would make whole sitting place substantialy upleveled. Dark chars break the harmony.

I think the art is fine, but abstract is very much a matter of personal taste. The large white vase seems too heavy. You have a good balance in the room now without it. I agree on the pillows a yellow mustard colour would be nice on the couches something with a bit of colour and contrast. if you are switching up the Art, however you might want to wait on more pillows and pull in something from the artwork for the couch.

What I like about the art is the contrast and balance as well with the dark television and the opening of the fireplace. It adds richness to that end of the room along with the furniture and the ottoman in the middle.

Jana, I don’t understand about the table placement. Sounds interesting. Thank you all for these new comments that give me some ideas of how to move forward. I will try to find another place for the large vase and keep the ones that are already on the cabinets. I’ll start working on more pillows in those colors.

Great bones here the stone fireplace and black fixtures anchor the room well. A few thoughts:

Lighting: Pendants + lamps + recessed cans all at once is a lot of layers. Turn off the overhead cans for everyday use and let the lamps + fireplace do the work instantly warmer, less showroom.

Furniture: Not too much it's that everything's the same tone (cream, brown, wood), so it reads as one beige blur. That's your "sterile" feeling.

Quick fixes:

• Lean into that teal from your pillows a throw, small accent piece, or art in the same blue
• Swap one lamp shade for something textured (linen/rattan)
• Layer a patterned rug on top for floor interest
• Break the symmetry somewhere one off-center piece loosens up the formal feel

If you're considering a full sofa swap down the line, I put together a sectional buying guide here: smartdecoretips.com/corner-sectional-couches/

It does not have too much lighting I love their setup there with the AI but I do think it don't need the end tables on the side of the couch I think those could go

You could add colored pillows to your couch or if you would like to throw on the couch or the chairs you pick the color that you would like to incorporate like let's say green or if you want yellow or orange or if you want red you could also pick that by your rug what color you want