here's a few colour palettes
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/234750199300635686/ I like sand
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/234750199300441446/

Attached is a picture (from bhg.com) with very similar colors as yours. It's hard to tell from pictures but the color you have is fine. You could probably go a shade or two warmer or perhaps darker but unless you want to go high drama the only thing I'd change would be the curtains.

Thank you so much! I was thinking a nice warm neutral to off set the brighter colors...but the room is just a mess of items, so I'm thrown off. haha I appreciate your input!

Would you add colored curtains or something more like the photo? Thank you for the ideas!

I think it depends on what happens when the tree goes into storage. What, if anything, is in front of the curtains at that point?

I agree with houssaon---light...
Found this pic for inspiration---colors in rug look similar to those in your space. Good Luck!
[houzz=]

You have that gold mirror, the golden yellow in your painting above the fireplace and then it stops. The curtains would be a good way to pull that color around the room and, for me, I'd double the width of the window by "faking" it with a much longer rod and extend it on each side of the existing window. Or you could do a similar treatment to the one in the bhg pic with the center portion being the actual window and the other panels to the side of the window itself.

Actually, the room's colors are good. Rug is modern and funky. Red leather chair is a classic. Dog is adorable. Accents are good.

2 things:
1. NEVER jam furniture against the wall. You have a sofa table behind one end of the sectional, but don't jam the other side into the wall. At least 2-4 inches.

2. At least the front legs of all seating on the rug.

The red chair should come more towards the sofa at that end so you have a cozy conversational grouping. After the tree is gone, another seating grouping could be done in at that end. By not having the chair legs on the rug there, it creates a separation.

I would consider different curtains, something creamy with a turquoise/aqua pattern, perhaps an ikat pattern with a touch of gold (or not).

An ottoman. In another solid color. The chevron rug and patterned curtains (if you were to go with that) would be a lot of pattern.

Wow! Thanks everyone! Your ideas have definitely inspired us to make some changes. In fact, we've already adjusted our curtains to make the windows seem larger---what a difference! I can't believe it. We've also moved the rug to its proper position and moved the chair closer to the sectional. Great advice.
When the tree is not there, we have an old bench that we found in Germany. One of my favorite pieces, but it gets re-positioned so our tree is front and center.
We will play around with paint colors---I love the subtle and the bold ideas.
Now, if I could just get you all to come over and redecorate the rest of my home, I'd certainly treat you to great food and wine ;) And, thanks for the comment on our dog. ha! She's a keeper.
We are a military family, so it's always a challenge to decorate without altering too much, so your ideas are appreciated. I'll post "after" pics when we are done. Thank you very much for everything!!!!

gardnermd...first, thank you for your service to our country. As the daughter and mother to veterans of two wars, I am especially grateful for what you and your family do.

As for not changing too much, I have lived in an apartment for the last 13 years. When I moved in, the landlord wasn't too willing to let me change wall colors and, thankfully, the pale buttercream walls added just a touch of sunshine without "shining" too brightly. I have added color solely with furnishings and I honestly am glad I couldn't change the walls. Color is abundant and enthusiastic in my little world. I have 3 bedrooms and two baths which all have varying amounts and shades of the reds in my living and dining room. Every room feels different but has great personality and warmth. Frankly, I'm not sure I would change the color now if I could.

All that to say, I get it. As you mentioned, even small changes make a huge difference. I would suggest you consider changing the curtains to pull the gold all the way through the room and then see what you feel the walls need to be. Personally, I'd rather return curtains than paint any day...lol. One other suggestion (though you probably know this): be sure to get some posterboard or something comparable along with samples of the colors you're considering before you do the entire room. Paint the boards with the various colors and live with them at least through one 24 hour cycle. Paint will change in varying lights so this will help you to see how it looks throughout the day as well as in your lighting at home.

Good luck and have a wonderful holiday!

Take a look at Benjamin Moore's Eucalyptus and Dunmore Cream or Straw Hat. Great room, great colors in the furnishings and rug.

I never knew decorating could be so fun. Thanks a million times over! I can't wait to show you all "after" photos. Hopefully, we'll make you proud! haha
And, rngp, thank you for the kind words. It really is our honor to serve :)

If you decide to change the curtains I'd suggest dyeing them, it will save money. The drapes are nice.

Dyeing them is an option but not for the faint of heart. I'm a scaredy cat when it comes to doing that. Just make sure your fabric will take the dye and you consult with someone who has a lot of experience in it if you have never done that before.

rngp - excellent advice re: dyeing, especially the part about ensuring the fabric will take the dye as there is nothing more frustrating that going to all the effort and the fabric coming out exactly as before. Additional advice about self-dyeing in the washing machine is to really, REALLY scrub it out after dyeing to ensure all colorant is gone. Running two-three empty cycles with hot water and bleach should do it.

With the proper prep and clean-up, dyeing can be a great DIY option.

I've dyed several things, including a shaggy rug from ikea and I've had great success.

Any shade between tan and beige would be sophisticated and easy to live with. Luv your accent pillows.

I know this is off topic, but would you consider moving your round mirror to go above your fireplace and move the painting to over the couch? You have a great space with lovely pieces :)

megahanalissa - I understand your rationale but, personally, I like the way the picture moves the colors on the couch around the room. Also, would need to consider what that mirror would reflect once over the fireplace. There is also another picture on the perpendicular wall of the wall that the mirror is on so there would be two pieces of art in that corner. Not a dealbreaker but both are fairly strong so not sure how that would fit together.

heres a free paint site where you can upload your pics and try out different colors http://www.valsparpaint.com/en/explore-colors/painter/index.html?screen=painterScreen?source=p&mcode=Search_Google&gclid=CMq42IHnt7sCFRSVfgodSEgAHQ

You have too many colors going on which gives the room a cluttered look. Loose the mirror, the red stuff,, and the blue lamps. Then paint the walls dark taupe. It will bring out the colors of your furniture and rug.

Chocolate brown walls with some more interesting pillows.

oh my, I have to respectfully and vigorously disagree. Gardnermd's nearly triadic color scheme is wonderfully lively and invigorating. I would hate to see it buried in such a dark color.

Also, the room doesn't appear to have a lot of light sources so wouldn't darker colors absorb a great deal of the light that is there?

I'd go with a teal to bring out the rug and throw pillows! The mustard yellow will look great against a teal wall color as well. I suggest Ben Moore :)

Not sure if your sofa is gray or beige but I would find the exact shade on a paint chip and move up one or two shades lighter for the walls. The blue-green area rug doesn't seem to match the blue sofa pillows and, therefore, you are introducing another shade. There are many colors going on in your room and I think you have to rear them in a bit.

Ok, I have to ask. Why? I know my color tolerance is extremely high but those variations of shades gives the room life. Why would anyone want to dampen that?

I agree with Natalie's choice but will suggest, depending on the room size, a lighter saturation of the same color. I love the pops of accent colors that you have. Depending on the amount of green in the hue you select, the lamps may clash, but their shape is really a fun accent too. Post after pics! Would be really fun to see your selection!

I like your style. AF-155 Weimaraner.

I think a nice yellow would do a lot to the room

Maybe switching the artwork above the fireplace for the art above the couch? And the going with the gold curtains as well.

inkwitch's advice is spot on!

Sea Haze by Benjamin Moore

Sw sea salt