If you do not want to paint, then I would advise you to replace the area rug for something more neutral and lighter. I would also consider changing the artwork/decor on your main wall with a series of lighter artwork. Maybe three large pieces across the back of the sectional only. Good luck from Montreal!

The area rug was just replaced (it used to be a smaller black print). The walls have a sandpaper texture & my husband loves the dark green walls (as he loves his recliner). What color walls would you suggest?

A neutral colour like the ottoman would be good for the walls - and work with the floors.

Since the rug is new and hubby loves the walls, I'd de-clutter, removing the heavy, ornately framed formal art, mirror, accessories, florals, short lamps, whatnots and English hunt decor. Basically clear the walls and start again with lightness in mind. Install LED lighting in the displays flanking the FP, and if budget allows, put in glass shelves so the light can flow through. If you can't do that, then cut luan to fit the backs of the shelves and paper or paint them with an accent color to add visual lightness to the shelves which you can style with 1/3 books, 1/3 large decor items and 1/3 open space. Limit framed pieces there to three per side, and layer those with a large one behind two smaller ones for more interest. Your contemporary rug calls for contemporary art at the mantel. The ornate firescreen should be replaced with a lighter, simpler, less formal one. Unless you regularly close the drapes, replace them with simple fabric cornices in a lighter colored fabric with some pattern. The same fabric could cover a few pillows, but remove the ones you have now as they are not adding any lightness to the space. A large piece of art behind the sofa should again echo the tones in your rug. Under sized tables and lamps need replacing, and I'd try a round glass coffee table instead of the bulky hassock to show more of the rug and open the space visually. Here is a chart to help you size tables and lamps correctly.

Hi! Lovely area! Here are a few wall art ideas for you:

http://deciture.com/barberry-handpainted-ceramic-wall-tiles-set-of-4/ (would go great with your green walls)

http://deciture.com/barberry-handpainted-ceramic-wall-tiles-set-of-4/

http://deciture.com/norida-bird-decor-set-of-2/

http://deciture.com/nouvelle-wall-decor-set-of-9/

Hope this helps you!

I think the biggest change you could do to bring light into this room is to swap out the dark brown sofas that are sucking in the light.... change them to a neutral linen or cream colour.Try throwing some cream cloths over them and squint your eyes ... you will see a marked difference...

Agree on the couches - at least get some light-colored throw blankets and pillows on them? I've got a brown couch in my living room that does the same thing (and is also not change-able). I'd also suggest light colors on the curtains, trim, photo frames, or accent tables. And perhaps more lighting options too, like a floor lamp, perhaps?

Thank you everyone for suggestions. I Cannot change couches -- I will try larger lighter tables and lamps, along with lighter frames & new artwork, removing stuff from shelves & lightening bak of shelves. When I get new lighter drapes, should I hang them up just under the molding?

You can add some $10 uplights in each corner. If you use LED bulbs, the color rendition will be good and the energy expenditure minimal.

Remove lamps with dark shades, replace with more substantial lamps with off white shades. Remove heavy draperies.

You can add painted foamcore panels to the backs of the bookshelves.

You can also add more wallwashers like the ones over the fireplace. A row along the green walls would accent the paintings, too.

I think this room has lots of potential. My first thoughts were: long, narrow, dark, and cluttered, but on closer inspection, I like the sofa and rug, and the green walls, too. I think deco pretty much nailed it; let me see if I can give you a visual of a lighter look.

I think painting would be the best choice-A white cream color, but also the walls have a lot going on. maybe to many things.

seems you have no over head light. and your fan blades look a little warn out. I would suggest updating the fan, and get one with a light kit to add some over head lighting. I also agree with a nice light wall. the wood is dark so im not sure how light.

here is a new fan and arc lamp.

Just decluttering will make a world of difference. I edited your mantel and shelves a bit, got rid of the ornate fire screen, added a glass coffee table to show off the rug, installed more modern art and a blingy, mercury glass lamp.

If you're against painting and the couches (which would be my first choice over painting), I think groveraxle has it...the glass coffee table softens it a lot, as well as light light fixtures. :)

You could add some lamps around the area. Try moving them about and see what the best affect will be. I managed to transform my sitting room by putting a small lamp behind the sofa so the light radiated up gradually to the ceiling. It looked so different with this small and cheap solution. Good luck!

Everything in the room seems heavy and dark. A good deck uttering and a lighter, scaled down sofa would do wonders.

Taking drapes as high as you can will add to the lighter feeling you want.

Make dining room and kitchen together. Combined the living room into where the fire place is and fix a window in the kitchen.

Declutter small stuff on walls. Big lamps with white shades. Put mirrors on walls behind lamps to reflect light. Mirrors instead of paintings.

Wonderful comments. I would suggest you try to change your hubby's mind about green walls because that's what's going to do it, a new coat of paint. My husband tells me I can do anything to the house I want and when I tell him I'm planning to do something including painting, ( he likes white walls, so do I but I like other areas of the house painted different colors) he comes in and he wants something else instead. So I took a cue from my sister, and her very successful marriage, I just went ahead and did what I wanted to do. I usually left the ceiling white and he loves it. Of course I also told him, most men are color blind so he really couldn't tell me about colors.He has a wonderful eye for furniture and I love his style so in that regard he is perfect. I know his style and I know what I like and I mesh the two. I would never really ignore what would make him comfortable in our home. I really don't know if he's colorblind or not, (considering the colors and patterns he use to dress in before we were married, maybe he is) but that was a good excuse and we have a very warm, inviting , beautiful home, and he loves it. Thanks to me ( I decorate, and he pays for it). LOL! And yes we are very happily married.

Could you convince hubby to repaint the green wall with the same green that has been tinted with a lot of white. The silvery green would go with his chair but be a lot brighter. Beige or white slip covers are easy to find for the sofas.

I really like groveraxle's suggestions and the only thing I might add is to consider changing out your throw pillows to compliment your rug and whatever wall art you purchase. I'd tend to select pillows with some color punch and perhaps picking up a bit of bling taking my cue from the lamp, such as spangles or silver trimming or some such idea. Good luck with it and above all -- have fun!