Everything from the drapes to the seating is too dark and oversized. Try a 3-seat sofa and two armchairs for starters. You need a credenza 25% wider than the TV and it should be much lower on the wall. Upgrade to a more modern floor lamp. For color here, start with new art everywhere; preferably not from the big box stores. Check local universities, arts/crafts fairs, boutique second hand shops for interesting pieces that excite you. Take your color cues from the art. Hang art centered 5' above the floor or 5" above furniture. Keep your eye out for new counter stools. What's wrong with the kitchen? I think I'd invest in matching hardwood throughout both spaces before I changed the kitchen much. If you can, stay with the current layout and get a flooring specialist in to match new flooring to old.

the flooring is currently the same laminate throughout except the living room, which is carpet. We are planning to redo all the flooring after the kitchen is done. I want a floor that has less red in it, more brown. I totally agree with changing the art work. as far as the seating in the living room, how should it be placed? and you got the nail on the head, for some reason I hand pictures high and I choose oversized furniture!

following

Depending on the flooring...something like hardwood or tile should go in first then cabs on top. if you do it the other way, you have the potential for issues with a dishwasher, fridge cabs, etc. The height of cabs also shortens.

what are you favorite colors? I love blues and blue-greys so that helped give me a direction to focus. Finding an art piece, fabric, bowl, or a rug that you love can also help focus color choices.

Open plans are really challenging! I have one also..I'll be following this topic and I'll return if I would have any ideas.

All that deco said but how much of a change are you looking for? As for flooring that goes in first then the new cabinets. When doing the kitchen get a counter depth fridge and no raised bar . Would it be possible the post an actual floor plan to scale it make other suggestions much easier

I will look to see if I have a floor plan. We build the house 15 years ago and I was very young and did the best I could. I have some money set aside for updates, so I am open to any suggested changes. our current plan is to redo kitchen counter tops, backsplash, cabinet refacing ( they will be staying in place) new appliances, then replace all the flooring in that open area. I would like to get a new living room rug, wall decor and entry and dining lighting.

First thing that I've noticed is painting...there is not much info about how to paint tall, vaulted ceilings like yours (and mine) so, maybe I am wrong about it, but here is what I concluded after many searches - we can't paint vaulted ceiling room in the same way we would paint regular one, wall by wall.. I think we need to avoid those triangles and sharp edges. Look at this two images:

vs:

They have similar shape, but second one feels much more natural to me, because they avoided those sharp triangles, plus they created space where everything feels much more in proportions.

Ok, the other room is much more pulled together, but I think that one of the big reasons is because they created good scale with painting.

I think that is first thing you should figure out. For example, you have lovely curtains on the kitchen wall, but they just get lost in that unscaled height.

Why not try a 3 seater sofa and some chairs? That might work better and be much more comfortable for you and your family. We also recommend a longer TV console.