I think you are playing too safe - it all looks too bland even with the cushions. You need another pop of colour - cushions on the natural sofa. Maybe a throw on the leather one. Definitely need a rug in the middle - looks like you are going for green, so perhaps pick out that colour for a rug. Also maybe a painting/print on the wall behind the natural sofa.

1. Curtains It depend of the orientation and if you are overlooked. The double rail is a good idea to give you privacy in the evening with a second layer of curtains. Just be aware when choosing the colours of the fabric on the sides during the day, it can really suck up light and it looks like a large window. The pole could be black or copper as Minnie suggested, picking up the browns of floor and accessories. See trough curtains like light coloured veil with a simple vertical stripes pattern will maximise the natural light. 2. Rugs Definitely patterned, geometric or abstract. http://wovenground.net/modern/abstract/canevas-_-abstract/stone Low pile or high pile? It also depend on your life style ... have you got pet, children or allergies? The high pile need a bit more attention. 3. Walls The kitchen can be treated as a separate space and painted in a different colour. The room is quite narrow so keep it light and preferably not feature wall on the wider side as it will make the room feeling even more narrow. A feature wall is used to bring the room's shape back in proportion. 4. Mirror above the radiator A round mirror, or a square will break the length of the room better then a rectangular one. It will be the first thing you see entering? Have fun and send pic of the before and after :-)

Hi Shanna, What a great space. If your mum is not afraid of colour I would certainly recommend some large pieces of art. Does your mum have a preference of the style she would like, rather than be dicated by the space ? I would love to help your mum create her idea space. You can check out my work at www.myclaybrickhome.com/case-studies We could start with a 2D floor plan to get the flow right and then start to build that out into a design. Drop me a reply or email to vicky@myclaybrickhome.com if you want to discuss further. This work can be done online. I am based in the UK but currently working on a ranch home in Dallas. Rgds Vicky

Ask your teenagers whether they'd be more likely to use sofa area or table and then put that in the biggest part of the room, with the other in the smaller part. I wouldn't worry about the empty space in front of fireplace as that's a red herring in this situation - if it was your main/only living room then it would be worth worrying about more. But a hangout room for teenagers - they just want space where they can close the door to get away from you. And maybe they don't need a dining table at all - maybe it's a round coffee table with more comfortable seating around it, where they can lounge around. Let them have what they need now and in a few years you can change things around and make it an adult sitting room with sofas facing each other - and no TV (or a TV on the wall that back onto the kitchen so that one sofa is facing it - could this be an idea for the teenage room too??)