Thank you everyone for your great ideas! Actually, the room is not as dark as you think - the window is east facing, and we do get a good deal of sunshine through it... I think the pictures don't do the room justice. I do agree, dark furniture does make it seem very dull though. OK, here is what I am thinking at the moment... Unfortunately, the sofa does not fit quite right againt the opposite wall, neither does the love seat by the window (I've measured everything up and the sofas are of the wrong sizes). I'd like to replace the love seat with a couple of chairs (as the love seat is quite chunky, and does dominate the room as you walk in), but I can't justify spending the money on that just yet :( I am planning to buy a bigger rug (thank you for the suggestion, ren2513), I do love the white/cream as we have now, but will go for something with a bit more colour through it, and definitely replace the coffee table with a bright ottoman (thinking something along these lines at the moment http://www.marksandspencer.com/oval-button-footstool/p/p22344378001 colour Measham,Ochre)... And I'd like to move the existing rug behind the love seat. I'd also like to either match the wall paper or a few pictures on the wall to the ottoman (colour-wise) for some continuation. The ceiling lamp shade will be replaced with something a bit more original (this was fitted in a rush when we moved in, with no thought behind it!) All the speakers will go, as I don't think they look right in the room, and will be replaced with more descrete ones :) We are keen to replace the TV stand with Skovby TV unit and a display cabinet (in white oak), so a similar idea to what was suggested by Sauve :) thank you! Haven't decided on the 'behind the love seat' arrangement just yet. Thanks again for the suggestions everyone :)

The sofas are quite domineering so I think you really need a very bright colour to detract from them slightly. I'd go for either a bright yellow or hot pink and team with white and grey. I've posted a pic from homesthetics as an idea. I'd get a really big piece of modern art above the sofa with yellow and black etc. This one is from art.co.uk as no idea of your style. You need some texture on the floor so a grey rug could work, I'd avoid an all yellow rug given the floor colour. I'd move the small bookcase and have a giant angle poise or similar lamp in either black or grey. Bright yellow patterned cushions on the sofa with a couple of plain grey and maybe even a throw. I would personally paint the kitchen cabinets grey and add yellow accessories and update the floor when you can change it. Maybe try a glass coffee table and add some accessories. Can you post some more pics of the room in light as its difficult to tell if the room would take all grey. I'd also flip the table so it's central with the window and add a big yellow bowl or similar.If you don't like yellow then just change the accent colour but I think it needs to be bright. If you want to go modern I would change the mirror, maybe something with a black frame to work with an accent colour.

Great job. I think it looks really lovely. Can I ask what the long narrow picture is of and where it’s from please. I’ve been looking for that exact shape without much success

You could highlight it by painting a section of wall behind it that frames the piece. So lets say for arguments sake that it is 1m wide, I would paint a band of wall from floor to ceiling in a darker colour that comes out 10-15 cm further on either side. Then hang the art work up and it will contrast beautifully and fit the freshly painted section nicely and make it seem more in proportion. The alternative is to create a gallery wall, so hanging more pieces of art in combination with that piece to create a collection that fills the space better. Good luck! and let me know how it turns out.