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 :)

Thanks all! fran I had originally planned a mirrored splashback to add light and width. But in the end the room doesn’t feel nearly as cramped as I thought, and mirror would reflect all the junk I leave in there! Yes there is a green we have used in the downstairs WC that I could also use there - Pea Green by Little Green - or could use a dark colour like Squid Ink which we have in our front room. rinq I like those murals but it would be semi hidden by washing and ironing board so not sure if it’s worth it? colourhappy Green is what I was thinking.... either Pea Green as mentioned above, or there’s a Botanical Green colour by Sanderson that I really like but wasn’t brave enough for elsewhere! I thought maybe a white mosaic splashback with green grout? I will look up Liza Giles thanks Sonia, I like the idea but can’t find any patterned tiles I love hence thinking of white mosaic with a coloured grout to make a pattern. But now I like the zellige idea... hmmm!

Would you consider going towards a bluey green for your back wall? Think of a peacock,where blues & greens are so vibrant. Could be anything ranging from turquoise to teal to duckegg etc. It's such a big room, it could take some drama. The problem looking at it now is that the wall is so bland & deadens the green. Then you can add highlight colours with bed cushions & bedlinen. Have a couple of sets of cushion covers to change into every couple of months, to match the bedlinen. Or use all white bedding & change cushions d throws. IKEA does a small cushion with a turquoise cover, & you can buy other covers separately eg mustard, red. And have a look at Boogaloo Boutique. She up cycles furniture by covering it in wallpaper. Amazing stuff. You could get 2 matching chests of drawers from her. You might have to wait a bit for her to find 2 matching ones, or go for 2 similar ones, as they'll have same paper. I'd recommend the Bethan Gray paper in turquoise. It's divine.

I assume you need help with the decorating of the outside? I think your suggestion of cream and black sounds very smart. Another option, pretty similar, is dark grey windows and off white walls. Here are some ideas which I found on Pinterest and I particularly like how a porch was been incorporated to create more interest. A wooden door can also add interest.