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 for the comment. I never did get around to updating this. Thanks everyone for your input. Here's some photos - nothing like the amazing professional photos on Houzz I'm afraid, just taken on my iPhone with the room lights on as its very dull today. In the end I managed to convince my wife to go for a light/dark theme. She was worried the dining room would feel very dark but it really doesn't. We love the distinct feel it gives both the living and dining room. Open plan so a feeling of space but feels like two distinct rooms in their own right. For those who like detail... Paint wise we have used Earthborn clay paint. The living room is Feather Pillow (a very warm neutral grey which reminds me a bit of Skimming Stone). It can look very grey in the north facing daylight but not too cold and warms up beautifully in the evening. I love having the ceiling light dimmed low with the table lamp on. The dining room is Damson Mousse. I love how this changes colour through the day. Sometimes it's more purple sometimes it's very soft and warm, almost aubergine. We also used Earthborn in our bedroom (Cupboard Love). In hindsight it was a poor choice for the dining room because it has almost no durability. It will take a brush against the wall but any liquid splashes ruin it (except for pure water which just evaporates out as its so breathable). It wouldn't be so bad if it touched up nicely and the lighter colours in the living room and bedroom do touch up well but the purple touches up terribly unfortunately. All woodwork, including the shelves which I had made by a local carpenter and the alcove cabinets, which I made myself, are painted in Loft White Intelligent Emulsion by Little Greene. You'll notice I did successfully paint the brown uPVC window frames and have had quite a few compliments. The black rubber gaskets were removed for painting and the frames had two coats of Zinsser BIN, a coat of acrylic primer undercoat (I used Leyland) and a topcoat. The wood grain effect on the frames makes it look very realistic. I also replaced the gold coloured handles for chrome ones. The floor is QuickStep Impressive in Soft Oak Natural and continues into the hall. We found a very good local fitter who also fit all of our new skirting board and architraves. The shutters are from a company called Shutterly Fabulous who are on Houzz I think. They supplied, measured and fitted and were a very reasonable £1200. We bought a set of their DIY shutters from their sister company California Shutters which I fitted myself in the bedroom. A few other details...the living room chimney has a false stud frame around it which conceals the wiring down to the left cupboard which contains all the AV gear. It also allows the TV bracket, mounted to the real chimney, to be recessed to get the TV right up to the wall. The room has hard wired 5.1 speaker terminals run under the floor and buried in the walls, all terminated at a 5.1 speaker wall plate in the left alcove. There is also 4x gigabit Ethernet ports in the left cupboard which terminate back at my network cabinet under the stairs. Most of the house lights are remote control and can be controlled by physical remotes, iPhones etc. Using LightwaveRF technology. Both radiators were replaced and the living room radiator moved under the bay window (the love seat does not stop it heating the room). Fitted with decent chrome valves and pipe snaps and chrome roses to conceal the copper. Sofa and love seat are from sofa.com. Both are part of the Isla range. Ceiling lights and lamps are from John Lewis. The dining room light was off centre which I realised after we decorated but I'm a bit OCD about things like that so I moved it over (fortunately the carpet was already up in my daughter's room above fit plastering and decoration and there was plenty of slack wire). Rug, throw, cushions and dining chairs are from Next. Plant and pot were a bargain in Homebase. New oak doors were bought online. Finally, the sideboard is from Cotswold Co and the side tables from a local shop. Both are far eastern imports to save money. The side tables are excellent quality, the sideboard less so but you get what you pay for. We invested a bit more in the dining table which is solid European oak (from Lithuania I think). Anyway I think that covers it. Hope you like it. Any questions please ask and sorry for any typos as I wrote this on my iPhone.

I don't mind the current colours although a greys and beiges tend to suck light out of a room, a brighter colour rather than just white will help. I agree with much of what Jill says above, with a few tweaks ... the lighting needs attention. The room needs some interest, colour and texture to create depth. Get a larger rug, more colourful, with organic pattern which draws the eye outward. Big enough to sit the furniture on. Pick up some of the colours from the new rug and get some cushions. A couple of plants would help with texture and add life to the room. I know you are using the mirrors to add light and space but the one under the stairs is just reflecting the underneath of the stairs ... try a colourful print of a pathway between trees for example, to draw the eye beyond the room otherwise it's a bit bland. The TV is just on a stand that is too small and a bit low, go for a wider piece or try positioning the unit against the other wall in that same corner so it is facing the sofas, then the TV won't look so out of balance. If you make the room a bit livelier and interesting the light issue won't be such a problem. Consider pale turquoise walls for example rather than just white and add some artwork.

Hello Maria, It's an interesting room actually and firstly my suggestion is to paint the orange white as a base. You can then gauge light levels more easily which would then inform you as to how to treat the room. Removing the balustrade completely opens the room as the steps and split level arrangement can still denote separation.. Which you can use accordingly either by situating sofa or perhaps a console and then sofa or even just a console or low cabinet here with something decorative on it.. ... Viewing the back of a sofa or low piece with something lovely like a vase and floral arrangement or something decorative is a rather nice way to introduce if you like, another area of a room and give it a sleeker form of separation if that is required.. I also rather like the idea of having a more open split level arrangement.... Perhaps consider a fire that you can use.. Look into flueless fires as an alternative.. OR possibly even a small black wood burning stove with a twin wall flue. There are options you can research and look into which I think could be nice.. Store a pile of logs underneath the space is ideal. If you want to lighten the floor consider rugs and other layers here that can really be used as a basis for your design.. Placing the sofa facing the fireplace is really an idea focal point.. with armchair opposite angled towards the sofa and fireplace.. It could be a 3 seater with a matching square foot stool which you can sit at one end to create a chaise longue arrangement for something less formal.. Another idea I like is to have again a sofa facing the fireplace and then possibly two chairs with a small table in between at the side with their backs to the sliding door, but in a way that means they don't block the view or flow of the room.. Try things out and see what works for you and the room... You want to keep flow through the space and decorate as 1 space even if the rooms are functioning separately.. Layering colour is an ideal way to decorate and add texture. Situating a flat screen in a cabinet is a nice way to hide the tv as it's not what you want people to focus on when they come to your home.. So perhaps take out the shelving entirely in favour of a cabinet that could house the screen when you want to watch a film etc. There are really some fantastic elements to your new home- the rads are fantastic and I do like the fireplace.. I think you could make this fabulous.. Add textural and warm coloured elements to the sofa arms etc.. I can see earthy and warm tones with rich luxuriant additions.. such as cushions, throws and large floral arrangements for coffee table or side tables to add interest and finish the space .... :))