Hello the days are brightening up by now and I'm sure the room is looking less drab for it. However I think furniture rearranging will work wonders. You seem to have nice low window sills: show them off. If the sofa goes to the left between window and built-in unit you'll have a view out to the garden and more light in the room. Equally: can you fit the piano between the radiator and the double doors? Again: more light through the window. Low sills are a god-send, and so many of us are stuck with high ones. The room will feel more spacious with a good view to outdoors. The armchairs then: one to the left of the fireplace and one between the other window and piano. TV then between the two windows. (No shine on the screen) Does that fit maybe? Or do you need all five seats facing the TV? I rather like those stripy cushions. Can you find a striped wallpaper in matching colors and with an irregular pattern repeat for your accent wall? if going with wood floors how about a sheepskin rug for each of your doggies? Black or white. One last detail. A lower table for your side lamps would be good: At sofa arm or seat height. Coffee table could work in corner between window and new sofa position. Btw: I liked the suggestion to replace the cupboard doors above the fish tank with full-height ones. In some kitchen shops you can find ready-painted, wooden, panel doors that might fit. It's a long shot but you could be lucky. It would brighten up the corner if you got a light colour.

HI -- If one of those very modern open style vanities that have a full formed sink top was used instead of the two separate pedestal sinks , that might work and not spoil a house sale . The tops come in various sink arrangements such as one big trench or two formed ones and they have top counter space . The sink tops are a feature but on an open fancy frame base made of metal or wood. And the sink tops are varied made out of formed glass or concrete or porcelain or stone . Very cool looking .

Hi. totally off point but.... Have you ever considered a real interesting eye catching piece of art work to really brighten up this area I think a select piece of art would really make the space stand out, add interest, colour, texture and add a great talking/thinking point to the room.... Please check out my website if like the idea and please get in contact, commission work is also welcomed so if you like a particular style I can do in a select colour palette and size but with this it can only be done as a original piece and not a print..... but all prints i can do to the same size or smaller than my original paintings, so lots of options........ Www.GuigsART.co.uk

Hi, I think your original post was meant to read 'just laid a new patio' rather than 'new lawn'? Assuming that's the case I would be inclined just to gently slope the lawn down to the patio rather than building a step. In part because you'll end up with water pooling on the patio with nowhere to soak into. Also because as others have said steps can be trip hazards.