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.

at first, maybe coffee table?=) Here i found many interesting and fine stuff in different styles: http://www.furniturenyc.net/coffee-tables.html

Thanks motownmum. I really wish i could wait, however i desperatley need the storage i will get from the bookcases and couldn't live withe the flat packs layong around for 12mths. Also it will be much easier to paint them now, before the are assembled.

I'd put another set of sliding doors between the lounge and the playroom rather than a solid wall. Reason being is that it gives you more options. You get to sequester the mess and noise when you want and you still get a good flow later on when the kidlets aren't such mess monsters. I'd make both sets of sliding doors have full-length frosted glass inserts. That will let in the light. Or you could use shoji doors if that suits the decor better. From your plan, I'm assuming the house is semi-detached, so windows on the right wall aren't possible? Also, you might consider a pocket door from the hallway to the lounge and from the hallway to the utility room. That way you don't have to allow space for door swing.