Paint your side board with Annie Sloan chalk paint. Probably cost you about $150-$200 to do yourself. I have done quite a bit of my older style furniture and it has really given me a new life for the furniture and saved me $$$ in not having to replace.. I did a mini story called 'painting a table' (in before and after in Houzz - if interested just put title in search box) showing my dining table painting job, check out that you like the finish first as it is waxed, I personally love it, it has a really soft look. It is not for a sleek house.

Hi there I think that adding in wooden decorations and real/fake plants can help bring a bit of life in to your space. And the tones of plants and wooden/nature looking items work really well with neutral colours. They can be both cheap and expensive depending on your taste so finding a bargain or something to suit your needs should be quite easy. If you want a more elegant look marble decorations even if small can be a great way to add a look of class. Candles are also a great way to add in some nice smells to invite people into your home. Keep in mind that sometimes less is more. Don't overdo it and have some fun! It's nice to shop for your home.

Hi jen2608, the lounges will work. And the buffets. Get a rug that will be big enough to fit under the front of your lounges. With my quick sketch I would suggest a 2000mm x 2300mm size. Or at least a 1600 x 2300. Rugs are personal things. But with the beautiful deep wood furniture that you have, I would bring some similar tones in with the rug. But with a splash of colour to match your new lounges.

Don’t cut the curtains. There is space to rehang the rod higher. Still leaving them brushing the floor but for the price of a bracket you’ll fix the length problem. Just realised you’re renting. I’d wash the current curtains, you may find that they shrink up a bit and will be fine.