I would be inclined to go with an unobtrusive light since it's the living room and anything too dramatic or a hanging pendant may interfere with your peripheral vision (or otherwise be an annoyance) when you're watching TV, etc. Also, being so near the sliding door, the wind may cause a hanging pendant to swing quite a bit which will cause the lighting to be constantly shifting and changing which I would personally find annoying. I'd go with something simple and subtle, but look at getting a tall standing lamp for the corner near the sofa (or possibly at the other end of the floating TV cabinet). In terms of warming up the apartment, I think you need something on the bare walls. A smaller picture above the floating TV cabinet will help to take the focus off your TV. A larger art work behind the sofa will also help to add some colour and personality, especially if it picks up some hues from your sofa. If you don't like the little Buddha statue, I would look at adding one or two other items that you do like (perhaps picking up colours from the wall art) and making a little vignette. A couple of colourful cushions and a storage solution for the wires, games console, etc on the floor would also help to bring everything together. Something as simple as a woven basket under the floating TV cabinet might help to keep the games console, etc in place unless it is in use.

Thank you so much for responding Houzzers. The cushions do look bright in the pic, but they're actually mustard as is the ottoman, throw and also in the cushions. I did try lime green in the room but was a bit reluctant to add another colour although it does look good against the purple especially. My plan is to get a smaller, more colourful rug and layer it over the big one. I purchased the cement trivets that are on the console because they are heavy enough to act as trays on the ottomans. As there is a bit of pale mustard in the horse art I may go for mustard for the fireplace. I will get a sample pot first though. Thank you all for your contributions. I am much happier in my space now as I have more room and no hard pointy edged coffee table to injure my grandchildren. Happy Houzzing.

Love those ideas Julie, I have done a very rough Sketch, and I mean rough. I would run everything along the TV wall ie: TV & drinks cabinet. Add a lamp of your choice. Dress the end wall with art, some colourful cushions etc. A lovely softer timber coffee table would also add to the space. Love the sofa we had one in a unit and the curtains are perfect, cheersSorry about the changes to my first post Julie not sure what happened when I tried to add coffee tables/foot stools, these are great in restricted spaces with no sharp corners

Rachael, you’re very welcome! It was fun to draw up. As far as layering photos, I wasn’t suggesting you cover one photo with another, (what is the point of having beautiful photos and memories then! Lol) rather, overlap the edges of the frames (both are quite wide from your photos) so that they are connected without obscuring the images within. Hope that makes sense! What a difference just painting that back wall makes! It really opens up the room now. I think the few bricks around your fireplace now is a very charming feature. It keeps the charm of the original while bringing the rest of the room into a fresh new era! Well done! I would suggest running a long extension chord for your tv for now while you try out a new layout for the space if there are no powerpoints on the far wall, just to be sure you like the arrangement. Can’t wait to see updated images of your new space!