Is this West Elm sofa the kind of thing you are looking for? Or even lower to the ground? http://www.westelm.com/products/4227534/?catalogId=52&bnrid=3918508&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=furniture&cm_pla=Sofas_+_Sectionals&cm_ite=West_Elm_Baxter_Sectional_Sofa_Cotton-Rayon_Ikat_Print_Feather&adtype=placi_src=17588969&ci_sku=4227534&ci_kw=%7Bkeyword%7D

I see a window there... good! Is it facing north or which direction is it? Are the doors & trim throughout the house all dark brown? Light doors & trim would help alot. Lighter happy paint colors, such as butter yellow or limon walls would bring a sunny warm fresh feel to the room. Try some punchy colored feature walls as shown in Manon's above photo (thanks Manon). Get new furniture & some fun colored art & accessories, everything's looking very dated. Better lighting & a tall floor lamp that spreads light across the ceiling or corner. Lighter drapes (with grommets) down to the floor would help OR Roman shades or 2" faux wood blinds covering just the window would modernize the space and give you more wall space. New flooring in updated colors such as white-washed gray driftwood. Designate areas or stations in the room for different activities, such as floor games in one corner with colorful interlocking foam floor mats, comfie seating (bean-bag chairs) for movies in another area, table & chairs for table activities (coloring/puzzles/games/crafts), etc. Are your children boys or girls? That'll make a difference in what you choose and how you put it all together.

I would suggest you take out the cabinet that is to the right of the stove and use it elsewhere in the house -- perhaps in the bathroom or dining room with a hutch above it. Then, I would suggest you have someone install a lazy susan cabinet in the corner between the sink counter and the stove, meaning you would move the stove down a bit and have a small cabinet/counter top to the right of the stove. I would suggest you have the cabinets refinished in white and then paint the walls a pastel you like. If you would prefer white walls, then add white-painted crown molding and paint the ceiling a light neutral blue, such as Sherwin Williams Niagara Falls Blue. Then, I would suggest you choose a favorite accent color and use this sparingly in accessories like towels, pot holders, small vases or floral arrangements, and a valence above the triple windows. For a genuine 1940s look, you might have white ceramic square tiles with a rectangular red border installed as a back splash behind and above the stove. If you are replacing counter tops, I would suggest a light color such as white with a beige or light grey vein or striation for some sort of pattern. You might be able to find the same color and design in floor tile OR opt for a wood floor as another poster suggested.

Work with teen for the grand plan! Put in this website search box: teen... Look at teen magazines at the library for cool ideas. Think about colors, shapes, patterns. Your creativity has no barriers! Use two color combos that are easy to mix and match. Paint walls, furniture, etc. Think outside the box. Paint a desk two different colors - one on the frame and the other on the drawers. Paint an all over pattern on a tall skinny section of a wall. If you don't want to commit to paint yet, see what it'll look like with dollar store wrapping paper taped to wall. Make pretend wallpaper with paint and a stencil. "Shop" in your house before you go out. Sometimes we have stuff in one room (or basement/attic) that can be used in another. Look for fun, kitschy, or unique items, for visual interest, and for conversation pieces Go to garage sales and thrift stores for big picture books. Use for prints for wall art. Get frames there also, or at dollar store. Get dollar store wrapping paper that is really pretty, interesting, or geometric. Frame it for wall art. Look for bulletin boards at garage sales. Paint frame and use dollar store wrapping paper for cork part. Attach with rubber cement or similar glue. Look for throw at garage sales or thrift store in bright color. Fold long way and put at end of bed. Build a wish list and take it with you when you go out.