need lighting advice

[steve...]

I think a couple of brighter table lamps, one in the back right corner and one on the cabinet at left (your last photo) would improve things. It wouldn't cost anything to experiment by placing some from another room to see what it would look like. Also, I don't see what the ceiling lights are contributing at all - they just seem to be accenting empty space.

And I vote to lose the wallpaper on the end wall. :-)