I would like to start by dispelling a myth about interior design. Many people think that your space needs to be completely clean and sterile and that the space needs to have tremendous amounts of unbroken empty space. In good design, however, the goal is to strike a balance between negative (empty) and positive (decorated) space. Furthermore, you can still do minimalism and reach this balance. While I do love some parts of the design of this room, the two big issues are the overall off balance feel and the decor of the space is not a consistent scale.
There are several parts of this room that I do love, and in my design, I am going to play them up. For example, the molding adds amazing character to the space, and that character should be played up since it can be a unifying factor for the space. The wood floor is also amazing. I am completely jealous of it, and the dark wood is easy to include in almost any design. Finally, I love the neutral textiles that are used on the sheer curtains and the rug. Having some neutral elements in a space is a good way to create a backdrop for other bursts of colors without your space becoming overwhelming.
The first problem that needs to be fixed is the several distinct levels on the back wall. There is the top of the radiator, the top and bottom of the shelving units, and the top and bottom of the TV. To fix this build a radiator cover and then similar storage units that can be placed next to the radiator and create a continuous credenza along that back wall. Above that hang the TV over the middle and hang floating shelves over the entire wall. This change will create a more developed and cohesive space and define a display area for various books and other decor. By continuing the shelves all the way up the wall, it will also help bring the eye up and make the ceiling seem higher while fixing the multiple different levels.
In the conversation pit there are three distinct scales for the pieces of furniture. One couch is one size, the second couch is a totally different size, and the coffee table is yet another size. These totally different scales is a big reason why the room feels completely out of whack since one couch is significantly heavier than the other pieces in that furniture grouping, which the floral print doesn’t help. To fix this replace all the pieces in the conversation pit (you can keep one couch, preferably the smaller one, if you make it a solid color). Have a single couch and two armchairs in a “v” formation which will face the furniture toward the corners instead of being parallel to the walls. Then add a small side table between the two chairs and either a square or triangular coffee table in the center of the conversation pit. This will create a cohesive conversation area that also adds some visual interest to the room by introducing a new angle to the space while correcting the scale problem.
The next glaring issue is how the lamps are just aimlessly floating in space. Not only do they feel out of place, but they are ergonomically bad; the lamps simply are nowhere near where you will use them. Just get rid of them and replace them with a table lamp between the armchairs and a floor lamp with three spotlights behind the sofa. The floor lamp can be used to give general lighting and task lighting at the sofa and the table lamp will provide task lighting at the arm chairs. Not only is this more efficient but its simply more practical and looks better. This will make the lamps feel like they have a purpose instead of just floating around.
Finally, sheer curtains are great, but they don’t have a huge visual impact. At the ends of the rod add panels that can dress up the window edge and wall. This change will make a sizable difference for visual impact and help bring the eye up for anyone who enters the room since the curtains should go from the ceiling to the floor.
In about a weekend with nonpermanent changes this room can be completely transformed from a drab and sterile room that is completely off balance to something that is cohesive and is a space that you would want to spend time in.