1. Too many pillows/throws/whatever on that chair. One BRIGHT pillow and/or throw. 2. Caddy Corner the chair. 3. A lamp with a statement or a smaller lamp on a table. 4. A bigger, brighter (or with more white if you prefer not bright colors) print in place of that picture.

Corner console or bookshelves? Then you can still bring in some color, life, and personality, without getting too cluttered. A nice lamp on top, maybe a plant. . .
But yeah, you'd have to move the chair if you did that.

How can we give appropriate advice without seeing the rest of the room and a floorplan?

Decorating a room one wall or one corner at a time is not the answer - You have to look at the space as a whole and make your choices with the entire space in mind.

Nice bright, almost the the ceiling curtain on the window. Turn the chair and add an interesting little side table. What about one of those lamps that curves out over the chair? They have an inexpensive neat one at Ikea

First of all, I'd get some curtains on that window. Perhaps in a color that complements the tile on the fireplace. Second, I'd put a tall bookshelf in that corner and make it a reading nook. With a bookshelf, you'd have plenty of space to change up the decor with smaller pictures and knicknacks until you feel like you've got the right combination.

Put curtains on that window to add some personality without painting. Hang them high and keep them open if you feel the room is too dark. Keep the lamp...put a higher wattage bulb in it to brighten the room even more. As far as the wall...how about a large clock?

Angle the chair out from the corner, add light weight curtains or sheers to the windows. A larger piece of art. Declutter.

Oh, and I'd put a white slipcover on that chair to brighten it up even more.

It is hard to know what to do because nothing in the pic indicates your style. The biggest problem I see is that you have no idea how you expect this spot to be used, and it feels like that. My advice is to stop decorating it entirely--literally remove everything. Live with it like that for a couple of weeks so that you can see the space without a stupid chair in it that no one wants to sit in. Filling the space because you are supposed to is exactly what makes it sad and awkward. You may find that an herb garden is a better use of the space than furniture. Or a yoga mat.

Things to consider: if you put a sitting piece of furniture there, face the other way so the porch visually becomes part of the conversation and you connect the outdoor space to the indoor--it will brighten the mood. If it becomes a reading nook--cozy it up and create a space for the books, magazines and, I dunno, knitting. When you hang a work of art--consider how someone would approach it to see it from the best vantage point--one reason that print gets lost is that you have to shimmy by that chair to get to the right distance to see the print's details. No one wants to shimmy to see the art and it isn't a work best viewed from further away.

Painting the whole space is hard, but living with dreary and ugly is harder.

I think just angling the chair a bit, so its back is to the corner, would make a huge difference.

However, a lighter colored chair and some interesting curtains might look even better!

A hanging lamp would definitely brighten up the corner, Ikea has some nicely shaped paper options. Put the chair on the same wall as the fireplace, get rid of the basket, remove all the rubbish from the chair and maybe add a white throw instead of a slipcover. Add some plants in the corner, the taller the better, in simple white pots, also at ikea. :) The table seems unnecessary, but if you need to keep it there, put it under the window and keep it clutter free.

put a taller lamp in the corner, then angle the chair on the corner. you can enjoy the view and read from there.

put the seattle map on the wall next to the window and find something larger for it's current place, maybe a mirror to bring more light into the corner.

perhaps colored floor to ceiling curtains on the fireplace wall. and the same in white to flank the window. add color without painting.

There are several good suggestions here. Please share after photos of the transformation. I love a happy ending.

Ditto KaBoomBOX's thoughts.

Definitely catercorner the chair. Place the tall lamp for reading in the corner behind it. Place one LARGE print on the wall there. By large I mean 5' tall and 3' wide. Then set a tiny table next to the chair with a grouping of cute books.

A tall plant! Then move that framed are a little to the left, and you have a balanced space.

- Hang long curtains on either side of the window. Make sure the curtain rod is placed about 6" from the ceiling- you want it high! Make sure the curtain rod extends a foot or so wider than the edge of the window. This will make that wall look important. A good example of a window with a nice window treatment proportion is here: http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/06/email-answer-its-curtains-for-you/

- Next- it looks like your tv is above the fireplace and is the focal point of the room. I'm not a fan, but let's make it work. Remove all the little tchachkes on the mantle. Is the speaker necessary? if not, remove it.

- Swing the chair onto the diagonal. Get a light-colored slip cover if you want to freshen it up. Just add one throw pillow. Or you can put a pair of cushy chairs in front of the window to create a conversation area.

- I like the idea of adding a pendant as a reading light of sorts.

- Remove the Seattle print. It's cool, but floating in the middle of nowhere, so just put it somewhere else in your home. If that wall looks too blank at this point, think about adding a very large mirror - could be 6-7 feet high and resting on the floor. But it will help reflect light and keep the corner bright.

Three words. Poster on steroids. Get a HUGE poster to fill the wall space, and put your smaller piece on a smaller wall.

If you're looking for a happy, sunny color, then I recommend citrus orange.

Patterned bright curtains hung high. The End.

an interesting, large round mirror, or a ditto walllight - or a hanging (not stand) lamp. Turn the chair slightly out.
Or, as I plug my brain in, a huge mirror propped on the floor against the wall, coming up above the chimney piece...

I had a similar problem spot I put up a series of floating shelves for old colorful radios I inherited. I put the tight to the corner and it really added much needed interest to a dead spot

Angle the chair and throw a tall plant that doesn't need much light behind it. It'll add greenery and allow the space to not look so vacant and unloved.

A tall fig tree in a basket.

definitely needs a plant, cheap and easy

agree use white drape hung ceiling height

Use the orange polka dot pillow only.

Get a huge blank canvas and paint it the color or your choice...I might do creamsicle color.

New light with big drum shade--floor.

on the floor near the TV? plant with up light.

Great suggestions! Please send in the "after" photos with whatever you end up doing, I think it will be a great transformation!

An overscaled, huge, graphic print or maybe a vintage sign instead of the one that is there. Better lighting, fewer pillows, drapes, and a tall plant

I agree with angling the chair. You might also pull it out a little if you want to do anything with that corner.

If you have space with the chair angled, I like the idea of a bookcase, either a tall one or a low one with something hanging. If you feel like more than one piece of art is cluttered, you could do 2 coordinating pieces side by side.

Hmm, you're right - that corner really isn't working. I think there's definitely too much clutter there, which makes it look unloved and uncomfortable. What's that basket doing right in front of the chair? It seems totally in the way - I bet it puts you off trying to reach the chair. Also, what's that down between the chair and the wall? There seem to be so many cushions in the chair that you can't sit back in it properly. The chair angle is all wrong, so take other people's suggestions about either angling it out from the corner, or towards the window. You need a bigger lamp and a MUCH bigger print on the wall - how about a very large framed piece of wallpaper, perhaps leaning against the wall rather than hanging (but fasten it to a hook behind so it doesn't flatten anyone). Or a bookcase could work. Warm curtains are a good idea and you might consider a bright/cosy small rug for that area. A big leafy plant is essential.

Move the TV from over the fireplace (never a good place for a TV) to that corner on top of some funky entertainment unit.

ditto what amy good house said

i agree with the tall plant idea! It will literally add life to the space as well as improving indoor air quality.

If not a tall plant, then maybe a cheerful mobile hung from the ceiling paired with a tall narrow floor lamp. Also, a smaller, lighter chair at a different angle. Have fun!

the chair needs to be against the wall.. long curtains on the window.. get the ugly basket out of the way.. take the smaller print of seattle and move it to the side of the window.. and put a larger colorful abstract print or typography print above the chair.. put a different shade on the lamp.. throw a grey/white muted small blanket on the chair.. get rid of those unsightly pillows.. and put a fresh green plant in the corner closest to the window on the endtable..

I would turn that chair to sit diagonally in the corner, preferably bring a lighter chair and put some happy pillows on it. Next to it place a small side table with books and plants (there are plants that like dark corners.)
Since you don't want to paint the wall- how about framing or hanging a big piece of colorful beautiful fabric or wall paper.

A mirror! A mirror perpendicular to a window, even a not-very-bright window, always brightens up a corner. I particularly like a mirror with a plant or a lamp in front of it (so you don't immediately recognise it as a mirror).

In this case I think you could do one of two things:

(1) A huge mirror leaning against the wall, with a tall leafy plant offcentre in front of it, slightly towards the window side. The armchair, with a nice side table, angled so that the the tall plant is behind it and the sitter doesn't get too distracted by their own reflection every time they move.

(2) A bookcase / sideboard along the wall beside the fireplace with a large, wide, mirror above it. A lamp and a leafy plant on the bookcase / sideboard as well as some nicely arranged personal objects. Again the armchair angled diagonally in front of it.

In both cases I think the Seattle print should be moved to the other wall, beside the window, where it will also be reflected in the mirror.

BTW, I think that lamp is too short for it's current placement. And I agree that a nice pair of floor-length curtains would be a good way to go.

I agree with the "de-clutter" folks and adding a plant would help but how about a folding screen? If you decide to make one yourself ( cheap and very easy) or even getting an ugly second hand one, I'd suggest covering it in those beautiful paper/gold metallic squares that can be found at Chinese grocery stores for a couple of bucks a bundle. Glue them on your screen and they will add a rich warm glow to the corner no matter what the light source. Good luck with your room.

Curtains and a tree! It looks like you've got lots of space in there - you could do tall versions of both and really make a statement!

Another vote for angling the chair out.

You could fill that wall with bookshelving, hence making it purposeful space and cozy.

add a plant. a big one.

A nice end table with lamp would probably be better. Remove the excessive pillows and leave just one. Maybe even angle the chair facing a little more into the room. Several frames would be cluttered but how about two (both a little smaller than the one you have)?

A tall plant would work wonders. Is the wall with the window too big to paint? If not, you could paint that wall in a neutral color a shade or two darker than the rest of the room, and add light-colored drapes to add texture and warmth against the darker wall.

Excellent suggestions here...a couple of things stike me about this corner. To cluttered - yes. To dark - yes. I also think you have a lot of square angles here...nothing to soften it, all hard edges and that big, overstuffed chair just drags it all down. You do need to figure out what you want it for...could be a reading nook if you're a reader, or looks like there's space for a built-in desk or hobby center if you're a small crafty type person. I COMPLETELY agree that you must know WHAT you want to do there before you throw any old thing there. Factor in that it is right next to the tv (not fantastic for a reading or working space if it's on for somebody else and you're next to it).

Then figure out what makes you happy... Is it turquoise and beachy stuff? Pink and white shabby chic? Crisp spring grass green and bright flowers? Sexy moroccan reds, oranges and purples? Vintage glamour with fur boas and silk dresses and champagne glasses? Comfy tweed and worn leather? What is GUARANTEED to make you smile?? Ultra-modern minimalism? Rustic cabin in fall leaves? Paris in the rain? Go to THAT place and get your "style" from there...

If you're looking for a reading nook-type area (guessing because there is already a chairand some reading material shown there), I'd dump the big, dumpy, square chair, and get something with softer lines and visible legs (gets the piece up off the floor and visually lightens space)

MUST:
1) Window treatments (to soften those stark corners)
2) Add plant - the corn stalk dracaena one is nice becuase it grows mostly UP, not out...and trust me, I've had one that survived in the gloomiest of corners for a long time :) Very common, always for sale at Home Depot, Lowe's, I've even seen at Ikea...see here - http://reviews.homebase.co.uk/1494-en_gb/787365/reviews.htm
3)Keep away from "heavy, blocky" furniture...keep things light and flowing in the lines of whatever you decide to put there
4) Small rug to denote that this area is a happy place for whatever is going on there :)
5) Lighting - obvious...whatever makes you happy...and remember the higher the light the bigger the lighted area below...
6) Do not allow to become too cluttered, whatever you decide to use it for...as it's a good-size small area, but still a small area...and things like reading nooks and home hobby spaces tend to get real crazy real quick - at least for me! :)

So decide:
1) What you want to USE it for
2) What makes YOU "happy" to look at while using it

I'd also Google Image things like "office nook", "reading nook", or "craft area" or whatever it is you decide you want this for to help with visualizing style ideas...always helps me!

Cheers!!!

Cluster of art, curtains on the window, cooler lamp.

One more vote for angling the chair, removing all the extra clutter, placing a tall plant in the corner (dracena or ficus, maybe), adding a light colored throw and maybe one colorful pillow that coordinates with the rest of the room, and hanging a much larger art work to replace the off-scale one you have. I would definitely do all of that.

Optionally, you could also add curtains, change lamps, add an side table and/or ottoman.

A large piece of art (at least 48" x 60") would fill that space where the small framed art is and be much more dramatic. On a shoestring DIY budget you could buy a stretched canvas that size, paint it in a bright color, hang it. Then add a mobile kinetic sculpture to the corner so it interacts with the painted canvas. Add lighting: voila.

Choose your own motif but for example you could paint the canvas blue sky and then hang a bird sculpture from a string from the ceiling in front of it.

You could do a large floor mirror leaning against the wall to make the most of what light you do get in and then sort of layer a larger piece of artwork over that. I agree with the comments about the curtains--some color would do a world of good.

I see this same problem in my living room. You really have to do your homework on this to get the right design here. There is so many different options that you can get from it. Window cleaning Toronto