Need help making my living room look and feel better

I’ve been struggling with my living and dining space and I’m hoping for some advice. It’s a long rectangular room with the TV on the short wall, the couch along the right side, and the dining table at the far end near the windows. At the moment it feels really flat, unfinished and kind of dark, especially at night. I want to come home and genuinely feel like I’m at home, like the space is cosy, warm and welcoming, but still minimalist and not cluttered.

I’m looking for ideas on how to make it feel more intentional and layered. Things like better lighting, creating zones, making the space feel softer and more comfortable without having to buy a ton of new stuff. I’d love suggestions that work on a budget, using what I already have where possible.

For style reference I’m into cosy, minimalist vibes, soft textures, warm lighting, subtle layering, things that make a room feel like home the moment you walk in. I’ll post some inspo pics in the comments to give a better idea of what I like.

Any ideas, tricks, or tweaks would be amazing, even small changes.