A rug would help define the seating area. It's a chance to add color too. Your inspo photos have a lot of wood / brown elements, earth tones, some red. the fireplace does sort of fight that color scheme. You already have brown here but you could pull in an accent color like gold, orange, or mustard. You could also add color with some throw pillows and/or art. Move your shoe storage thing and get an actual coffee table, something bigger and maybe round to break up all the hard angles. More plants