Please help me not hate this living room

We’ve lived here for years and no matter what changes we’ve made. No one’s ever been happy with this living room.

The step down where the flooring changes is where the room turns into our kitchen, the dresser in the hallway is TBD from a bedroom. I’m not good at prioritizing projects obviously.

I moved all this furniture yesterday probably six times and happy with the couch and fireplace at the moment but not the bookshelves.

I’m potentially open to even purchasing new furniture as long as it’s not too expensive.

I have a husband two little boys and two cats, but I am the only aesthetic that matters at the end of the day…not that I know what my aesthetic is..

I think I like a cosy cottage maximalist vibe but also having too much stuff stresses me out and I’ve been considering getting some kind of coffee table.

Anyway, I could literally ramble all day so I will submit these photos for judgement, questions, and professional and amateur advice. Thank you in advance for your help.