How to update family room with dark stained trim?

If you don't want to paint any of it, then paint the walls maybe in a warmer color in a nice satin finish or pearl finish for more reflectivity, and improve your lighting. Add more table lamps or a better ceiling fixture, I also use floor spots, standing floor lamps in corners.

once i painted my family room like beige and changed dark green carpet to light color I didnt mind my dark trim

Hello Shirley, Gray walls is really the trend right now. I am more of a beige girl so you can understand that I was so surprised when my hubby painted our bathroom with a dark gray and white trim. It really is so pretty. It is a timeless design. And I love it. So, you could paint your walls gray. And then use coral or white as a contrast. You can bring these colors in with pillows, art work, rugs, etc. I hope this helps you. Good luck.

Chalk paint is easy to work with and there is no prep needed. You can then do liming wax over it to give it a washed look

Try some contact paper on the back wall of the bookcases. The mantel, put some fake greenery, with some nice flowers to dress it up. I would paint, because it will feel good and a nice pastel color would contrast with the dark wood, one coat of some good paint (Behr) will transform your room into an inviting place. Good Luck!

I used a nice shiny wallpaper for the inside backs of my bookcases to lighten and allow items to be seen. My mahogany bookcases look 100% better now and you can see the nick-nacs I have along with the books. I had thought about having mirrors cut for each shelf but my wallpaper was an easier fix and a lot less expensive.