20 feet by 25 feet living space Need three seating ares Placement for rugs and television needs to be decided Anything else that will help to make it appear grand Great place to hold parties and socialise

Sir you can use Wooden textured ACP as it will be cost effective solution to cover Soil pipes and provide a modern look to facade .

I wouldnt dare design a dining space without natural light so I am not sure when you say all of them are that way. Here are some examples of the skylight above stairs. Individual panels can be made remote or switch operable.

you can go for the light colours if you have well ventilation system ( kitchen chimney). or if you don't have, go for the dark shades , it will help to maintain easier, i will suggest you can go for the bi colored shades like gray , jet black or dark brown and chocolate , HOWEVER its your home and you are the boss. choose whatever you want, coz its LOVE which makes your house a HOME.