How do I get this interior look more realistic?

[MANUEL_MOUSIOL]

I'm working on this interior and I'm feeling good about it, but I have this feeling that from a photo realistic point I good achieve more. Now bear in mind that the main point is to sell the sofa so to speak. That's the product, for a catalogue. So lighting can't be too extreme. Has to be nice and bright.
but something is missing .
I need a second opinion.
What do you think?
Here are three variations, I'm not happy yet...

[Bruce Hart]

I often have the same feeling about my own interiors - something's not quite right, so I can relate. The first one looks better to my eye as the periphery items are brighter and less defined with more focus is on the sofa. The other thing that caught my attention is the blurry exterior outside the window, looking a bit like DOF. This seems to give the scene a miniature doll house look. Perhaps the light wash scallops could go as well as my eye keeps looking at how they are cropped at the top of the image. Overall however, I think you've done a great job.

[glorybound]

I think you did good. The light on the back wall are not doing it for me. A room that bright, I don’t think you would see them so strongly. I would play with light and shadow for more contrast. Right now, I am not seeing shadows.

[M.Max]

I think you have a very good base for a great image, but it needs some adjustments mainly for the composition as for now it looks a bit cluttered.
1- The pictures on the wall I think are a bit distracting ..I would go with one big painting or at least make them only 3 and definitely avoid the "Tangents issue" when you place them
2-The roundtable looks so far from the sofa and on the edge of the carpet. I know that your client may don't want to cover the main product but keeping it as is won't help to sell the image imo.check websites like Poliform and Minotti to see how they usually deal with such cases ..for example adding some chairs/armchairs to give a reason for why you are moving the table away .
3-The green planters are a nice touch but I wouldn't use 2 of them.
check Here for more general ideas about composition and Here for some tips specifically for Archviz and interiors.
4-there is a minor tiling issue on the sofa fabric ..I would try to avoid that by using some mixing tricks in the material.
5-I would remove these spots on the wall as they are too strong and I think it will look better without them.
those points are based on my personal preferences so feel free to ignore them if you or your client disagree with them : ))
and yes the 3rd one is my favorite (nice contrast and the shape of the sofa is a bit more defined )
let us know how this will develop = D

[MANUEL_MOUSIOL]

Thanks for the input, guys.
You are right about the lights on the blue wall. I will turn them down and make them warmer as right now they seem pretty white and probably nobody would have that cold light in a living room.
About the room design itself: it is pretty restricted, as I got a moodboard and a sketch. Maybe I could move some things around or do some very small additions. Obviously the sketch is not the right format and is wider angled, but we also decided on this focal length. Thanks for the tips and links though!
But I doubt that changing the interior design will make everything look more realistic.
I am thinking, maybe the light. or materials. Maybe I have to again from one object to the next and get more photorealistic detail into it.
You can also check out my light setup with all the lights separated into different passes.
Maybe someone has another idea.

[MANUEL_MOUSIOL]

The light setup, which I dial down or up in post to get the results you saw.

[MANUEL_MOUSIOL]

Here is a different light setup with a different HDRI for the dome.

I often have the same feeling about my own interiors - something's not quite right, so I can relate. The first one looks better to my eye as the periphery items are brighter and less defined with more focus is on the sofa. The other thing that caught my attention is the blurry exterior outside the window, looking a bit like DOF. This seems to give the scene a miniature doll house look. Perhaps the light wash scallops could go as well as my eye keeps looking at how they are cropped at the top of the image. Overall however, I think you've done a great job.

You are right. The background is a different dome, which is low-res. I have to switch it out with a high-res variation to get more detail and less "DOF effect".

[leo.surrealismo]

I would add, correct vertical lines

[MANUEL_MOUSIOL]

you mean vertical shift?

[leo.surrealismo]

that´s correct

[Ihno]

Do you know this one?
http://bertrand-benoit.com/blog/the-photographic-look/
I think iso like noise (over a clean image) and a little bit chromatic aberration would already help alot.

Also, when I look at the floor in front of the wall opening the glossiness seems odd. Looks too plasic like / too shiny imo. Maybe the bump needs some work too.

[MANUEL_MOUSIOL]

that´s correct

Don't know if it helps with a photorealistic look but I'll go with it . It's not a bad idea.

Ihno,

Good point with the floor. I wanted to have a clear coat to get some nice reflections, but probably it's too clean .
I'm actually also using Arionfx how Bertrand is, but that's just details. It doesn't help with the overall feeling of artificialness...if that's a word

[hoppergrass]

I did a bit of a paintover (and over did it as usual). Its not perfect but gives an idea

Seeing that the couch is the focus I removed the lamp and cropped in.
The fabrics need much higher res textures and more bump detail.

[MANUEL_MOUSIOL]

Thanks for all the input. Thanks, hoppergrass, for the paintover. It was an inspiration. Although I cant take out anything or change the wall color. As I said, I have specific instructions.
I need better textures and hope in the future we can scan the fabrics.
Here is the last version. Client is, for this project at least, content. I will go over all your suggestions and check how I can improve future work. Unfortunately I didnt have enough time to improve more on this one...

[M.Max]

Looking good! it is just a bit too warm for my taste, but if the client like it like that then there is nothing to complain about here : ))