Are you planning drapes for windows or panels along sides? I'd try for a big plant to balance that built in.

Hi Trish. Do you have a picture of the sofa?

What an interesting built in. Does it bump out on the exterior of the house? How deep is it? Any chance the TV could go inside? I actually think that whole wall balances quite well as it is, but with a TV (likely smaller than your current one) hidden inside, that wall could be a stunning focal point with art over the mantel.

Call a professional.

Is there any way you could remove the built-in? It's lovely, but a little distracting in the space. Once removed, you could paint out the area and add a large plant as suggested, to balance it out.

Paint the built-in the same color as the walls. Or, if you do not need the doors, remove them, paint the interior the wall color, and put in white shelves.

Curious about your sofa comment... if you place any chair where sofa would face the tv [now is], tell how that goes: is it too close to the tv? cause from here it seems it could be....and you don't want bar stools bumping into the sofa - floor plan?

Those silly top doors are dating that built in ,take all of the doors off and use nice baskets in it ,instant update...the room is gorgeous otherwise.

I like those silly top doors. Except for the slight arch, they look almost craftsman. I'd keep the doors, but then, I want to hide the TV behind them.

Before making any decisions, move your furniture in and live in the space for awhile. The placement of furnishings, fabrics, rug and window coverings (if any) will change the look.

I love the 'silly top doors.' I agree with groveraxle above about putting the TV in the cabinet, and then getting artwork for above the fireplace. I think its' a lovely room. I really like the built-in, though the idea of painting it the same color as the walls is an interesting idea. Also, your window to the left is nicely recessed, so putting a good-looking table there, with a table lamp, will balance things out, too.

What I see as a problem is that the hearth is too ornate for that size of room. Here is a fireplace with built ins on one side and a clean line above the hearth.

Grover was right on with the design cut and paste.
You have to treat the fireplace and the cabinet as the center of the room together. I agree to take best advantage of having a cabinet for your TV. You are so lucky...
I would work with the room as it is...and see. I think it is very interesting.
You can utilize the

The first thing that came to mind was to paint the piece, it would then blend in with surrounding walls. I would probably remove the doors and use it as open shelving, again it may need to be painted inside. The shelves themselves could match the color of your moulding.
We all live with tv focal points these days and I doubt you want to downsize your screen. As mentioned I agree that adding a chair small side table with lamp in that corner would take the focus off of this not being symmetrical. Sweet reading spot for certain. A large plant would suffice or anything that would fit your lifestyle.

The distance you have from the TV to edge of flooring is so,short for the TV being so high. You are going to,have a sore neck.

Whatever you decide to do - paint it, remove doors, put tv inside, etc - consider changing the molding that frames the built-in to mimic that on the fireplace. It would look more cohesive and complementary. Lovely room!

I would put something in the fireplace that is light and airy. I think the 2 dark sections (the tv and the fire box) are part of the problem.

I agree the firebox needs to be a lighter color. Great idea :)

Changing the built-in molding would really add balance.

BYOND Interiors: I haven't purchased the sofa (or any living room furniture) yet because I'm just not sure how to make the space come together. Right now I am trying to pick between these sofas (see pics below)(color would probably be a cream) I would love any advice you could give me.

I liked groveracle's idea about putting the tv in the cabinet, but I also wonder if you could balance the room visually with a tall, white piece of furniture on the short wall to the right of the arched doorway. Perhaps a secretary against that wall, flanked by two comfy chairs? It would balance the windows too to have some weight there. A tall mirror over a chest would also help.

These seem to balance the tall windows

bentchick: The room you posted does look balanced. What do you mean by hearth?

I agree the TV is rather large, but it came with the house and was already mounted above the fireplace. The real problem is that the TV weighs about 110 lbs so moving it would be kinda tough.

Trisha, your hearth is the stone on the floor in front of the firebox. There is nothing ornate about it. It matches your fireplace surround. And the firebox itself cannot be lightened. Well, it can if you never use it, but it would look stupid.

This wall is fairly well balanced already. The built in takes care of that. The TV over the mantel is what unbalances it, and while moving it will be a pain, it's totally worth it. If you don't want to go smaller, you can put it on the wall to the left (at eye level, please) and then arrange your furniture to take in both focal points, TV and fireplace.

Groveraxle: That makes perfect sense. By the way, how did you edit my photo? I thought it was really neat and I would love to play around with something like that.

Trisha, I Photoshopped it.

What about a window seat on the other side, maybe build shelves into the wall to the left of the seat w/ a good reading light. Maybe paint the cabinet & seat the same color?

Yes-- it's a beautiful room. All you need to do is move that monstrosity of a TV-- just eliminate it and get a smaller one; put the smaller one in the cabinet. I do think putting something in front of that window to the left will solve your (perceived) problem, too. I had suggested a table and lamp, but I love tooky58's suggestion of a window seat there. That would be really sweet, and you have enough of a recess to do that. (By the way, if I kept everything in my house that 'came with the house' -- yikes . . . ) Also, I have called the same movers multiple times to move things within my house; they say I'm the only person they keep moving, but who never actually moves anywhere. :) Call a couple of big college guys to move that TV, or just offer it on Craig's List-- free to buyer as long as the buyer moves it him/herself, and takes it from your sight.

Listen to groveraxle. He nailed it. The room is not symmetrical, so embrace that rather than fighting it. The built in is lovely just as it is and goes beautifully with the windows and trim. The large TV over the fireplace is the problem.

I was actually referring to the molding surrounding the fireplace itself. Huge columns in a small room are an older home type of style that usually went along with ornate thicker crown molding. The rest of the room looks modern and clean lines, so the heaviness of columns is throwing it off. Losing the top half of these columns would help or you could rethink the fireplace structure altogether.

I have to disagree with bentchick about the molding. This space has many timeless elements: in the fireplace surround, the cabinet, the crown and wide window casings. It's a bit modern craftsman, and IMO, all of it works.

I agree with groveraxle. I know it's a pain to do, but I'd move the TV for sure.