It's the wall with the one painting and the console table (which are both temporary). That wall faces the sliding glass doors that enter the backyard.

The wall is very wide and can easily take a unit that is 100" with room left over on the sides.

seems like that would be awkward having bookcases behind the sofa. the wall definitely needs something but just not sure about bookcases like that. also the room is pretty busy with all those windows and adding more dark rectangles would just make it more so. maybe the glass would be ok but still there is the issue of the space behind the sofa that bugs me.

maybe white to match the trim and lighten things up?

@dsnason, kind of like the ones you've already found....and I think the heights would work just fine. :-)
I have seen some other ones at Restoration Hardware and Mitchell Gold you may like too.....some of which are taller (and pricier) options.
IKEA may be another source to check out. Their Billy bookcases seem to be very popular here on Houzz.

Thank you all for the suggestions

@avery, are the bookshelves with the white sofa from Mitchell Gold? Do you think chrome would look ok or should I stick w a metal frame?

Here's a few pics in the daylight

The big question is do I focus on buying the rug first then choose the shelves or vice versa??

Thanks!'

If considering a tall bookcase, it should sit opposite the FP to serve as a counter balance to it. It should be of equal "weightiness" too. A wiry, spindly one won't have the volume to weight the opposite side of the space. If that wall opposite the FP is open you need to post pix of all four walls so we can help you more.

Hi dsnason, so sorry for the delayed reply. I didn't notice the notification until now.

As for you question, yes, the shelves in the 4th pic I posted are from MG, and they're actually in a black finish.

But yes, I think it's ok to mix finishes (ie black & chrome metals) in a room as long as you like it. I noticed in your room that you do have a lot of the darker metal (and other material) finishes. Adding in a lighter finish like chrome may give your room another layer of interest and perhaps a more "collected over time" look. So it really depends on what you're comfortable with.

So, if you do decide on chrome bookshelves, you could also add some "balance" by placing in just a few more chrome (or even mercury) items to your space (like lamps, accent tables/chairs/ottomans with chrome legs, mercury accessories, pictures or art with chrome frames, etc.)

Here's a few examples of different rooms. The 1st 3 have more of a variety of finishes while the last 3 have more of the same color in finishes, etc. in their rooms. Look these over...this may help you decide what overall feel or look you prefer.

Hope this helps

do you plan to move the couch away from the wall where you plan to put the bookcae. I would do a built in bookcase to save space and I would paint it to match the walls.

This may seem a silly question, but why are you getting the bookcases? Do you need them for your books or a collection of some sort or ?

If you don't really need them, I wouldn't put any shelves there.

If you don't need them, get a sofa table or console for behind the sofa instead. Add in two lamps and glam up the space a bit. A bookshelf might seem a little heavy for the dark cabinets on the other side.

is that huge dark wall the fireplace with some sort of attached shelving? It's really really dark and seems to be sucking all the light out of the room. Any chance of painting that whole thing a color just slightly darker than your walls? Would really open up and lighten the space.

Thank you for all your feedback! I really appreicate all the comments!

@hatetoshop, I think I just got it in my head that I wanted some sort of shelves for displaying books and other items, without having too much clutter. I like to have pictures of my family out as well and right now I have a console table behind the couch and it's full with photos. I thought bookshelves would help this be more orgnized.

@2tilletts, the fireplace, the bottom step and the top of the cabinets are all a dark green granite that was where when we moved in. We did replace the cabinets which were a grey laminate from the late 80's. Unfortunately we can't change the cabinets again and I am not sure if we can do anything to the granite like painting it. I will post a pic of the opposite side of the room where there is a bar, with the same granite.

@kelley dockrey, we could move the couch over a bit

@decoenthusiaste, I will post some other pics mementarily. I have a very special Venetian Mirror that I hung on the back wall. The family room is sunken and there really isn't room for a book shelf opposite the TV. The mirror could me moved but I haven't found a great place for it my house.

Should I first get a rug and then see how the room looks? Maybe a more modern rug will give the whole room a new flavor....unfortunately it's can't be too light because we have little kids and a dog who can track in dirt from outside!

Thanks!

Why not floating shelves?

what about a gallery wall for photos?