You could paint a light wall stencil behind your shelves and space the books a bit, adding some decorative items. Have a look at this URL.

http://homecrushblog.com/stencil-painting-bookshelf-interiors/

I agree on wallpaper or stencil. Add a painting over your fireplace for a splash of color.

"Coral With Black Line" Painting · More Info

Wallpaper would make such a big difference. It would lift the room from bland to stunning. Or you can just paint the walls with shaper, more contrasting colour. Have you considered that? It really depends on what colours you like. You already have a good base there. Plus grey and white go really well together. So the third colour would pull the room together. Good luck!

Thank you, I think I am going to go for the wallpaper. So the idea would be all walls light, gray and put wallpaper on the fireplace. Any advice on colours/designs for the wallpaper, I am lost on this one. I guess it will be the centrepiece of the room so I want it to be striking yet subtle and not a screaming colour/design. Thanks again to all that have taken the time to comment.

I would just wallpaper the walls with the shelves and leave the fireplace clean.

Check out this HGTV article about the psychology of color for some interesting ideas: http://www.hgtv.com/remodel/packages/psychology-of-color

I can agree with your thoughts on some designers ideas. Things are not all wrong. Do you like the monochromatic look? My PC does not portray to me accurate colors so I am not the best to advise for that. However I would just love to see a live edge restored old wood mantle stretched across the fireplace wall somewhere between the bottom shelf of the bookcases and the firebox itself.

I also would like to see a dark color in the area above & below the book shelves. Whether it would be in a Chinese red in a pattern or a navy blue & white wallpaper, I'm not sure. I would rather see your shelves dressed differently. !/3 books, 1/3 collectibles, 1/3 empty space. Include the top shelf & the bottom shelf (area). Could you add one more shelf or do you want it like this?

Include the books in different positions, such as some stacked, some leaning & some with bookends around them. Add some art glass to the collections & buy little clip-on lights from Ikea to place above the shelves to show them off. Do you like MCM style? On the mantle (if you choose to add one), place a tang dynasty bronze horse just on one side, nothing else. You will need to choose a large piece of art for above the mantle. No one except you can select your art. Go to Art com., Great Big Canvas or Z Gallerie for choices.

Can you provide some photos of the whole room from all angles. It is hard to know what you currently have & you need to let us know more about what it is you are unhappy with. You said closets, do you mean the cabinets under the TV area & such?