Yes I would paint both fireplace and walls. It wouldn't brighten the room up a lot and make it more open feeling. Here is a pic of my fireplace and walls if you like the colors let me know ill see what they were

If it is not a fireplace, remove it all. Hang the tv centered on the wall with a tv console beneath it for the stuff. What does the rest of the room look like?

It definitely needs to be brighter, Sarah. I do like your colors, I am looking in the gray family, maybe even a pale/grayish teal color. Also considering painting the fireplace wall a darker color (gray) and the other walls the lighter teal. This picture is from Behr's colorsmart app.

Carolyn, I attached 2 photos of the room. It's adjacent to the open kitchen and an office closed off with French doors. Removing it all would require new flooring and I like having the blu Ray and movies hidden and in the wall- I can childproof it from my little ones! Thank you for the idea, though.

Most definitely paint our the mantle a rich bronze color, Sherwin Williams Brainstorm Bronze SW 7033...remove the wood doors and replace with a dark metal front. I would paint the remaining walls SW 7029 Agreeable Gray.

Hi


I would either remove it all together or paint the FP a nice buff color.

My wall is accessible beige by Sheraton Williams, it's really not a beige more of a greige, I just painted my bedroom revere pewter and kitchen agreeable gray those are good gray colors too

The studs are off center, which is very frustrating. But I still want it there because I like hiding the blu Ray and other tv stuff below. We need to figure out what to do with our furniture. May be getting something new. My husband likes it this way- I don't.

Take those awful doors off and put a set of birch logs or a lovely substantial candelabra in it.