What an interesting space! Looks like you have pretty modern taste looking at your furniture. I think the more emphasis you put on the niche, the better the offset of the different sized walls will appear. I would start by removing the mantle. It really has no real purpose and when I think modern, that traditional element really sticks out to me. I would purchase some really fun wall covering for behind the television, either wallpaper or fabric, with some color and texture. Then do a complimentary treatment around the fireplace, I'll find some examples and post them below. Happy decorating!

See this fireplace surround extends the limits of the wall. I like sheen with above wall covering. Hope this helps!

Oh that's sooo awesome limerence designs! I'm not the op, but wow that's perfect:)

If I am seeing fireplace surround it is 1/2" tiles? I think the fireplace area and above would look great of you could remove that mantel and then tile that whole area if you can match tile with tile. The TV would disappear and the focal point would be more interesting. If you want color change small chair out for a nice green and black wide stripe or print and add a pillow or two to sofa and maybe a throw. I wouldn't paint color on side walls. It will make for a second focal point on one wall. Also could highlight the mismatched walls too. I will post a pic in a bit to help visualize.

This could be your color palette for room. If you can't find matching tile, just painting that space the same color would be great. Maybe I can find a chair for you too.

Not a great paint job, but just to give you some ideas. Tile or paint entire niche, removing mantel piece which is kind of weird anyway. Then new bright colored chair, bright green in this, and two prints fairly minimal in look and a white orchid on coffee table. Accent pillows bring all colors together. You could soften it up a bit and match the color of your sofas which look like a deep gray? Have fun with it.

Oh wow weird. I was thinking EXACTLY the same color as Flo was. I deleted a few comments cause I wanted to get it just right. I just think the green goes so well w your decor and you need a modern pattern

wow. thank you so much! I'm definitely going to remove the mantle based on the comments. The family room joins with a kitchen that currently has maple cabinets. I'm adding european pulls and hoping to get some marble looking quartz for counters. I am not really a color person, and I know my husband won't approve of a new chair, but I think I can somehow make the middle wall with the tv/fireplace more of a focal point.

I like the idea of either painting the whole wall one color, wall papering just the top, or figuring out a way to extend the tile on the whole lower portion of the wall. I was considering doing a subway tile with dark gray grout in the kitchen. Would that look good? I'm pretty sure the fireplace is 10 years old, so I don't think matching the tile is an option. Does anyone have ideas for a super dark or a super light tile? I like a black and white palette. Thank you SO, SO much!

If it were in the budget, it would be cool to put some sort of marble on the lower part of the wall, then paint the top black. I am assuming that is super pricy, though. Then I could do art on each side as Flo suggested.

I was actually thinking a dark smoke-colored subway tile would be the second best option for the fireplace. It probably wouldn't be too hard to remove the current tile and still make the bottom seamless with the subway tile.

I think a subway tile wood look great! It's timeless and I think it goes w everything you already have. sounds like a nice choice to me.

I wouldn't go too dark though w anything you do in this room. It doesn't look huge and already has a bunch of dark items in it. Just my
Opinion

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Superior-Building-Supplies-Dove-White-24-in-x-48-in-x-1-1-4-in-Faux-Grand-Heritage-Stack-Stone-Panel-HD-COL2448-DW/205228131?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D22-Siding%7c&gclid=CPvn8eGj6M4CFZKBaQodt9AOSg&gclsrc=aw.ds

I go white subway tile/white stack stone on the bottom, does that mean it isn't a focal wall?

Start with matching paint to tile. As for kitchen how about posting some picks of that and we can help you. About chair. You can minimize that color with a large back pillow that ties in the colors you want to highlight includes a touch of the carmel. If you don't tie it in somehow it will look like an afterthought. Keep us posted.

Do you mean some fake stone on fireplace wall. I wouldn't recommend that. Say mite about what you mean?

Thanks, Flo. If matching paint to tile on the top and bottom of the fireplace/tv, do you think I should go light in color? Regarding the caramel chair, the blinds are wood and match the chair, as do the light oak floors. I'll try to figure out something that brings all the colors together. I'll post a pic of the kitchen.

ok. so no fake stone. but if i get a new subway tile back splash. that could work on the fireplace lower wall, with a wallpaper or black paint on top.

Kitchen:

I don't recommend backsplash tile in fireplace area. It will look like you had leftover tiles so stuck them up there. My thought, if you want some stone is to get thin stacked stone that would go with your color scheme. In fact, there is one that comes to mind that is "slate-like" that has grays, Carmel, (like your chair) rust and some tones like that. You could do that on the bottom part. See what you like. Maybe get the wall hangs in place and then decide if you need to paint above fireplace. I will find picture of this stone and post it for you.

Here are some examples of the type stone I'm talking about. They are thin (maybe 1/2-1" thick, but they look very realistic and it is real stone.

This style (and there are many) has the dark grey with variations of the carmel of your chair. That would blend well and just do on the area below and around fireplace. You could (with a bit of effort) also put a long "mantel" of stone all the way across that fireplace center section and then do the hearth in matching or darker stone. This is example of all gray (I would go for matching color of sofa) and it has "cut marks" that give it personality.If you want to emphasize the carmel more there are ones that go in that direction. If you want to depart, you could use this, but I think the dark grays with touches of carmel would be best. Remember, "dark" color "recede" from the eye and "white" jumps at you. Your eye sees white first as the biggest light reflector. So, I would go with either The first one, which would tie in the chair, or the second, which is all gray and you bring in the carmel in another accessory.

Art is hardest to find, especially when you want a certain size. For your side walls, you can either do one that is roughly 18-22" wide x 40-60" high. You can also check out local artists and see what they could do for you.

If you could find two something like this would look good. Or,Four of this type look. I love that black background with simple flowers. Two stacked on top of each other on each side would be clean and very pleasant looking. Maybe you know or are a good photographer, and could find someone who could do this for you. Always nice to support local artists, painters and photographers. There are photographer clubs all around the U.S. and you could find one of those near you and check with their folks. They would LOVE doing something for you.

Thanks, Flo. I think there is too much orange in the house and I really don't want to emphasize the caramel more. I'll have to look at the more gray type stone. Great advice about not being too matchy matchy with subway tile. Hadn't considered it would look leftover. I also found another tile I LOVE. Fireplace surround They have both a white and a natural color, so I might order a tile of each to see. Then if I have white on the bottom and paint the tv area a matte black, that should recede based on your white comes forward, black recedes.

As far as art goes, I am really not a nature photog person, I was thinking more modern or midcentury mod. Something like this in three vertical frames: http://blog.westelm.com/2016/07/26/this-diy-wall-art-couldnt-be-easier/. 

Someone commented that the room is small and already has some dark elements, so sticking with light and bright is best. Thank you!!! This is so consuming! I want to do everything TODAY!!

Congratulations! Just remember if the room is tight, you may not like the wall black. Although I love black walls it will make a tight space look smaller. The dark color will be cozy though. Do you want a cozy or spacious look to the room? Can you move the chair so it is angled perpendicular to the sofa so you can watch tv from it? I would get a large piece of framed art, large fabric panel (tapestry, fabric fragment, mud cloth, something tribal) ...anything tall for wall to right of television. If you like the lamp on the left that is enough for the wall.

I like that tile, but I know it is very difficult to install right. So, just a warning on that. Also, not all whites are white, if you know what I mean, so make sure you take paint sample or bring home tile samples to make sure you are satisfied with match. In fact, better to bring sample home so you see in your light. A slight miss will look, let's say not good! I love the prints you posted, contemporary ones. I wasn't sure of the style you want, so I was just trying to give you shape. I know Gray & Walter suggested only one print, but I think the room will look more balanced and wider with prints on both sides. But that is kind of personal choice. I agree, on the stone, I would leave the carmel out. Especially, if you don't want it emphasized. But it should be brought in in some way, like maybe a small leather accessory for the coffee table. Just some touch. Also, your kitchen looks like oak? Or was that a different picture. Just keep blending your colors and add different textures for a great look. You have a good eye, so trust yourself. But do check and double check. Mistakes are costly, both financially and emotionally!!

Thanks, Flo!! Good notes about the tile and difficulties installing and matching. I'll watch out for that. :) I'm going to work on that DIY for the art in the shape you mentioned. Hopefully that will help.

The kitchen is maple. I'll keep doing the blending/adding textures. Just thinking about this family room has left me exhausted and overwhelmed. I think I need to take things slowly as you suggest and check and recheck. Thanks for all the help. :)

You have the right idea. Let it evolve. You can make the artwork which I love you doing. Don't know if you have Hobby Lobby near you, but they do great matting and framing and just watch for their (or similar store) 50% off sales on framing. You could also possibly find fabric and stretch over acrylic art canvas to create your own look. Probably have to go to art supply store for size you need. Glad to help.