Get rid of the shelf and brackets for sure! Get a console to put beneath your tv, then go from there.

This is in the living room of my daughter's condo The space is about 7' wide. This seems to have been a mantle. It is deep enough to make it a bookshelf by removing this existing shelf and corbel and adding shelves to make it a built in bookshelf. Is this idea you see for the space?

The bookshelves I was referring to would be a DIY by my husband. I see some of the shelves being all the way across the expanse of the wall, and a couple of others going from beside the TV to the wall. I would have to draw out a design plan before beginning. I really want to verify that others see that book shelves are the best use of this space. I will continue to read your answers. My daughter lives about an hour of so away, so I don't see her daily. Thanks everyone.

Hard to say without seeing more of your room. What's next to that corner?

Bookshelves might be a good idea then add a chair and tiny table + lamp.

Tell daughter to get rid of all the small things that are cluttering the shelf. It doesn't work for decorating and just looks messy.

She was just moving in. She placed the things there to get them out of the way for painting and to decide whether to use some of the things.

This area is not in a corner. It is an opening across from the living room. To the left is a stairwell and to the right is a short wall. It is about 17"ish deep.

I will encourage my daughter to use a built-in bookcase. I continue to believe it is the best use of the area. Then go from there. Thanks

If hubby is up for more of a project he could add a cabinet with doors for storage.

or like this on the bottom