All the money will not make that look like your inspiration pic get rid of it you did not spend the money on it , get what you want

Personally I love the built-ins, but I can see your point of it currently not being modern. Those mirrors can probably come off and you could have someone overlay those door panels with something smooth. Paint it white and enjoy the storage.

i don't really see where they are not modern. they are simple enough, is it the center top? just remove it. The part seeming old is the light fixture in front of it. replace that.you can change the knobs on it, you can paint it. bear in mind you paint and in 10 years someone will be crying about the beautiful wood you ruined. do not like the mirrors? take them off. i would wait before i ripped it out or did more. it is very simple in design, looks like real wood so that is quality,

The decorative fretwork in the top center can be removed. The center bottom doors may be able to be reversed to obtain a flat surface. (I don't think this is mandatory.) Once the mirrors are removed and the unit spray painted by a pro, I think you will be pleased with the result. Don't tear out something so obviously well built. Congrats on your new home.

Bi-fold doors can be replaced with a Shaker-style bi-fold.. Shaker is transitional and works for a modern look--especially with the right hardware.. Paint everything white.. Remove the spindle accents in the center.. Chrome, nickel or black hardware will also help modernize the look.. Take the center section arched doors to any cabinet shop and they will help find replacement doors that can be switched out.. .Basically, you are keeping the "bones" but changing the decorative parts.. Bi-folds come in a single-recessed panel or multiples.. Many options.

You could simply remove those arched doors in the center and leave the shelves open there, then use baskets or bins for storage. The mirrors in the middle section could be left in place to reflect light. Candice Olson has added mirror inside shelving units...still can look modern. The shelves in the center area can be "chunked-up" with trim across the front edge.. We had shelves made to look thicker that way.. The trim is cut 1.25" and stapled to the front edge of the existing shelf, then all is painted the same color.

Yep! Change out the Moraccan doors and paint it white.

What is it and what room??

closet in the bedroom bell.

i just really think that if you do minimum and live with it, it will become like a firplace, not such a big deal after all.

This is in the dining room, which is connected to the living room.

I would remove the mirrors and dated trim, paint it a light color and depending on the size of the doors remove them and replace with a French door one on each side, painted to match the chosen color. I can't tell if it has a little "counter" type space in the center, if so they sell paints to mimic effects like marble etc, I might also give that a whirl. The doors you may be able to find a set that fits on one of your local sales sites or Craigslist if money is tight. I think it could look very remanicent of the inspiration pic you posted but with your own flare.

If it was mine, I would flip the doors around or get new flat ones, remove the decoration in the top and spray it all a fun color or white. I would leave the mirror behind the shelves.

Dining room? From looking at it I thought it was in a bedroom. Just because someone with questionable taste spent alot of $ on something doesn't mean you have to live with it. Can't make a silk purse out of sow's ear.....

Speaking of that wonderful thought I saw where Candice Olson once had a similar set up and she actually put fireplace (electric) in the middle and painted the entire piece. It was gorgeous. I think my consideration would be how much other storage space exists in the bedroom. If this is it, I would NOT dismantle it, I would consider updating it. The arched doors do nothing for the piece as they are inconsistent with the other doors. A good carpenter and painter should be able to update the piece for minimal money and yes this would have been expensive at the time. Again, I would evaluate the level of storage in that bedroom first and my thought is to at least try to update the piece before tearing it out.

Ok, sorry, the dining room. I had one also, but it covered two windows, does this one cover windows?

Here you go but you could also accomplish the same thing by painting it or using the upper portion as a bar.

Thanks! This is in the dining room, and you are right that there isn't a lot of storage in the house, so I was hoping that I could replace it with a contemporary looking one. I just got cold feet after getting all the expensive quotes. It doesn't cover any windows at all.

It's nice .. great if you can alter it. Is it too dark?

@everdebz Yeah it's too dark for me which makes the whole space look depressing.

Where I live there's a similar large unit, but not built in, so I know what you mean. At least yours is trim-looking since it's 'part of the wall' .... so I'll suggest chalk paint, which they say isn't hard. There are different prices for it, and hers is probably expensive. A color like your wall, like French Linen? Might cost same as removing it, and buying new stuff... !

https://www.anniesloan.com/annie-sloan-products/paints/chalk-paint.html

As shown well, art and chandelier, and it's 'new' it's you!

[you didn't ask, but I saw this at $100 with old and new elements in it]:

If the finish of your chandelier was like that one, maybe art frames could be black and simple....

@everdebz thanks for all the suggestions!

Hey you're welcome. Current thread shows professional's own room with huge unit - but greyed wood --- know what? it seem to have barn-door hardware over it --- idea for yours?

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/vertical-art-over-couch-dsvw-vd~3868003[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/vertical-art-over-couch-dsvw-vd~3868003)

it's at the bottom.

In other words, why lose quality, and hidden storage? re-do the fronts.... etc... good 'luck'!

also since it is in dining room, maybe remove the two bifolds?use it as a butler?

+1 for not dismantling it. The hardest part is done (and likely done very well). Doors are easy.

I like havingfun's idea of using as open shelving buffet.

So many great ideas. Love it. I've done furniture makeovers and cannot believe how removing trims or swapping them out or adding new crown molding changes the entire look of a piece. I purchased two ugly oak media cabinets on casters. They had smoked glass doors. Good and solid oak, but not my style. Removed trims and doors, filled holes and sanded, then painted white. I played around with colors for the back interior wall, then chose the aqua for my beach cottage guest room. We tied them together with a wood that spanned the length that we desired and added crown molding, and other details. Two more shelves were painted and inserted after that last photo, but you get the idea. This was pretty easy considering we are not pros. Loved the end result. Saw the design on a blog page and made it my own. Hubby helped with the wood cuts. I wish I had taken a before shot with the smoky glass, magnetic close doors. :P

A butler's pantry is a great idea. If you were to do that, I'd have doors on the lower half of each section that has bi-fold doors. Shelving can be added behind those doors. There are always things that you don't want to have to see 100% of the time. I saw a video on youtube with a gorgeous furniture makeover and it was turned into a coffee bar. It's not modern, but had to share. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mg1PROffow

Nikki has a tutorial on refinishing her coffee bar...great tips. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5W1zB5uUBrs

I agree with removing the fretwork in the middle. I'd also remove the shelves.

My sister had a similar issue in her dining room. She painted it white and replaced the mirror with antiqued mirror. Her furnishings are otherwise modern. It looks really nice and she loves the extra storage.

It's pretty bad with the wagon wheel trim and the arches and etched mirrors. Be afraid of spending more money trying to fix it and still ending up with something not so great.

Do we see a reflection of vertical blinds????

@leelee haha yes! don't worry, we'll be replacing those :)

I would rip it out. Even white..it will always be the elephant and eyesore in the room