Can you take off the scrolly trim? Change out the pulls? Then it would be great.

Another thought is to put some wallpaper, grass cloth, or even paint the behind the shelves but I would still paint out the rest white.

A bold step is needed! Remove the scalloped edges, reface with trim. Install wallpaper on the shelf backs, prime and paint the unit black, add interesting hardware and a nice window treatment. https://www.houzz.com/photos/woodbury-kitchen-main-level-remodel-traditional-home-office-minneapolis-phvw-vp~1458546

UNless you have beautiful things you want to display on those shelves I would at least remove the shelving and then the bottom part is useful for storage in fact your T.V could go there . It is cheaper to remove the top and patch the drywall and paint than it is to do almost anything else

Totally agree w Patricia. If you post the whole room we can comment on rearranging existing items. Remove whole top shelf area, tv on one side, art and a lamp on the other side. Would be a huge improvement and not a big deal to do.

I wouldn't take off the top. You'd wind up with one puny window floating awkwardly above the cabs. And what about the soffit? Who knows what is in there. I'm not sure you need beautiful things for the shelves. How about some books?

SuzyQ- good point about the window. I agree with that assessment of the window awkwardly floating. Just remove the scallop.

Since you've just moved in, I'd live with it for awhile to see whether you find it useful. If you do, then it's easy enough to change the wood finish to suit the rest of your furniture, and remove/cover the scroll work if you don't like it.

I'd like to see pictures of the rest of the space. My first thought was that if it works with your floor plan, it would make a great place for your tv.

If you can remove the scrolling without damaging the piece, do it. I like the idea of wallpaper or fabric on the back of the shelves (coordinate with roman shade) and new hardware. Could be wonderful.

On one hand, built-ins are great. On the other hand, these particular ones look fusty and old-fashioned. Removing the scalloped pieces will go a long way towards updating them. Remove them and change out the hardware and the live with them for a bit before making a decision regarding painting them.

Don't mind the mess, my entire house is chaos right now since moving. We just threw furniture in here as of now to be able to live in the space. We are planning on mounting the tv on the wall it's against. My concern about taking the top shelving off is that the tv would be too big or may look awkward. I see where you're thinking as far as the bottom cabinets looking good with an update! The layout is just a rectangle with three additional windows.

It's the scalloped trim that makes it look so dated. I'd swap that out for simple 1"x3", probably with a very small (1/8") radius on the exposed front corner to keep it from looking like a modification. I think your idea of painting it all white is spot on, and a Roman shade in something like a black/white damask or a bold-colored trellis pattern would be fantastic with the limited space around that window. If you wanted a little more elegance, you could pick out the raised detail on the cabinet fronts with a contrasting color to match paint/wallpaper at the shelf backs, or a gold metallic.

If you wanted to go for something more exotic, you could also take some lightweight MDF and cut a front panel overlay to go in front of the shelving units and the window, extending the top all the way past the soffit. Make the openings square or give them an arch of some sort. Paint the panel before putting it up, or cover it with a bold geometric wallpaper. (I'd screw it to that awful scalloped trim, since that's the bit most likely to be removed later on anyway!)

Yes, get rid of the scallops, then paint. Perfect for books!

I'd exchange the couch and tv. The couch impedes the flow from that door into the room and blocks the shelves. Paint the shelves and cabinet below a creamy white. Remove the scalloped edging and replace with something plain. Put really pretty curtains on the window; it's your centerpiece for the wall, after all! Finally, books, family pictures and knick knacks! You'll love it! (For Christmas, I'd put a little Christmas tree in front of the window!!)