also.. I am planning on a new couch set. I have seen pics of a longer couch and two chairs. ideas? 9

I like red accents..or grey ..or white and black stripes.

So many Design Dilemmas about alcoves.

Don't buy a matching sofa and chairs.

Is that your wedding picture in the alcove?

You're off to a pretty good start. havingfun is right you need to add some color and I suggest more texture. Perhaps you can introduce an area rug. The lamp on the end table is too small, it's lost in the corner. And add fabric to the windows. This will make the room come alive.

I know I hate the cove. yes that's our wedding picture in it. any suggestions how I should arrange ? I wish I could find some large pillar candle holders
what would you suggest for area rug and window coverings?
was thinking 2 patterned chairs with a white black or grey couch.
thoughts

If you are planning to introduce more white, black or gray in the room I suggest choosing a colorful fabric that would compliment the 2 new patterned chairs you plan on buying (large floral or geometric print that compliments.)

The same goes for the area rug - find a pattern that matches and one that has more color.

Add throw pillows too, this will help add warmth to the room.

Centre and hang a slightly larger picture and add taller/slender pieces on both sides to fill in the niche. This is not the best photo, I could find on the internet, but it gives you an example of hanging the photo and adding items on both sides. The idea is to symmetrically fill the space.

3-seater sofa (or a reversible chaise sofa) and two chairs. Why not get a huge piece of art that will entirely cover the niche? Did you wire it for TV?

couldn't see that picture example of how to put the pictures in the cove.
would you recommend a leather sofa and fabric accent chairs?

Ooops is wasn't a Houzz photo so didn't attach. I'll try again by inserting a different photo and by adding link and if this doesn't work we can take this off-line. Image of niche

Of course you could purchase the leather sofa and fabric chairs.

love that. thank you!!

No problem that's what we're here for :-) Send photo when you've created your master piece.

My advice about the wedding picture is to move it to the bedroom. I'm sure it's extremely lovely but not for your main room.

You could also start a hall gallery that you could add to throughout the years.

At least the niche is square without an arched top.

This is a Houzz picture of a framed scarf. Something similar might be perfect for for that spot.

There are many framed prints that are square.

good advice. thanks.
do you guys thinking that grey would go good on the walls with the floor ?

This is what we did in one of our designs for a client. Notice the different color paint and light?

The wall color needs to wait until you have your new furniture.

I definitely agree about the shelving in the niche. But I would do it in a little more geometric. It seems that you lean more towards the modern and I would play off that in the shelving.

maybe something like this. it's such a large space. And I would do thicker shelves too.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned a a rug for your room. That would give it some warmth and an opportunity to add color or texture.

so decided putting new flooring in. grey tones...and paint. will defiantly look into a rug
took a suggestion and hung curtains today

I thought about a rug when I first looked at the image, forgot to mention.

Can we see the rug with the new curtains, please?

I wouldn't hang a single square piece in the niche. It would be very static. I'd create a vignette with some interesting pieces. What you have now isn't bad, but I agree the wedding picture belongs elsewhere.

Align your framed art over the sofa and move them closer together. Here is a piece of framed art that's mostly black and white with a tiny bit of color and a rug to go with. Don't be afraid to overlap your pieces.