CAUTION - you will not be able to match the existing tile. Every "lot" of tile is different in shade. Budget for a complete tile redo.

I actually have a few boxes of the tile in the garage that I found.

Lucky you! That's great news.

That built-in does take up a lot of room. You could reclaim that entire corner for your room without it. I think Carolyn nailed it. Even if you don't go with Ikea, there are other solutions for your media wall once you open up the space. Search here on houzz for 'media wall' and you will see all kinds of options.

Agree with shiflipper.... the wood would need to be patched/replaced.

Are the shelves adjustable so you can remove some of them giving the openings different sizes and not as many shelves. You could stage them with some nice objects of decor and remove a lot of clutter.

Paint the back wall a deeper color if you can eliminate some shelves. Removing some shelves will make it look larger. Painting the back a deep color such as Iron Mountain by BM would make your objects you place for decor more the focal point against the darker back drop. I'd keep it a little more simple the the staging below, but it's a good inspiration photo.

A link below for dressing a bookcase

http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/how-to/a7960/bookcase-decoration-ideas/

you'll be so happy to send the elephant in the room packing!

Yes the shelves can be removed. That's a great idea! I plan of donating 85% of what's on those shelves bc since we moved in, it's been the catch all just collecting area lol.

I'm still wanting to just remove it and make the entire space feel cleaner.. especially since the new sectional is bigger but lower profile than this one.
The wood inlay I absolutely hate, so any excuse to remove it is fine by me

The walls are painted light pewter by BM. Do you think he iron mountain would complement that color if I choose to keep the bookcase... I may make the small investment in the time being until I can convince my husband to rip it out.

iron mountain my BM on left

Your wall color here

Colors work well.... take the shelves out and move them around making larger spaces that are not perfectly uniform and remove all the things from them and put them in a box if you can and post. Iron Mountain is a very warm darkest gray...and I mean darkest... I have a lot of it in my home.

I actually think if this is done right it could look very nice....

What is the gray color of your new sectional?

This is the fabric.. but he picture makes it look a slightly more blue/silver than it actually it.

So it is a bit of a cooler darker gray than a gray that can lean blue? Appears so in the photo so Iron Mountain would be fine with that if you go that route by reducing shelves and making it a place to stage with nice accent pieces and painting the back wall so they are focal. Wait until the couch is in the room. In the mean time, work on reducing the number of shelves and emptying out the shelving so it can be seen and posted. If you have to live with it for a while which I don't think is a bad thing... then I think it's a great option as long as it's not reduced to a lot of clutter :)

This pic shows the fabric closer to what it looks like in person. The dark blue and print are the pillows that are included but I'm most likely changing the pillow cases out immediately. Not in love with the fabrics for the pillow choices .. but it was the best of the options I had to choose from.

I plan on removing shelves today. Thank you. I wanna rip it out now but it will be a big project so that will def make it look better in the time being. I'm thinking of taking two shelfs off per section. And adjusting them so they are even.. I feel like it looks sooo cluttered.

They gray leans more taupe/ green than blue, I think

Can you move the new sectional around so that its back isn't to the fireplace?

We can but the wall that the book shelf is on is shorter than the length of the sectional, unless we pull the sectional away from the wall.

I love the built in!

I like the built in and think it could look really nice after it is uncluttered and styled! :)

This is where I am at, so far.. been working on it all afternoon.

Now I need to figure out to figure out what to do with the center part where the tv is..

I would take out some of the shelves as you suggested & trim down the accessories. Do not make a decision on removing the piece until after you live with the new sectional in the room for at least a couple of months. ( Big job).

I would also try paint before making a final decision also. Use colors for items in the piece the same as your accent colors chosen for the room: such as china blue, coral, yellow as well as plain white. To minimize the look of the piece paint it the same color as the walls.

You will find that with changing the shelves around & editing the accessories you may want to keep it after all. Add some books, stacked, lined up & some with book ends for a fresher look as well. Have fun with the arranging. Take several days so your eye will adjust to the changes.

That looks better Shirin. Make the space at the top of the TV section smaller more in fitting with the rest of piece. You could add some large baskets here & there.

Remove the built in. The style does with crown molding and paneled doors does not fit with the design of the house.

Here is my first edit of the shelf. Still on the fence about the mirrors and pretty certain I'll move the top shelf up to make the section smaller.

Remove it and turn your sectional facing the fireplace if possible. Will your new one be shaped the same way as this one? Or reversed?

Tammy, it will be L shaped with no chaise. But those sides will be the same length.

I do think that built in has a very dated, 80's feel about it, so if removing it is feasible, I say go for it!

Can you take a picture standing at the built in looking towards the sectional?

Tammy, the new sectional is Lower profile and with no chaise and is longer on the side that the end table is on

If you take the built in out you could change the arrangement to open up the room a little more. Just a thought...it is too far away from the fireplace to try to incorporate that into the sofa sitting area. It would be nice to have a few comfy chairs with a table in between them in front of it though.

Love you sofa fabrics and pillows too!! Your new one

Thank you!!

I thought about mounting the tv over the fire place but then it would be 30+ distance from the sectional. But we will see. Still a possibility

Shelving looks a lot better.... Some of the shelves are staged nicely some too much on them... however, I know it's a task to get it right. Live with it for now then remove some pieces, move them around, etc. I'm sure you'll be sitting on the couch and look and have new thoughts and work at it when you see inspiration.

Top right shelf looks great, like that you stacked the mirrors, top left shelf with the blue bowl nice......... the little green guy?

If you are going to keep it there for a while.... it will take a while to get it right. I know you want to remove it one day and agree. However, you can make it look nice with the new furniture coming for the time being!

Thank you Porter for all your help!!!