I would probably just leave it. Trying to move it or change it will either ruin it or take up too much money.

If you want to update it a bit without the hassle of painting or restaining there are a few things you can do. The easiest is to change out the cabinet hardware.

The other thing I would recommend is to put something on the back of the bookshelves, like a color. Contact paper or removal wallpaper is great (paint too but that's more permanent and more work). It will help break up all the wood and make it feel lighter.

i like having the backs be a different color. make them different enough from the wall color, tho, so it doesnt seem that your bookcases dont have backs at all, that would be a step in the wrong direction. a pattern is good.

i like this low-contrast trellis design. do behind the tv, as well.

Taylors · More Info

you might consider wall mounting your tv, i think this looks nicer than your art... (sorry)

editing, i dont dislike your art, i dislike art over the tv.

to bring some symmetry in, you might make the far right 2 bookcases as 'storage' and fill them full, the case to either side of the tv for 'display'.

Bullt-ins that aren’t built-ins…so guess you may be able to take off the top shelving?

I would do that, for sure. Center the t v on the wall, and then see how it falls for wall decor.

You could leave stained, if you like that look, or paint the console.

Palm Desert Contemporary Residence · More Info

Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design - I would like to paint the back something to contrast a bit. A friend of mine recommended a lighter color or maybe white since all the decorations have a darker tone to them. Really like the idea of something that's not permanent.

ninigret Definitely would like to mount one day. Just waiting to see what we want to do. And I do agree with you about the poster. I will probably remove once we have it all more formalized. Just saw a space and wanted to give it a try. :) I also like the idea of a pattern on the back! That could be fun!

JudyG Designs - I haven't thought about removing the shelves completely - that's a thought. I guess I considered a whole wall piece a built-in, even if it's not technical built-in to the wall. Good point.

Loving all these ideas!

It would look better if the upper trim was the same size all the way across. And if you removed some of the shelves and made them line up. You probably only need three. Also if you paint the entire wall behind the TV black and wall mount the TV, it will blend in and almost disappear.