A plant or two, one on each side would soften the look and introduce a new colour.

a white owl would be fun

If you want to reduce the "techy" feeling, you could paint the shelving white which would pull the white out of the rug, and then add some white accessories - love the plant and owl idea. You could also move the tall speakers to the far left and right corners to eliminate some of the vetical lines.

More picture frames with pics of you and friends, cation pics, etc.

some ideas on how to fill the stand alone shelves

Vases, pots, books, baskets. A small painting or two. I'd look for art or a vase or two or three that pull colors from the rug over to that side of the room.

Shelves spaces too far away from tv/middle low media piece. Too much negative space. Tv a bit high too.nplace rug closer to shelving. What funiture are you using?

After getting media pieces in the right place, then add large interesting accessories. Assortment of stacked oversized books. Contrasting pots, framed or canvas art. Family pictures in chunky frames. Stacked, black boxes....choices are endless. Just not small scale items.

I agree with spez. There's way too much going on there for a contemporary look, I would lose the shelves altogether. And find a way to corral the cords!

Replace shelves and TV stand with a long low credenza and big art. How about an arc lamp?

Deco - perfect!....Bobbi

One just keep one set on the left of the TV. Then get a credenza for the electronics that extends past the TV on the right. Then place a large art print or artwork above the credenza on the right. Keep the items on the stand to a minimum one or two items to a shelf.

I'm not a fan of this type of arrangement. I think you'd have a cleaner, sleeker looking room if you had a cabinet with doors to put your TV and components in. You'll have a cluttered look with the two shelving units and all the TV stuff. If you can't return any of the shelves or TV stand then bring the shelves as close as possible to the middle. Put only large objects on the shelves. Several large baskets can hide small items. Books and bowls but nothing small.

Don't feel you have to "decorate" each shelf with lots of things. Shelves invite a busy look.

Can you purchase a taller stand to accommodate all the wiring and give the space a a sense of unity ? Everything seems to be too far apart . I love the colours that you have going on the rug and wall ,add black it will give the space a modern feel

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Nike shoes with neon color

I would suggest that you replace the shelves. Maybe use for storage in another part of the house. If you are bent on using them, a possible solution (and extremely cheap) would be to back the shelves with art board white/ or painted colors from the rug. This would get rid of the patchy inexpensive look. Then--proceed with large accessories on the shelves. At least a new idea.

ooops- forgot to say that shelves should also move next to the tv stand on both sides.

like the sleek above idea, very modern but it depends on the feeling or style you would like to achieve...I would suggest bookcases like one of the first pictures but with glass shelving and on castors, so if you do not like it in one location you can move them to another location without damaging the flooring....

Nancy Drew, you have a multitude of answers here, do you have any comment?

Cluttered and messy is always what these open concept shelves look like...and the unsightly cords will always be a problem. I agree with the suggestions to get a closed cabinet unit that would be so much more modern, sleek and sophisticated looking!

yes. Sorry im getting familiar with this forum. great ideas. a home interior decorater suggested those shelves,because i had told her I didn't want family picture's alllover the wall.

Those shelving units are very functional and not really the type I'd choose to decorate in any way. I'd just store whatever I want to there in the simplest, neatest way possible, and be done. If you need shelves and objects that enhance your space decoratively, you need new shelves IMO.

I like the picture with the cabinet running the length of the wall with tv resting on top. Not only does it reduce the cluttered look but it also lends a more spacious feel to the room.

I think you can start with what you've got; not all of us have the money to go out and buy new furniture. Moving the shelves in closer and putting the speakers out definitely helps. Don't add another big picture; one focal point on the wall is enough, anymore is visually confusing. Does the treadmill have to stay there? Curtain panels on either side of the window would help that wall; use colors in the rug. Don't put all the pictures on the same shelf; put them in with other items, making sure that you have larger items in with smaller items. Books on some shelves are always a good bet. Go to your local decorating store and find one or two items to place on the shelves, again bringing out some of the colors in the rug. Good luck!

Bad advice from your "decorator". Do you have a hallway leading to your bedrooms? Put your family pictures in a gallery going down a hall. They'll be at eye level and you can easily add to your collection. Nice way to showcase what would otherwise be cluttered looking.

You've got a nice house but without a direction you're spending money on stuff that doesn't give you the look you want. Save toward a wall unit that will pull your room together and not make it junky looking.

my tv is mounted on the wall

I quickly scanned the comments but didn't see if anyone mentioned maybe 'joining' the two shelving units. If not in that room perhaps in another when you need the impact of something that takes care of one complete wall. You did purchase the shelving so they must be somewhat to your taste and you could still make good use of them. P.S. Are you losing bar sitting space by having the couch so close? Can you switch the couch and chair so the bar area and couch together do not 'heavy up' that area? Then it might allow for a stool or two.
I'm kinda in love with your rug.

THE treadmill will put it in another room. what do I put in place of it.

sharon. where is a good idea to put my sofa

Under your window is a lovely place to put a rustic, closed bench that has storage in it. Add a cushion to the entire top of it and a couple of cozy decorative pillows (I agree...no more swirls!) and it will be great seating for a couple more people, a nice place to relax with a book or just look out of the window, and can store unsightly things out of the way....

You could also use a coffee table....maybe glass topped so that the rug shows. You already have very "heavy" colors and furniture, you need lighter things now.

Nancy, I see now that my earlier photoshop is way too modern for the rest of the house. I would suggest looking for an extra long console, or even two placed end to end along that whole wall, that complements the furniture you already have.

If you really want shelves for display, check out Ikea's entertainment systems. The Billy/Benno in birch is light like your kitchen cabinets and might do the trick. Affordable too at $528. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S89927110/

groveraxle. my tv is mounted on the wall

Pull your rug under the legs of your sofa and move your sofa away from the counter, closer to the TV.

Too many scrolly lamps, candleholder and wall art.

Even this white wall unit from Ikea would lend itself to a less busy look and it comes in a dark color and it's cheap.

Leelee. where do I put the recliner at

Nancy, you can keep your TV on the wall even if you get a media center like those above. Or you can unmount it and set it on the console.

When you pull your sofa forward to sit on the rug, pull the recliner forward too. You could even try moving it to the other side. Sometimes you just have to move stuff around to see which way you like it and which way flows the best.

Ladders need to go. You have a contemporary room. Keep that look in decor or furn you buy. Are you open to new furn? If so a sectional would work better in this room. 3 seat with a chaise n each end.Rust color leather. Move yr great area rug towards TV. Place sec with front legs on rug. Add 2 bar stools. Use yr space. You need 24" to walk behind furn. Remove small table and lamp. Do you have recessed lites? Remove all things on top of cabinets in kitchen, and off refrig. Looks cluttered. Paint all rooms incl. kitchen, the color on your arches. No accent walls.They look like a dark latte?? Next get new entertainment center. The white one in pic above from Ikea is a good start. Put family pic in yr bedroom. Shelves should stay uncluttered. With color pots and decor try TJMax some good things. Where do you live? If near beach may use sea items for decor. I would stain cabinets a dark expresso. They do not go with rm. look rustic. Use brush nickel long pulls. Lowes has good price. Put window covers on windows. That will help fill in yr space. A print of turquoise, chevon print. Would brighten up room. In hall stack pic there instead of angle.once you get thread mill out of rm and get rid of media, things will start to take shape. Use large potted palms to fill floor space in corners.

Remount TV to rest on entertainment center. I don't like to see wires.

I just want to let you all know. I am so grateful to all of you taking your time in helping me with all kinds of idea's

You're so welcome! Thanks for letting us into your home to give you some hints to try out. It always seems to be so much easier to fix someone else 'flaws' than our own. HaHa...I'll soon be looking to everyone for some help with fixing mine!

travisinteriors. are you meaning to remove my flower arrangements from way on top of the cabinets and leave it alone

Your recliner would stay where it is possibly angled a little more. Then your chair & sofa form more of a conversation group. It would be better to move the TM to a new location. Does anyone use it?

Take a look at Signature art gallery and Svetlana-filippova.co.uk , websites for art work that would look amazing above your television. A large horizontal peice, either single or a group of three, over the television area and a horizontal furniture peice below your television, with decorative shelving on either side of television would pull it all together. West Elm has some different shelving options to help you display colorful glass pieces or any unique items you would like to display.

I'm still getting used to this sight but will try to add photos

How about adding a textured wall behind TV/shelving unit. Would look awesome with stained wood panels in three colors. Make a pattern with the colored wood.If feasible, adding a small electric fireplace could be awesome. They are not a costly as one would believe. Make Use oak wood if you decide on panels. It shows the grain better. If this is to much, try a textured wallpaper. There are so many styles, and patterns. Maybe pulling the two shelving units closer in on each side of TV would help. Also, painting the shelves according to color theme. Always chose colors that you know will make you feel happy, and relaxed. Create a box, or boxes to hide cable cords. After doing this project I believe the shelves will be much easier to furnish. Best of luck to you!

Nothing on top of cabinets. Leave bare. Remove all clutter.

i like the idea of softening the look with potted plants and adding more frames. Good luck!