Is the second picture a current one? If so, part of the issue is that your people level decor is not fully finished. You have decent basics but there is little there to capture the eye so the big blank wall grabs all the attention.

Lamps, plants, tables, mantle decor or art, sofa pillows, rug, people level art, etc. will all help ground the space.

If you put something eye-catching high on the wall in an unfinished room the space will still look off.

Ditto what dee said. Getting accessories in there will make a huge difference.

As for the walls, I’d just have one narrow picture above the fireplace, or a layered look in front of it. For the wall on the left, a substantial piece of furniture (such as a good-sized console) with a couple of pictures above it, a lamp on it, accessories. Or a tall bookcase, but only if you have any need for shelves.

Just very general ideas:

I used this console, and this mirror, just for mock-up purposes only .... keep in mind the white squares of “art“ here make it look much busier than it’d be in real life with muted art colors, wood frames, etc. Maybe a better photoshopper can put real art ideas up instead of my ugly squares. :D

Sorry for the crude mockup, but I'd look at doing something like this ...

I personally like art niches and think they can add depth to a space and help "frame" artwork nicely. I'd add one large, chunky vase or pottery piece in the center of the mantle as well.

to bad a person couldn't find some cool wood pieces like drift wood it could be very organic

I have a somewhat similar niche above my fireplace so I'm excited to see opinions on this. (Mine isn't quite as tall, but mine is also oddly about 1.5 ft above the mantle.) I've considered a decorative metal piece but I kind of want to get rid of mine and just put art above the fireplace.

As for furniture, I would look to visually balance the bar niche on the right with a media console on the left. I see you have a cabinet there now and I think that works. But I really love the one that Jinx suggested.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

I've considered closing the niche above the fireplace, but that will leave only 6" on the mantle which isn't much space for decor. I agree that it would allow more options for art up above.

I do have a large chest to the left of the fireplace right now. The trouble with that is there is little space for traffic between it and the end of the sectional. If I shift it left, it looks off balance and is facing a direct walking path. And I don't really want to rotate the sectional against the windows although that would improve the narrow traffic problem.

All the above pics were taken after the wood floor was refinished, but before I put any accessories, decor, etc. back up. I wanted to show a "blank slate". (I am working on getting an area rug)

If I stick with everyone's suggestions, my next questions are:

How high up should I try to decorate the fireplace niche? And should I do anything behind the tv? I've had nothing there and it looks blank, and I've put up a very large piece of art and it looks too busy. It seems like there are too many focal points.

Here are some pics that show earlier attempts at decorating. The silver vase with floral is probably close to 48" high. Please ignore the floral behind the tv, that is not normally there.

Pic #1 was right before they moved the furniture out for the flooring, so all my extras were already in storage.

you could glam it up by a mirror collection on left side of fireplace a big tall flower arrangement or grasses paint out tv cabinet white put off white pillows and shaggy throws and a big light fixture