Drywall over the cluttered bookcase; instantly symmetrical and you don't have to fool with keeping the bookcase looking good.

The only two ways to have symmetry is lose the existing bookcase or build another to match.

Try moving the picket fence from in front of the fireplace to the left side, and get a larger picture above with a white frame. That will add some similar white color and weight to that side of the fireplace.

You could also try moving that chair and putting the tv in the corner with a cabinet below it...

Or try painting the book case the same color as the wall so it can blend a little more.

Good luck!

I would paint the mantle white and put a large, tall, real plant behind the chair to give that corner some height. You don’t need symmetry per se, just balance.

I like lkloes idea of painting the mantle white. I would also remove the picket fence and put a real fire screen there if it’s a working fireplace. I also like Jennifer Hogan’s ideas.

Creative ideas above but you aren't going to achieve symmetry with one built in. Either cover it or build a matching bookcase.

Looks awesome

You can deal with a symmetry problem with balance. So paint out the bookcase with the same wall colour. Add height to the opposite side with either something tall in the floor or something long on the wall. Remove the fireplace cover as it is distracting. OR drywall over the bookcase. It looks like it was installed as an afterthought. The three inch gap around it doesn’t look good. It should be flush and then trimmed out.
Drywall!

I agree with comments about painting the mantle white and getting rid of the picket fence thing. Adding a tall plant, vertical art or both are also awesome ideas. Declutter the bookshelves as well and you should be in pretty good shape.

Assymetry is fine. The fireplace wood is nice and I'd leave the natural wood. However, I would (as others suggest) declutter. Remove footstool, golf clubs, white picket fence and many of the other doodads. Put more even and regular items in bookcase so it doesn't appear so busy.

Balance is the key here. You can do a lot by simply re-arranging the items on that end of the room. First, the picket fence in front of the fireplace should be elsewhere. Does it have a function - ? Instead, style the fireplace with a screen and a fireplace set so it looks functional. Change the bookshelves so they are equal distances apart and the same on each side. This should be easy, as you have bracket tracks inside. Pare down the collection of items - when you adjust the shelving, try to put back only half of the items. You actually have very few books - but 14 small framed items, and 2 baskets of stuff. Select a larger artwork for the left side - something with some color. A live plant will need more light than you have in that corner. Last but not least, a larger rug filling the space between the fireplace and the sofa will pull everything together.

If do what Jennifer hogan says but in addition I’d paint the bookshelf the same gray as the wall. It would help balance it even more

*I’d do

You need a collage of different sized pictures on the left. Then I would either choose a darker paint color (darker than the stool, lighter than the chair) and paint the backs inside the bookcase shelves which will draw your eye to it. You could also use a fun print peel and stick wallpaper for the same effect.

Or put a big ficus tree or a decorative screen about the same size as the bookcase to the left of the fireplace.

How about putting doors on the bookcase and adding faux doors on the other side?

Here's a doctored photo showing some of the suggestions - paint out and declutter bookshelf (or remove entirely), remove picket fence screen, add height to left of fireplace, etc. I also added another chair to the right for more balance.

This is incredible thank you!!!

Can I ask what program you use for this? 😃

I used Minutes Matter Studio software.

De-clutter and change the fireplace screen as suggested.

The above picture illustrates some of the ideas suggested above as well as showing more subtantial mantle decor and 2 ottomans in front of fireplace.

I agree with some of the other comments; declutter the shelves and paint them the same color as the walls and add a tall plant behind the chair. The plant should be a tree with a trunk and fuller at the top. Remove the picket fence in front of the fireplace.

Asymmetry can be a good thing! What might be bothering you is the lack of balance, with a lot of stuff on one side and not much on the other. Decluttering the shelves to reduce their visual “weight” and adding something to the other side may produce the visual balance you are looking for.

Drywall over the bookcase.

Love the lisedv suggestions and picture. Putting something tall and white on the wall to the left of the fireplace balances the space beautifully.

I hope you send an “after” photo when you are finished!

Thank you all for these great suggestions!!!

Nice ideas - ! I like the idea of a floor lamp, but put it on the left behind the chair - this will make this chair attractive for reading, and this is an easy first step. Also, painting out the fireplace trim.

Is there no other place for the TV? Remove the name sign and the black-framed item. I would balance the bookcase with a medium-large piece of art with a white frame. Remove the fireplace gate and replace it with a regular fireplace screen.

I have the impression you need the bookcase for storage. Put doors on the bookcase and paint them the same color as the wall. The bookcase now blends in and you can shove as much stuff in them as you want. Symmetrical and still functional. A good designer will never try to make you change the style you like.

Thank you Merlyn and Lisedv for illustrating our ideas.

It appears that the bookcase used to be a closet. Add back the closet doors painted the same color as the walls and place an appropriate artwork on the door. That way you don't lose storage and it's probably a standard size door.

If you want to keep your bookcase, please do! The are several other ways to achieve the balanced look for your room through not only color but also weight and height. I would either use a large white wooden art piece or a white picture collage on the left side; making sure to match the height of bookcase. I love the idea of adding a floor lamp left of the black chair to make that side more dynamic. Then I would style the bookcase with your goal being to make it prettier by reducing weight and only using a few colors with light neutrals. The weightier and darker items should go on the lower shelves (to balance with the black chair). But do leave some open space on your shelves. You may also place a weighty plant in a black container in the right corner in front of your bookcase. Next remove everything off the mantle for now. The small black items on the left side of the mantle make that area visually too dark. Lastly, now that you’ve got your balanced base, you can decide if you want to add strategic pops of accent color, metal or plants …. or you may find that you like the “less is more” look!

You can't achieve perfect symmetry, but you could add balance. by adding artwork to the left and reducing the amount of stuff displayed on the shelves. -- I agree with this statement, keep the artwork collection border the same as the opposing bookshelves, or break the boarder with a tall plant, Or put huge mirror same size as bookshelf leaning up there. Not sure how this would look in real-life but you can get a custom wall mural printed wallpaper for less than $1 - 200 (depends on size) - arrange the bookshelf differently, take a pic, send it in with size specs. Paste it up with real bookshelf now arranged differently, so they don't match. If these don't work at least you tried the less invasive and least costly first.

It looks like without building another shelf it will be asymmetrical. However, there are plenty of ways to make it look a little better. Perhaps try a plant where the current chair is, or try a large piece of artwork behind the chair.

I'd paint the fireplace surround a charcoal and the shelves entirely the same color. I would also very lightly white or pale gray wash the brick, wiping more off than keeping so the brick colors are just slightly muted. You could build a wood frame or tile, wall paper etc...the width of the mantle up to the ceiling. It would look more finished. I like the tree someone added with the fine branches and you could add some tiny lights would be nice to see in the dark on the tree. I loved the chair on both sides as someone showed too.
Alternately,
You could even paint the whole back wall a bit darker gray instead, then the fireplace surround and the shelves and a thick frame around the TV , painted the same as the fireplace mantle and shelves. The inset would look nice a 50% delusion of the frame , fireplace, shelves or a removable wallpaper could also be in the inset.