A few 2/4s, a couple sheets of drywall and you aren’t designing around a builder ‘feature’. Do it now or always be hampered by it.

Of the ones you posted I like the 1st one and the others don't do anything for me, although what matters is what YOU like!

I also happen to like niches and find them a way to use some creativity.

What do you think of this?

I feel like the niche overpowers your cabinet (your cabinet would look best if wider than the niche), so I wouldn't do any accent paint color on that wall because it just highlights the discrepancy. Your last pic looks good, although I'd opt for something different than the wine holder in the middle.

You could also use a painting like you show and hang sconces on either side instead of the lamps. They would fill in some of the blank space left around the painting and perhaps make the niche size look deliberate.

You need a wider console under this niche. Would the curio cabinet be wider than this console? Might switch the two and see what you think. Your dining space looks very small so less furniture in there would work better. Can’t be sure without detailed measurements.

Thanks for comments so far, hindsight, I would have closed this but I am not totally opposed to the niche in entry area. Also not opposed to other creative ideas of what to place here. @Flo Mangan the black piece is what I originally wanted there but it is smaller in width. We are also thinking of adding some wall ’trim, board?’…..again, just looking for a vision on this. I wondered if adding bottom wall trim boxes would add some balance or throw the eye off the wider niche. Have been looking at it too long. My husband is very handy as well and ok with diy..I have to say I did like the sconces and the plants photo ideas to add some symmetry. You are all wonderful.

The art should nearly fill the niche to the edges. The other alternative would be to wallpaper the niche and then add a frame around the edges.

Here's an example of the wallpaper idea in a bedroom:

Chinoiserie Guest Bedroom · More Info

Depends a bit on what your budget is. I like the idea of mural wallpaper and framing it up, but a piece of artwork could also work very well. If you can find some thing that you really like…good art can run into dollars though. I am all for supporting artists!

Would the TV console work under niche. The dining? Area is very small. I would make it a reading room with a couple comfy chairs and a table in front of windows. Not enough room for table and chairs.

I spent a year in my new home trying to design something into the builder’s niche’s and failing to find something that fit the space without feeling off in some way. So ultimately we drywalled in the niches and have never looked back so much more freedom.

Hope you figure out your dilemma.

Entry niche, dining niche, TV niche. Niche-happy house designer. I kinda like the dining niche, lukewarm about the TV niche and would lose the entry niche, like yesterday.

You have nice inspro photos, so for it.

https://www.fineartcanvas.com/products/majesty-julie-devine

https://www.thirdandwall.com/from-the-studio-of-julie-devine/

I don't mind the turquoise cabinet being narrow; what bothers me is its height. It's a few inches too high. Is it possible to unscrew the feet and toss them in the back of the cabinet "for future use"?

@Iri yes we will be removing the legs….also going to update the top as we had some moving damage, discolored. It is just a unique, heavy, interesting piece to me, functional for glasses and stuff, and am trying to work it in somewhere. I am looking to keep caramel, black and soft white colors for majority of open area, and thought a pop of color at the entrance would be neat.

@BeverlyFLADeziner I love that art work with the black candlesticks, I just saw these somewhere too and thought about buying them.

I think just large art without painting the niche a color is best to hide the size differentials. Painting the niche emphasizes it. I like the second rendering Beverly did above.

I'd mirror them - preferably with antique mirror

I like one of the blue/green colors behind the painting. but I would look for a diff entry rug. w/the colors and the art, that current rug is too busy.

this type of rug may be a better choice

I love this one w/the texture. perfect colors

I also lik the gold metal accents instead of the black. you want something a bit lighter

On the flip side of this, there are other things that might work better. while I like the blue console, I don't think it's the perfect size for that spot.

You could try decorating like shown here to see if that niche size works.

this rug is much better.

bold color art w/a glass or acrylic console and X ottomans

you could go w/a long leather bench and a photo gallery in the niche.

here are some other consoles and designs

For me one of the problems is that the top of the cabinet is higher than the bottom of the niche. Ideally the top should be below the bottom of the niche so the niche looks complete. I wonder if you could take the bun feet off the chest.

@Beth H. : awesome ideas, and the rug can certainly be changed. I thought of painting the piece but that won’t change the size. Hmmm good pics to review and consider. Thank you.

Have you tried the rug in dining area for entry? It looks more neutral. Size looks oks about right.

@Flo Mangan I hadn’t because it is larger than the current one, thought it was too big? But a good contrast to the turquoise too.

Worth a try. Might be switching these two rugs will help with both spaces!

Wall paper it, add two sconces and a HUGE beveled mirror then put the 'tv console" with some cushions under so people have a place to check themselves as they leave and sit and remove shoes.....

Just playing with ideas for your entry room.

I think I would start on the dining/sitting area first. Then let that inform the front entry area.

If you follow @BeverlyFLADeziner's second inspiration photo, the one where the art is the same size as the credenza, it will work.

I pondered a different type of space but have seen a dining set fit nicely in similar sized homes in the neighborhood. I measured 6-7 foot table, and I have read about the guideline space around the table, which I know would be tough. I am still considering options though, I do love those black chairs @Flo Mangan.

It will be very tight, but up to you. Do you have those chairs?

The Bergere chairs are from Home Depot on line store.

Yes I have these they are in the kitchen nook at the moment.

Ok. So you still have options. Here is scale drawing of your room. Chair A and B will catch edge of rug when pushed back. Your rug size is limited by post and pop outs so can’t make rug much larger. Side chairs on curio cabinet side will have some room but very tight. Have you thought about a round table? How big across is your breakfast table?

Here is overlay of Approx 48” round table. 52” might work too and be a bit more accommodating in this space. The red dots show round table. A 52” round can sit six if chairs are compact style.

Couild the legs on the sideboard be removed so it's lower than the niche? It might look interesting to slide the sideboard over towards the door and then something tall on the one side (ie coat rack, silk tree, decorative branches etc)

@Flo Mangan I am not decided on having a rug in the dining area. And it is more like 9.5ft by 11.5ft per my husband, will remeasure that area and the round table. Thank you again for taking your time with the drawing, really appreciate you. @nelliebean yes feet can come off, hubby and I talked about doing that when we placed it there just haven’t gotten to it. We are about 4 months in the house now, still settling in.

Maybe you can also hang a round mirror like this

Once you have new measurements, I can revise scale drawings. I used what you previously posted so if it is bigger that would be great.

How about trying the low piece from the DR below the niche? It looks wider than the turquoise piece and might allow more room in the DR.

what if you put the larger, dark console over by the entry? (seems too large in front of the dining area) Lets see how that looks w/proper art and staging

Life…a lot has changed since I posted this. My family celebrated my niece’s sweet 16 a few months after I posted, and it was a great time as we planned it with my brother, (his daughter.) We lost my brother later the same year, he was 38 and it was unexpected. So perspective once again shakes you, and your focus changes. Birthdays, holidays, just all too much. — I then started a new job, which I love. I wear my favorite perfume more often, and I am ensuring that my family hears much more how much I love them. — On the house front, I am slowly making changes with a view that I am fortunate no matter what, and just want to take it day by day, and enjoy it all. Here are some pics, my husband redid the top of the turquoise sideboard, we placed some mirrors he made some years back. Still not sure if we will hang them. — We added a dining table that I thought went well with the black cabinet. Had family over for meals on it. — I am looking for something, floor pot and greenery, not sure. Still appreciate any feedback from this group as all the info is so appreciated, hope you all know that. Take care.

I am so sorry for your loss. Sending can relate a bit. I lost once of my sisters last December and it was unexpected too. Been challenging managing her affairs from 6 states away! I think your spaces look amazing. Love that black cabinet in the dining room. Rather than greenery that might need too much space, I think black bamboo in large black pot would repeat your black and help define the dining room. I will look for options. Bbl

@Flo Mangan sorry about your sister. And yes, when you are managing things, it can take a lot out of you too.…..and thank you for sending me some ideas. I love the pedestal and the black and green contrast. Take care.

My pleasure. Hope these ideas inspire you further. You have a good eye!