You could wallpaper it.

Or, put another large vase on the left. Use smaller vases else where. Or use on one side one on the other. Get nicer higher dried flowers or branches.

What strikes me is that it looks like a black hole. I would paint it the same as the wall color - or lighter.

I had a lot of fun stenciling a bedroom wall - that could liven up the space (and wouldn't require dusting).

The vases aren't popping against the gray background, so change one or the other. Since the TV is over white cabinets IMO the dark gray doesn't really make sense.

I have art on my tv wall.

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I would get the same color in a glossier than is there and paint stripes.

I agree it’s the vases. Id go for something that will pop more. And maybe add some shelving. But it really looks fine.

Inspiration below :)

Have you thought about hanging the tv on the wall? Right now, everything is on the bottom half of the wall ... which makes the area look unfinished. I'd get some interesting wallpaper, hang the tv, and leave the console empty.

Thanks everyone! I agree, it’s just too dark. ( was this way when we moved in, the wall the right is that darker color so I’m guessing that’s why it’s the dark paint.) I’m actually touching up paint in the lighter tan today so I might paint it and see how it looks lighter.

I was also brainstorming and wonder how doing the wall with wood grids would look. Maybe paint the whole thing white and add trim around the entire thing and make it look like a cohesive piece of furniture.

I guess I'm not clear why you would want to make a "feature" of a problematic part of the room? Maybe you could put a small lamp in there, which could be on in the evenings when entertaining (so TV off), and then something on the other side that you lke to look at -- the small vases with a small print, say, or some large books. I don't think you need more than that, as this is really a utilitarian space, not a glamorous one.

I would simply increase the size of the screen so that viewing is better.

I’d paint the same color as cabinets, hang tv, and center 3 simple decorative items under tv for a balanced and fresh, modern look.

I would either put a white shelf or 4 black and white prints in black frames above the tv. I would take the dried leaves out of the tall vase and place it behind the smaller vases.

The darker color helps the TV blend in. The TV just needs to be larger, or set it on a simple platform so it's higher in the space. Don't add a bunch of stuff or shelves which will just look cluttered.

A much larger TV

In my opinion, one can never have too much storage, so I would hang the TV on the wall and put shelves around it.

The issue that makes this space awkward is that the bottom-only cabinets create an alcove. The bottom cabinets are built-in, but with nothing to fill in the top half, the space is unfinished/incomplete, and loudly looks it.

Leaving the space as it is now, no matter what you do to *decorate* the wall and/or the top of base cabinets, without built-ins on the wall [effectively filling the space], there remains an awkward void.

Adding shelves or wall cabinets on either side of TV [as shown in ffpalms picture], would iliminate the void and validate the space.

Notice in the ffpalms picture, that the upper wall built-in shelves have a drop-down header, and there is trim defining the sides of the upper built-in that matches [is an extension of] the base cabinets. This is an important design element necessary to create a true *built-in* unit.

Without a true built-in extended up from the base, I don't think you can successfully *fix* the space. The TV should then be hung on the wall and "no" to a larger TV.

The choices you have would be doing built ins, adding shelving (not my preference) or getting a larger tv. Probably the most cost effective solution is a larger screen to fill the void you’re seeing.

I would suggest shelving on either side of the TV or larger vases, etc. You need to visually lengthen the sides to fill the space more properly. I'm not sure about the color. It may help to change that to a lighter one as well.

TV’s are supposed to have backlighting, called bias lighting in the industry. Check out digital trend or another tv source. On a tight budget, I think the lighter wall color advice would suffice.

The alcove really seems to want a large TV. TVs are so inexpensive now, maybe you could move the small TV to another room. By the time you try to “fix“ the situation it could be close to the same cost of a new tv (Something to consider). If you are keeping the TV in this spot, then perhaps mount the TV a few inches higher on the wall, and add shelves on either side. It looks like the dark paint is similar to your furniture, so I might leave it, the tv is less obvious aginst that darker color.

You could consider building shelving around it to display photos, books, kids artwork, collectibles, seasonal displays, whatever you like to personalize it. Shelving could be set back a few inches from the edge of the current cabinetry. If cost is a concern, one long shelf on brackets above the TV with two open sides for a taller element works, or you can hang smaller framed artwork/photos in there. Then paint it all the same color to unify it and make it appear to be a much more expensive built in.

Not sure what the material of the center two doors are on the base but they would look better if they were the same material and color as the rest of the cabinet. Paint the wall in the alcove the same white and hang the TV. Then you can decide if you want to add shelves etc. I think that TVs are better without anything around them.

Thanks everyone! I’m glad I’m not the only one that thinks it looks off. I was talking to my neighbor, who has the same house essentially, and this is just an open space in all the other houses. So the person we bought from had this built in. I’m wondering if there was a top part at some point, we’re the third owners.

Anyway, I painted it the wall color for now. My uncle, who is a retired carpenter, is coming over the week to see what he can do. I’m for sure having him make two new cabinet doors z for the middle. (I made those myself to hide toys as a temporary filler.) I also like the idea of shelving and mounting the tv. Hopefully he can come up with something that looks intentional.

I’ll update when we figure something out.

Here’s the lighter color for now, it actually helped a ton. Still looks weird, but better :)

Oh and that’s a 65 inch tv. That alcove is massive

Looks great matching the wall! I’d also paint the “ceiling” of the alcove the same color if I were you. Definitely seems to be on the right track.

My best solution for the space behind the TV was a tension rod with sheers scrunch up on it. It creates a gauzy back ground that softens the space while at the same time fills it with a subtle texture. Find a sheer close or slightly lighter than the wall color. You could still have the items on the shelf along side the TV, and keep the space open for larger TVs in the future without it appearing empty.

Acoustic wall panels. Made from wood. Here are two examples.

Leslie, big improvement painting niche same color as walls! You are on your way to a solution you will love!

Maybe consider building out the back wall some, so that the console area is not so deep. Lessen the "hole" feeling.

I'd do some back lighting which would bring out the color behind the tv. Maybe eliminate the large vase and balance it with smaller picture frames or cherished items. I'd also add a plant or two. I like to have stuff to look at when tv gets boring. I hang art above in that empty space.

Now that I know the TV is 65”, I take it back about getting a new TV. In the photo it looks like it's about 32”! Also in seeing the fireplace wall I take back about leaving the dark paint in the alcove, definitely a good call painting it. Have you considered painting the cabinet, maybe the wall color, or a deeper shade of the wall color? The fireplace wall is so pretty, I feel like the white cabinet is competing with it.

Looks much better already. I’d mount the TV on an arm on the wall, it’ll give you better viewing flexibility and will look more centered.

That is almost the perfect shape for a short throw laser projector to project movies and TV on that back wall. That would be amazing. Lose the TV!

My thinking is to move everything that you have up and off of the floor. Meaning' putting your cabinet on legs, mounting the TV to the wall. and incorporating some art peices to balance. My first choice, actually, would be to purchase a much longer cabinet more in ratio to the size of the TV, but I would still have it up on legs. And I would add lighting.

Dry bar with mirrored wall. Here's mine.

This is the pic I meant to attach