I agree that shelves over a couch are not a great idea - at the “correct” height are too low if people are actually sitting on the couch. If you put them high enough for people not to whack their heads, it won’t look right. If you move your couch out from the wall, that may work. A large piece of art would be a better choice.

DO NOT PUT THESE shelves or any shelf above a couch. Please.

You first need a rug in your space, you need to post more pictures, other angles of the entire space...and you will get help

Can I put artwork on the shelves? The picture ledges only come out from the wall about two inches. I just like the flexibility of the shelves so I can easily change things depending on the season (i.e. Christmas).

You can change art with a picture hanger and its nail. You asked......

Your room needs a rug. Find one you love in something other than GRAY. Pull a color from it..add some pillows.

Or find a large scale piece of art @ Great Big Canvas.com

and start from there.

Nobody wants to sit beneath the fragility of something landing on their head!!!

Google up some images of ROOMS you love, with no shelving. I doubt that is your only wall for photos.

If decorating stresses you out ... do you really want to be changing things out for the seasons?

I would do a gallery wall for family photos. Get standard size frames, so that you can easily replace some photos, in the same frames, if you want to update the photos down the road.

I wouldn't do shelves either. To me, they don't feel right over a sofa/chair.

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I have one ginormous pice of artwork oin my LR it was scary buying so big was it looks a great everypnelobrs

Shelves are not easy to arrange attractively. It is also difficult to make a bunch of smaller pieces look good as a gallery wall. Very few non pros can do it without it looking like a dog's breakfast - it's a lot harder than it looks to balance size, colour, texture etc.

It is much easier to buy one piece of wall art which is 2/3 the width of the sofa. 

For seasonal decor add winter-themed cushion covers and  afghans.

People are not going to stand in front of the sectional to view family photos. I would select a color piece of art and change the torchier to a floor lamp that lights the furnishings, not the ceiling.

Thank you everyone for your feedback! I really appreciate the examples/pictures especially the mock-up of my room with artwork, lighting and end table. It did help me to visualize it better with what you recommended.

When I first posted my message, I was feeling a bit excited that I finally had an idea of what to do for the wall decor. But now, even though, I’m grateful for your feedback which avoided having me do something that wouldn’t look good, I feel discouraged. I now have to pick out artwork. Do you know how daunting that feels? I’ll probably wait several years before I pick something! 😂

P.S. I probably won’t get an area rug because that won’t be a good idea when my 91 year old dad visits. He uses a walker and drags his feet when he walks. I don’t want to risk him falling down. Thanks again!

Here's my two cents even though I am not a pro! Just start looking at art prints, paintings (art.com, etsy, etc.), scroll through, and make note of what you like (save for future reference). You'll find you are drawn to a certain medium, certain style, etc.

Just another idea: i love the paper tapestries from anthropologie - they are big and inexpensive :)

"I feel discouraged. I now have to pick out artwork. Do you know how daunting that feels? I’ll probably wait several years before I pick something!"

Because you don't know when you look at something.... a painting, a print..if it PLEASES you?

When you take a drive and see a beautiful road side view, whatever it may be - Ocean, farm, mountains, a misty lake..... a cobble street in your travels? Nothing makes you smile? You don't have a color you love, beyond gray? Seriously? That is what art or wall decor is for. It's a nail in the wall, and much like the views? Not a lifetime commitment. Go pick something: ) Nice if it is generously sized.

If anything, use prints (try Ikea) vs photos, keep it simple and for holidays, just remove a few pictures and add some decorations.

Look for a better location to display photos and use double sided tape, in case you want to add to the vignette. If needed, see article below for help.

https://stylinbyaylin.com/create-gallery-wall/?epik=dj0yJnU9YTdaRGVFN3pRd1BxamhZQUptVnJYclJpUHJhRTFVa0omcD0wJm49VFJ3NEJRLWI0MERLNHd1aHRUNFJJUSZ0PUFBQUFBR1NPXzQ0

Finding art is easier if you first define the size and decide on your preferred colors (add cushions to complement).

If hard to decide, can’t go wrong with a simple/neutral choice in a black frame and just return if not quite right.

I really appreciate everyone who posted positive comments with pictures, links and suggestions. Thank you!