What do you mean "just doesn't work for us"? I think the etageres get lost in the alcoves. Maybe some more colorful items would help .

Thank you. Sorry for the confusion. I mean style-wise it is so blah and I just don't know how to liven it up. I was considering removing the mantle painting either the whole wall or just the section with fireplace, but am unsure.

The liveliest part of your existing decor is flowers and nature/garden colors. Would you like that for the whole room? I don't think it would be hard to acheive, punch it up..

The alcoves are very deep and finding a way to make that side of the room work, bring everything closer to the center of the room, including the sofa, would pull it together, but if one is going to do that, it's best to have a style idea in mind, like "garden" or "sophisticated quiet" or "super comfortable and homey" or "light-filled and airy, organic" -- whatever you enjoy. Right now it's so neutral you can go anywhere -- coastal, garden, or warm and cosy, or switch it up with plenty of color.

So nice to see a room without at TV in it!

I think your fireplace wall is so chunky, where as the etagers are really delicate so it feels out of whack. I would remove the mantle. Get a rectangular brass framed mirror hang horizontally above the fireplace, or perhaps a round one if it has a sympathetic feel to the etagers. If you feel like investing in a new fireplace surround that is not black, it could also help. I'm curious what it would look like to paint or wallpaper just the back walls behind where the etagers are.

The etageres are what is off in the room. They are pretty, but too delicate. You probably want to get rid of the floating mantel because it is so tall and looks chunky (as someone else referred to it) compared to the delicate etageres. What about a mantel that is less tall (the etageres would match better)? Or what about moving the mantel closer to the fireplace?

Remove the mantle, for starters, add built-ins on the bottom, floating shelves on top, then reconsider the mantle, where it should go etc.

Just a thought....sell the etageres and the cocktail table, or paint them black so the fireplace has something to relate to.

Find a heavier, bigger looking round mirror.

Have 1/3 books on the shelves, 1/3 big stuff, and 1/3 space.....but have similar things and placement on the shelves in a mirror image effect.

Matching fat lamps on the top shelf will brighten up the space.

Also some chunky poofs and baskets can fill in the floor area around the fireplace.

Consider a round cocktail table that is interesting and funky,

Invest in a sisal look broad loom carpet cut and bound to fit the floor with flooring showing all around.

A lounge chair in the corner opposite the corner of the sofa with a small side table and floor lamp can add interest and additional seating. Just 2 cents to think about.

I would just paint the mantle the same color to have it blend in. Start there first

IMO those shelves are too light looking for the FP so maybe just some thicker floating shelves on eithe rside to balance out the FP or remove the shelving add a lower cabinet on each side and add some art above the cabinets Then the mantel would make sense. You need to decide what on thos eshelves you have are a must . That will tell you how to handle the new shelving. IMO most of the time all the knick knacks on shelving is just eye clutter.

While the etageres are very delicate looking, a simple solution might be to paint the back wall of the alcoves a color such as a deep green or charcoal gray, or whatever color in a deep tone you'd like. Painting the alcoves would allow the decorative items to have more presence; but all or most display items should be substantial in size. Painting would be the least expensive proposition.

As to the mantel, the current one is too clunky.

It might be a good idea to look into removing the mantle and also the etageres seem to blend into the background. It might be a good idea to look into adding them into another area or look into putting a backing on them with a different color than the wall color. Here are two images from our designs to show you what your room might look like without the mantle and with different colored background on the etageres.

Sleek & Modern: Living Room · More Info

Contemporary Renovation: Family Room · More Info

You've identified the wrong problem. To repeat what everyone's telling you: the etageres don't work at all. Here's how your fireplace could look plain though recommend that new mantel should match floor finish.

Transitional Cottage · More Info

Notice how wood coffee table echoes the mantel. However, since you have light floors, match the stain to the floors and any new coffee table you get.

Magnolia · More Info

Here's how it could look with substantial shelves on either side. Also here, the mantel and shelves are same finish as the light floors. Consider changing the mantel to echo floors.

Modern Farmhouse | 2019 Dry Creek Parade · More Info