My husband and I just bought our first house, and I need ideas for what to put in place of this desk that is oddly right in the entryway. The previous owner was a woodworker and made the desk and built-in cabinets to use as his home office. My husband, who appreciates the “craft” and functionality of the desk, wants to keep it because he doesn’t know what we would put in its place. However, he lacks… how do politely you say… taste, for things like this.

My thoughts are that we should remove the desk, keep the bookshelves and paint them (maybe a dark/moody/near black), but I’m not sure what else to add in that space to make it complete. In order to convince my husband to take it out, I need to give him an idea of what it could look like redone! I'd appreciate any ideas or photos that anyone has for this space!

I'm adding a second picture of the living room, which is to the left when you walk in. It definitely needs a redesign as well, but that may be another post.