forget the shelves. decorate it just like these (Your art is way too small)

you need something bigger like this art, and a few accessories on either side. (not a bunch of small items. you need height, texture, maybe a lamp. it's a big piece. don't clutter it w/small knick knacks)

I really like this one too. you see how everything is balanced? if you're going to lean art, it has to be big enough.

this one is nice too

maybe the art the focal piece.

if you musst do shelves, do it something like this, (but match the wood stain to the credenza stain color. you want ebony shelving)

i don't really care for the shelf idea unless you're doing a mini bar or something

What do you intend to put on all of those shelves? It sounds like a lot of dusting required. Beth's second to the last idea with two half shelves on one side and a piece of art on the other looks nice.

Ok now you’ve all got me thinking…of course it’s too late to return them. It’s such a huge wall I thought it would need a lot to convert it. I was planning on putting photos on the shelves. The wedding pic leaning on it now was my inspiration for shelves. That’s 28” high. No? Originally I wanted a mirror but it’s opposite my TV wall so people thought no.

It's not a good look to line up short shelves to try to make it look like it's one large shelf. I prefer an arrangement like Beth H. showed, but since you bought shelves already you could use them in a more minimal, restrained way than what you were thinking of doing originally. If you have too many, maybe you have somewhere else to use the rest of them.

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I’m no pro. But I agree with no shelves and some larger art. The right lamp or two, perhaps. I know many people frown on displays of personal photos in places other than bedrooms. I generally disagree with that. However, I think that wedding photo would get lost there and lose its impact. How big is this room? Is it a main TV viewing area? Personally, I like my photos in a location that invites you to look closely and enjoy them. Not sure if this room fills the bill.

The room is very large. I guess that’s why I thought several long shelves so I could put the larger wedding pic on it as well as others.

Could you skip the shelves and just do a gallery wall? we did this in the dining room (i say phewie to no photos in public spaces, I don’t want to live in a hotel)

I could definitely skip the shelves.

I think you could use some art in the room. You obviously like to display photos and that's okay, it's your home. But they are on the ladder in the corner, over/on the fireplace, on the wall etc. If you add more with shelves, that seems like a lot. Art at least over the fireplace or console so it's not just photos.

In terms of art, how big would I go??

It looks like poltergeist came and rearranged your chairs. What is going on there?

Some inspro

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Picture ledge shelves.

What's with the Dijon mustard walls and carpet? Also, an art selection for over the fireplace could be a relief from all the family member photos.

Amy, I showed you how big.

if you want to do a photo gallery wall of family photos, I can show you examples for another wall.

It's a nice console. don't muck it up w/little trinkets and small framed photos.

(and what is up w/those chairs?)

Get a LARGE piece of art. how big?

This big:

honestly? I would copy everything shown in this photo. it's perfect for your wall color and your room.

Or you can go horizontal with art, if you like. as long as it's in proportion to the console, you're fine.

Just copy either of these everything. the little lamp, framed prints, the vase w/the tall stems/leaves (you need height to balance out the length of this thing.

get some painters tape and tape out diff sizes above it. art should be hung not more than 4-8" above that console.

BTW, Your fan is much too small for the size of that room . min blade length is 60" for that room, no more than 8' from the floor. (otherwise, why have a fan if it's not cooling properly?)

If you don't use the fan and would rather have a nice light, that's doable too.

proper sized fan, move the console to the left a bit and put a tall plant in the corner by the window,

I gave you properly framed/sized pictures if you like that look, rather than art.

The key to frames like this is to make them all uniform w/similar colors/subjects

(those chairs though, that has to be figured out! maybe two of the chairs positioned on either end of the console, but forward, w/a little table in the middle?

Beth H thanks for your pix and suggestions! Those chairs are surrounding a large ottoman in front of the fireplace. They are swivels so they’re just a mess in the photo. I didn’t even notice. 🤦‍♀️
I have 2 fans in the room. When I bought them 20 years ago they were as big as I could find. I love the photo of yours too. Thanks for that.

amy, added a few more edits to my comment, new photo. reread?

Beth H. Yes I like your comments and edits. I appreciate it. I’ve had so much trouble finding artwork that big that I like. Originally I wanted something really big for over the fireplace. But 30x40 is the biggest I could find. I thought that would be huge. Not so much.

check on Etsy. they ahve some great artists. Or, find a lithograph or serigraph that you like (that's what mine is w/the leopard. it's a Mark King Serigraph, custom framed. I also have some collectible photography from Peter Lik on some other walls)

speaking of Lik, here's his latest Night Shadow. I stuck it here to show what a good size print

should look like, with a few accessories on the end

this is all you need. (and there are plenty of prints like this you could use that are way cheaper!

Etsy has tons of listings

check photography prints nature IF you like that genre

Don't just pick some 'waiting room art' you find at HomeGoods or something!

Omg, Beth! Give it a rest!

Mary, I posted for advice. I welcome Beth’s advice. She was amazing help for my master bathroom!

I love your 4 swivel chairs and their great location!!

Thanks jhp1016!

Beth, I’m always impressed with how generous you are in sharing so many wonderful ideas. Thanks , and please keep it up!

Personally, I prefer art to shelves. Of Beth's suggestions, these are the two

I prefer...

How about doing a family gallery wall over that console and then putting a great art piece above the fireplace. Grouping the family photos makes them have a more special feel. I like to look at family photos when I visit relatives and having them together makes that easier.

greatbigcanvas is a great affordable site for large art works.

Beth H. Yes! I love hearing what you have to say. Keep all your suggestions coming. Please! And thank you!

greatbigcanvas.com

Perigold

https://www.perigold.com/decor/cat/wall-art-decor-c1871063.html

However, sometimes it's better to install multiple pieces instead of one.

one more option to go with oversized wall art

Ok so I’m returning the shelves! I checked and it wasn’t too late. I’m going to look into everything everyone mentioned. Thank you. One more question…if I get artwork, where can I put family photos????

What are anyone’s thoughts on paintings like these??

I think art is really personal - everyone is drawn to different things, if you like them then go for it

Yes, art is personal. I love all the colors in those paintings but I wonder if it’d overwhelm everything else. They are quite bright and large. For me, first I would choose to highlight my family pix or pieces. And fill in with art second. But that’s me. I’m sentimental and I love having all those things around me. For my “art” I have used several of my own photos from my phone, blown them up and framed them. One is kind of abstract-y in the way I did it. It’s probably 20”x24”, colorful and probably only I know it’s a detail of Abingdon Square Park’s tulips in bloom. Lovely and lovely memories behind it.

Here I am again…sorry but now I’ve come with phitos of measurements for help.

The first photo had 3 sizes measured out…
48”x72” in center
40”x54” on left
40”x60” on right

Second photo over the fireplace is measured at
40”x54”
I tried to measure up to 60” tall but couldnt reach.

Which is best???? Thanks!!

what is best for what?? art? what kind of art?

are you talking about a picture size?

i would use one large rather than two, but that's me.

This is properly proportioned. aim for something like this (I like the tall plant on the side too)

here's one showing a 48", but you could go a bit wider if you like. maybe 56" -ish?

and please, don't use those candlesticks. they don't work. try a vase w/the greenery, the lamp or a stack of books, but some sort of plant material looks good.

I think this textured white vase w/some leaves/stems would look good on the end. a similar small lamp too. and the stacked books w/some trinket on top.

if you wanted to do a piece that you lean, this is a nice way to style

this is a black tile, but I really like that black behind this w/the green material and offset art

found an example w/a long console like yours. ignore the mirror, but you could put some art in it's place, border w/the items you see on either end

The next two pieces are more vertical than wide. for a shorter piece, this would work. yours is too long for this size.

Here are two 48" pieces placed inside your tape. I don't care for this either. the space in the middle is too far apart. if you want a double art, no more than a few inches in the middle span

Keep in mind these consoles are half the size of yours, so these smaller items work better

Thanks Beth H. Unlike those ideas. Now I just have to find some art that I love. One more question and I’ll stop I promise. What do you think about one piece of art over the console either on one side with floating shelves on the other side or in the middle with shelves on both sides?

Beth H. I meant I like* those ideas.

Like this?

just depends what you want to display.

you don't want to do clutter.

I like the first photoshop I did.

larger art piece, vase/greenery on one side, something on the other.

do you really need some display shelving in here? is there no where else?

did you ever do something w/those chairs?

Yes that’s what I was thinking about but I guess you’re right. Especially since I want to put stuff in the console and I don’t want to junk it all up. If I get a large piece of art for the fireplace though I’m thinking another large piece here might be too much.

Beth H. The chairs? They’re swivel and the picture you commented on before they were a mess swiveled all ways. But I fixed them and so now it’s like a conversation area again. I hope that’s what you meant.

two large pieces won't be too much. I collect art from certain artists and have two large framed pieces in my living area