Need help updating built-in shelves

last year

Hello and help! I'm having a hard time figuring out how to update our 1980s oak built-in shelves and cabinet In our family room. It's next to a very large blonde brick fireplace and, to me, it's an eyesore that makes the room feel out of balance, no matter how I style it. I thought it would be an improvement to paint it white or a light-to-medium gray, so I've primed it (see first pic--pls excuse the mess; the others are old pics to give an idea of what it looked like before), but with the blonde brick wall behind it, I'm just not sure about the color. A friend recommended staining it a gray or walnut color, which I had never thought about. I'm also wondering if would be better to just make the whole thing a cabinet and put doors on it floor to ceiling--but I still have the color question. On the blank wall to the right we are planning to put art/photos, a console and some lamps. I think stuff on the shelves with more stuff on the blank wall seems like too much for that corner of the room. We may update the fireplace at some point but not now. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

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BeverlyFLADeziner

last year

Giving a cursory look, IMO it was a mistake to place the TV over the fireplace. The TV was better located on the right-hand wall. However, it looks as though you have now purchased a chaise sectional that prohibits that layout.

This is how I would accessorize your brick fireplace.

I'd outfit the cabinet on the right as a bar cabinet.

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Comments (10)

hhein
Original Author
last year
@BeverlyFLADeziner Thank you so much for that rendering! We had the TV on that wall for a while, but it wasn't comfortable for all of us to watch from that angle. I like the bar cabinet idea a lot--and balancing the dark cabinet with the darker curtains on the other side.
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Kendrah
last year
I hear that you tried the TV on the wall and it didn't work, but it really looks bad above the fireplace and I imagine you really have to tilt you neck up to see it. Did you consider leaving it hung on the wall and rearranging your furniture so it is more comfortable for sitting and viewing?

I'd remove the top shelves in you build in and just leave the lower cabinet. I'd try to color match the brick. If you can't then paint it something darker than the brick. Perhaps black.
hhein thanked Kendrah
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
The sectional could be turned to face the TV
Hellogardener
last year
It’s a nice room. Love Beverley’s bar idea. I too would put the tv back on the wall and pivot the couch.
Anne Duke
last year
The fireplace will be focal point when desired, and the TV will be far nicer to watch on that wall.
hhein
Original Author
last year
Thanks, everyone! It's hard to tell from the photos, but when we had the TV on the wall and the sofa facing the wall, it was awkward for a couple reasons--it stuck out into the walking path to the sliding door to the backyard, and it made the TV about 16 feet away from the sofa, which we didn't like. So for now, we're just trying to improve the look of the built-in shelves/cabinet. Appreciate all the ideas!
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
The TV over the fireplace limits the size screen you can have.

The TV on the wall would not have that limit. You could easily have an 80" screen for the room.

The room takes on a different vibe with a screen that's large.
PRO
Home Interiors with Ease
last year
I would just hang doors…make all storage than the focus is on the beautiful fireplace..paint it a rich dark color of your choice with beautiful handles added…I am in agreement tv should only go on the big wall. Remove the love seat and add a comfy chair with a ottoman by the fireplace with your floor lamp.
hhein thanked Home Interiors with Ease
la_la Girl
last year
^ agree - close off the shelves with cabinet doors and paint it a dark color
hhein thanked la_la Girl