I think we needa bit more info as to the use of the space since you say guest room is it then a bedroom or does it usually get a TV and seating? I am not fond of the sconces but the info is a must. I see quite a yellow toned wall color is that aneutral for your whole house ?

There's no TV in there-- we have an L-shaped couch used for seating day-to-day that pulls out into a guest bed (basically replaces coffee table). We couldn't really figure out what else to do in here to be honest but open to thoughts!

The wall color looks yellow in that pic but it's actually more of a grey-toned taupe that is the neutral for the rest of the house.

Here's a picture of the other side of the room-- ignore the pile of gifts in the right corner. ;)

Could you not do built-in bookshelves all the way across the top of the brick fireplace? Looks like there's no problem with setting things above on the ledge anyway, and I think that would be a cool look. Lot's of storage and an opportunity to display decor/plants/books you love and makes it a cozy den library feel. This would mean sconces would have to go, so you would have to consider other lighting options (maybe a chance to do a nice ceiling fixture or pendant if the ceiling is tall enough).

So where is the TV then? IMO that secctional is way too big for th space but how many seats do you need daily? There asome very nice sofa beds and IMO iin that space a better choice than a sectional. I am not a fan of random books filling a space but you could do a much larger piece of art above that mantel and then see if pou need to paint that brick

What is missing from your home? What type of space would enhance the livability / function of your home? Do you generally sit in this room or does it just have seating because it is sometimes used as the guest room? What are the dimensions of the room? Do you use/enjoy the fireplace? How often is it used as sleeping quarters for guests?

Our vision is a cozy reading room, hence why I mentioned hoping for more book storage. We have guests stay over around once a month-- usually a couple so the bed needed to be full/queen size at least, with a "headboard" length less than 60" (a challenge!!)

We love the fireplace, but it's really hot, so we only use it about half the year when it's cold. There's a small home office in the next room over (fireplace room is a pass through).

We have a living room with a TV, with enough seating for us, our dog, and a friend or two. We wanted our TV in the fireplace room but it's it's too small-- you'd be craning your neck no matter where you sat.

Honestly, it's a pretty mysterious room! Thanks for prompting us to think bigger picture!

Now the book shelf all across th e mantel makes sense maybe even 2 shelves if you have books to fill them

Move the sconces and build bookcases on both sides of the bireplace.

Replace the blinds by a roman shade.

Place a task light in the corner behind the sofa and a table lamp on the end table.

Replace the round rug with a rectangular one that goes partly under the sofa.

If this were my home I would get a horizontal murphy bed and two chairs and a small table that could be used for crafts, reading, building a puzzle, playing board games or cards and do shevles above the fireplace like this example:

Add some nice decor items on the hearth

https://www.hammacher.com/product/adjustable-height-fold-and-store-puzzle-1-table?cm_cat=ProductSEM&cm_pla=AdWordsPLA&cm_ven=SportsLeisure&source=PRODSEM&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=%28ROI%29%20Branded%20-%20PMax&utm_id=21328531407&utm_content=&utm_term=&source=&cm_cat=&cm_pla=&cm_ven=&cm_ite=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAmrS7BhBJEiwAei59i2qxNdN-AoIQDKDTHpzysnejkwy6TSqmbTUGjRtX2fwmPjfQ_NnqIRoC3isQAvD_BwE

lime wash, no paint.

I think a big part of the problem is the hearth - it takes up a lot of space! Is there budget to do some work in there? I'd remove it + the surround brick and make it look more like the wall in the photo that Jennifer Hogan posted. Once that's done, reassess the space and see what fits.

I will often recommend painting a brick fireplace but in your case I will recommend leaving it as is except would suggest adding a thicker and more substantial piece of trim at the top of the brick.

Whatever else you do (and you've gotten some good advice here), please do not get another sectional sofa. The room is way too small for it.

Thanks so much for all these great ideas! I love this feedback and wish I had a billion dollars to transform the house— it’s not our forever home so it’s always a balance between wants and needs. Will definitely do some adjusting and think through a budget!

I could see adding a one tall bookcase and one shorter one behind the couch on the window wall. The sectional will push up against it but that's ok.

Don't over think nor overspend on this room.

Build bookshelves from mantle to ceiling and pack them with books. Remove sconces. (They are the wrong size for this room and look like outdoor lighting.)

Get a good, comfortable sofa bed that fits under the window wall. Nothing bulky, something with narrow arms. Even better if it has legs instead of sitting on the floor or being skirted. It helps a room look a bit bigger.

Add sconces above the sofa as reading lights for when you sit and read, and for when your guests are in bed. There are plenty of affordable plug in wall sconces if you don't want to budget for rewiring.

Paint the walls, ceiling, trim, and bookshelves a deep inky-blue, olive green, or khaki that will compliment the bricks. Your current light paint color makes the fireplace stand out like an overly bulky piece of furniture jammed into this room. Darker colors will make it blend in. If you light it well in here, it won't feel dark, and the room will actually feel bigger than it does now.

Paint a piece of thin board the same color as the walls and run it along the front of the brick area that goes from the floor to the stone hearth. Removing that one little strip of brick will really help.

Add a jute rug that covers the entire floor. It will reduce the hard surfaces in here and feel cozy.

Don't decorate the stone hearth with objects. Guests 10 times a year is a lot. You need room for them to place their bags, laptops, books, phones and the hearth is a nice place to do that. When you don't have guests, it is place to sit down a tray of drinks or food while you are hanging out in here.

A small coffee table that you move out of the center of the floor when the sofa is pulled out should do the trick. See what you can find on facebook marketplace or craiglist. The one you have now feels a bit Amazon.

Lastly, remember that using your space well down to the inch does not mean that you have to put things in every inch of your home. I've lived in plenty of small spaces and less is more!

What is the framed section of ceiling? It looks like possible pull down stairs for attic access.

It is attic access, yes! We don’t store anything up there, though we do keep an eye on it for maintenance purposes.

Thanks for answering my curious question. Is the frame new & hadn’t been painted yet when pic taken? If not, I would suggestion painting it the same as ceiling so it would disappear & not draw the eye as it does. Seems there’s no door in this space now but I do see a rod above the framed entry. I also see a door in the second pics you posted so maybe you removed door & added drape? I assume that’s for a drape to pull to enclose for visual privacy when guests staying? I like Kendrah’s suggestions.

I’d remove everything (other than sectional) so you have a fresh eye and can create a plan.

Books: Suggest idea below for functionality, and also a nice way to add some interest/personality. You’ll have to experiment based on the quantity of books and be sure to layer. Don’t add anything on other walls as it will feel cluttered.

Accessories: Connect room and aim for fresh, light, yet cozy. Suggest a large rug, textured cushions, and a blind that covers the window frame and is more interesting. I’d replace the sconces with black ones and add colorful art on the mantle (which should be kept to a minimum).

Once room is done, you’ll know it you want to update the fireplace and suggest not over accessorizing the hearth.

We did add doors! They are a pair of bifold doors that fold flat into the small nooks on either side of the large opening. This gives guests privacy but doesn’t take up any room in the space when it’s just us. They need painting but again we’re trying to cohere everything as a whole.

I love the light, natural color schemes people are suggesting. I feel like the sconces gotta go lol!

Ikea is your friend for bookshelves and other affordable furnishings for this room. No does "small" better than they do.

Some option to modernize

If you want to go light, drench the room in Benjamin Moore linen white. Trim, ceiling, everything. Still get a nice sisal rug.

I'd stay away from Ikea for this room. Purchase a quality sofa instead that will be comfortable and last for years to come. For bookshelves, you are better building shelves into the walls instead of having a free standing bookcase. Get a wood toned window shade.

I'd like tiny bit of brass in here or some kind of metal to make a bit of shine in the room - lighting fixtures.

I think you will have fun reading this post on33 stylish snugs to read books in. [linked]