Thank you, Lisa, for your kind words! We recently bought our house and added a mantle to the living room, but the stain didn’t turn out as expected. I'm hesitant to redo it. Should I paint the mantle wall as an accent, and if so, what color? I posted three paint colors we liked, and someone suggested a blue-green instead of gray. I'll move the TV over the fireplace, we can we can reconfigure our sofa, so the opening is to our front door and the prints will be spaced evenly on the back wall by the bar.
The IKEA piece was just temporary and I’m looking to replace it. Should that be white or wood?
Making these decisions is overwhelming with limited funds and knowledge.

And thank you Kcooz07 just read your post

when we move the TV, we’ll have to move the bracket, so we would have to sand and paint it would make it easier on us if we can do a new color at that time

Someone suggested doing that wall in a white and I think that’s a good suggestion. In any event I would get sample colours to test it out using foam core board. Then you can take a look at what you like.

I had the same thought as KC on the shelving. I think some individual shelf pieces that match the mantle piece that you have would be fine. If you paint the wall you don’t need to re-stain it.

You need to make an order of operations list; move the TV (if that works for you) then test some sample paint colors. Then determine what goes on that wall.

In other words, determine what goes on the wall after you paint it.

Move tv…patch and paint..yes White it will look beautuful and be cohesive with your white cabinets..and the flow if your adjoining rooms…be sure to match the white color that is on the cabinets…just take a door to your local paint store they will do a perfect match for you.

I like the white wall idea. my only concern is that sometimes white feels like a warehouse. And the cabinets are not a warm white they’re a stark white.

You've received some sound advice here.

This shelving unit is 51" tall. Do you have 51" of space?????

Is that really the best shape to place above the mantle?

I just reduced the size of the image until if fit on the photo, but you'll need 51" plus some space around the unit.

Do you have good objects to put on display in this shelving unit you're anxious to purchase or are you buying the unit and then will be forced to shop for objects?

I have sometimes looked for years before finding the just right item. In the meantime, I use a place holder until I find the perfect item.

I have gone out to a brush pile to find an interesting branch and mount it on the wall instead of art to add texture to the room. Cost= $0

Please be careful you are not filling the room with purchased items that devalue the appearance of the room. Sometimes you can get a great repurposed piece at a bargain price. But buying inexpensive new furnishings for a room may just make the room look.......'inexpensive'. No one wants that.

@BFD I'm lucky to have received some great advice on here including from you. I will paint the wall white, add three stained wood shelves matching the mantle and move the TV above the fireplace. Stay tuned😁

Looking forward to the updates…🙂

Christine by adding wood shelves that match the mantle..wood accents help keep things warm and cozy and sophisticated.

Christine, there are lots of options other than white that would work on this wall. Sounds to me like you’re not really crazy about white! I encourage you to explore some colour choices. There’s other options…. Once again, it’s your space! Pick something that you like.

Maybe some of the pros on here can give you a range of options.

I'm having a hard time envisioning the white wall with the rest of my agreeable gray walls. I'm not sure why I can't see it but I don't hate the idea of it.

White accent walls..

Thank you! That's helpful to see examples!

I made some changes, took all your comments into consideration and they help. We’re happy with the outcome. Still some adjustments can be made. But I wanted to give you all an update.
if you look between the tv and the shelf your see an outlet. I was thinking of a wall sconce could be place there. Also, I love the style of our coffee table. Do you think I should leave it alone or paint it black? Thoughts?

I think the right wall lamp could good where that outlet is but I don’t have any suggestions. On the coffee table, I might not paint the whole thing
…just paint the shelf underneath. Not the sides just the bottom of the “tray”.

I was thinking of something like this. I like the idea of painting just the bottom shelf of the coffee table.

A friend of mine used to repurpose vintage furniture, and some thing she frequently did would be to just paint the top of a bureau that was otherwise natural wood. The combination of natural wood and paint can update the look. You could use something like a gray tone that would go with the shelving that you have in your liquor cabinet corner…or cream…Fusion is the brand that she used and I’ve worked with that, it’s great paint for doing furniture.

Basically, it’s thinking about that bottom shelf, the way you would a very large tray.

So it could also be a pattern. There’s lots of peel and stick wallpaper out there that would likely be the right width. Easy to apply and easy to remove if you don’t like it or want to change

Great idea! I'm a bit concerned I'll end up searching late into the night instead of sleeping, I'll be obsessed with finding the perfect one:)

The room is looking great BTW! Lots of improvement from your first posts.🥰

Thanks Liasch means a lot!

@Home Interiors With Ease Julie, you might have something to say about the dimensions on the lamp, to the left of the shelves? I don’t know if you’re on here much now.

These are the two I ordered. I don't have to but a light there. I could cover the electrical up and paint the face plate.

This is the spot between the tv and shelf

To me, just one sconce there might not be an ideal look. Could you hang your shadow box or a small piece of art perhaps? Not ideal I know. If that doesn't look good, I think I'd go for painting it.

I could see one wall lamp there if it was the right lamp. If it’s too small it won’t work which is why I think the size will be significant in terms of it being a standalone and not looking like it should be part of a pair.

It could also have a decorative function to provide ambient light. That’s kind of the way I see it. The main thing is that it shouldn’t look tiny and like there should be two of them.

I would lower the outlet and buy a beautiful ceramic lamp to enhance that area..my vote is no sconce……and the sconce your ordered is a bit modern farmhouse for your room?? so you did blue?

Lowering outlet! That’s a brilliant idea and likely would be inexpensive. I think some ambient light in that area would be lovely particularly when the television isn’t on.

Hi! We decided on blue, we couldn't envision the room with white walls. We like the blue. Lowering the electrical outlet makes a ton of sense and its a great idea. I’ll ask my handy man the cost. What color should the lamp be? Clear?

White with brass or solid brass base would be beautiful..good size

How did I do? Any favorites? Or am I completely off?

I like the first two… It would be nice if someone could do a photo shop of the lamp in place. A key thing is going to be the height. How tall are these? I like the round shade with the brass base that narrows at the top… it’s graceful and the round shade and triangular base provide contrast with the square right angles that you have going on everywhere in that environment.

Nothing glass…or open..solid base is best….maybe a wider base.the last one is not bad..what do you think of these?

The first two are my favorite as well. They the first one is 30” tall the second one is 28”

Not sure how deep your shelf is but I would keep that in mind with the size of the shade.

I like the brass one you posted. Is that from Target?

Kcooz…good catch on shelf depth! Christine what is the self depth? Birch lane..

I'm pretty sure it's 14” not home rt now

A bright piece can serve as a conversation starter, drawing guests in with its vibrancy.

And now it's complete! Right? Are there any changes I should make? I am happy with it. Does it bother you that you can still see the outlet?

I would probably paint the outlet cover to match the wall, and then it will tend to disappear much better. But everything looks lovely and the lamp is a good choice. At some point if you’re having an electrician in to do some other work, you could get him to move the outlet.

In the meantime, I would probably style the area by putting the lamp on top of some books to the height that the outlet is concealed behind the shade. And paint the outlet.

I could find some books! Thanks!

Whether you go for minimalist framed prints, a bold statement piece, or even a gallery wall, the right artwork can complement the tech while enhancing the room’s style. Just be sure it doesn’t overpower the TV itself—balance is key!