I think that I would begin by painting it to match the other walls. You could then add art to the walls in order to add color and interest. Perhaps a nice floor lamp could be added to one corner. Maybe matching console tables on each side, perhaps with lamps. This coukd then address the ” darkness ” issue .

you could paint it or use a black gell stain and stain the wood to contrast the brick.

You could take a picture in daylight, open the blinds and stand back so we can see some of the floor?

The wood looks more refined than everything else around it. I like the large grain designs. Meanwhile, the windowed door looks like a Home Depot special - more of a back door and not what you'd see next to that nice wood. The brick feels really out of place next to the wood as well.

I'd try to elevate everything else up to the quality of the wood look. New door - or curtains on the door windows and new hardware. Drywall over the bricks and paint it a nice color that goes with the wood. Paint the walls and ceiling the same color in here.

Congrats on the Chief's win.

I would explore painting walls and ceiling the same color, a soft lighter shade that compliments with floor, furnishings and fireplace brick. Can't see the full extent of the space to offer color ideas. Not sure what you think about the two pendant lights but consider replacing them with recessed lights.

The lack of natural light is due to it being nighttime when the pictures were taken, and OP did not turn on all the lights. Speaking of which, new light fixtures will help. Ditch the pendant lights and replace the fan light with a much more attractive fan light.

How about something like this wall? Paint the fireplace brick the same tone as the wood. Add large sconces at eye level to bring the eye down. The hanging lights....replace with just simple recessed lights.

Definitely a new door is a must do. Because the room is dark go with a full view door and drape it exactly as the window opposite...make sure the rod is the same height as the others. At night you can draw them closed.

I have no idea . Take a pic in the daytime with all the lights even on I agree that door and the fireplace do not go together at all. I do not find thta wood surround attractive at all in that space . Waht is your style can we see thw whole room since a space is done as a whole not one wall at a time . You are in desperat need of lighting and for sure not those goofy pendants .Does the FP work ? Is that your main entry into the home ? Too much missing to help. Take more pics of the room all 4 walls in the daytime with the drapes open post those here in a comment DO NOT START another post on this subject.

Paint it. I don’t care if it’s the trim color or the wall color either would be an improvement over oak plywood.

Will suggest that you paint the brick of your fireplace first and then see how that affects the look of the wood paneling.

Paint!! All of it. And whitewash the brick.

And “Go Chiefs!!” ☺️

While we are on a ladder swap out the tiny pendants for gimbals and get a white ceiling fan…

Here are some more pics in the daylight. We also would love input on how to update the built in shelf in room to tie it in and get it out of the 90s. I will say we did paint the walls already in this room (SW Anew Gray) so they are here to stay for awhile!

Gray? No wonder it’s dark. The warm creamy white you mentioned on your trim would be a great update.

I would paint the paneling, not the brick. And then take another look. The panelling isn’t doing anything for your lovely space.

Great advice already - I would just offer there are a lot of angles in the space and the contrast between the grey walls and white ceiling are accentuating that, if it were me I’d paint walls, paneling and ceiling a lighter color that jibes with the carpet — I think it would really open up the room

I would paint the walls and the ceiling the same white or off-white. I agree the angles are amplified by the gray walls.

Then see if the FP wall needs work. But I would not paint the brick, the darker color is good behind a TV as you can see in your photo with the TV turned off.

Peeps…the OP has just said that she just painted the whole room… Repainting it is not an option….

Then paint the wood the same gray as the walls. Rough sketch...

Oops, trying again. The brick is nice against the gray wood. It would look great in a satin enamel.

Op seems less interested than we are, she’s never returned.

They will. It's only been 2 days really. And they did provide more photos.

Thank you for all of the feedback! I am loving all of the ideas. I think perhaps we will paint the wall our Alabaster trim color and see what we think

We do really like the brick as it is. I think it would contrast well with the wall white

Agree I like the brick as well and I think it will contrast nicely. Painting the wall white you’ll still have lots of texture on that wall because of the paneling.

I would paint the brick and leave that gorgeous paneling! so focus is on the fireplace…move the sofa under window…move loveseat to where sofa is..add low media console on big wall..remove tv from fireplace…paint brick white..leave paneling and mantle…add big piece of art.

I would paint it all white.

I think the wood paneling lends nice texture and interest and it seems to go well with the wooden bookcases at the other end of the room. If the room is too dark, talk to your electrician about better lighting in the ceiling. I also thought the door was a bit jarring and looked like a kitchen back door.

It’s true when you consider the built-in wood at the other end of the room, the wood panelling may work fine with the rest of the room. The problem with painting brick is that it cannot be undone later or changed if you don’t like it. Risky.