I would always lean into windows. So you are abandoning the door?

I would definitely keep the doors and the window. You can add a cute table or shallow shelf under the window on the right to look more balanced, but that room definitely needs the natural light.

Windows for sure , shelving for no real purpose except to add stuff not needing display is IMO never a good idea. and I love good natural light

Where does the door lead? I would either change the window to a door or vice versa so both sides math. Door especially if there is a patio, deck or sunroom outside them.

The door leads to the pool deck. We have two other access doors to the pool that we use and we never open these.

At the very least we need to replace because they are old and not impact. I’d want symmetry here.

I have plenty of sentimental items and photos I’d love to display in this room but perhaps adding shelving here would be forcing it.

Do you need a fireplace?

We built custom in FL and I skipped the fireplace in the hot/humid climate.

I would replace that whole wall with floor to ceilings sliding doors to open it up to the outdoors.

We definitely don’t need a fireplace and honestly will never use it in Florida. Replacing that wall sounds nice but wouldn’t make sense with our backyard layout and thats a much larger expense we are trying to use a small part of the budget for this project.

what about a bookshelf on the right side under the window that goes out as far as the fireplace hearth?

I would keep the natural light on that wall for sure - if it were me,I’d be tempted to keep the paneling for texture and paint it -

are you adding picture rail molding for art display or is it picture frame molding?

If symmetry is your goal, replace door if it needs replacing, and change the window so it's same size as the door. You'll need to do some trim work outside. Check whether you need a permit to change window size on an exterior. Or, vice versa, change out door to a matching window. This will involve more exterior finish works.

Think about a bold art work instead of all the stuff above the fireplace.

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Alternatively, get a beautiful console cabinet in a light wood that matches the floors. Then repaint fireplace a pale version of that. The white is awfully stark for the dark panelling.

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windows.

What activities will you be doing in this room? How do you envision furniture placement? What needs will this room fulfill that are missing from the rest of the house?

Does “redoing the fireplace” include demo-ing the wide brick surround? If yes, a less-wide surround would look better and allow you to install wider tall windows.

Tearing a fireplace and chimney out entirely might cost alot. But could your budget stretch to removing the fireplace hearth and surround, and sealing off the fireplace? You could put a nice shallow bookcase there for your photos and sentimental objects, flanked by two windows, or a door and a large window.

I wondered if the fireplace could be eliminated similarly mcarroll16. I think a more reasonable choice is making the windows match then get two book shelves that fit underneath for your books and mementos. As is so often the painted brick is an eye sore. The tile on the hearth is a conversation piece. How modern were you hoping to go with the fireplace?

I envision this room serving a few purposes. In front of the fireplace I picture cozy/warm couches and a large coffee table for board games or just used as a sitting area.

Across into the other side of the room we plan to use as an adult ”rec room”, pool table, small corner table for a two player table game, a small couch, a tv up on the wall.

We considered removing the fireplace altogether but yes that seems like it would be costly.

We do plan to replace the brick with a stone. i love a warm stone type look. i will attach an inspo photo. I did discuss with the contractor making the length of the fireplace smaller because I agree it looks too wide for that wall.

If you really don't use doors I would replace them and the window with large matching windows with small bookcases under them. They could be like window seats or just thinner display shelves so you could have chairs snugged up to the fireplace. ( maybe 1/2 the depth of fireplace..)I love your stone Idea but if budget is a concern, you could just replace that tile with a stone or cast concrete. (check garden section at a big box store.)

If you need the doors, just match new window to their size. If you need doors and a bookcase, find doors with more wood and balance the door window size with the new window.

Remember taking out that heath means new flooring or at least hearth tile to fill the void. i Iwould keep it and add stone accents.

I really like the look of a hearth. We do have plenty of this flooring as we are renovating the room right next to this with the same floor. But if we could minimize the size I think that would suit the room better.

Measure the room and plan the placement of the pool table before deciding anything else. I think they recommend a 5' clearance on each side of the table. a 9x5 table would need a space that is 19x15.

You can have a table and chairs encroach on the space, like a table for board games, cards, building a puzzle, but you have to keep everything low enough to not interfere with the cue when playing. Nothing worse than dodging furniture and walls while trying to play pool. If you plan on getting the ping pong table top for over the pool table you really need the 5' on each end to be unobstructed.

I might be tempted to ignore the fireplace - costly to remove, but doesn't really need to be anything more than wall decor. No one really gathers around the fireplace anymore unless you live in an old drafty house where you need to sit near the fire to stay warm.

It will look nice with a nice piece of art over the mantle.

Can you take a picture of the outside of the house where this room is? How easy will it be to match the outside materials if you change the door to a window?

Instead of a sofa you may want just chairs - easier to move out of the way when the need arises.