Glad you're keeping the red brick, which echoes the color of your rug and adds texture and color to the room. However, we need to see the entire room to make informed suggestions. Do you lean rustic, traditional, boho, country? No idea.

You need to show the whole space—all four sides of an entire space—even if it’s about one specific Dilemma. Commenters need to see doorways, windows, closets, finishes throughout the space to make informed suggestions. In open spaces, Commentors need to see adjacent spaces like living, dining, family room areas that adjoin a kitchen. This is so finishes like cabinetry, paint, and flooring harmonize in the while space.

State right at the beginning what the room will be used for and who will use it. State the non-negotiables at the beginning, what has to be kept. Give some idea of the budget. And provide approximate measurements

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6417709/unofficial-design-dilemma-boot-camp

Keep in mind that you're inviting some design pros and people with a design eye into your home via photos. If they walked into your actual space, they would take in all of it: all four sides, doorways, floors, windows, ceiling, built-in fixtures, lighting, trim--the "givens"--then the features that can be changed--furnishings, paint, art, rugs, decor items, etc. It's all one first impression. Same thing with photos. That's why it's important to provide well lit photos of the entire space, taken from all sides of a room regardless of the size of your problem.

I don't think you can get there from here.

Alternate option.

The bookcases would be a great idea if there weren’t windows right there! Here’s more of the room for context context. Ideal style is traditional southern/grandmillenial but definitely want to brighten up the space some. Floors will eventually be hardwood and we’re open to painting or restraining the built ins!

I don't know why you would want to change it. But adding slim built ins on each side similar to what you already have in the room. To lighten up the space you could paint all the existing built ins and the walls and ceiling the same light color, including all the trims.

Is there are window or door on the left of the fireplace now? I would move the TV off the mantel and remove the brackets under the mantel. A thick rustic mantel mounted with art rather than TV. Lighten up the rug. Love a border print. Semi flush light rather than fan (integrated light/fan, if necessary) Looks like a great space.

I think you're not understanding what show all four walls means. Very often, a problem on one area of a room can be fixed by a change in layout--layout before decor. We know you didn't ask about layout, but if it's possible not to have TV over your fireplace then it would be easier to figure out how to make it more attactive. Also we needed to see all that gray to make palette suggestions, though I think going with the warm reds, not the gray is a better palette for your room.

BTW, the second fire box is actually called a "shadow box." Homeowners sometimes pack them with logs, which can be a very attractive look.

Here's a red brick fireplace with a rug palette like yours and attractively arranged niches. Your room could achieve this vibe.

Some more angles of the room, we’ve gotten recessed lighting since these were taken. Unfortunately room layout is limited but that wall the juts out next to the sofa, it prevents anything from being centered on the fireplace(we have to pick centering on wall vs centering on fireplace). Also limited by fish tank haha but the dream is to one day have a smaller one built in to our existing shelves to free up that wall

If aiming for traditional southern, grandmilleniall, narrow down as it can go in a few directions. Look into what it entails and the costs which will help you decide.

Thank you for the extra photos. Here's why you're fireplace is driving you crazy. It's actually very attractive, but you're looking at three black boxes: TV, firebox, shadow box. Suggestions:

--Slide aquarium towards the doorway. Put TV over a slim console table on that far wall.

--Instead of paying for a surround, invest in two comfortable recliners in cream/ivory (If there are two people watching TV most of the time). Float them to face TV and aquarium (which looks a little neglected over there). If budget is tight, position your current cream armchair and armchair with ottoman to face the far wall.

--Get a really nice art work you love to put on the fireplace mantel. Add just one or two simple objects you like to flank the art work--just a couple, though.This change in layout would give you three benenfits: two focal points (TV and aquarium), fireplace lightened up with beautiful art work, plus a conversational grouping, which you don't really have now

Over time, rethink the gray wall paint and paint the room cream instead of gray. You still would have your gray desk and furniture, but lighter walls = lighter room.

With the bricks painted white and a new mantel

You have a very nice room, and the existing brick works with your space. If you would like to downplay the mass of the brick a bit - and add light and expansion to the room - you could get a beautiful mirror, to put where the tv currently is; and relocate the tv. Maybe get a tv lift cabinet to put next to the fireplace.

Art over the fireplace is not going to add light and expansion to the room. Also, in the view of art preservation circles, it is one of if not ’the’ worst of places to display paper/canvas art. If someone has art that has no sentimental or monetary value - then by all means. But why would you want to throw some meaningless art on/over your mantel.

I can also tell you that from a feng shui perspective, in most cases, having a mirror over a fireplace is most auspicious. One reason for this, is that the mirror - which is related to the water element - balances the fire element.

This piece would have to take a hike to another room and I would not care where. :)

And I would replace it with a tv lift cabinet or a low corner console for the tv.

You can put a tv in front of windows. In this case, best options would be to place it on a low console, or in a lift cabinet. The lift cabinet has some advantages.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ogIlWb24G_A

And yes, consider a different wall color. Grey is basically over. And the color grey that you currently have is definitely not helping the brick, nor is it helping your overall room. If you like grey, look at Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray. Or look at the creams and warm whites.

If the brick is only on the face of the fireplace, it's easy to remove the top and right side, patch the hearth and install a surround like your inspiration images.

I ❤️ AI. I make the requests, and AI says, ”Your wish is my command.” :)

I posted before I saw @PPF. ’s comment. Very good. You may have your solution.

We totally get what you mean! Designing a surround with such a specific layout can be tricky. We’ve done mosaic fireplace surrounds before, and they can be such a unique way to update a fireplace without painting the brick.

Here are a few photos of ones we’ve done, it might spark some ideas!

If you ever want to explore something custom for your space, we’d be happy to help.

1. Move your TV to the wall where your fish tank is

2. float your sofa facing it. You could add to the back of the sofa a slim 10-12” deep sofa table. You can then place a low profile lamp & plant etc.
   You can run a cord under the sofa to an outlet on the wall

3. I LOVED Housegal200 recommendation and agree putting your chairs at an angle with a small table in between. Use one with a glass top so it does not block the fireplace view.

4. put your fish tank where your sofa is now.

5. you have a clean slate to do what you desire for your fireplace. What ever you decide, it will look 100% better with art than the “black hole” the tv creates. You can get really cool rechargeable lights on line to put over artwork and they are fab!

You have PLENTY of book shelves in that room. No need to add more. Instead, Put a tall plant (think 5’) in a LARGE attractive planter on the wall between the right side of the fire place and window. It could be an artificial fiddle leaf fig/ ficus or even a palm.
Easy on the nick knacks in your book shelves. Keep it light.

And - move the blue vases to another room - neither the style or color blend with the fireplace! UGH!

I agree there is a better place for the tv but it’s okay if you don’t like this fireplace. I would also want it changed. But I would pull it all out to do so.

You are fighting with the style of the fireplace. The fireplace is winning. Let it.

Change out the mantle for one that is stained but not dark, and is more traditional in style (not primitive/rustic as the current one) - its length is good - but do not go for a surround. You have way too much brick and it will look silly, like a fake mustache - this is the vibe that I get from all of the photos of the surrounds here. Do add enough detail in the mantle so that the scale is right; you don't want a dainty mantle. Use the rightmost opening to store wood for the fireplace; that is its purpose.

Your white trim, crown molding and baseboards are fighting with the brick. You can swap them out for stained versions and paint the room a warm white. If that's not in the budget then paint them the same warm white color (different finish, of course) as the walls. Do the same thing with those gray bookshelves; you don't have gray anywhere else and they should not be a focal point. Paint them or stain them, as you do with the other trim.

TV on fish tank wall with an interesting and funky console table below it; fish tank to where couch is now. Big mirror over fireplace - preferably an interesting antique mirror. Scale is vital here - dainty not an option.

Your existing furniture is too dainty to support this fireplace and the Oriental. Leather couch facing TV and matching upholstered swivel barrel chairs in a blue floral on white background opposite it to create a conversation area in front of the fireplace - pick up the blue in your rug. Now your blue vases are starting to make some sense. Glass coffee table - so that you can see your great rug - and large enough so that cats/foxes can sit on it. Again looking for scale.

Get some window treatments up there. Don't compete with your nice Oriental. Stay with the warm white but get some texture. Drapes layered over woven or stained wooden blinds will pick up your new stained mantle and make that wall look cohesive.

New wood floor = good. Go for a mid-tone or darker stain; everything else will pop and it will show off your Oriental. Again, larger art pieces on the new fish tank wall; dainty is not an option in this room and scale is everything; that is what the fireplace teaches.

Lighting, lighting, lighting. Canned lights = good, but you need more. Not a lot of surfaces, so you need floor lamps. Table lamps on your TV console. Sconces on new fish tank wall - if wiring is problematic, there are corded and battery operated versions.

Have fun!

We built our home in 1985 and had almost the exact same design that you have in your photo. Our firewood box was on the left and fireplace on the right. During a recent remodel, we were able to update the look. I’ve attached a photo of the final results. The inspiration came from a photo on Houzz. It looks like someone may have already shared it with you. If you have any questions about our update, please let me know.

These photos are my “before” and the Houzz. “Inspiration” photo.

Mirrors need to reflect something interesting! One on your fireplace won’t reflect much as it would be too high.
A beautiful art piece is your friend and could pick up colors you have around the room.

Yes! That fireplace is one dominant monster and drags down the whole room! You haven't mentioned whether you actually use it. If not, my dream would be to tear it out. (But I'm pretty sure that I would have to be widowed first! Then, YES!!!)

The final inspo picture w the wood mantle and vertical board above the mantle would visually heighten the room and stylistically fit w those lovely built ins. I also might remove the chair rail(horizontal line that shortens the height) and paint in a warmer cream or white as suggested.
I think the tv there is logical, given the room shape.

Will you post “after” pics???