I would simply take off the crown molding at the top for starters. Maybe some cabinet pulls instead of knobs on the cabinet doors. Paint the backs of the shelves...the same color as the walls, or, for a totally different look...line the backs with a wallpaper that brings in the color of the brick fireplace and the wood floor.

Great ideas! thought about removing the crown molding and replacing it with something more rounded, similar to the rounded part of the fireplace. What are your thoughts on that?

Here is your space with the upper shelves removed

Part of the problem with your existing shelves is they were too short for the space.

Here are some examples of other rooms with shelves.

If it were me, I’d upgrade the TV to a Frame version so you don’t have the black box, then fill the shelves with mostly books and a few decor elements (i don’t like them when they look overly curated but that’s me)

I like the idea of removing the shelves completely. I have some stuff to display but not enough to fill up 2 sides of shelves. Do you recommend leaving the cabinets or removing those as well? I think they at least need to be replaced with something nicer. And I do need something to hide the speaker and stereo equipment.

ALAS..... There's a lot of "just no reason" builder add on here.

Vaults do not need crown molding! Not every fire need be flanked with "built in" - those are not actually built in, they are a bit more cobbled in.

What is the ultimate flavor you want for the space?

For me, the crown would be gone. The cabinetry would be gone. At the very least ? Paint the brick that has been white washed, to totally opaque.

There are a variety of items that you can install in pairs along side the fireplace.

I'm pretty lazy and hate more construction projects than are needed, plus why not preserve the cabinet area since it serves a useful function for you?:

Remove the crown and change all of the white paint to the same color paint as your walls - including the wood fireplace surround, the back of the shelves. cabinets.

Leave the brick as it.

Remove one shelf from each side so the case is broken up into thirds. It's more visually pleasing than the even number it is now divided into.

Sit a large plant to sit on top of one of the cabinets to help fill a lot of the visual space.

Place just a few large objects on the remaining shelves.

The door knobs are bothersome. Either get wood ones and paint them the same color as the cabinet or try vertical door pulls instead.

If you want a more built in cabinet look you can get RTA cabinets that go the full width between fireplace and walls without toe kicks so they don't look like repurposed kitchen base cabinets and pull off the trim behind the cabinet so they're flush with walls.

Then you can put in shelving that is beefy like floating shelves but doesn't need to be because you have side as well as back attachment areas.