Which Cabinet Looks Great Next to the Fireplace

28 days ago

last modified: 28 days ago

Hi everyone! I’m in the middle of updating my living room and I’ve hit a wall with wood tones. I’m trying to choose a new arched bookcase/cabinet to sit next to my fireplace, but I’m worried about adding yet another wood color to the mix.

The Current Palette:

Floors: Warm honey-toned wood (I think?? but as in the photo)
Furniture: A wood piano, a wood media console, and a wood entryway table.
Accents: A charcoal wooden coffee table and a charcoal fireplace screen.
Seating: A white boucle chair, a charme-grain leather chair and a neutral upholstery and leather back sofa.

The Goal: I want the room to feel curated and intentional but also functional. I’ve narrowed it down to a few options from Walker Edison and would love your eye on which one "grounds" the room best without looking like a mismatch.

The Options I’m Considering:

Natural/Coastal Oak: (It is a 4th wood tone or similar to the entryway console).
Solid Black with Oak Shelves: (Matches the coffee table, but might feel "heavy"). The panoramic photo may not show the correct angle, but this spot is across from the big window where northeast light comes in.

My Questions:

Is four wood tones too many for one room? I also read about the 80/20 rule designer tips, but not sure how to apply it in my case.
Should I lean into the black accents to tie in the coffee table, or stay with a lighter wood to keep the room airy?
Height vs. Style: Should I prioritize the 76-inch height of the closed cabinets to make a bigger statement, or will the 70-inch open-shelf version feel more balanced next to the fireplace?
Fireplace height is 52.5”. Ceiling without moulding trim is 8 feet. Moulding is 7”.

I’ve attached a photo of my current setup (with the old white cabinet) and the options I'm looking at. Please note: The cabinets in these photos are digitally inserted. The color and brightness may not perfectly match the original room lighting.

Thank you in advance!

Featured Answer

jck910

28 days ago

Why do you need more display space? I don't think you need any more display space. You need to curate all the stuff in the room. I see 5 display surfaces with way too many pieces. You want a functional room but at this stage there are no lamps or rug. Take close ups of all 4 walls so we can actually see what you have. The tree in the right corner is too small. What is that picture near it? What is hanging in the doorway? Show a picture of the mirror area.

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Comments (6)

littlebug Zone 5 Missouri
28 days ago
last modified: 28 days ago
I’m no expert, but in my opinion four wood tones in one room is two too many. It appears to me that the coffee table is (at least) one that should be changed.

My first inclination is to match all other wood pieces to the console under the television.
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Sarah M
28 days ago
I think the black would be lovely. The arch softens the color and black makes for a nice neutral in most rooms. And as you said it matches some of your current decor anyway.
Valinta
28 days ago
I agree with jock910. A rug in the seating area large enough for at least the front legs of seating to sit on. Glass top and brass coffee table, and small table between the two seating pieces. No to the cabinet in any color. Select 5 of your favorite decor items, put the rest in a storage area, or other rooms, then change items out in 6 months for fresh look. Larger wall art. Are the furniture cushions to help make seating more comfortable? Cushions that more closely match the furniture upholstery would help the room feel more cohesive. This is my tried and true process (ok, my mom wasn’t so keen until we got started). Get some helpers who will eat pizza for payment, move all items that aren’t heavy furniture out of the room - yes, that includes the smaller tables, coffee table. Assess if the furniture is in the most optimal arrangement and have helpers move it around. You might find a better place for the piano, or TV.
resant
Original Author
28 days ago
Thank you for saying your opinion. Let's focus on the cabinet choices here. I don't have budget and time to change everything. This will be my first iteration in this design. I will select and move decor items from the hexagonal shelves to this new display cabinet and remove the hexagonal shelves all together. The items on the TV cabinet and fireplace will be simplified as well. I love the tall vertical gallery wall in the corner so it will stay for now. Let see the big picture here and my questions and do not worry about small decor items.
jck910
28 days ago
last modified: 27 days ago
Sorry but the big picture is not to waste your budget on an unnecessary piece of furniture. My suggestion is to spend your budget on a rug and lamps not a cabinet.