I love your wee accordions.

Thank you.

I would paint the whole unit black

EDIT. what do you NEED to showcase and what can find a new home.

and start over adding the decor to each space, starting with the heavy on the bottom and working up to finer things. like items together/photos at eye level. no more than 3 things in a grouping.

One piece in each opening to start, then something complimentary. 1/2 the size of the opening. ... the horn player is too tall for any of the cubbies, but group it with the musical note... somewhere else in the house.

No offense intended but the shelving unit doesn't seem to work well with the room and the tray ceiling. Lyn Nielson may be on the right track. It might look better in a different color from the walls. If it's going to be such a big part of the decor maybe painting it black for example would make it a true standout piece instead of something that kinda trying to fit but doesn't really.

So agree with painting the piece all black.

An easy way to decorate shelving is choose easy pieces to find and blend. This photo can give you some inspiration with small, framed art (if you go black, make sure the art is lighter, or go with white mattes). Small plants (you could find some good faux ones) and maybe some books, any hard cover and recover with white wrapping paper.

Agree with painting it black, but the items you put there should be related and not take up any more than 1/3 or 1/2 of the visual space. Framed art in silver or gold tone (depending on your other metals in the room) should be bright. I like the white mats idea.

These are great ideas! Thank you... Black seems like a big jump... Are you all sure?

I agree with the comments about removing the small items but lean toward keeping the shelves and drawers white and styling the shelves with lighter items. While some existing decor can be kept, I suggest moving away from so many objects that create a literal music theme. Also, consider bringing in more warmth to mediate the black, white and gray - adding mixed metal drawer pulls and replacing the black wall sconces with a warm gold or champagne could help. Sometimes we forget about built in lighting, use your nice lights above the shelves.

I would remove the sconces. They are too close to the built-in.

Okay so lose the sconces, take out the musical items and put in some greenery? The tv is not recessed. nor is the fireplace.... the black backdrop is a tiled wall.

Design Interior South nailed it, very nice!

We agree adding white behind the TV and around the fireplace would really brighten up the space. Can you change the glass on the sconces to white- or cream-colored ones? Another option is to paint (spray paint) the black part of the sconces white or cream. Whatever color the cabinets already are. Spray paint can work wonders when you need something to be a different color. ;-) The metal guy playing an instrument is really fun. Keep him for sure! Best wishes.

You have a great foundation the built-ins and fireplace are beautiful it’s really just a styling issue, not a design problem.

Right now it feels a bit cluttered because there are too many small items competing for attention. I’d simplify and be more intentional:

• Remove about 30–40% of the decor (this alone will make a huge difference)
• Group items in 2–3 pieces instead of spreading them out
• Mix in a few larger-scale objects (books, a larger vase, or sculptural pieces) to anchor each shelf
• Keep some negative space so the eye can rest

I’d also try to keep a more cohesive color palette even just editing down to a few tones will instantly make it feel more elevated.

You’re very close just refining the styling will completely transform the look happy to suggest a specific layout for the shelves if you’d like.

I would start by painting the shelving dark like the FP then add some puck lights and one item per shelf or maybe 2 realted pieces per shelf and be done . Of those pieces a bit of color maybe too. The mini accordian is gret all the little stuff and the word not great .