It looks much better painted and you did a great job. Why you are struggling, because it is not a built-in; just kitchen cabinetry, plus a spot for a desk chair.

I like this...kind of library (notice how the books are position with binding in?) Go to your local library book sale and get lots of hardcovers; take off the sleeves. Skip the computer, and don't do a desk chair. Do something fun.

I like the new painted version. Do you have a collection you could showcase? The top right looks like a Roseville vase. Do you have more? Or, collect all the books you own and fill the shelves with those. Without a plan for related items, you risk veering into visual clutter.

It is a built-in and it’s in the living/family room. I don’t want to use it as a desk. It’s more like an accent piece. I need guidance for placement. Don’t want it to look cluttered but also don’t want it to look empty.

You could put put removable wallpaper on poster board and place it on the back of the shelves. I think a red or plum color would be nice to amp up the look and also to tie in with your overall space. Another option could be a wallpaper that has a mirror effect. Amazon sells mirror effect papers, and- well... they sell everything. Etsy.com is another source for removable wallpaper.

As far as your display: If you only display items that have real significance and/or that you really love- and not just fillers- you will eliminate clutter and, in most cases, it will work. It doesn’t matter if the shelves are sparse. You could really remove at least a third of what you have there. When the shelves have a lot of things on them, in many cases there is no way to really appreciate individual items. It just appears as a mass.

These are mainly just to show the idea of the backing paper colors.

I agree and love that option. But I think what I like about it is the vertical partition that breaks up the horizontal shelves.

The paper would still work on your shelves, just as they are. Or you could use paper to visually create the look of the dividers, if you want. You could alternatively purchase shelf dividers. Check Amazon for those, too. :)

A carpenter or skilled handyman or someone handy in your house could easily make some dividers. Wood from Home Depot and some of the same grey paint.

You just have to decide if you want this space for a place to display a few treasured items- or if you need it for storage. If it’s storage, consider hanging shades over it or have some doors made.

I think there sre too many same size items. I would leave the desk top clear. Love the new color.

How to Style Your Living Room Shelves Like a Designer

I agree that adding dividers would help with your groupings.

But if your things are merely for looks and you know what the books are, I'd cover the books with paper covers and do a monochromatic styling. keeping the vases, etc as features.

Do you need to have all these pieces out on display? Maybe just choose similar shapes and sizes, you may need to reframe the photos or repot the plants to coordinate.

Lots to think about. I do think an interesting wallpaper on the backwall could be interesting.

I too would keep the desk top clean, with just a useful tray or something.

Have you considered making it all into a bar?

Since it's in the living room, it would make a nice bar. Could you fit a wine fridge in the open desk space? Maybe a collection of vintage cocktail shakers, stem wear, etc.

If you don't have books, that's always going to be too much space. Good time to break out a set of grandma's tea china you'll never use and fill one whole shelf, or the same with a collection of related knick-knacks that could be grouped together, or even somebody's CD collection. Otherwise, this is like 5 curio cabinets combined, and that will just be a visual chaos.

I think one of the issues is the shelves aren't adjustable so you are limited in height which I'm not sure dividers would even help. I would take everything out and start over. Pick the items you really want to display. Right now it has too many little things. More books would be great if you have them. Put things in groupings, not lined up and empty space is okay. Just the tray on the bottom with something on it. It will get there-love the color!

First, what a beautiful room. The reason we are all calling this a desk because of the spot in the center for the desk chair. I would start by removing all of the fake plants and clear glass items. I love books so that’s what I would put here. I don’t like having a lot of trinkets for ”display” without a purpose.

You could add puck lights on some of the shelves to light the display and also for ambient lighting.

I did a few more visuals. A couple of these have mirror effect wallpaper, a couple have black wallpaper, etc.

Lovely bookcase! Great piece! Shelf lighting & painting the backdrop a dark navy blue, almost black would give it character and ...up it's game...take it to the next level.

Wow! First time on Houzz and you all did not disappoint. Thank you so much for all of the thoughts and ideas.

I like the new color for the built-in. Any way to retrofit a lower cabinet into the desk kneehole?

"it is a built-in and it’s in the living/family room. I don’t want to use it as a desk. It’s more like an accent piece"

"think part of the difficulty is due to the lack of dimension or separation on the shelves. I painted it so it could be a focal point but now I’m rethinking that because nothing I put on it actua" I ........"

It isn't a built in - it's attached to the wall, and they are a bit different thing. It was intended as a mimic of a built in desk area that would fill a space between two walls.

The very width of the shelves makes them harder to style, they give you no "vertical" to break and organize books, accents, accessories.

I'm not trying to be obstinate,or even argue the subtle semantics, but what would help a lot in getting your built in look? Solve the very real problem ,

Have a local wood worker fill in the desk chair area, even if just doors to nowhere., Until the open space is filled it will scream "desk/work station" as was perhaps its original intent..

You want the look of this ( left ) in YOUR color, right?

Breaking up that wide width of shelving, turns each area into your own little "story? It helps your eye focus a bit and even though there are a mix of items ? It helps to divide and conquer.

I am not trying to dash the dream,and its a great paint job! But perhaps a jump of the gun to get what you really want. A local wood guy could certainly help you do that.

Truth can be a bit bitter?

I see kitchen/dining hutch/desk/ hybrid. The question is, how much do you want your look and feel.? Intent.......what's the intent? It's an important word in design.You're telling a story, and the piece as designed/cobbled is making it difficult to tell yours: )

Loathsome truth? A do over with Billy bookcase hack and start over as in don't throw good money atop...........a not great anything Ikea to the rescue ? There are tons of videos online, but I think in all honesty> Do over. Sorry.

I do love the color you painted it, but I have to agree with Jan, I would have removed it. But the other commenters did give you some good ideas, so explore some of them if you really don't want to remove it.

These are bookshelves built to the height of books and to accomodate as many books as possible. They are not ideal height or spacing for collected objects like vases, plants, or other dust catchers. The open space also makes it look like an empy desk.

If you want to do something on the cheap, fill it with books that you like and will read. Add a tension rod to the chair space and hang a curtain the same color as the paint.

Otherwise, remove this whole unit.

Filling it with books is not exactly ”on the cheap”... unless you go around town looking for books that people have thrown out. And that, even if doable in your town- can be inconvenient...

Here it is - filled with mainly books:

These latest comments are ridiculous; but, such absurdity is not so unusual for this forum, unfortunately. I see you mention that this is your first experience here- so you would not know this.

You stated clearly that you like the piece, so obviously that is why you kept it- and went to the trouble of painting it- or having it painted. It absolutely can work... as is- for any number of purposes- including display. And, if you decided that you want an addition of divider(s) or alteration/removal of some shelves, all you need is a carpenter and/or skilled handyman. People remove and alter shelves in built-ins all the time... to install a tv, etc., etc., etc.

The desk chair space ”emergency”... is a non-issue. It is nice that the piece can also be used as a desk/work space/office should you ever want to do so. And personally, hanging a curtain to cover that area- would not be my ”go to”... but, live and let live. ;)

If it's not in the budget to fill in the chair space with a custom door, you could put a large basket there that holds throw blankets and a couple pillows. It's always useful to have an attractive storage space for those in a living room.

“I think there sre too many same size items. I would leave the desk top clear. Love the new color.”

Agree. Some of the styling exmples here should help. Keep less is more in mind…and also calming.

It's more than a little issue., It's not "absurd" to address a comment truthfully, because ignoring the design issue will not get you where you'd like to go. But those suggestions can also be absurdly common, can be helpful ways to save money, add salve to a boo boo.. Yes it's an improvement with a lot of books...............but?

Fix the hole in the wall and the boo boo. , or do the books and add a handsome desk chair and a lamp. Go to the intent.

^Nice!

Love the rendering from DIS. Hope this provides some inspiration for you.

Than you DIS : ) Great inspo, point many of us are making. . A very nice square peg in a square hole!

Design Interior South always comes up with great ideas!!

I wonder how deep the shelves are? They look fairly shallow and good to hold plates on stands. If you have a collection of china that might look nice too.

I just read the OP comment she doesnt want to use this as desk. You need to fill that space with something. Place an ottoman there to fill the space.