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lp789

Need help hiding this awkward space

12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Would like to hide the space above the TV without doing any major work. Any creative ideas much appreciated. Thanks

Comments (21)

  • 12 years ago
    Are you wanting to hide the shelves behind it on the wall? I'd try to make everything look like a single unit and build a top double door cabinet to go on top of the tv. Make it the same height as your book shelves on the other side. That may be more construction than you want to do though??
    lp789 thanked Dr. Mom
  • 12 years ago
    Hi yes, trying to hide the shelves. Looking for a temporary fix before we do something more long term later, your idea seems like a good long term solution though. Thanks
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    I agree with the shelving idea, something architectural to pull that line out with the diagonal. Temporarily, you could set up something decorative, like a collection of some kind. Something tall enough to hide the awkwardness, and work with the height of the chimney. A piece of sculpture might do the trick.
    lp789 thanked The Remodeling Depot
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    Hello Ip - good ideas from others. I think the space looks a lot better - in my mind's eye - if the shelving peeking over your tv console just disappears. Then you could set something interesting on the TV shelf.

    But the shelf peeking out up there just draws your eye distractingly. Short term - paint the shelf element to match the wall? ...pull the mouldings off it and attach a thin ply panel painted to match the wall.

    I wouldn't add any built in construction there long term, either - just clear out the shelves, clean up and paint the wall, and ltry a variety of cool (seasonal?) stuff on the TV shelf. Good Luck! Mark
    lp789 thanked Someone's in the Kitchen, Inc.
  • PRO
    12 years ago
    I like the screen idea--how about a mirror, with a larger center section, about the same height as the top of the cabinet beyond? If you have a switched outlet nearby, you could place a lamp behind the mirror on the top of the TV. Happy Houzzing.
  • 12 years ago
    Remove the shelving unit & drywall/paint .. then hang a 2 staggered light pendants?
  • 12 years ago
    Maybe fill the empty shelves with books etc that ties in with the other shelves, then add an oversize decorative pot with branches or sticks in it. The pot would be tall and narrow and centered above the TV. To extend the eye up you could also add tall vertical pictures above the shelves on each side to create a sense of symmetry.
  • 12 years ago
    I was thinking as Imdense1...just add books (up and flat) like it's an extension of the right side of the FP bookcase and be done.
  • 12 years ago
    Maybe a back lit stained glass or leaded glass panel? Could be visually interesting, take up the vertical space and provide additional lighting. Good luck!
  • 12 years ago
    I think the TV there is just awkward, and fixing the shelf is not really going to help much.

    The TV throws off the symmetry of the fireplace and creates a second competing focal point.

    How long term of a solution do you seek? I would recommend not trying too hard just now (stick some plants in the corner over the TV for now) and focus on knocking down the TV portion later (replacing it with a bookcase that matches the other--and NOT on an angle). (I find whenever ANYTHING'S on an angle, it commands attention--today I saw an angle-installed toilet! It was awful.)

    I'd move the TV to an articulating arm in the bookcase to the right of the fireplace, paint the bookcase a bit darker (or a lot darker, depending on what's going on in the rest of the room); and fill the bookcase with darker books and things. That way, the fireplace will be the star if the show. And the darkness around the TV will allow the TV to recede into the background when it's not on.
  • 12 years ago
    Are you absolutely certain this is the best and only place for a TV? That's a beautiful fireplace with quite sweet matching book cases.
  • 12 years ago
    We have a wall clock near the tv. So we can be aware of the time.
  • 12 years ago
    Remove the white built-in around the TV, match the white bookshelf behind to the one on the right side, top the corner brick built in w/ rustic wood to match the mantle and stand the TV on top of it.
  • 12 years ago
    Yes, I would say, I would love to see that wall without the tv, another suggestion, although I can't believe I'm going to suggest it, putting the tv above the mantle?
  • 12 years ago
    Remove the shelves behind the TV.
    Purchase 3 large vases to put above the TV
    Or
    Mount the TV above the mantle and remove the built in area surrounding the TV
  • 12 years ago
    The problem with this space I think is two things: The white trim around the television and the symmetry on either side of the fireplace. I would take out shelving on right and build a bench the height of the log storage on the left and I would put a cushion on it. You could also put cushion on top of log storage if you got rid of TV cubby hole. I agree TV could be moved to over mantle. If you are not up to tearing things out I believe painting the trim a color to match the walls would help it disappear. If you made All these changes; you still have a very large space between log storage and ceiling. It would take some shopping but a large light or wall sculpture would be nice.....or maybe a gallery wall of clocks?
  • 12 years ago
    Here is an example of a gallery of clocks:
    http://houzz.com/photos/6081243
  • 12 years ago
    See how tv disappears with this corner unit painted.
    http://houzz.com/photos/66518
  • 12 years ago
    Here's a quick fix that will take you to Christmas. Make a fall tablescape complete with pumpkins and corn stalks.