Perhaps a full height armoire would look more proportional.

I think a shelving unit will work just fine on that wall. I am just now sure how tall it should be???

Then would it be possible to use the current piece on that wall behind your couch? Either move the couch forward some and place it behind it like a sofa table or ON the wall behind the couch.

Not sure about that piece in the corner....it looks shoved in there between the curtains. Do you have a place where it could be out in the open and flat on a wall?

IF you did not NEED the shelves, I would suggest to keep what you have there and just lower and tighten in the pics there now. OR find a bigger piece to put over the console. I would still move the corner piece out of there, though.

Generally, I would go for moving furniture than built ins. It's easier to change and live with. However, when it comes to armoires, buyer beware! Armoires tend to be heavy and overbearing, especially if the space for them is tight. You will need a large wall for them.

Now then, for the shelves in that part. I would consider simply adding two floating shelves in coffee color to match your console table to add height and interest to the wall and allow for some shelving. If floor to ceiling shelves cannot wrap around the fireplace, then it just not worth it to have a cut off version of them on the other wall, especially that that wall has windows too, and the built ins will fight the windows.

Having said that, if you really-really want the built-ins in rich library style size, what about the wall behind the couch? Does it have any major limitations? If not that would be a logical place to put them. all you will need to do is move the couch one foot forward.

HI -- I think an antique cabinet with open shelves in the top would look good there , Maybe a French piece in a light wood . I like the ones at Restoration Hardware in the weathered wood . If you have some built-ins made then paint them the white of the fireplace and your trims . But I think the weathered wood cabinet would be more interesting and the room needs something with some height . Right now every thing is all one level .Currently I don't think the cabinet in the corner between the curtains should be there and the curtains maybe could meet filling in that corner.

I would not build in book cases. Instead I recommend a large free standing book case that pretty much fills the space between the two windows and their curtains (tall as the windows or curtain rods). It could have cabinets below and open shelves above. I would eliminate the corner cabinet and replace with a wing chair or club chair with a side table and lamp to balance the seating area. You might have enough space for 2 wing chairs and a round table and table lamp in the corner between them.

I would rather use the space for more seating. Two accent chairs and a table/lamp? Bookcases generally just add clutter and take space. Or, leave the console as is and remove the corner piece and add an accent chair and table in that corner area. oh...like Tres McKinney said. :)

Bookcases would make that was look very heavy. Do you have room behind the sofa. You can always pull your sofa more towards the fireplace to create a space.

Well, again, every discussion boils down to classic design problems. In this case it's the question of having open shelves and risking clutter or having closed shelves and risking a bulky look. Once you learn to think like accountants do debit/credit of the design decisions you will know what you prefer.

To provide ample shelving (if you have books or collections, or both that you need to house) and to avoid risking to overwhelm the room I would choose to place either a wall of well chosen tall bookcases with a semi-fitted look or go for built-in shelves on the wall behind the couch. There it would have a slightly separate life of its own and will not fight the windows, the fireplace or the curtains.

If such a solution is difficult to achieve due to other constraints on that back wall, put very light floating shelves above the console table between the windows, in a slightly angled manner (one shelf further right or left than the other) and make a small display of pretty collectibles or books.

Also, you can add very small floating shelves on both ends of the fireplace, perhaps a foot or two long, to echo the display above the console table, for added consistency.

It would help if you could describe your needs for shelving.

Great room! What about having an over mantel built and incorporating shelves there? Are you looking to store items or just the look of built ins