Well what do I know but . . . having given you this warning, :-)) . . .

Can you put the two couches/sofas/loveseats in an L arrangement with an end table at the meeting point? Hard to tell the room dimensions and or the width of the sofas.

The two bookshelves (squarish) alongside the FP (very square) appear barren. I'd rather see them side by side on one wall - across from the Ell of the sofas.

Much info needed here like:

How many peeps need to watch TV at one time in your family?
Is this an everyday everyone room?
How big is this room? Can the sofas/loveseats (which are they) be pulled back from the FP so the (I think it's a) chair in the left corner be angled close to the FP?

Personally speaking of course, I'd like to see a beefier mantle on the FP. Given we are all monitor challenged, the colors in your furniture & the FP seem to work. I'm sure you can find fabric & paint to pull it together but think I'd first concentrate on room arrangement and then move forward.

As there are no FP tools, I guess this is a Gas FP but a cob with 3-5 blocks of wood wouldn't hurt regardless.

The square in the ceiling is? :-)))

I'm no expert but don't like seeing questions go unanswered so I've shared my very basic thots. I think it would help the real gurus of deco if you supplied a little more info, such as how you use the room (including how many peeps involved) plus what is behind the space we can see. In other words - what is the access to this space? Paint and fabric are (relatively) easy to come up with and put together. First comes what the function(s) of the room is/are and how does this space work with the spaces around it
If you fill in a few of these details, I'm sure the very wise folks here will give you some great ideas.

I have to agree with trying to rearrange the furniture to be more TV watching friendly. Even if you have to replace one of the couches with 2 chairs it might be better providing you can do that. Yes, a beefier mantle would help a lot. For my 2 cents though, you need heavier bookcases on either side of the FP. The ones you have, while attractive, are not balancing the FP and TV. Wood bookcases with substantial molding on each side would make the wall a cohesive focal point. Right now it doesn't have
pulled together look. The fireplace and tv are dominate and then the spindley bookcases on either side just dont say they belong there.

I would also like to see the couches in an "L", but I am guessing that because they are recliners that won't work - dueling footrests if you try! LOL

So, let's assume that you have to leave the furniture pretty much as is. I would first decide what you would like to use as accent colors. With all the coppery brown and beiges in the room, an olive green and a rich greyed navy would be nice.

I would do the bumped out wall above the fireplace itself in a color that is similar to the darker color in the fireplace stone - a deep rusty brown? I would then do the side walls of the fireplace area and all the other walls in an olive green.

I would clear off all the little tiny framed pix on those shelves and then pick two shelves, one on each side, to use for framed stuff. Maybe the top right shelf for the larger framed pieces, and the second shelf on the left for a grouping of all the smaller frames. On the top left shelf I would think about a plant, something full like a fern, top add some softeness. I would try to mix in some books or other decorative pieces like a vase, or a pretty plate on a stand, etc.

I don't see any lamps in the room, so for sure I would find a way to add a smaller lamp on the top left with the plant, and perhaps a floor lamp on the right side. If you only have overhead lighting, that is not going to create a warm feeling in the room. If you don't have room at the ends for actual lamps, consider getting a couple of uplights that would stand tucked in the corners by the shelves. The light would shine up through the glass shelving and add some warmth to that end of the room.

I would change out the pillows on the couches to things with the olive green and navy blue in them - mix some patterns and stripes to bring some depth to the plain leather. Pier One probably has some pillows with those colors (and both colors don't have to be in each pillow - mix 'em up). Here is a link, tho they don't sell online any more, but there are several pillows here that would work, including a blue-background leaf pillow that you can just barely see in the top picture in the link:

pier one pillow ideas

I would find a great blue pottery vase and put that on the hearth on the right side, filled with twigs and grasses.

I would leave the mantel alone. Once you paint the darker accent color on that upper wall space, you don't really need anything there to compete with the TV, and you will have enough accessories on the side shelving and on the hearth.

I would look for some artwork to hang above the shelving on each side. It doesn't have to have the colors we are discussing, just pick things that speak to you.

I'm pretty decorator challenged myself but what I'd do is move the 2 book shelves from either side and maybe add a few pics with contrasting colors with a hint of the darker color in your FP with black frames if you like: ) I would also paint above the FP with a darker/bolder color, possibly from the FP itself but maybe a shade or 2 darker than your darkest brick. I like the idea of moving the furniture to the L shape too.
For what it's worth, my monitor shows a terra cotta hue to the sofa and darker brick so your black accent will look nice or espresso.

I'm a newbie here and welcome any suggestions if my post here is out of line. I love rearranging and decorating though so wanted to also agree with some of the comments already mentioned. The ideas sound great! I like the symmetry of the room arrangement. I also feel the current bookcases are perhaps too small scale for the space on either side of the FP and would like to suggest that you build some to fit the space if at all possible. My hubby and I just built a FP surround and it actually looks good--amazing since we are not builders per se and was really economical! It's sitting in our GR waiting for the finishing touches. So I think you might consider that as well. That wall would really look great with the whole thing being a cohesive unit. You could even take that center wall section and wrap it with MDF or wood and add pocket doors for the TV. Here's a link to that kind of hardware-- http://www.rufkahrs.com:80/shelbe/pocketd.html. I'm sure it's available elsewhere, too. MDF is not expensive if you don't mind the painted look. As Holly mentioned above more info might help, such as what's your current molding in the room around your door frames? If it's white, then you might go with white surround and even add white crown molding and do the bookcases in white providing you pick up that color elsewhere. Or black would also work, too. The mantle being beefier sounds great to me, and I'd probably make it a rich stained wood top anyway, with wide crown underneath, but that's just what I like. I was reading a Q/A article that mentioned the idea of the green walls by a decorator (http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/chats/article/0,1783,HGTV_3224_1773372,00.html) or perhaps a lighter tan like wheat sheaf. The green he mentioned just sounded really perfect to me. He also discussed what to put on the mantle if you have a TV that limits the space available, and his suggestion was just a simple vase of flowers on one side and on the other a single decorative item or picture. That question is about 2/3 of the way down the page. He also suggested an area rug to someone, and if you can swing that--it would be a great way to introduce some color that you could tie in with a wall hanging over the couch. I'm trying to attach a few links and pictures, but not sure I can figure out how to do that. Another link is from TOH about building built-in bookcases, http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,524753,00.html, and another from a designer who covers the TV with regular cabinet doors--if you want it less the center of attention. It'll be fun to see what you come up with! My plans may be way more complicated than you'd like to tackle, and that's ok, too. If you really want to keep the bookcases you have in that location, you might consider putting larger items or grouping things---even a few matching rectangular baskets on each one that hold smaller things would help. Wish I could post some images, but guess I'm not figuring that out.

Here is a link that might be useful: Decorator's Advice

I'm just wondering, how do you comfortably watch the tv while sitting on the couches where they are?? I have a stiff neck just trying to imagine how. Can you pull the couches further away from the tv? Are there other chairs not in the picture that you use to watch the tv?
Also, what is that on the floor in the middle of the room? Maybe if you take a shot from further back we could see more of the room.
I love the color of the couches!

You are trying to do a lot in a small room, and the oversized furniture isn't helping. I would love to see you remove the loveseat on the left and bring the TV down to a level where it is comfortable to watch, but I suspect that isn't going to happen until your husband's neck starts to hurt.

Until then, I would replace the bakers racks with end tables and lamps - it looks like you need additional lighting in the room. I would remove the family photos from the room and get them up on a wall, placing them as a collection along a hallway or in another room.

Generally speaking, with the size of the room and the contemporary furniture, I would limit the number of small items, and instead bring color to the room with artwork.

New drapes will make a big change in the room. I would look for a plaid, stripe or print, not a solid color, and make sure that one of the colors in the drapes matches the color of the sofas, but also brings in a contrasting color - a beige/green or a beige/red combo might be nice. Go to Bed, Bath and Beyond - they have some interesting drapery panels.

I would keep the wall color fairly neutral, a beige or light gold that goes well with both the leather and your drapes. Buy the drapes before deciding on a paint color.

Here is a link that might be useful: BB&B drapery panels

How do we watch TV without hurting our necks? There are TWO swivel rocker matching chairs that face the TV. Two round glass tables with black wrought iron and two matching nickel lamps.I have TWO of everything going on, not the usual decorating scheme, but this is the only room we use for gathering. Six recliners, four in the couches, and the two chairs is our comfort room. I realize the oversized furniture will look better in a family room, or basement, but that's the "new house" and I'm tired of waiting for that to happen. Next year we hope to leave so I just want to decorate around what I have, though the bookcases could go to the basement and built-ins were my original request. Built in shelving unit?? or portable ??
Black??? Wall color?? I have no wood pieces.
Plaid panels might be my choice...I'll have to dig through my fabric books today, I sew custom window treatments, though I might decide to save money and buy ready-made this time.
I want to hang pictures on the wall above the couch, which is my only wall to decorate, would you carry the rectangle look over there with a large print?? or NO MORE RECTANGULAR pieces.
THanks everyone, Michelle

If you are not planning on staying in this house, I wouldn't go to the $$ of custom bookshelves. Paint the TV wall an accent color - remove the bakers racks - get some simple drapes on those windows. On the 2 walls next to the fireplace - what about some wooden ledges - PB style with your photos stacked/layered. Change out the frames of your photos - make them all cohesive or the same - wooden frames.

Get a floor lamp for that end of the room for additional lighting.

You are sooooo lucky to have the talent to sew custom window treatments!!

Smiles:)

{{gwi:1853563}}

Here is the other side of the room, I will part with all my flowers and color, this treatment has been reworked twice.
Can I leave the trim and doors the SW Peaceful ( old color name)its a creamy off white.

Okay, how about moving the two recliners to in front of the window, with one of the round tables in between them, and putting the couches in an "L" as discussed earlier? SInce you have some room there, you probably can use the recliner couches in that configuration without dueling footrests. Trying to break up the 'two-by-two' effect that you are getting.

I think the trim color appears to be fine. Hard to say for sure, tho, depending on the wall color you choose.

I would take the Family plaque from above the grandmother clock and hang it over the couch, perhaps? It is kind of large for its present location, and overwhelms the clock. You could hang some family pictures in a grouping with that and it would be very nice.

How do we watch TV without hurting our necks?
By lowering the TV to a height that is level with your eyes.

It goes to show you how deceiving a photo can be. The room looks more spacious in the second photo. I agree with les that you could break up some of the symmetry by playing around with the seating arrangement.

If you moved the clock to another room, could you pull the furniture several inches away from the fireplace wall?

I've made so many exciting changes. I love my new colors, greens, browns, accenting with rust, and will post pictures soon.
Sorry,furniture arrangement remains the same. I bought two round oversized wood tables,and a matching oval coffee table, painted walls Old Salem Gray, added a couple area rugs,living and entryway, finished sewing interlined plaid drapes last night,now I am trying to decide how to hang them, added a couple embroidered flowery pillows, seems like the list goes on and on.
I need to paint fireplace brown yet, buy new lamps, a picture, and accessories.
Do you like either of these ideas...built in shelves with , cabinet doors possibly painted Whitall Brown, same color I plan to use behind the tv or the Floating Shelves painted brown. I don't really like the paneling look on the builtins but I thought the brown cabinets below to match the brown above the fireplace would work ??
These are the shelving /bookcases INSPIRATIONAL pictures I think will work. Do you like them??
{{gwi:1853564}}
{{gwi:1853565}}
{{gwi:1853566}}
Thank you so much for inspiring me to make CHANGES...I've been waiting to move, and now I love my "new home"..well not really, but I'm feeling in style now with painted walls!! Will post entry, living and kitchen pics soon. Today I am sewing my patio door drapes, in a fabulous multi colored stripe. Also loved my kitchen chairs slipcovered in beige tapestry print, so BB&B here I come for 5 more of those bargains $5.99 each plus coupons!!
Michelle

{{gwi:1738731}}

HERES MY ROOM NOW, HOW AM I DOING???
I'm trying to find a hurricane candle for the sides, do you like this one at all?? I will go to Hobby Lobby and find some ceramic ones, this caught my eye at BB&B last nigt. Suggestions??

Very very well done!!

Amazing transformation!!!! :) Much warmer and welcoming!!