It would be really nice if you could post several pictures of the whole room instead of just this relatively small area. I'm confused by several small tables in the middle area. The silver surround of the TV really stands out in a negative way. I wonder if that could be spray painted black. I wonder if the bricks around the fireplace could be painted cream for a more elegant look and to lighten the room. I did that in another house and the result was amazing. I think you do need to hang some pictures with beautiful lighter colors on the wall paneling to give this room some life. It looks very static right now. More pictures would really help.

a fancy paneled room like that doesn't need too much more. I would consider getting rid of little tables and placing a large coffee table that all can reach for placing beverages, snacks, etc. being that my taste leans towards traditional, I would use a trad. rug but I imagine there are contemporaries that would work nicely, if that is what you like. Rather than making room teenage proof, I would train teenagers to live in fancy surroundings. It can be done. Fancy doesn't have to mean stuffy, though I guess some people would say paneling is "stuffy". I like your room very much.

Here are a couple more...thanks for the feedback!

Here is the Wetbar behind u-shaped sofa sectional....

This is same wall, showing area to left - light caused funny exposure here - panel doesn't look this red in real life as in this picture..

Here is a shot of the fireplace and windows needing window treatments. Thanks! Hope you find these helpful!

I would paint that black cabinet to the left of the fireplace a cream color. I don't know what you're planning for window treatments because it doesn't look as though you have room for curtains but I would think whatever you do should also be a light color to set off all that dark paneling. I agree about the large coffee table and I'd make it glass because you already have more than enough wood in that room.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I have considered painting the fireplace, and I think that's a good approach (a matte ivory, is it a special paint?). I also like the idea of painting the media cabinet.

There IS room for window treatments - fireplace picture is a bit misleading due to the angle. I'm considering blackout Roman blinds with some kind of panel (what?). The advice about placing cream colors around (art, floor vases, accessories) seems right on - the sectional anchors the room and is such a large piece, it needs breaking up somehow. The sense of movement would be added in that way. Very, very helpful input everyone!!

It is hard to tell totally from the picture, but it sure seems like the very white couch is suffocating the room. And, the selling photo has a nice lamp and I don't see one in your picture. Consider whether you have adequate lighting before messing with the pretty paneling.

Hi, thanks - I see your point. Walking into the empty, paneled room, it's gorgeous but dark and overpowering. Feels like an English study. Then your eye hits the brick fireplace. For the past year during our relocation, I actually had a pair of leather, tobacco-colored sofas in there, and it was an absolute cave - although I liked the wood.

It does have lots of recessed lighting, and the light from the windows - thank goodness! Appreciate the lamp comment, and am considering a floor lamp with cream shade). About the room - it's so hard to describe it from photos, eh? The ivory leather sectional anchors the room with it's u-shaped dimensions and sheer size. Like a large, soft, curvy cloud in a dark forest. It works, but it wants breaking up somehow. - pillows, throws?? The wood is not exactly smothered, but it's substantial, and it's a fair comment, it's what I'm looking to break up somehow.

Current setup makes me yearn for movement in artwork, scaled floor vases, etc. The comment about artwork not being correct scale is very dead-on. There were two large framed pieces in staged version which worked. I've never lived with library style custom paneling, so I guess I'm a bit afraid to stick pictures up, but I need to experiment with that. I've considered mirrored wall piece arrangmements (a la Z-Gallerie), but perhaps too modern? Or does it want an oil painting..

That paneling is fantastic! I would dump the white sectional sofa and go total English library and men's lounge look. The white is very pretty, but that room screams for a leather chesterfield sofa and club chairs. But then that's the looks I happen to love :-)

Rotwein I was afraid of making too many unnecessary holes b4 hanging but learned that sealing them with wood putty makes them invisible and doesn't ruin paneling. I would use more trad furniture but I really like the concept of a modern family spending quality time in this trad. Setup, so carry on. Not sure about wall hanging you posted but just about ANY painting as long as right size should work

I would go the other way as Em (just personal preference) and just toss a bunch of white and cream into the room - cream curtains, throw down a light rug, stick in some light cream lamps, and throw up some lightish art on the walls.

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I agree. I'd go with lots of creamy white and texture. Start with IKEA linen curtains, maybe furry throws, lambskin. And, I'd add some blue and white, too

OMG - Pacific Heights Residence is my new inspiration photo. LOVE it. Love the art arrangements from Robo (thanks so much!). I will find a way...

I researched a lot of photos of dark paneling. My 1939 living room didn't have the nice paneling you have; instead, mine was orange-y pine. My contractor and I tried different ways, sanding, stripping, etc. to "bring life to the wood" but ended up painting.

That said, I collected these photos on Houzz:

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You've received some really great advice, especially from AnnieD above. I love your paneling, but if I were to choose a mirror I'd go with a solid expanse of glass versus the smaller mirrors. The scale is what's important. We lived with a dark paneled FR for quite a while, and we learned that getting "in scale" and larger swaths of lighter, more reflective (i.e, light colors/white, glass, metal) areas on the walls and on the floor were important.

In our living room, we removed the brass insert and went with a larger, more decorative and lighter screen.

Taller candleholders with a back plate can also help break up the area around the TV, similar what the sconces achieve in your favorite photo.

I love the panelling - I think what you lack is good lighting, is there anything you can do to add recessed lighting, more lamps, etc?

I also love the paneling! I would tile dabney marble around the fireplace. Sheer (white cream) patterned curtains to floor and frame large mirrors with a pretty frame within the panels by the door. I've even seen wallpaper or fabric framed in series instead of mirrors add texture and a bright quality to the room. Heather