I think it would compete with and detract from your fireplace and make the TV the "star" of the room.

I like the aviator fan. The wood floating wall that is floor to ceiling with the two lower shelves looks good (the pic with the green tag in the corner). If you go that route, I'd maybe consider changing the mantel to match.

I like the back lit faux wall.

I understand this is the room most likely to be busy with family life and therefore a TV is part of it. Go with the floating wall and the down lights, but paint it the same colour as the rest of the room. I have a neighbour who done the same thing, they just used plaster, and it looks good.

I like the wooden planks wall. a lot.

together with that the space, even though not really small doesn't seem generous enough to me, to contain such a wall without sacrificing other elements of the room. I'd invest in a good-very good, maybe even custom made(it will be cheaper)) modular system of shelves (including couple cabinets, drawers, in short very functional and done to your liking), that would host the TV, all the devices, maybe some books, some art..it will be easier to naturally tie such a system with the rest of the room, the fireplace, the (maybe) art over it, window treatments, etc. For the clean look holes can be made in the back to deal with all the mess of wires etc.

If you crave color-you can have it painted..or have it done, partially, from melamine, they have a good hundred of colors to offer. Such systems can look very modern and streamlined (I went for a more modern look in mine for example, and mixed wood plus two different colored veneers. I love both modern and traditional, so I mix them..I prefer cleaner lines in case goods, bookcases, etc.).

I think it has more versatility than a wall, gives you more storage options, display options-and can be taken with you too, unlike the wall(?), and set up a bit differently if needed, in the future.

If you still decide to go for a wall though-I'd go for either same-as-the other walls color(which you might choose to be red btw)), or do wood planks but then also think how to tie it with the fireplace more, and with the room as a whole. It can be done of course, just requires consideration. And maybe a bit of an overhaul since i think fireplace surround and mantel will look sad next to wood planks,

I do like an aviation style fan, much more than the fan that is there already..it also seems to be much more your style(as much as one can judge about the style from one post..))

Congratulations on your new place!

I think it could work, but I would then paint out the fireplace the same color as the walls (not the same as the faux wall) so the fireplace will kind of fade into the background but still be functional.

You could also think about switching out the living room and dining areas. Then you'd have the fireplace in the dining area and a non competing faux tv wall in the new living room (if there is a wall to accommodate it there).

I would put the TV on the wall between the window & sliding glass doors, would also help decrease glare from daylight on the screen.

I agree with mdln (I have the glare issue and would love enough space to rearrange it away). I would also be thinking about how I would cover the windows at the same time as adding the wall so that when you do the wall....maybe you'll wish the blinds could stack up behind it....? I would change the ceiling fan after you add the wall and furniture. To me the aviator fan would go well with the wood wall but not necessarily the painted wall and neither may go with your furniture. To me your biggest challenge is that they chopped up the floor and defined the space in a way that you might not want. If you don't want to redo the floor, you could use large area rugs to divide the space the way you want. I like to move in and then decide on what to change. Sometimes the things I want to change are different after living in a place for a couple of months.

To move in first is always the good idea. No doubt about that. Strongly agree.

I can't see that TV going between the window and the door though..not that I know dimensions, neither of the room nor if the TV..but i can picture our old 32 inches going in there..now we upgraded to 42' I think, because the new family room is longer, the viewing distance is larger..already I picture something like that taking all the space between the doors you have to use for going in and out and the window, and messing up the space. And it seems to me the quest here is for a big TV. I might be mistaken of course.

You'll still have glare problem unless you treat the windows-blinds, shades, curtains..something.

They chopped the space alright..the previous owners I mean..probably for practical reasons-I can imagine them having a dining table in the non-carpeted space. I can't see what is the flooring there.

It can be changed of course, if one is planning/willing to do so. That would be my priority too. Even though it's tough if everything, say, is new or almost new..harder even just psychologically.

I really appreciate all of the advice so far, thanks!

Man, this is tough deciding what to do with this room. I don't want to re-do the flooring, and I would imagine we would put some kind of a light barrier on windows/sliding glass door (curtains, shades, etc.). You can't tell from the photos, but the sliding glass door has shades built inside the door. There is a massive room in the basement that is finished and will end up being the main TV room/hang out room.

I am just trying to find something interesting/bold to do with this room, since its pretty much the first thing you see when coming into the house. I was imagining this would be a small hangout place at times (everyone always migrates and hangs out in the kitchen at first when people come over) and a TV should be in there somewhere. I was also thinking that the dining room table would go on the wood floor over near the sliding glass door somewhere.

Originally I was thinking possibly an accent wall... then that transitioned over to the floating wall, and I agree with everyone that the reclaimed wood look would probably look the best if going that rout, but not entirely sure. I was trying to read up on the whole thing about "competing with the fireplace", but didn't get to far with google yet.

On a side note, those fans come in different finishes, but nothing nearly as dark as the kitchen cabinets & mantle. Those shouldn't match anyways right?

Ah, so you do have another space for lounging/TV watching.

If you're pretty much sure you'd rather have a TV here too-I'd be satisfied with a (say) credenza or something to host a smaller size TV, which you can surround with some shelving with books, or maybe art..you can bring in plants-a lot of them..lots of interest since some of them grow like crazy and are virtually indestructible..)) and they always look at home-any style, any room you take, you can't go wrong with introducing plants, Remember Clifford Simak's purple flowers? lol

you can paint the walls..you can wallpaper them if you're brave..you can put a mural on-there are some amazing ones.

there are many many ways to make this room interesting. also don't forget-you look at it now while it's empty. but when you'll actually live there-you'll have furniture, fabrics, books..now it's a blank slate but it won't stay this way. it will be you and your family plus this room. it will be interesting enough without the feature wall. which you still can decide to do-I continue to think these wood planks are way cool..but they might be too overwhelming..and I would think very carefully about how to incorporate them, and whether it's worth investing in. That's personal of course and you might find that yes, you really want it, TV or no TV. Then I'd introduce more of that wood around..maybe wooden frames on art? maybe woven shades in the window? maybe painting the mantle another color so it'll blend more with the walls? And I'd use this plank wall more heavily then if I decide to put it in..it's a big space, and it might be useful and very very cool to have more on it than just the TV.

Whatever you decide-it's exciting. Lots of possibilities here.

And yes you're right..you don't need to match the wood finishes. You do need to consider how they will look together..in rare instances mixing just doesn't work. Say red mahogany or similar very expensive woods..)) find it hard to incorporate lol. Passed on amazing nightstands several years ago..the most useful amazing high quality nightstands I ever saw(on Craigslist)) but they just didn't blend in, what can I say..

But I don't think that's your case.

Hey guys, thanks again for all of the advice so far!

So we started moving in our existing furniture (still not sure if this furniture is going to work), and this was the best layout we could come up with.

Do you guys think a layout like this works? I am thinking of putting the TV ontop of the credenza (floated 1 foot above it) centered on that wall... what do you think?

BTW, the mirror ontop of the fireplace is only temporary. I am in the process of building a larger one that has the lines match up with the fireplace.

i think it's a nice layout. the rug is fun.

i'd put the tv right on top of the credenza though. it's a bit smallish..what if you decide to go for a bigger one, in the future? it's a nice viewing height, and won't give you this permanency.

unless the tv is too big to go on it?...

i'd also balance the credenza with something meanwhile. a big plant in a pot usually works nice:) we had this modular system we took with us to every place we moved, for years..if the wall was too long for it(it was pretty substantial i must say, incorporating open shelves, etagere, glass bookcase)-that's how i'd take care of it still working in a new space.

if you have art-that's a good thing too. by its own merit of course, but it also balances like few things do

When you say balance the credenza with something... do you mean by filling in the empty space on the left and right (and possible above) with something so its not just a lot of white wall?

yes, that's what i meant .i'd say at least one side. i might do a plant or something on one side..vertical art on another

even just a plant(which is very easy to get) will make a huge difference

then you might want to wait until you find the art you love (unless you have one already) for weeks..months..years lol. or maybe you suddenly see something today-art has its own timing. don't get it as just a space filler.

you can decide to surround your tv with art too

you might decide to put some shelves

in short, there are many possibilities here. use this wall-it's a good one.

That looks that looks like a workable layout. Maybe a taller wingback chair & plant with lamp in the corner to balance the FP? Smaller cocktail table to sit a drink/book on.