I am so overwhelmed with these spaces and the TV in the middle (it stays, wires are gone).

What would you do with this room? (stools under window are back in the kitchen, lol)

Put some cabinets in the spaces and move the TV to one of them.

It seems like you have too many pieces of furniture in the room. With three arm chairs, that's at least one too many.

i'd build shelves in the niches. If the seating you currently have works for your family, I think it looks fine. It may not be Architectural Digest worthy, but the room looks comfy and cozy.

I agree - build shelves and put tv in shelves. It overwhelms that pretty, but small mantle. Club chairs by fireplace are too large - they're enormous. Find another home fir them and get smaller ones. And you need some curtains to soften the room.

The shelves are a great idea. I also agree with moving the TV which is just too big for that spot. Replace it with art work that's about 3/4 the size othe fire box opening. I would move the framed photos to a tabletop or shelving.

FWIW, the OP has said the television stays.

I would put in shelves with closed storage below. Shelves could be painted white like the fireplace.

If I had those niches, I'd have good-looking bookcases put in and begin filling them with books, Books lend both color and a certain "tone" to a room like nothing else! A couple of collected objets to break up the look would be good. By objets I mean things that you've collected over time because they mean something to you.

I like your room a lot - it looks incredibly comfortable and the furniture is very handsome.

I like your living room. It is pretty and filled out perfectly with your furniture. The thing I would change is building cabinets/bookshelves and moving the tv into the cabinet. The TV is currently the focal point of the room.

Here is an example of what you could do. Also, you could put doors on the built ins. However, this could be an easy fix.

Urban Townhome Living Room · More Info

I also like your room. I think you've done a great job of keeping it homey while still looking professionally decorated. I don't mind the 3rd chair. In a perfect world you might not have it, but perfection looks a little staid. I love the pics chelsea court posted above. I think the key is to keep the lines simple.

We found a cabinet maker to do built ins in our bedroom last year and I love them. The storage is great and it keeps every thing looking tidy and upscale.

I would add white low cabinets and shelves on top, maybe same color as your floor. You have really nice room, thinking back side of niche need to be different color including Fireplace wall. Would select something light...

If the tv has to stay where it is, then I would consider widening the fireplace by using some of the space from each opening and then have shelving on either side. That would clear up the problem with the tv being too big although the shelving will be a bit narrower.

The first picture that Chelsea Court Designs posted is a good example.

Hi Cathy --

I get why you're overwhelmed by them...I didn't even notice the TV at first!

Once you get them to be something other than black (brown?) holes it will all feel more natural. Definitely a room that looks great for hanging out for conversation or TV!

Lots of great ideas above. My one suggestion -- since there'll be a lot going on in that area -- is to create a strong line across the space at the height of your mantel to keep the eye from jumping around a lot.

I know you don't have windows above but these pics show what I mean:

Photos for forum threads · More Info

Photos for forum threads · More Info

Whether you do all shelves, all cabs, or cabs or drawers below/shelves above [the last is my vote] depends on your budget and/or preferences. And don't forget you could do sliding (bypass) doors to save space vs doors that open out.

Good luck...hope you'll show us the after!

I think keep TV where it is and put shelves in the niches.