Hi

Fish Bowl: I would say not a good idea. I am putting my parenting hat on here: are the kids goiing to maintain the fishtank? What will happen when they inevitably lose interest in it/move out of house, etc? So, unless you have a particular interest in the fishtank and maintaining it, I say no.

Amount of depth: I would need to see more photos or measurements, but the space does not appear very deep for either a fishbowl or bar.

Bar: if you are not going to use it, I would not put in a wetbar.

It might serve as a bookcase or might be usable some way on the other side, but I would need more information on what is on the other side, how you are going to set up the room, etc,

Drywalling might be the best answer.

Please post more photos and info and I could help more.

I'd add I see no point to wood stain crown and door. All the remainder in your home seems to be painted.: )

If it were my home i would do a built in bookcase or something for storage.......but that is because my home lacks storage. :)

ETA: you could have a fish tank on the bookcase then and get rid of it when the children no longer want to care for it.

What is the depth? How about a multi purpose area. Counter height top with doors underneath for storage of beverages or toys?? Use top for entertaining or coffee bar; change it for needed use. Above it put art and or floating decorative shelves. These work only if you have enough depth.

Thanks everyone it’s has a depth of like 26”. The crown molding hasn’t been primed and painted yet. I made the molding myself with mdf. In was thinking the fish tank for kids but a wet bar would all some value to house. The plumbing is already there considering it was a wet bar there where I moved in. But I’m kidding of liking art and a floating bookshelf but i have fireplace in that room I was thinking of putting shelving next to. Here is some pics to get idea of room. The fist pic is before kitchen was done. Second pic of kitchen and all drywall done. Third pic is when i started drywalling.

BTW I happen to love the orange sofa I have orange sofas in my media room

good grief! What ever you do with that space don't put in a high maintenance fish tank to keep caged animals in! A real nice tank requires so much attention and work, and what if it gets damaged and develops a leak? You do know that the kids will lose interest in it, don't you? Someday you will find yourself with a tank of water that holds nothing more than some little dead fish and a growth of algae. Just, NO!

Better to eliminate that plumbing and put in some shelves and maybe some sort of a desk area.

We had a wet bar in a previous home and had a fish tank on the bar. The sink made it very easy to clean and change water. Built in wet bar with storage under the counter and a fish tank on the counter. Win/win.

Id say big no to a built in fish tank. Very difficult to maintain and would likely lower the value of the home where a wet bar will add value.

You need to first determine how you will set up the family room.

If you really want a fish tank a free standing one I think would be better. Then you can get rid of easier and pu pplt in shelves you want later without having to tear out built in one.

FYI, a twenty gallon is easier to care for than a 10 gallon.

I've heard of more people getting rid of wet bars lately. Not necessarily a plus for resale.

I know I’ll be putting a love couch and chair in family room. I want to be able to open all the doors to the sunroof if i wanted to without having to move furniture out the way

Yes. Good idea. Except one chair is going to look odd. I'd use 2 chairs. Is there a tv and will it go over the fireplace? If so, keep in mind that the tv will be high.

By the way, the column by the island looks random. I undertand it is likely a support. I'd add another column for balance. Why is the island not a seating island?

Having known of a couple built in tanks... don't. Sounds great, but is much more of a PITA to keep up with since it's in the wall. If you want a tank, freestanding outside the wall is the much better option, hands down. You could have a rather nice tank there- and leave in plumbing in the undercabinet for easier water changes.

Are any of you into gardening? You could keep the plumbing and build that area in for a bit of a growing station for growing through the winter, or indoor herb gardening, or starting your seeds for your outdoor garden. You could get real creative and do an aquaponics setup- have fish and grow some goodies.

“Family fun” area. Shallow cabinets with topper. Maybe shallow glass cabs above. In same trim as house interior doors. This could be used for anything as the years go by. Board games, kids party stuff, fish tank...

It’s unclear to me if a wet bar would add value. It’s not a current “thing”.

Yes a tv will be over fireplace island doesn’t have counter tops yet had to use wood for use of it until it comes. The column is support but can’t see where another one would go. Where couch is no seems to have good view of TV

Not really into plants

I would need more photos. I was thinking a twin column would go on the opposite side (where silver bowl is sitting in your photo). Can you post photos that are no panormic. Am having a hard time seeing the island and the kitchen,

IMO wet bars are dated. If this area is the family room I suggest a nice built-in with a dorm fridge, hidden microwave, space for board game storage above. Petco can set you up with a 20 gallon ready-to-go unit for under $100 plus fish. Build a low secure stand such that the kids can help perform cleaning.

Since you are a DIY'er, you don't have to do anything now. You can paint the drywall & leave til later...wait for an inspired moment on how to use the space. Hang a mirror or some art and add a console table in the niche for now.

26" depth--deep enough for a coat closet if you need more hanging space. Pantry space if the kitchen lacks storeage... You'll think of a great use for it, given some time to mull it over. It can be tough to get flashes of inspiration when your brain is occupied with nuts & bolts of DIYing.

ci-lantro had given you some very solid advice. Why be in a hurry to do anything at all?

If I had a space like that, I would keep me an aquarium there; just not one that's built into the wall. I would gladly go with as large of an aquarium as I could fit into that space, placed on a sturdy big enough stand to give it some height. It may seem counterintuitive, but maintaining a larger aquarium is much easier than trying to maintain a small one. Year's ago, we had a friend move in, and he brought a 55 gallon aquarium that he never bothered setting up. Long story short, he ended up being a deadbeat that never helped with the bills, and ate all of our food. We ended up kicking him out, but I wouldn't let him take the aquarium with him. That's when I got to work getting it set up. It took some doing, but it was a labor of love. Once the tank was fully cycled, maintenance was fairly easy. After that, having this large freshwater tank in our foyer just made our place just that much more appealing. It makes for a great conversation piece, and anytime we had company come over, they were immediately drawn to it. We've even had offers from some to buy it from us. Of course, we would politely decline them. Eventually, we ended up moving and gave the tank away to some good friends of ours that lived in the same high rise, because we weren't able to take it with us. That happened many years ago, and I still regret ever doing that. This past year, my interest in keeping an aquarium was reignited. I went out and bought another aquarium. It's not as big, but I already want to buy another large aquarium again. Just as soon as I save up enough to get it done, and I can't wait. There's just something about them that is just so fascinating and calming/relaxing. If I had a space like that in my home, the decision would already be made, lol.

I went on Google and did a quick search for some aquariums that looked like they'd fit perfectly into that corner, but there are so many shapes and sizes to choose from that the possibilities are endless.

Now these are just a couple of examples. You can go with something much more simple, or something more elaborate. Like I said, there are endless possibilities. It's worth noting that in the second picture, they have a saltwater tank. Of course, those typically require much more experience. As for myself, I prefer freshwater aquariums anyways, and require less maintenance. Ironically, keeping some "fish in a bowl" actually requires more work than maintaining a large tank. If you don't believe me, then go to any number of aquarium forums and ask the hobbyists in there. They will tell you the same thing.

Neither to answer original question

The sell LED screen fish tanks. Basically a TV that runs a fish program like a Samsung Frame TV does with art. Us it as a backing to your built in wet bar. They are very realistic looking from a few feet away.

What’d you decide to do? I would say fish tank but I really like fish. I had a 75 gallon tank that was serviced every 4-6 weeks and someone else did all the work. I find fish calming.

My spouse would say wine bar. In my area I am seeing more in-home wine bars, wet bars, wine storage, wine closets, wine storage, wine lounge, etc popping up as people remodel and update their homes.

That said, if you’re unsure then I would put in shelves (cabinets on the bottom). Books, some decor, some storage. Or just cabinets and a pretty lamp to brighten the corner and art.