This is the mantle in our living room as well.

First, the piece of art above the shelf needs to go elsewhere. It is wider than the shelf, so unless you can turn it vertically, let's find another spot for it. Once the pumpkin is down at the mantel, I would put the two candlesticks on the right, the tray of spheres in the center and the live plant (which a little one might eat) on the left. When a warmer season comes around, replace the candlesticks with the two iridescent vases. Without pix of all four walls, each taken while standing opposite the subject wall, we have very little context for what should be done to improve your room. I do think a new credenza with more presence would help, but we don't get any sense of your style or what you have to work with. More pix please.

Regarding the shelf in the first picture, that's directly in the sight line and hand line of your baby. I'd swap it out for a closed unit. Don't put anything on top of it. Use it purely as storage.

Agree with Elaine. It's totally in the range of what your baby then toddler can access(who in normal non covid times will likely have friends over as well). I remember hearing people say that they taught their kids to not touch certain things, my experience is good luck with that. It will only be for a few years, so I would consider removing anything breakable from there and maybe placing some books and non breakables there Maybe even decorative baskets to hold things that you won't be upset with being play things.

My kids are long grown, but I do have grandkids (4,2. and under a year) and on the lower part of bookcases they have access to I have done that. (books, baskets, and for decorative items I have metal pitcher and vase..that is on the lower 2 shelves. Above that I have my pottery and pretties;

Please relocate the art to over a sofa or a some place where it will not overwhelm your furniture placed below it.

Some type of vertical canvas would have worked better in this location Normally I would recommend three main items on the top of the shelving unit, but since the area is not very wide two groupings is enough.

Please post more pictures of the room. I think you can make that art work on another wall.

Here are more pictures of the room. I really appreciate all of y’all’s help. So sorry for all the fall decor and baby toys.

Last pic

Your room requires a larger rug. I understand the problem with the angled fireplace, but your seating should be on a larger, more patterned rug IMO. Turn off the overhead fanlight and never turn it on again. The quality of that light is terrible for your room and the room should have floor or table lamps to supplement your ambient light.

Because of the trapezoid shape over the fireplace, you should select either a round or asymmetrical shape for the wall. Here are some examples below.

The room looks too cluttered because of all the small accessories you purchase. Stop buying this stuff! It's just a waste of money. Every surface doesn't need to be covered. No accessories on top of the media cabinet.

I don't think you need the console table. Just more accessories in the room.

Here's a way for you to reuse the painting as a backdrop behind the chairs. You might want to add a floor lamp to this arrangement also.

Thank you so much.

Where would you put a lamp?

Also, do you know where I could find this for over our mantle?

This piece

Also, what size rug is it that you’re suggesting ?

Lastly, any suggestions of where I can find a side table like that ?

https://www.houzz.com/products/query/drum-side-table/nqrwns

Here are lots of drum side tables. The rug should be big enough to slip under the front 1/3 - 1/2 of the sectional and extend past the right and left ends of it by a foot or more. Use blue painter's tape on the floor to tape that out, then measure and buy a rug in the closest size to what your taped rug measures.

You most likely don't need to alter the table much. We suggest a smaller piece of artwork hanging above it, and perhaps a lamp or plant on the table. Below you will find some designs of ours that might aid you with your dilemma.

Altadena Farmhouse: Phase 2 · More Info

La Canada Blvd Residence · More Info

Thank y’all for all of the suggestions and help

BeverlyFLADeziner...I like the rug in the last pic..looks black/white. Where can I buy it?

Geraldine Ivany, if you check around this rug is available through scores of retailers. Here is a link.

https://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Safavieh-Adirondack-Modern-Charcoal-Ivory-Runner-Rug-26-x-12-Runner/11040848/product.html

Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to send me the info. Geraldine