The top of your shelves looks too busy to me. Can you take everything off of the top and see what you think? the rest of the shelves look fine. I am wondering if you could paint your shelves the same as your TV console OR a little darker? On my monitor the console looks sort of antiqued.

I like your shelves. You could paint the backs (wall) interior of each with a lighter color, or wallpaper. Or you could add lighting to each section. I might hang the very nice still life on the wall inside, rather than having it propped up (and have a little light shining on it). I'd probably start with lighting (easier than painting/wallpaper) might discover it gives you the update you need :)

First, take absolutely everything off the shelves. The paint on the looks to be darker in the backs of the shelves. Could just be my screen. Paint them one color of fresh, slightly warm white. I see what you mean by the scale of the shelves to the wall. Ideally, your shelves would be ~18” or so taller and wider. If you want to work with what you have, try hanging a piece of long, horizontal art above the shelves. Ideas here:

https://www.etsy.com/market/narrow_horizontal_wall_art

Sine the shelves are adjustable, try removing some so that it doesn’t look like a series of cubby holes. As far as styling the shelves, you need fewer but heftier things. There are far too many little things and lots of dark. Look for larger shallow bowls, vases, interesting pieces of light colored wood, stacked coffee table books. No fake plants, no tiny picture frames, no candles. Try to very height, shape and texture, but stick to a tight color palette. Its okay to have one simple and beautiful item on a shelf. Put nothing on the top of the shelf. Some photos for inspiration below. I don’t necessarily love all of these, but there are some useful concepts reflected in them

I would remove the little arch trim.

You could add another x4 boxes of shelves to create a unit to the ceiling. I would cover most with doors and leave open only a few to showcase pieces you see as your most prized pieces.

Edit. I would also raise the drape rod over the windows for a taller look.

Painting the end wall a light beachy color and painting the inside back of the shelves a different light beachy color could look very refreshing with your sandy color furnishings. For example, consider beach-glass shades of pale blue, pale green, pale lavender. Or, if you want to go bold, try the same idea with intense beach-umbrella and beach-blanket colors. Whatever solution you arrive at, when you get there, I hope you love the room even more!

Thanks for the comments so far. Wish I could comment after each comment - would make it easier. Anyway, erinsean, I will definitely take the items off the top and take a picture of that because I'd like to know if they look fine with nothing on top or suggestions for something. The TV console is acacia wood or something with a thin coat of cream or something over it. The shelves are painted cream. Inside of them in same color.

lynndowis, thank you for ideas. I'm curious about the no fake plants, candles or tiny picture frames? Do you mean no 5x7s? or just something chunkier? I should mention a lot of the items on this shelf have significance. This is one of the only areas I have to display school photos, vacation memories, books, etc.

If I were to replace with a custom built piece, what would that look like? I can't say I was looking for a huge project with this, just an update and refresh.

What a lovely room! I agree with you that the top benefits from something up there, but you might try a theme or a collection instead of random objects. I love the bird cage (?). A small collection of those might look cool. Or perhaps large baskets, pottery, trophies??? Whatever it is, it should be interesting and good quality. As for the shelves, I'd try staggering them with different heights and see how you like it. Personally, I'd opt for more books and fewer small objects. Play around with it and don't be in a hurry to fill the shelves. So often less is more.

Here are some pics of custom built-ins via simple google search. If you want to go this route, choose a reputable local custom cabinet maker, or, more economically, Ikea has options.

Thank you for those ideas. I agree on fake plants and try to use minimally. The one on top was a place fiiler and other one in the shelving unit is real. Though it's showing dark and not doing much for adding a pretty green. Also agree on how to beef up the photos. I think I am very inclined to repaint the cabinets White Dove which is my trim and kitchen cabinets in the room. New door handles maybe? Take off curved trim and maybe get new doors with straight tops. I thought you were thinking an entirely new look or stand alone piece for here (I'd love it!) but custom built ins like above look very much the same to me. And built ins are for where they can actually be built in to a recessed wall and ceiling height and that's just not what this space is.

einportlandor my husband would agree with you. he thinks bookshelves should be for books or at least 75% books and not display for random crap. I feel like if i keep anything up top, maybe just a few items of staggered height at one end?

It's ok to have some things on top of the bookshelves in this room because your ceilings are so high.

I would only have three sizable things on the top of the bookshelves. Five would be too many, and you do want an odd number.

If you are physically able and are so inclined a marvelous bushy plant that will also cascade down would look great. Pothos would fit the bill. By a sizable one with a large stake. I think the stakes are made of coir or tightly packed moss and are usually brown.

I always did this.

At this point I am not spry enough to climb up and down to water it, maybe you are.

Pick two other things to put up there that are interesting and have different textures and shapes.

You can always change them around with other things you own periodically.

Also, these days they have things to put in the plants so they are more self-watering.

... more books!

Leave the birdcage and add a horizontal bird art work or sculpture next to it and nothing else. Echo the art work in sofa pillows. This is from Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/956095497/832-i-will?click_key=61b7607f4a37dd7e2f0f8a3cc67ec8fbfda4c136%3A956095497&click_sum=ea60236f&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=abstract+bird+painting+skyscape+horizontal&ref=sr_gallery-2-9&organic_search_click=1

An affordable bird print--maybe too cute, but? Also like the idea of a live plant hanging down on the window end. So: plant, birdcage, skyscape/bird art