I wouldn't remove them, just close them in with an overlay door.

I'd also paint them and the wall leaving the Fireplace the feature.

The problem with removing them is the floor. The flooring may not extend under the cases and, if it does, it may not match the rest of the floor.

That said, yes, they need to go. Everything else is contemporary and the built-ins are very traditional. Worse, they are very bulky & overly deep/ out of scale and still wouldn't work even if the rest of the space was traditional in design.

The built ins do not have to be replaced with anything beyond maybe some large artwork on one side. Perhaps move the TV from over the fireplace and to one of the sides formerly occupied by a built in.

Your space is contemporary & minimalist. It is fine to remove them and embrace the bare bones ethic.

Thank you CI_Lantro. I did not think about the floors not matching during demolishing the bookcase. I am planning to go a minimalist route. Mayb just a art of the wall.

Good plan. Just put them in the garage (basement?) and do art and stuff.

Actually they'd be nice in a playroom.

The problem is the size of the bookcases. they are really oversized for that spot.

this style would fit better. (no shutters please)

This tv you have is really too large for the spot. The fireplace box should have been longer if you wanted such a large tv. This looks top-heavy

I hope the shutters are coming off that main window. I'd try a furniture arangement similar to this. stick some greenery in the one corner, get some drapes, on the other side maybe a large piece of art or a console

I really like this one. I like the surround around the fireplace and the dark insert. You could do plants on the right and a shallow, wood shelf unit on the left:

these are two narrow consoles that are flush w/the protrusion of the fireplace. better balanced

is this an exterior wall? you could put in a few windows

french doors would be nice too

or, consider doing some nice built-ins like this that go better w/the style.

scale is off, but some built in benches?

taller cabs on either side, nice chandy

this one is pretty minimal. console on on sid, a few floatings shelves on the other

Agree with ci_lantro that the first order of business is determining what's underneath them

Here are some ideas:

• Wallpaper or paint on both sides of fireplace
• Flank fireplace with stone
• add complementary art pieces
• put benches under art

I mocked it up with all neutrals but adding color would be nice as well.

If you find that the floor is missing under the cabinets, then possibly add built in benches with upholstery tops.

Please show us what you end up with!

I was about to suggest wallpaper with or without benches but Kelly Jones beat me to it.

To me they do not look buitin since not custom for sure The best is to try seeing what is under them . I really dislike open shelving for display unless you have really particular things you want to display and then I do ony minimal number of nice thick shelves. I think I would remove those but first what is the flooring in that space ? If wood then for sure take those out and if you must have new wood finished and feathered in to match. That space looks very stark to me and the TV is too large for above that small firebox . I hate plantation shutters and for sure in a contemporary space where windows ar ebest with minimal window coverings and your furniture looks very contemporary.. I would do two custom low cabinets on eitjher side of the FP wall mount the TV on an articulating arm above one and a piece of art above the other cabinet to balance the TV then some very simple mantle decor.

The base of the bookcases look like standard 24" deep bases. If so, benches won't cover that footprint if there is no flooring under the bases.

But it looks like the cabinets were added at a later date so there is a good chance that finished flooring is under them.

Nothing about them says built in. There is flooring on both sides of the boxes. Built in to me means they would go from wall to fire box. I don't think they look properly sized at all. I don't like them so proud of the firebox. The first thing I would do is remove the crown. It is very out of place.