Chalk that up to the fireplace being such a priority common sense went right out the window. At the least that 'mantle' ought to be removed. I bet the door hits it. It would be a more contemporary look w/o it. It appears there was a TV placed above it. It might help to give us a better over all picture of the room and not just that corner.

Normally removing a fireplace would be heresy but in this case it was awkwardly forced into the corner of a room too small to support it.

If you need a desk and find there is no better location for it (and fireplace is electric and easy/inexpensive to remove) I would remove. If keeping, I’d update for a bullt in look that is flush with cupboard.

if adding a desk add height, to offset the doors and have a bult in, balanced effect.

The wall opposite the closet is uninterrupted and best place for bed. Either by hand or on line configure room based on size, configuration, doorways and test. Do you need (have) a dresser, ok with one nightstand, want a chair, decision on desk, etc. If you provided this information, you’ll receive relevant advice.

That’s a lovely room. I like it. Except for the foolish fireplace, of course.

If a tiny desk will suffice, I like Maureen’s suggestion.

Oh, and paint the cold air return above the closet doors and all the switch plate covers. There’s sure a lot of them next to the bathroom door!

Remove the FP it is just odd. Then you should have space for the items you want . I would however if at all posiible do not have a work desk in a bedroom .That spac eis small what size ids the bed and those pics really distort the space . We have a bedroom for international students they require a desk a bed and of course a closet . We alo provide a nice chair and wall mounted TV but the only sise bed that fits is a twin the room is very close to the size you have but only a door to the hall. Maybe just post a to scale floor plan here done on graph paper , show every window , doorways and all measurements clearly marked post here in jpeg format in a comment DO NOT start another post . we will then have a good idea of the actual space .I think Maureens idea for the desk to replace the FP might be the best plan but I relly need to have some real idea of the space .If this is owned space I would change the closet doors to by pass to save space .

Thanks everybody for your advice. It’s my first time posting and I’m pleasantly surprised that so many people took the time to comment!

We don’t take possession until Friday so I will post more photos/floor plan on the weekend. These photos are from the listing. The rest of the condo is a lot nicer!

The fireplace does baffle me. It is gas so unfortunately not super easy to remove. We will probably leave it through one winter in case that room gets cold?!

I do like many of your ideas from removing the mantle to removing the whole thing! Making it look more built in and giving it height to balance the closet, also great.

Amazing that curtains/shades or carpet never caught fire. You could remove that in an hour and cap the gas line/vent. I don't think it's that big a job.

Won’t you going to end up with an awkward floor patch if you remove the fireplace? Or will you be replacing the flooring?

I would put a chest of drawers in that nook and find a nicer place to work.

@Paul F.

Paul, that's one of the best mockups removing an item I've ever seen. How did you do it, did you use AI?

BTW: I agree with Paul's analysis. Removal will be very easy. You will just have some patchwork to do afterwards, which will take a bit more effort.

@Fireplace Treatments It's Photoshop's AI feature. It's great at removing things (and their shadows) and then guessing what was behind them. You can also isolate an area in a photo and describe something you'd like to see in that area.