Great comments!!
Our mantle is a solid piece of cypress wood. I love it, but I think it doesn't show up. I included a close-up.
I don't want to restain because that costs time and money.
I thought having a darker wall would make the mantle show more.

Questions: should my cabinet handles be black or wood stain the same as the mantle?
If we decide on artwork over white shelving, should the art be framed in white?

I like these for artwork

I don't think you'll want a 24" square, unless you have room for two of them stacked vertically. You can use painters tape on the wall to frame it out and see what you think. The artwork should be taller than the tv.

Oh, artwork taller than the TV? Who knew?

Can be taller, I don't see should.

I'd wait on cabinet handles -- that doesn't seem like a design feature that wants emphasis. The cabinets are functional, and not everything can be a star.

Niw that I see the enitre picture with adjoining rooms…..With your large amount of neutrals and white I would not add black hardware on the cabinets…paint the enitre wall white! Yes as a accent wall…..very cohesive with the white cabinets….mantle will contrast beautiful..wall art framed in a cypress type wood....white shelves..very monochromic beautuful with your adjoining rooms…just be sure to color match with the white cabinets..all whites are not the same. very pretty calm neutral home.

HIWE… when I saw the whole space white for the feature wall was what popped into my mind as well…It would solve the problem of the mantle, and it would go well with the cabinets; a simple solution. What white would you suggest?

Oh, I see you’re thinking a white that would match the cabinets… Right.

I would wait on Art purchases until you decide wall color.

I would have never thought of a white accent wall on my own. Wow! Can someone please show me what that would look like?

another picture of the room from a different angle thanks guys when I first posted. I was concerned that this room was never going to be complete or reach its potential.

This is the best I could do..just to give you an idea of how it may look..moved the tv..added wood shelves.

Julie (HIWE) just nailed it for you! Easy, inexpensive and elegant. From there consider art over TV and /or moving TV

Yes, those objects on the console behind the couch that are low down would be much better displayed on new shelves, as Julie has suggested, to the right hand side of the television set when you move the TV. Then that area under the consul could be used for storage with baskets, or some other attractive containers, which conceal contents.

Thank you! Is white shelving ok? Someone suggested these, and I like them. Or, if you think it would elevate the space more, I can get wood and stain it the same color as our mantle. I have a can of stain left over.

This is so much easier when we get images of the whole room at the beginning.

IMO the furnishings are not placed correctly. Walking through double arched opening and facing that console table with accessories is not as attractive as it could be.

I moved your sectional to be the backdrop in the room. I would have preferred the long section be on the long wall, but this is what you purchased so I'm trying to work with it. This arrangement might allow additional seating in the room. I'm only guessing on the dimensions, so I could be off, but I do think this more open arrangement would be better for the room.

There is something off about the whole room, and I don't think adding an accent wall is going to fix it. I have to think about this for a bit. In the meantime, I took down the framed graphics that seem to not connect to the room, and in one case was too large for the location.

I added colorful art canvas in its place and tried to see how the one accent wall looks.

The room could use a few lamps to soften the appearance of the room.

I'd work on a wall hung solution for the bar area.

The back wall needs art.

I don't understand the placement of the ceiling fan in this room.

We're moving the three music prints to the back wall. The sizes are two that are 33”x24” and one that's 17”x24”. They might not fit everyone's taste, but we really love these prints. We also just got the wine rack for Christmas, and we're really pleased with it. I think it could use something
to the left of the wine rack to make the space feel more complete.

Is this how I should place our sofa? We had this way when we first moved in.
If you agree, where should the console table go?

I think I’ve exhausted everyone’s advice and suggestions😬, although I hope not😁I was just thinking as I was staring at my living room what that up? I made my sofa one long piece since it’s modular and then put two lounge armchairs on either side or together,

Christine R

Sorry, I can't look at a photo of your room taken years ago with a different rug and different accessories and tell you, Yep, that's the way it should be laid out.

I know it's a project, but if you slide the seating into the layout I last posted, consider placing the console table on the backwall or behind the short length of the sectional and photograph the room through the arches again, I can provide you with better feed back.

Thanks

Thank you! I will work on we configuring our sofa. I found the white shelving on Amazon, and I think it would be much more cost-effective than adding wooden shelves. Is this ok for the space?
I'm scared of making another poor decision.

That bar/wine are is beginning to look too 'ikea' in appearance. I am not a fan of the white cube piece. I'm not sure it really even fits the space. This might be a good place to purchase a used piece.

It depends on what you want to accomplish. Is this a functioning bar area or just for show? Do you need a beverage fridge for the area?

I would consider 'glamming' up this niche a bit with glass, mirrors, NOT White! Not necessarily black either. Here are some ideas I've captured.

DON'T PURCHASE ANYTHING UNTIL THIS GETS DRAWN UP.

Correct that's an Ikea piece and I don't have an issue replacing it. The attached is what I was thinking of.

And can I get this for over-the-mantle cabinets?

That shelf is sold from Wayfair; I just lifted the photo as example. You can see that there’s lots of variations on it. I would pay attention to how much space the wall shelf occupies so it doesn’t look too small on a very large wall. There’s lots of options in this style. Look at the “compare similar items“ lineup at the bottom of the photo. I would tape it out based on the dimensions to see if it fills the space adequately.

Reposting photo info.

Christine…😘 speaking as a long time participant on this site… You’ll get all kinds of advice on here. Please don’t regard other people’s opinions as an indication that you have made “mistakes“. There’s 1001 ways to decorate a room. Even between the professionals on here, you will find diverging opinions. Keep in mind, your own budget and the fact that decorating any space happens over time. It’s never a one-shot “dust and done” deal. Things evolve. Just because they evolve, and you discover things you like better, don’t beat yourself up! Try different things and trust your own wishes and opinions. You are the one who lives in the space.

And that really is the major point; you are the one who lives in the space. There are many reasons why a room is set up the way it is. It’s interesting to get different points of view on here and others can help you to see different options. But in terms of “right and wrong“there’s many factors that go in to furniture placement, rug sizes, furniture styles. Function can often top appearance when you live in the space. (Especially if you have a family, pets, or young children. ) Budget can also. There is no “perfect room”…okay, rant done…😉

I think what’s off when I first see the photo of the fireplace wall is the white cabinets. There’s darker woods in the furniture and floors and the white is too bright. I don’t like the white feature wall for the same reason. I’d first settle on where you want the sofa and console and once in place put the tv in a spot for the best viewing. Then see where the blank space is and what art would fit. At that point consider a darker color for feature wall or wallpaper, even texture like grass cloth and then paint the white doors out to match everything going on there. Black? Brown? Color in wallpaper? It is a classy warm room (not coastal) so I would not advise going in the direction of white, cheap shelving as above. JMO

For example, on the question of moving your television, (which has come up on other sites as well… ) If the optimal viewing position for your family in that room, is in the middle of the wall, that functionality decision trumps the visual decor decision of moving it over the fireplace. All people on here see, is the wall. They don’t see you living in the space or what works in terms of function….it’s possible that the television needs to stay where it is for optimal viewing and you can work around that need. Life is more complicated than decorating a wall… 🙂

So, for example, you could leave the television where it is and put shelving on either side. Just because, putting the television over the fireplace is the obvious solution it doesn’t mean it’s the only solution. There are plenty of homes that come up with different options.

I wouldn't buy any shelving yet. I would first get the furniture arranged and decide the position of the TV. Decide if you want to paint the wall and what color. IMO a few long shelves to match the mantel would be better than the multi-shelf unit because you already have the open bar cabinet and console and it could get to be a bit much of open display with "stuff". Long shelves you could put a few large things or even lean some art.

Regarding the cabinet you showed for the bar, just make sure the side shelves are adjustable because you will not be laying wine bottles down like that I don't think (with your wine rack) and make sure the racks are optional and not attached.

Thank you, Lisa, for your kind words! We recently bought our house and added a mantle to the living room, but the stain didn’t turn out as expected. I'm hesitant to redo it. Should I paint the mantle wall as an accent, and if so, what color? I posted three paint colors we liked, and someone suggested a blue-green instead of gray. I'll move the TV over the fireplace, we can we can reconfigure our sofa, so the opening is to our front door and the prints will be spaced evenly on the back wall by the bar.
The IKEA piece was just temporary and I’m looking to replace it. Should that be white or wood?
Making these decisions is overwhelming with limited funds and knowledge.

And thank you Kcooz07 just read your post

when we move the TV, we’ll have to move the bracket, so we would have to sand and paint it would make it easier on us if we can do a new color at that time

Someone suggested doing that wall in a white and I think that’s a good suggestion. In any event I would get sample colours to test it out using foam core board. Then you can take a look at what you like.

I had the same thought as KC on the shelving. I think some individual shelf pieces that match the mantle piece that you have would be fine. If you paint the wall you don’t need to re-stain it.

You need to make an order of operations list; move the TV (if that works for you) then test some sample paint colors. Then determine what goes on that wall.

In other words, determine what goes on the wall after you paint it.

Move tv…patch and paint..yes White it will look beautuful and be cohesive with your white cabinets..and the flow if your adjoining rooms…be sure to match the white color that is on the cabinets…just take a door to your local paint store they will do a perfect match for you.

I like the white wall idea. my only concern is that sometimes white feels like a warehouse. And the cabinets are not a warm white they’re a stark white.

You've received some sound advice here.

This shelving unit is 51" tall. Do you have 51" of space?????

Is that really the best shape to place above the mantle?

I just reduced the size of the image until if fit on the photo, but you'll need 51" plus some space around the unit.

Do you have good objects to put on display in this shelving unit you're anxious to purchase or are you buying the unit and then will be forced to shop for objects?

I have sometimes looked for years before finding the just right item. In the meantime, I use a place holder until I find the perfect item.

I have gone out to a brush pile to find an interesting branch and mount it on the wall instead of art to add texture to the room. Cost= $0

Please be careful you are not filling the room with purchased items that devalue the appearance of the room. Sometimes you can get a great repurposed piece at a bargain price. But buying inexpensive new furnishings for a room may just make the room look.......'inexpensive'. No one wants that.

@BFD I'm lucky to have received some great advice on here including from you. I will paint the wall white, add three stained wood shelves matching the mantle and move the TV above the fireplace. Stay tuned😁

Looking forward to the updates…🙂

Christine by adding wood shelves that match the mantle..wood accents help keep things warm and cozy and sophisticated.

Christine, there are lots of options other than white that would work on this wall. Sounds to me like you’re not really crazy about white! I encourage you to explore some colour choices. There’s other options…. Once again, it’s your space! Pick something that you like.

Maybe some of the pros on here can give you a range of options.

I'm having a hard time envisioning the white wall with the rest of my agreeable gray walls. I'm not sure why I can't see it but I don't hate the idea of it.

White accent walls..

Thank you! That's helpful to see examples!