Hi Caroline, A few inspiration photos for you, try using subway tiles in a stacked style for a modern contemporary look, much more stylish than the overdone normal subway look, would look great in both areas, your tile store will advise the size of tile that will best suit your requirements.

Thanks @asorbak! The Double Hung windows on the left are from the Essential range, and the Louver windows on the right are from the Signature range. With the design symmetry of our products, you're able to mix and match from our Essential, Signature and Commercial range. Would love to see the images once you're done!

I already know exactly will go in the unit. Ideally 3 open shelves high enough for central speaker, AV receiver and PS4. Ok that's what I though, the brown walnut TV unit I posted above won't do it I think despite being exactly what I need in terms of storage and set up with 3 open shelves. I just came across that one which looked perfect, however the open shelves are too short Thanks for your input, this helps a lot I think I will eliminate the brown TV units. At least now I know which color to go for.

My first thought -- the picture ! It detracts from what you are trying to achieve IMO -- move it to another wall . Or another room . Put some vases there . Family pics . The TV . That is my next thought -- the TV should be where the picture is . Yes , there is the fire below . Yes , heat rises . But if you can hang a painting there , you can probably hang a TV there . Although there is a temptation to just swap the picture and TV , I think the picture will still distract . A non-landscape picture may look better , but that one is almost competing with the TV . The frame . The colours . In my mind , you either don't have a TV in a room , or you make it part of the concept -- you have basically done that with the picture , the TV is now a 'nothing' . A poorly executed nothing IMO . But another option if you are wanting the TV to stay where it is -- move it to your bedroom . Or sell it . Get a bigger TV , and mount it a bit higher and equi-distant on that wall -- it looks too low , too far to the right , and although maybe a bit small , the positioning makes it worse . Make it look like it was planned , not planned to fail .