A recent HOUZZ story showed how painting a built in bookcase can really add color and interest. It was within the last two weeks, so perhaps you can find it. The room looks rather dark, so white wash or grey wash might really help out.

You could repaint the cabinet, and if you want to update it, you could have new doors made, with new hinges, which would update it. Furniture doesn't have to be against the wall. You can put a couch backing up to the bookcase, with enough room to walk behind it and open the doors. That would have you facing the window and the fireplace. If you painted the rest of the room a lighter color, you could make the bookcase a focal point with a darker color, or do that on the fireplace, as suggested above.

For goodness sake, keep it! Many of us would give our eyeteeth for a cabinet like that! All it needs is a good refinishing, preferably natural wood, NOT painted.

Try painting the walls and bookshelf first ... easy work. if you don't like it, you can rip it all off.

Love to see the room layout. One thing I would keep in mind is that the wooden shelves can be replaced with glass shelves, and then you can use lighting to brighten up the area and turn this into a feature wall. Depending on the rest of the room -- overall function, design, layout -- I would consider using a dramatic paint color on the wall and built-in (F&B has some gorgeous dark greys, navys), with glass shelves, recessed lighting, and a few decorative pieces (metallics like gold or brass + accent colors -- orange or green). Your paint color can be repeated/featured in fabric used on drapery or furniture. Again, though, this is dependent on layout, function, and the overall design of the room. Have fun!

Paint it cobalt blue!

I have just joined this conversation and was surprised that it was not until the last few comments that Annie Sloan Chalk paint was mentioned. I totally agree that if you are keeping the beautiful wood on your walls, Annie Sloan paint and technique to "antique" your bookcase would make your room feel warm and welcoming. With Annie Sloan there is no preparation. It goes over oil, wax or whatever previous homeowners have used - you can even paint right over the hinges and hardware. Seriously - give it a try, you won't be disappointed. I think it would be a perfect backdrop for your record collection as well!

I am also in the keep the bookcase camp... glad you decided to do that. My siblings and I all acquired houses with paneling and we all painted it (pale yellow, off white and navy respectively). I simply love the textured look and would not dream of replacing it with flat sheet rock. I also like the whitewash suggestions; it's a great compromise between paint and leaving the wood natural, as you keep the character and grain of the wood while brightening the color. You could achieve that outcome with any color if you used stain... giving you more options than just white. If it were me, I think I would start with the walls before I made a decision about the bookcase. My first instinct is to paint/stain/whitewash everything, but I might reconsider once the walls are done. Good luck! I hope this project is fun for you.

I don't think you should do anything until you know your style. Check out photos on Houzz to see what you really like. I would definitely leave the bookcase, but make it a focal point. It's important that this room flow with the rest of your home and not end up a catchall for stuff. Personally I like earthy warm (not dark) color shades others are all about white and grey. What draws you in? Lots of ideas and lots of tastes but what is yours? I LOVE quirkymimaw's ideas and photos. If it is going to be a family space, working the TV into the shelf is a wonderful way to to save wall space for seating. I have found that if you surround yourself with things you really love it all will point to your style and flow together. Good luck and above all have fun nesting!

P.S. My husband also has quite a vinyl collection. Be mindful of the physical weight on the shelves and room. Perhaps audio should be the direction.....

Hi there. I have used Annie Sloan paint from furniture to bookcases to walls. No preparation, no primer, no TSP - seriously - nothing (except cobwebs or dust!). I have found items during spring and fall clean up, yard sales, auctions etc. so I never know what has been used previously on any item. Annie Sloan goes right over ANYTHING and I have never had an issue with peeling or flaking off! I would suggest you go on YouTube and search Annie Sloan. There are oodles of videos to show you how to work with her products and finish items.

Let me know if I can answer any other questions!

Gray being the new beige, paint the room and the back of the bookcase Dovetail Gray SW 7018 or Summit Gray SW 7669, paint the bookcase and ceiling white your black chairs would look great in front of the bookcase and provide a cozy look. Good luck can't wait to see the finished product.

I'd definitely tear it out, especially if you need more seating space. These bookcases are in every house even in new builds. When we built our home I especially requested that they please not put those awful built ins around the fireplace. I love having the flexibility to place a console or other furniture with artwork on the walls above. If I want a bookcase, I would put one there of my own choosing that went well with my other furnishings. I'm so glad I didn't cave to the builder who was so used to doing them he was verklempt at my request.

Wood is not sacred. If you're installing oak floors, why not paint the panelling and bookcase the same, to unify the space, but do the back of the bookcase an unexpected color that showcases your books and decorative things? I definitely like the whitewashed fireplace idea. Lighten it up! Is the room large enough to group a seating in front of the windows? No rule says a couch has to be against the wall.

Tear down the wood paneling. Don't just paint it. It's awful. White wash the fireplace. Decoupage the back of the built in to get rid of the lines in the back (and modernize it without tearing it out). I tend to love parquet floors but ...I'd carpet that room to make it cozy.

Is the Built in made of paneling? We had one in our house - and it was very poorly made. If it is made from that cheap fiberboard paneling, then it won't even stand up to painting very well and the doors will chip like crazy. Knowing what I know now - I wouldn't keep it. We had been planning to keep ours until we had a little flood in the basement that necessitated removing the asbestos tile that extended under the built in. It was very poorly made - by two guys "nail gun guy" and "hammer guy" The side that "hammer guy." built had very few fasteners - it was interesting. They weren't exactly on the same page as to the design.

Depending on your style, but I have seen beautiful hutches where they took the shelves out and either painted an accent color, wall papered or mirrored, put the shelves back and updated the hardware and exterior color. You can do alot to make it a conversation piece -- a standout in your room!

There are different qualities of parquet floors: some are thin and cheap, and some are very good quality and worth preserving. I think there is just so much going on in that space that is fighting each other.

I recommend painting the walls, and the fire place (perhaps white wash as suggested above). Then evaluate your floors - you may like them once the rest is updated. I'd prefer to see the built-ins remain. A fresh coat of paint may be all you need on them - maybe even painting the back area behind the shelves a different color than the front/doors. Or covering that back area with interesting sheets of paper held in place by tacky-putty (get it in Staples) that can easily remove the paper when tired of it or what to change to another.

i.e. Papyrus wrapping paper: http://www.papyrusonline.com/wrap-and-bags/wrapping-paper/everyday-wrapping-paper.html

Also, if you do still decide to put down new flooring, you may be able to use the old flooring/parquet as a sub floor. I did that in a condo I bought that had original wood floors that were damaged by water as recommended by a flooring specialists. Although, I think a different specialist I met later could have saved the original floors - I was sorry I hadn't found him in time!

Basic thought: unless you have unlimited funding, try these cheaper approaches first, I think you'll be glad you preserved some of the original charm that attracted you to the house. Once that's gone, it will cost you a fortune to re-create it!

Glad you are keeping the bookcases. I would love to have something like them. You can most assuredly change the look/feel of the room in other ways besides tearing up the wood.

Put the grey suede sofa in the spare bedroom and make this your office/music/reading room. Put your desk in the middle of the room, about 4 feet from the bookcase facing away from it. Put a big comfy chair on either side of the fireplace. Put a nice rug under the desk and chair, and another in front of the fireplace to anchor the chairs. Put your stereo on something really neat near one of the chairs. Your printer can go in the cabinet under the bookshelves, and the vinyl on the bottom bookshelf for support.

I am also a big fan of natural wood. If you have large artwork for the walls, fill the built in with books and albums, put some rugs on the floor, you'll be surprised at how toned down all that wood will become. I know you want to get everything done yesterday (we all do), but you might try living with it as is. You can always paint later if you just can't stand it.

Wow,... lots of opinions so I'm going to keep mine brief. I LOVE the cabinet! My only change would be to maybe remove a shelf on each side and beef up the actual shelving on front edge with 1 x 2's which would actually give you an inch and a half thickness look. Candace Olsen of Divine Design did that all the time & it makes it all look so much more commanding. Oh, and beef up the crown molding also. Fill it with books & any other design pieces that you love. I would also probably paint the back of the shelves just for drama. You have lots of folks with great ideas to consider... Good Luck!

the built in cabinet is fabulous and you may well regret removing so much usable storage in a space that you intend to use as a study. You could consider painting everything in an "almost" colour, perhaps a greyed off white, or white with a hint of moss green to dirty it a little, (by everything I mean the built in, the fireplace and floors and trim) then anchoring the space with an area rug in tonal colours you would like to use in the room. Then, reintroduce pieces of the furniture you already have and see how they work. The built-ins can then be dressed to compliment the feel of the space, remember you don't have fill every single visible gap. Have things on display that mean something to you and have a reason to be in the space. Have fun and good luck!!

Good grief! I've never seen so many ideas shared for a room, I loved reading everybody's suggestions. Gotta share what I would do if it were mine.

Keep the built-in and if the wood is really lovely, don't paint it. However, I would paint the back of the unit in an accent colour -my favourite would be a light grey/blue. The walls, panelling and fireplace I'd paint in my favourite neutral which is Benjamin Moore Edgemont grey. I personally like parquet flooring but I'd give it a sanding and stain it as close to the wood on the built-in.

Like someone else mentioned I too would put a piece of furniture in front of that built-in, not a sofa but a good looking reading chair, perhaps an antique, upholstered in a darker shade of blue.

I can't wait to see what you end up doing! You must share pictures, please.

I agree with the majority, paint the bookshelves but suggest a gray with brown under tones to compliment the natural surroundings, antique mirrors to reflect light, molding to dress it up and heavier edging on the front of the shelves. Whitewash the paneling to allow some of the grain to show through. If planning to remove it, check to determine if the walls are plastered or dry walled. More likely the panels were nailed to the studs and not over a finished wall. I have my sofa in front of book shelves and it works great, but consider chairs, poufs, ottomans, and floor pillows. If a den, I see leather recliners. You said the house is dark due to trees. If in a wooded area, accent with natural materials such as a faux antler chandelier (don't go over board here) or horn accents (think photo frames), add black metal (accent table legs) but also a little bling. Jazz it up with pops of color! Can't wait to see the results.

Put new doors on the built in and different hardware. Paint it!!! Don't alter it to hold a TV..........

Maybe if you changed the doors on the built in to sliding doors, you would be able to place the furniture closer to them?

I think you have lots of fine ideas here, but there's one thing that is really bothering me. The door coming into the room bangs right into your future-beautifully-refinished bookcase. If the opposite side is a wall (which I "think" it might be), have your contractor reverse the hinge side on that door. If it's not situated close enough to a wall to where it really looks weird reversed, you might consider a pocket door or the ever-popular-but-fading-fast sliding barn door.

OH, my! That thing has HUGE potential! Paint it some lovely (maybe slightly distressed?) color, wall paper the backs of the shelves and fill it with your treasures! You can hang some pictures on it, too, which may help it look smaller, and makes a hiding place for things you don't want to display but need a place for.

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Your paneling is to die for! That real wood, tongue in groove, wide panel paneling is gorgeous. A good clean with Murphy's Oil Soap and a good oiling will make them gleam! It's hard to tell but it's possible someone pickled it? We bought a house with the same situation. Every room from kitchen to bedrooms had that gorgeous paneling but had been pickled in DIFFERENT colors. My bedroom was pickled pink (yep, corny as that sounds). Some were pickled green and others pickled beige. We ended up with too much to try to sand down to the wood, especially difficult would have been the grooves. So we painted it. I HATED painting over that gorgeous wood but the pickling had yellowed and the faded spots where furniture and pictures had been made it a necessity. I left a couple of rooms such as my pickled pink and my husband's room was pickled gray and another room that was pickled beige. The rest of the house had to be painted. It turned out beautifully even though I regretted painting over wood. If you can, go with what you have. Be glad you have builtins! Cleaning them up, and filling them with books and decor will perk them up. I think you will be glad you saved them. If the cabinet doors don't fit any more, remove them and use the baskets to fill them and act as drawers.

I've skimmed thru but didn't pick up much on your style but I know a bit about too much wood and shelves. If there is anything cheap looking about the paneling either paint or Sheetrock the room. If you don't like the shelves, just paint them...perhaps making the back of the shelves an accent color. My built in shelves are the jewel of my room...but I don't have to contend with a second focal site- the FP. You can increase contrast between wood floors and wood walls with area rugs. Just don't rush into a decision; I once lived in a house 1-1/2 years before settling on a remodel plan and still made bad decisions!

I am currently searching the internet for storage solutions! You can never have enough storage! I would absolutely paint the piece first, a nice neutral or white tone. If it comes suddenly to life in the room, I would keep it, and also consider painting the brick to match. The monochromatic look can enlarge the fee,l of the room,and provide a nice, serene feeling. Soft and neutral paint can remake a room in AMAZING ways! New, updated beautiful hardware will transform the ugly duckling . If you still hate it, you can always take it out,but I think you will LOVE it!! Just add a pop of color, and voila!! Good luck, and have fun with this project.

Just to present a different option. You may consider sheet rocking over the paneling and leave one wall as a 'feature' but get away from the log cabin look. Home Depot sells 1/4" thick sheet rock that is thin enough to allow us to sheet right over the paneling we had. It was so much easier and less time consuming than ripping it all out and if you change your mind, you know that the wood is still underneath.

Changing up the hardware on the built in book cases to more modern hinges and handles will move the piece into the 21st century. And don't be afraid to put furniture in front of it. Just put stuff in the bottom cabinets that you don't use very much. I'd paint all the wood and bookcase the same color to unify. But the hardware and knots in the wood is what is what is dating the cabinet.

Taking the doors off the lower shelves will allow you to access them, even if you have furniture in front of the shelves.

Custom hardware from Knockout Knobs will update this cabinet and personalize the room. Now this room can reflect your personality with unique knobs and pulls. Your Passion, Your Design, Your Hardware

I would suggest making the fireplace a focal point with some changes. Square off the slab on the floor and let your new flooring fill in the void on each side.Square off the mantle and either cover it with finish work or leave it the rough look, but either way add supports. Get rid of the wood wall over the fireplace. A nice mirror would work nicely there.as well. Add accent molding. The pictures below will illustrate what I mean. Not quite literally but to give a sense of the direction I'm going in.

Also bring the top of the bookcase to the ceiling and tie everything together with crown molding. You can cover the old crown over without even removing it. The room needs a wider crown anyway. This will help tie the ceiling and walls together since the wood looks like it is "put" in place and capped afterward.

In reference to the bottom cabinets of the bookcase and your LP collection. ( I didn't know about them when I posted previously). You might be able to install heavy duty drawer hardware in order to slide pull out drawers filled with LPs. The doors could be connected to the drawers.

Do not put a tv over the fireplace or built into the cabinet. Can't we have a room in the house without a tv? Read your wonderfully displayed books in peace and enjoy that room. No matter what you decide. Please keep us posted.

I like the idea of painting the back of the bookcase but I would do it in a bright terracotta color, or a green, that is nice with wood. I agree to keep your book cases. They just do not make them like that any more. If you want to dress them up a little you could use some molding. Or get some bead board wall paper and put it in the back of the cabinet. You can paint it any color. I would maybe think of using tile instead of wood on the floor in that area to give more depth and color. It will enhance the wood you have to use another texture. Or throw a huge rug on it and pick up your colors. Now for the fireplace. I agree to use a white wash over the brick and maybe even bring the fireplace all the way to the top of the room. A Faux brick would be ok and raise the mantel. I know you will enjoy redecorating your cabin. Use textiles on the walls as well!

Also, you can put you furniture about 3-4 ft. in front of the book case. That would look great!

hi - I would love to see the finish room. I'm in the same boat and wow what wonderful ideas came pouring in!