Hi Teresa, I actually like the unit and the 70's style, but would suggest painting it, definitely. I'm not sure what else you have going on in that room, but from what I can see, I'd suggest leaving the timber "fireplace" surround as is, but painting the rest of the unit and the door frame next to it as well. I can't see what is going on with central panel on the door - is it timber also? If it is, and the room is small and you'd like to add some interest, you could consider putting a lovely wallpaper on the door panel to add colour/design or just some visual texture. There are so many great papers out there - including some really good vinyl designs (more hard-wearing and cleanable). Being just a small panel, you could change it easily if you tire of it.

I think the louvred doors on the unit are fine, and probably more practical if you don't want what is behind them to be on display. You could remove the doors and take them to a professional furniture spray painter (look on internet for ones in your area - sometimes automotive painters can do it, in the paint you specify) as louvres are quite fiddly to do by hand. Some may even be able to come and spray the whole unit lot on site, otherwise you could paint the main sections of unit yourself. Would suggest a warm white, low sheen paint. Perhaps you could change the cabinet handles too, if they are looking a bit dated, or you don't like them. Hope that helps!

Hi Teresa, since you've only just moved in and are not sure, I would suggest wait and live with it until you have a clear directon on how the overall space functions, what your storage pressures are and what your over all style is likely to be. Putting time into a piece that you might remove would be frustrating. Removing a piece now that is functional and fitted is hasty. Budget how much you have to spend on the room and what the room needs.

New cabinetry such as this replacement value is quite a few thousand dollars so consider the direction of the room first style wise, then imagine how that piece could be re-born. Once you've done that, if it ruins the flow remove it. The aesthetics can be enhance with a colur change in paint or lime wash but I think it will always be best in the look tha tit is sine the fireplace is built in but loving it with some restorative finish whether it's wax or varnish would give it a lift.

It looks like it still works well and the fact that it has the cornice fitted at least has had some thought put into it.

Good Luck

I agree with the others who said leave the cupboards.

If every room has stained shelves cupboards doors etc, it would be a painters nightmare. You have to sand off varnish, seal timber , prime and then two coats of paint.

Put all your stuff in the cupboards and look at painting walls and buying bright prints. Save money for updating flooring and redoing heating.

Buy a few mid century modern pieces of furniture at opp shops and live with the house.

Later down the track it will be worth more as a seventies house, not a hotch potch of styles.

Without seeing the rest of the room my first impression is that the built in unit is pretty ugly and I would pull the whole thing out and when you can afford it move or replace the heater with a split system before next winter. If there isn't anywhere better for the TV that avoids walking in front of it to use the door consider running some storage units along the wall with the TV. In the meantime you could paint the built in unit the same colour as the walls so that it blends in but in the long run pulling it all out and repairing the plaster and cornice would make more sense.

Unit looks great! Don't remove it!!

Like many things it may not be the problem. Bit like people rendering the ugly brick veneer yet it's not the brick that's the problem it's the crap unmaintained landscaping and the gutters falling off the house for example!

I'd do the rest of the room first along the same style and era as the unit. Groovy furniture will do wonder's to this room. Rarely do we see these timber units anymore due to the cost's. If the construction of them was cheap it would be trendy again but I don't see that happening anytime soon. I'd avoid painting it until the end then decide. The white does look great that has been posted above. A client added one recently to their addition and it does superb, just a shame everyone doesn't do it!