47" TV and a HUGE IKEA entertainment center...2/16 update with pics

[sourmom2]

So here is my problem...We just went from a 37" to a 47" TV so of course we needed to buy a new entertainment center. Our previous one came from IKEA and  we were happy with it so we went there to look for another one for our new TV. 

The plan was to buy just a TV stand and then the shelves that go on the sides and a shelf to go above it...simple, right? WRONG...As we were walking hubby spotted this one, and said look this will hold our TV. It didn't look that bad in the store so I agreed. When we got it home and all set up I realized this things is HUGE. 

I'm having a hard time figuring out what to put on or above it.

I have horrible ugly paneling in our livingroom so that's something I can't change right now. I need someone who can look beyond the paneling and picture a regular wall and tell me what I should do. We are moving this summer so hopefully we will have regular walls and a normal shaped living room

Here it is...NOW HELP ME

Ok, so I'm adding a couple more pics so everyone can see the whole wall and how "uneven" everything is. My livingroom is DUMB! I don't have any walls except for the one the tv is on, the others have windows and aren't in line with each other and then the living room also opens up into the dining room so furniture placement is a pain the butt as well...

Would it look better if the shelves were on the opposite side near my daughters bedroom? We have an option to change it around. Also should I take my side table out, the lamp is going because I just bought the little white one above the tv to replace the one on the side table. Also don't mind the stuff on it, I just tossed all that on/in from my other entertainment center until I figure out what to do with it. Sorry this is so long...

This is what I've done so far...The quote on the wall is just from my computer the actual decal will be slightly smaller but exactly the same...

[mom2ellasophia]

I would get a body mirror (the big rectangle ones) and hang it sideways above the entertainment center... Then on top put some candle holders, maybe some framed art

[sourmom2]

I actually thought about a mirror even though I don't really like that look much. I may have to just buy one and see. 

As for putting something on top, everything I put up there looks really small which then makes it look silly. 

I stopped at Dollar general and Family Dollar and bought 2 pictures and a vase...but even that looks ridiculous! It doesn't help that nothing is centered and I have issues with that..lol We've had it less than a week and I'm already sick of it! :(

[JenniferDacey]

I second the mirror idea...I think it would really help to cover the paneling, without adding too much to the space to make it look cluttered. I was thinking you could hang the mirror and then add over-sized vases, like the ones they sell at Home Goods and Pier One Imports. Get a few of those and pair them up with large 3-wick candles. They'd be big, so as to take up that space and I think it would look really nice. You could also do a centerpiece candelabra, one that most people put on a dining room table that holds a bunch of large pillar candles all in row.

What if you got two vases for each side of the TV and fill them with dried sticks (not sure what they are actually called, but they sell them at all kinds of home decorating stores) and added a layer of gemstones or pebbles to the bottom of the vase? That's what I did around our TV in the bedroom. It'll help to kind of blend it into the entertainment center and it won't seem to stick out so much. Basically you just have space to fill, so I'd use it as an excuse to go shopping!

[sourmom2]

So for the mirror, should it have some type of frame around it?? Also since nothing is really centered, should I center the rectangle mirror to the TV part of the entertainment center or across the whole entertainment center? Because I have the shelves next to the tv and the fact that the entertainment center isn't centered to the wall...UGH...I don't even know! 

I'm going to take another picture tomorrow so you can see all of my living room and what I'm dealing with. 

[cheekie253]

Let's see, I'm in the same boat as you where I'm into symmetry. One thing you may try is buy some thin particle board (the kind that you can cut with a box knife. I noticed you can see the wall through it and it shows the *unbalance* more because of it. Second maybe a storage cube or media holder on the opposite side to help balance the cubes on the other. Either that or a deco shelf above it to help heighten it. That's what helped my oversized comp. Desk Sorry that's all I got. Hope it helps. :)

[sourmom2]

Yes I'm really into symmetry. Drives me crazy when things are all outta whack.

I like the idea of covering the back with black particle board. I also have the option to move the shelves to the other side if I wanted to, hubby would have to take half the ent. center apart but he said he would do it if it would make me feel better, then the shelves wouldn't be right next to the end table which is also driving me crazy because I feel like it's cluttered. I might just keep the side table there but take the lamp and picture frame off and leave it empty.

I also am thinking about painting the paneling even though we are most likely moving sometime during the summer. I think it would be worth it just to keep my sanity until then!

Quoting cheekie253:

Let's see, I'm in the same boat as you where I'm into symmetry. One thing you may try is buy some thin particle board (the kind that you can cut with a box knife. I noticed you can see the wall through it and it shows the *unbalance* more because of it. Second maybe a storage cube or media holder on the opposite side to help balance the cubes on the other. Either that or a deco shelf above it to help heighten it. That's what helped my oversized comp. Desk Sorry that's all I got. Hope it helps. :)

[lady-t3984]

I keep looking,I really don't see anything wrong with what you have. I would suggest you put some color on the tv stand. Either some greenery,or a big colorful vase on the top shelf.

[sourmom2]

Could you post a picture of what YOU think might look good up there...??

I tried a vase and I can't seem to find one big enough. I bought the one that is in the second picture in the corner by the tv, but when I put it up it looked to small.

I'm also going to be painting the paneling sometime next week, most likely a shade of green, nothing dark of course but maybe it will help.

Quoting lady-t3984:

I keep looking,I really don't see anything wrong with what you have. I would suggest you put some color on the tv stand. Either some greenery,or a big colorful vase on the top shelf.

[elijahsmama09]

Honestly, the entertainment center is tall enough, so visiually you dont need to add height, you need to add color. So I would pick a wide high color....something to put on top for a punch of color. Maybe follow that color on another shelf and in other areas in your licing room.

[elijahsmama09]

That turquoise in the tall vase is pretty. why not find a few more items with that color pallete and add them. Maybe even a small area rug to brighten it up.