Add some color to the windows! Bring in red curtains. Also you could bring in some planted trees to draw the eye up elsewhere besides the TV.

Yes, add color to the curtains, and then add some colorful elements on the other side of the TV to balance it out, so they frame and dominate the TV, not the other way around

I like virkv6's idea of using planted trees. A large one to the left of the TV that ends up being higher than the TV -- a ficus, rubber plant, etc. -- in an attractive pot would be ideal. You'd need to move the globe on the stand to do this, I imagine. Balance out that plant with another one on the other side of the windows, perhaps smaller, but a similar variety of plant and/or similar pot.

Since you have so much white space and neutral furniture, I'd carefully plan out a way to add purposeful bits of color -- a rug, some pictures, throw pillows, etc. -- that tie together really well and make the room feel warm and inviting.

As for the ceilings, what about some suspended or track lighting?

You might take a look at the most recent IKEA catalog for brainstorming ideas. In that one, they tend to use vertical space very intentionally and something you see there might give you some good ideas you can incorporate into your particular space.

Good luck -- I know how it can be to have a partner with rather firm ideas about decor :)

I agree about adding colorful curtains, and a piece for the wall to the left of the TV. We also have a wall-mounted TV, and my husband hid the wires in the wall, too. Instead of side speakers, we have one long speaker bar that sits on our console under the TV. Maybe that would be a compromise? We have two small children, so we can't leave things on the floor.

The speakers are really awful. We have surround sound with four speakers that are about 4 x 6 and up on the walls. They are the same color as the walls (white) and blend in.

If he insists on those speakers, fine, then divorce him.

PS -- One other thought that just occurred to me ... you could make the TV seem more purposeful by surrounding it with a wall of framed, matted black and white photos, set in black or dark brown frames. (Or at least some photos to the left or above?). I'm not exactly sure how this would work, but it might be a way to make the TV seem to stand out less ...

I agree with everyone else, all your stuff is low to the ground, adding taller items (especially left of the TV) will help, especially if they're more round/not-boxy. Circular mirrors could scattered over the wall could help as well.

I came here to say what everyone else is saying. To address the tall ceilings, I would create "layers" almost. Paint the television wall, hang plants for the upper third, add shelves or pictures for the middle 3rd, and the television occupies the bottom third. Does that make sense?

What about changing the fabric on the speakers? My husband has speakers that are even bigger than yours--5 feet high, 1 foot wide. We changed the black fabric for a dark red, and I think they look pretty good. As long as it's not too tight a weave, it won't interfere with the sound. The fabric does have to be stretch, though.

I like all the suggestions, especially those that say COLOR. A little color or a lot, at eye-level and higher, will help tremendously. You have dark floors, dark furniture and stark white walls and curtains so everything feels very heavy and sort of stuck to the ground. Can you incorporate the TV and speakers into a built in something-or-other that has room for books, photos, doodads, etc. so that the TV becomes just a part of that whole wall and not the focal point? I highly recommend a fiddle leaf fig tree in that far left corner - they grow really tall, really fast. And if you want to leave the sheer curtains, put some more colorful drapes at either end to define the windows so they don't blend into the walls.

hang art around the tv and speakers, all up to the ceiling. Here's some inspiration (the second picture) http://blog.bazonline.ch/sweethome/index.php/12780/schoner-wohnen-mit-dem-fernseher/
And then hang new curtains and hang them higher than they are now. And possibly wider.
I also would shift the whole sideboard, speakers thing as much to the left as possible, it is now to near to the window. The tv doesn't have to be centered on the sideboard by the way.

You can get several colors of speaker grill cloth at http://www.speakerworks.com/speaker_grill_cloth_fabric_s/25.htm
It's not difficult to change, and wall-colored cloth will blend in with the background.

I recently had a similar problem. we put some the TV on a lower bookshelf with a larger version of the bookshelf on the side and then on the wall behind the tv is a small gallery wall. It sounds like a lot but it really works. The TV is huge on it's own but the black frame of the tv seems to blend in a little with the frames on the wall. we have the very high ceilings as well so it keeps it from looking to cluttered.

There's nothing wrong with the speakers or TV. The biggest issue I see in the room is the window/window shade. They're way too small and way too low on the walls. Hang the window treatments outside of the actual glass and much higher to take up more space. If you add visual weight to the windows, you'll take away the importance of the TV...especially if they go almost floor to ceiling.

Also, I like that it's asymmetrical. Keep it that way and don't try to make everything reflective. For instance, I wouldn't hang art on the left of the TV that "matches" the window on the other side. If you wanted something over there, make it smaller or higher/lower than the window.

Just my two cents.

First of all, center the tv and speakers between the windows and the wall, not in the center of the room. Raise the tv on the wall and build or buy a tv cabinet for it to go in (one of those cabinets that just houses the tv and hangs on the wall). Right now the tv seems kind of wimpy in the room surrounded by so much wall, bulk it up a bit. Next, curtains! Frame the windows and make them seem bigger with tall curtains that come down from the ceiling in a nice non blending color with sheers underneath. Finally, paint! Put something on the walls, even if it's just an off-white. Then put the same color that a few shades darker on the ceiling.

I would run some richly-colored curtains floor to ceiling across the windows (or maybe those are sliding doors?) then across the entire wall where the tv sits (like movie theater curtains). A substantial built-in unit for the tv, etc. would help all the equipment look like it had a home and wasn't just plopped down in the room.

Medium to large framed mirrors can be placed to balance out oddly placed windows, particularly if you place a lamp or uplight in the general vicinity of the mirror. I love mixing photos and mirrors to get that mural effect. Another option are the large glass wall lamps they sell at Ikea, which can also simulate a window. Also, painting the wall will reduce the stark contrast of the black on white of the wall.

I think the room looks unbalanced now because it is so empty. Add colour to the windows AND walls. Add pictures, shelves, plants, furniture, and fill out the room. Once there are more items it is a lot easier to play with the balance and your TV and speakers will be less noticeable.

I would recommend moving the console to the left so the right edge of the tv and right edge of the console almost line up. You will have enough room on the lefthand side of the console to put a large piece of art or sculpture, this will give you more to look at against that wall than just the tv. Then I would get heavier (bulkier) curtains and hang them higher up - this will make a huge difference and add a lot of sofness to the room. I would also add a couple of side chairs to fill out and balance the rest of the space.

The only way to get those speakers to blend in better is to paint the wall behind them black. Which isn't an awful idea.

I would flip everything by 90 degrees and put the TV on the wall across from the window with the couch in front of the windows, with plenty of space between the couch and the windows. If there is enough space then add one of those behind-the-couch storage tables and two lamps. At the very least just get a floor lamp in there. Then bring in a comfy chair and footstool to fill in that nice new open space you will have. That arrangement will fill up the space and make it cozy. Paint the walls. You have brown and black, so I would recommend kaki or green to play up earth tones.

The tall curtain idea a couple of people mentioned is a good one too, but with the leather couch it seems like a strange style mix...

This IS a problem of balance… but balance as in visual weight. Not balance as in symmetry.

Tim H (design 330) has it right on both counts: Window coverings and asymmetry. Replace the window coverings with something hung higher. And, most importantly, the new window coverings need to have enough visual weight to balance the TV a bit. If you love color, then go with color. But you don’t have to go colorful to achieve visual weight. A good textured neutral will work just as well.

The placement of the TV in the center of the room is good; don’t try to center it between the wall and window.

Let’s be honest: The TV is the focal point of this room. Sometimes you just gotta accept that and go with it. That doesn’t mean it has to the ONLY item of interest. But adding lots of decorative elements to "balance" the TV sometimes just results in visual clutter and competition. I’d go easy on crazy colorful patterned drapes and art. I don’t think you’re that far off right now. New window coverings will make a big difference; address that first then stand back and re-assess.

What arroyo said. This isn't a living room as much as it is a TV room. Not that there's anything wrong with that--just don't go too far in trying to making anything other than that. If you have another room available for social and other pursuits, I'd focus on making that one warm and friendly and inviting, and relegate this room to the television watching, if you can.

I agree with arroyo. The curtains should be hung higher. Or you could put in some simpler roller blinds like they use over at The Brick House. Depends on the look you're going for.

You could also put a floor lamp in the corner opposite the windows for balance and a less "everything low" feel to the room if you don't want plants. I would also put different items on/declutter the console itself. If you add a few objects with heights similar to the tower speakers—I think they will stand out a little bit less.

Can you hang a pendant from the ceiling? That would definitely add another dimension, some personality and warmth.

http://www.the-brick-house.com/

Ahhh! The curtains are stressing me out. Install something floor to ceiling. Get some art and shelving on those walls in various places and the television won't be so dominant.

if the tv and everything else can not change...
i would. paint the back wall a black. everything will disappear. then install ceiling to floor drapes in a colour or a lighter black (charcoal) in a black out weight or velvet. remove all the little accessories from the console and raise the tv (it looks too low)... then i would use a coloured drape for the sliding glass doors in a colour that matches the wall colour or an accent colour.

later, i might switch the tv console for something in white to draw your attention to the tv.

To distract from the big ugly TV, you need a bigger attractive art piece. Hang something huge and beautiful but abstract (like a rug, a tapestry, a moroccan wedding blanket, a patchwork quilt or similar) on the wall behind the TV. Unlike a painting, it doesn't matter that the TV obscures part of it because the pattern will be inferred from the parts that are visible. The eye will then tend to drift from the blank screen to then larger art piece.

The husband here....too much time on your hands honey....although I do agree a couple of trees might be a nice touch...but red curtains. Are you serious?

Oh and the speakers stay!

First, a disclaimer. I am a video and audioholic. I like good speakers and good speakers are generally larger. Got that out of the way. For me, the problem is not the video system, but the white walls. They force your eye to look at the tv. Give the room and wall some character with a dose of paint, nothing bright, but calming. Earth tones will do well. With color of the wall, the tv won't stick out like a sore thumb. Make the ceiling a tone or two darker than the walls. Put some art above the tv, extending to the speakers (a series of frames will work well). It looks like you have recessed lights over the tv. Replace the cans with shielded wall wash fixtures. They'll highlight whats on the walls. By the way, when watching tv, keep the main room lights off, but have a light on (25w or so) behind the tv, with some scattered small lights behind the speakers. There are lighting systems designed to fit behind the tv to do this. It cuts down on eyestrain. And adjust the tv settings for a darkened room.

i found it's very similar with our room, i am thinking to paint the walls, it may work.

http://windowcoveringsslidingglassdoors.com/

I agree with Mike_in_Hawaii. There's too much contrast between the white walls and the dark TV.

And maybe it's just me, but calling someone else's belongings ugly is just bad taste. So it's not to your liking. You're not living there, are you? I like TVs. I find that electronics often have to be the perfect composition of design and functionality. So sue me if I find beauty in the design of a television.

The speakers stand out because they're so much higher than the cabinet. I'd make the top of the cabinet level with the top of the speakers. Quick fix is to find some storage boxes that are the right height. Might be a way to add some contrasting colour too (I'm a fan of dark blue instead of red, looks beautiful with rich brown floors).

More effort fixes: paint the wall behind it a darker colour and get curtains the colour and texture of the coffee table/Ottoman you have. You could add a pelmet (to match your boxes) to make the window appear higher without moving the rail.

You could also try painting all the walls in a earth tone (e.g. the lightest shade on the paint card that matches the curtains), with the top 1/4 painted darker. We did that in a bedroom with terracotta as the darkest shade. The ceiling stays white, but the dark strip tricks your eyes into thinking it's lower.

I'd get curtains that hang all the way from the ceiling, to emphasize the room's height. I'd also hang a panel to the left of the TV, to balance the mass of curtains on the right.

Then I'd paint the TV wall black so the electronics would just blend in.

Part of the reason you may feel unhappy with the room is that it's not a real "living" room. The only thing to do there is look at the TV screen. No seating faces what I assume is a view outside. No seating faces the couch, so that people can talk. If you add chairs that expand the function of the room, it will seem more welcoming than the solitary couch that only shows you its back.

If your husband was really a cinephile, he would have painted the walls 18% grey. I wouldn't necessarily go that far, but you have to deemphasize the black-white theme and flat walls. There are too many good options to recommend just one.

I lean towards modern and minimalist design, so this already looks good to me. I would consider changing the sliding door blinds for something more sleek - I lean towards sliding panels (something like these:http://www.blindsgalore.com/WindowProduct.asp?id=255442) that would very closely (if not exactly) match the white walls. I would also hang the speakers if possible - for looks as well as for the sound quality (nice system by the way). I would remove whatever is sitting in the left-hand corner. If you would like something more than the tv and speakers on the wall (though, I don't think it's necessary), you could get several of the Ikea BESTA shelf units with doors (in white) and put them in a row above the tv and to the left (not going past the right-hand edge of the tv and ending just before the corner). You can use these for storage and can also display a collection on top if you would like. I'm not sure if the BESTA would be too large, so I would also consider the LACK shelves - you would lose storage, but still have room for display [I imagine either items all of one accent color or - this is the nerd in me - a collection of toys and items from something like Star Wars, or video games, or the like.] Though, these shelves might look really good without anything displayed and really stick to the minimalist look. This is probably not the way your decorating leans, but I hope I at least gave you something to think about. Good luck and enjoy your entertainment system!

There was a previous article that provides what I think is an ideal solution: a deep, dark stripe of color behind the tv. I like the media unit, but would it be possible to move it over to the other wall, slide the speakers closer together, and install shelves or get a small storage unit for the peripherials? That would narrow the visual space.

Also, the tv looks like it is the right height for comfortable viewing, but the couch is rather far away. I know it's tempting to frame a room with furniture, but in this case, I'd scoot the couch up, maybe a set of bookcases or a table behind to fill the space.

A simple solution is to move the tv about half a foot over so that the speaker isn't under the window. I would also add a book case in the other corner that's the height of the window.

Paint a color that complements the wood. The space is large enough for a dark warm color.

I'm wondering if radiator covers would distort the sound of the speakers. Here's different kinds of covers that might work:

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/step/0,,1582598_1289351,00.html

Another solution: Which will be a big splurge item is a built-in case that will emphasize the height of the room.

Can you possible lose that sideboard? In its place, what about a long wall-mounted shelf to hold components? Also, since your husband loves to have things installed in walls, is it possible to install the speakers so they are flush or almost-flush with the walls? I know there are acoustical challenges involved, but I'll bet your husband knows just the guy to solve those. Also, regarding the speakers, if you change the fabric covering the speakers, make sure you purchase actual speaker-cover-fabric. Use your favorite search engine and type in "speaker grill cloth red" or whatever color you want.

Sorry, typo. Meant "Can you possibly..."

I agree with everyone else on using some color and the new curtains should be hung much higher and should be more substantial in weight, imo.

I also agree on the stripe of perhaps dark color so the TV blends more. Candice Olsen did something in one of her shows where there was a stripe behind the TV and it totally blended in. I would NOT make the speakers a brighter color, though.

I would do a few things:
- Hang curtain rod about 6" or so from the ceiling with floor length curtains. Use curtains that are not white - think medium taupe or grey
- Paint wall behind the tv a darker color (think neutral like charcoal grey.
- Add large poster or artwork to the left of the tv.
- Use a bolder pattern in the rug. Think !color! for rug and pillows.
- Add a colorful accent chair (either red, bright blue, orange, etc)

Here's a great example from a recent AT post:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/before-after/before-after-the-goodbye-to-matchymatchy-makeover-real-simple-156717

The first room makeover is similar (living room, tv, windows...). You might try utilizing a picture wall surrounding the television. The visual noise can be turned up or down with complementary frames/art or an eclectic variety.

The speakers are fine, really. The deep colors in the sofa and console work well with the black. The problem is the great expanse of not much that is that wall. It needs color-nothing too pale, and definitely not a neutral! You've got plenty of neutral, which is fine, but you're maxed out at this point. Honestly, if you get a color on the wall, the white curtains may be just fine. I like the idea of a very tall potted plant to balance out that wall. And then a few more accessories here and there-some photos in black frames with white mattes would pick up on the black of the speakers and white of the curtains-so that there's more to look at in the room than just the TV.

In other words, you've got a fine start, just keep going!

According to classic interior design theory (and I happen to agree with this particular wisdom), the sofa is in the wrong place. The sofa should always face the main entry point of the room. So it's the wrong way round. I would put the TV and media cabinet along the left-hand wall, and the sofa where the media cabinet is now.