Hi - I wouldn't paint the fireplace or the mantel - particularly if it is the original, the fire surround tiling looks original possibly I can't tell from the pick. I would remove the picture rail completely, then I would build white cupboard doors and box in your book shelves then build a matching pair of door cupboards and and mount on the right handside of the chimney breast - wall mount your TV and satellite box etc on a tilting cantilever bracket with a shelf either above or below to store all your DVD's xbox games etc.. The doors are easy to make from MDF or tongue and groove, paint them white ( or cream and they will hide and safely store all your bits and pieces.) Choose hinges that you like to set it off. Then when you look at your fire place your eye will be drawn to it as a focal point, cosy in winter, lovely flower vase or plants when not in use, and by disguising any clutter and raising the eye level your room will look bigger too! - let us know what you do and post an updated pick !

I'm loving all the advice, suggestions and photos. Thanks everyone! Finding it really helpful. The ceiling must remain white because I don't want to have to paint it again. Hellish job! I really like the idea of painting the rail and skirting boards the same as the wall. Would I use eggshell for the skirtings or a matt varnish over emulsion? Suppose either would do the job? Like the idea of using a lighter shade of the wall colour above the rail. I think the white scheme looks super smart, but I might try the colour and see how it looks. Using colour in that space really appeals to me. The wallpaper idea has worked well in our bedroom, it makes the room feel cosy and personal. But, it might be too much for our lounge, which is a much bigger room with a lot going on already. The lounge window faces east so very light at one end, and very dark at the other. It's a cool room during the day, but cosy in the evening with fire lit. If using the wallpaper idea, give some careful thought to your choice of pattern. The size and repeat. It's got to work in a very short area. Would love to see pics if anyone does it though!

Hi woodster1987, Traditional paint brands have paints for walls & ceilings as well as wood & metal. Paints for walls & ceilings are available in matt finish and sheen finish. Matt finish, depending on brand and range, could be non-wipeable, wipeable and washable. Those reflect little light, upto 8%. Sheen finishes (Soft Sheen, Silk, Eggshell) are best for kitchens and bathrooms as well as stairwells and hallways and light reflection upto 30%. Those are durable and washable finishes. Paints for wood & metal are "made for purpose", and come in Satin, Eggshell and Gloss durable finishes with a higher sheen. The least shiny is Satin, the most Gloss and High Gloss. Last decade those were mostly oil based, but today most are water based and low odour. There are some paint brands that provide matt finish for walls and wood, but those shouldn't really be used in kitchens and bathrooms and high traffic areas. Please note, whatever finish you choose, no matter what paint brand you use, the old woodwork must be sanded to add "key" - and undercoated before applying finish coats. Are you London based? If yes you could call PAINTFORME® for free consultation. Hopefully you find this helpfull. Kind Regards, Paintforme

Likely going to come down to your personal preference. We brought a 70’s mid terrace, standard height rooms (IMO) and they had put up picture rails. Personally I wouldn’t have done but for the way we have recently decorated it, it actually adds height to the room, which I think is down to a trick of the eye, so they have grown on me. Just keep in mind if you put them up you may struggle to get them off if you change your mind down the line without having the risk of needing to replaster.