What kind of shelves should I put on either side of the fireplace?

Hello. Shelving units on both sides of the fireplace before created a balanced centered fireplace. Very common and expected had has been in most of the homes that I have lived in.

https://www.google.com/search?q=fireplace+with+bookcases+on+both+sides&client=safari&hl=en-us&sxsrf=ACYBGNRUztB-RvAFBxRkUdiRzIKqXwWlxw:1578840105142&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwji4v7cpf7mAhVnoFkKHX67ABwQ_AUoAnoECAwQBA&biw=1101&bih=1320&dpr=2

If you are going to do both sides, I would go floor to ceiling with a shelving unit, screw it to the wall and add crown molding for a built in look.

This tutorial should help https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/how-to-build-a-shaker-style-fireplace-surround-mantle-43858564

You would do well with builtins on both sides of the fireplace and a panel above the fireplace for your TV. You could even do a Ikea hack. But here is an idea off of home talk that looks great:

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/living-room/fireplaces-mantels/adding-built-ins-around-our-fireplace-36954966

if you want just one shelf, I'd suggest it be placed to align with the top of the firebox. As others have suggested, it would look nice to have shelves from floor to ceiling on either side of the fireplace.

Hi ! I made a wall pantry in my kitchen , because I had very little cabinet space . I used plumbing pipe and wood boards . It was very easy to do , and easy to make them in your style . I posted a tutorial on this site called wall pantry storage solution . It shows step by step how to do this . I did my shelves in a rustic style , but you can paint the pipe and or boards any color !

Here are the shelves

I would buy 2 tall bookcases for each side of the fireplace. You could get the towers that are much narrower. https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/south-shore-hopedale-standard-bookcase-th4691.html?piid=21384599

I do like the idea of making a box for the TV since its off center and really large for the space.... https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=build%20box%20over%20fireplace%20for%20TV&rs=typed&term_meta[]=build%20box%20over%20fireplace%20for%20TV%7Ctyped

We had similar and had shelves built on either side of the fireplace then covered the brick with faux stone. This is a great option of it is in the budget :)

Move the TV and Place Shelves above the Mantle

Check Ikea. They have some pretty inexpensive options.

A couple of floating shelves would look lovely!