What would you do with this off-centre fireplace?

8 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

We have just moved into a house with this off-centre fireplace. Apart from putting an oak beam across, stuck on what else to do with the space. Shelves? Let me know please!

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sarahlew1
Original Author

5 years ago

Better photo

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Comments (63)

aribahigh
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I'd put a hearth back, doesn't have to be too deep so that it takes up floor space, running the length of the chimney breast (tiled/slate/marble)....then you can put objects on the hearth to balance the offset fire opening.....eg pile of logs/coal scuttle or how about some oversized vases, a big plant or even a lamp.
PRO
R Gregory Installations
8 years ago
Question. Is this a ground floor room or first floor? If it's first floor or above it could be a wide breast with off centre fireplace because the breast contains another flue from a lower floor fireplace. If that is the case you would not want to knock through to enlarge or move the existing fireplace.

Consider bricking up the fireplace that is there and fitting a modern surface mounted flueless gas fire, take a look at these for example ( http://www.fireplacesareus.co.uk/shop/fires/gas-fires/flueless.html )
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Good morning. Your builder is right, there will be a flue from downstairs running up the right hand side. You can see where the natural opening is for the fireplace which has been bricked up to accommodate the fire which was previously in situ. Obviously the fitter will try to locate the fireplace as centrally as possible on the breast wall so it looks pleasing to the eye, but in a bedroom, the fireplace would have been very plain and functional rather than decorative, so it would be normal to be sited to one side. Your fitter would usually take out the existing brickwork and then rebuild it to accommodate the next fireplace should you decide to reinstate one. View our range at Pendragon Fireplaces for further information. You've bought a 1850s Victorian Gothic cottage, embrace it for what it is. PS. Whatever you do, your builder mustn't disturb the flue from downstairs, as any leakages will result in fumes from the fire below coming into the bedroom. Each fireplace will have it's own flue and chimney, they never join together. I would advise you use a qualified 'Hetas' fitter to do your fireplaces, not a builder.
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I hadn't initially spotted the trunk, it looks quite slim and should hopefully work in that you can move around it plus it brings furniture into the middle of the room. In terms of the sofa my first choice would be green if you want a colour rather than a neutral and it looks as if you like that colour anyway! I think a chair could possibly work either to the left or right of the fire. It's hard when you have furniture in a room but cutting out paper templates of everything or using cardboard boxes always works. At least the tv isn't taking up room :) good luck in whatever you do, it really is a lovely room
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Hi, I don’t see a problem with the fireplace not being central to a sofa. Looks like a lovely room. Could you post more photos, so we can get a better idea of the entire room? A sketch with dimensions and location of doors and windows would be useful too.
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brianminns
8 years ago
Leave it alone and go with a bigger log cabinet on the RHS to add symmetry to the area. I would make the log cabinet around a third higher and same width, you can photo shop this before you do anything.

If that doesn't work get ready for some building work!
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Use some stick-on wall art or script and place a really comfy chair on front, leaving the fire free to be appreciated. You could also add a mantle shelf and extend it almost the full width, a small table below it and beside the fire and that gives the whole width of the wall above the shelf and keeping the off centre below as a feature.

Wall art

Script
Ludo Gallagher
8 years ago
I love it. Embrace the quirky. Cover the entire wall with frames, mirrors and pictures. The fireplace being just one of many quirky items on the wall.
eveline999
8 years ago
Personally I think putting shelves up would be boring! love the idea of the full length hearth and various hanging objects on the wall. One large mirror or picture is I reckon predictable and done by most people. A feature of an outsize vase or large unusual plant on the hearth. Is the fire real? if so it would be so sad to board up and replace with an electric version, real fires are a feature of their own. Love A J Interiors ideas. Good luck with your eventual plan.
Sherbert Barnes
8 years ago
I love it!! It's quirky! As above, I would put shelving in both alcoves - would be nice if you could chisel out a rectangular recess to the right of it for logs neatly stacked- and then I would keep this wall very quirky - hanging a collection of things that are personal to you on hooks. Think it is a nice feature and actually love fact that it is so off centre!
Sherbert Barnes
8 years ago
Doesn't have to be photographs or artwork - for example if you collected cow bells even! It could be those strategically placed - if you know what I am saying!! Good luck.
PRO
Empatika Bespoke Fitted Furniture
8 years ago
You can put a TV or pictures in the right section to make it balance out. Or an expensive option is if you built alcove units in and make the right alcove come over the right side of the chimney breast so that the fireplace is in the centre of

the two units, you could put small books in that section and ornaments and in the deep section I would have cupboard to store large items away. Not sure if that makes sense... see the drawing.

More shelving ideas here.
eveline999
8 years ago
shelves although useful would I personally feel be preditable the fireplace is unusual/quirky so it might be more apt to enhance the quirkyness rather than hide it by making it into a feature.
Siubhan Magee
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I would not put shelves on the same part of the wall as the fireplace - you will make the room feel smaller. You could put a big piece of art (a long framed poster for example) next to it to balance it out, or a mirror, or a grandfather clock. Embrace the asymmetry! I would put a mantle over it so you can decorate above with candlesticks or pictures too. At the moment it looks quite stark, but that's because you've not yet put your stamp on it.
brackvillage
8 years ago
Interesting comments about the back to back and downstairs flue - been wondering why the two fireplaces in our bedrooms were, like this one, off centre!

I don't think the heavy white frame helps. You could remove this and go for a more mid century feel with a full length bench height sill, an aperture flame effect gas fire or similar wall hung electric fire on the left of the breast using the existing fireplace and then have cushions and maybe some logs on the right. Might also help if you pulled the electric stove to the front of the fireplace and installed a false smoke pipe.. You could then balance this with log basket or similar to the right. These could be pulled together if both sitting on a full length slim hearth which could be cheap to do if you just use a wooden platform painted slate black.
mrshste
8 years ago
I would keep a stove there, definitely not replace it with a modern electric one. I love that its off-centre. A real feature! I think just a mirror above with pictures spaced around with ore to the right, and a large basket off logs. I would probably open the fire space a bit though for a better proportion to the wall size.
PRO
Premier Paint Supplies
8 years ago
All the structural ideas sound great but a more cosmetic solution would be to use a single drop of wallpaper in the empty space to the right of the fireplace. It would need to be placed bang centre in the bare area to the right of the fireplace for the sake of symmetry but could look great. This would give you two features on the chimney breast and a bit of balance.

A wider wide roll of 21" paper looks like it would fit great there. A standard width paper looks like it might be a little out of proportion of the overall wall but I could be wrong. The choice of design would obviously be key here.

I've just noticed the alcoves have the "Linear Stem" wallpaper by Orla Kiely for Harlequin so one of the bolder designs from the same collection which run along a similar theme would look great. Hopefully they would be to your taste!

https://www.harlequin.uk.com/shop/wallpaper/orla-kiely-wallpapers/
alyper
8 years ago
Think it looks great being off centre! Perhaps an interesting statement chair angled to the right, line up of stunning colourful paintings over full width : three would create a balance?
PRO
theCAVE architecture + design
8 years ago
Find me on our pro page - contact me and I'll send you some images that may show you why your off centre fire is actually the coolest thing that happened to your room - this is an opportunity not a problem
Glenda Roberts
8 years ago
I would think to have a tall copper vase containing an even taller dried arrangement and perhaps a few stacked logs - would look pretty amazing and make the most of your lovely, unique fire place.
drpepe101
8 years ago
Book Shelves, a place to store a pouffe / footstool, a chair (if room large enough).

Personally, I think the offset makes the space *more* usable than if you had a large central opening, so I wouldn't be doing something irreversible or structural.
Lucie Fontaine
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hi, from reading this week's article about loving the imperfections of our home, I pictured a wall sitker of a tree or even some fairy lights display as a feature wall.
Lucie Fontaine
8 years ago
Oh and same storage in each of the alcoves to balance out the look.
Pauline cotton
8 years ago
Why would anyone build a fireplace that is not in the middle!!!
We too have inherited an off centre fireplace and I hate the fact it is not symmetrical. This photo is not the best but can't take one at the moment because it is hidden behind a load of boxes. I plan on knocking out the bricks and seeing if it can be opened up more to centralise it.
Kate Crossley
8 years ago
unfortunately I've not had time to read all of the comments above so hope I'm not repeating something already suggested.

I would leave it as it is and add onto the wall a removable wall decal sticker, Look at these on Amazon, there are some tremendous sets on there from views of a beach or country lanes through an open window, to trees, ornate bird cages, wonderful wording, and so much more. Maybe you could just have some logs at the bottom. You would know what to do with the rest of the wall, if anything, if you looked at these art sets. I would love a blank wall like this with an open fire as this is the line I definitely would go down.

I hope this is helpful.
sarahlew1
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you to everyone who has commented with suggestions. All appreciated. It doesn't really bother me too much it being off centre, just lost as to what to do. I think for now we will embrace it and go with a tree wall art like in the pic, but that sways left. Then fill with pictures and an oak beam. Thanks again x.
PRO
Bio Fires
8 years ago
I would suggest removing the existing fireplace, as an off centred fireplace loses its fundamental essence of being a focal point of the room. You could create symmetry by using a traditional freestanding fireplace that can be placed flat against the wall without any installation. Bio ethanol fireplaces are fuelled by bio ethanol liquid which you fill into a container, hidden by logs. Looks just like a traditional gas fire, and gives you heat. For great ideas, take a look at our profile!

Or alternatively offset it with some stylish shelves or pictures, this could create a modern look.
smartypantsnancy
8 years ago
It looks great off centre..you could do all sorts of good stuff with this
jessegee
8 years ago
If building work is too much to contemplate, Tree wall art sounds a great idea, working with it in the simplest way , quirky unusual original clean and quick!
PRO
Mauro Perucchetti Ltd
8 years ago
What a great feature with great potential. Has the chimney breast been extended and can you insert shelving or boxes?

Have you thought of using Venetian Plaster to give this feature a bespoke facelift, giving your room a luxurious and fresh facelift? Polished plaster is easily applied and can make a real statement in your room.
Nine Aud
7 years ago
Just found your question and noticed how long ago it was... Interested to see the end result, like so many of the comments, I love it for being off Centre too
phyllylittle
6 years ago
I have a very similar fireplace to this - the chimney is shared with my adjoining neighbour, my fireplace being on the left as this one is, and theirs on the right. I am just at the stage of replacing my fire and would like to install a wood burning stove.

If anyone has photos of a finished project similar to this, please would you share them? And any ideas will be gratefully received.
PRO
V.I.P Walls Interior Specialist
6 years ago
We would love to install some classy looking paneling to that wall. Contact us.
phyllylittle
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Thank you guys - but I don't think wood paneling would really 'go' in a sixties bungalow. I would love that in a period property though.
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
phyllylittleit is an old post. You want to post your own one and you get more ideas.
phyllylittle
6 years ago
Thank you - will do
nicola_bassani
6 years ago
We had Exactly the same problem when we moved into our house. Our configuration is opposite to yours (our neighbours fireplace is on the left and ours on the right) I'll go take a pic now to show you what we did.
nicola_bassani
6 years ago
PRO
DAG Inter ltd
6 years ago
Centralise the fireplace then make a feature wall. Use backlit materials or clad the surrounds with mirrors or backpainted glass .
phyllylittle
6 years ago
Thanks for the advice - I will see if either of these options can be done in my room
sarahlew1
Original Author
5 years ago
A while ago I posted about what to do with my living rooms off centred chimney breast. I thought I’d update you on what we did...
PRO
User
5 years ago
Hi, Can I recommend You concrete solutions??
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Ludo Gallagher
5 years ago
Ingenious. Youve done just the right thing imo. Looks fab.
Juliet Docherty
5 years ago
It's odd that we have an issue with symmetry. Your off centre fireplace looks fabulous now you have created a composition with artwork and furniture - amazing.
Kiya Kelly
5 years ago
Oh what you did looks great, very classy!
sam irwin
5 years ago
That’s a terrific job ...love the chair and the picture gallery ... great to see the end result
A S
5 years ago
Wow! So much potential.
I would hang pictures/ mirrors creating a Cool grid wall.
PRO
amordesigns
5 years ago
Wow you have made it beautiful. What a lovely space and your eyes are not drawn to it being off centre. It’s gorgeous space I love it
Jules Mc
5 years ago
Love what you've done. You've turned a negative into a real feature
KrisB
5 years ago
HI Sarah
I love what you have achieved. Many congrats for embracing what you have and creating something that totally enhances the placement of the fireplace. The space looks like it was made for the placement of that perfect chair and you've done a gorgeous job with your selection and placement of art . I am moving with considerable grief from my gorgeous arts and crafts bungalow to an early1970s small house. I have to say this style of architecture in NZ wasnt exactly a highlight. But I set myself a challange to embrace the architecture and look to enhance rather than fight it . That challenge shifted me off my despair track and now I am excited and hopeful and thinking about space and colour and the amazing light pouring in (a quality of houses of this time)..and textures . i feel so cteative in new and diffetent ways...and it's so exciting. seeing what you have achieved - it is very affirming for me I love what you have created.
sarahlew1
Original Author
3 years ago
This thread has been revisited which is lovely. I still love what we did.
Moni Burns
3 years ago
That looks simply wonderful.