Different sized alcoves next to chimney breast

7 years ago

I am in the process of "doing up" (on a budget) my living room. I have an open plan living room / kitchen / stairs. As you can see, I have a small chimney breast (approx 80mm deep). The TV is on this. However, the alcoves at each side are different widths as the house is open plan. To the right is a small alcove and then there is the wall to the edge of the room / door. To the right is about three times that width and then the stairs.

My original plan was to put narrow shelves either side of the chimney but I'm worried that, if I put symetrical shelves

that it will make the longer wall that stretches to the stairs look "off." Is it better in a space with differing widths to do similar or completly different things?

Help!!

Featured Answer

PRO

Oasys Property Solutions

7 years ago

Sue,

A few photos attached during the process of the shelves in the images above which may assist in seeing how they were constructed.

Best of luck, and do not hesitate to ask if you require any further information.

Regards, Simon

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Comments (17)

PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
Hi Sue,

I would try and incorporate the two. Do the smaller side as planned (say five shelves). With the other side I would stagger the end point on the shelves. So say you have five shelves - The top one and third one would finish the same as the smaller side but then the other three would go slightly longer finishing at odd points.. It will visually make it easier to deal with by not leaving a harsh finish line but also give your brain the symmetry on the two sides so they work together.

I really hope that makes sense and that it helps. All the best, Gina
Sue Brown thanked Create Perfect
whiteheadw3
7 years ago
Hi,
Why not add some verticals to your proposed shelves to make the whole area look like built in display units. You could paint it all a subdued colour and fill with interesting random stuff ( keeping away from symmetry) This would incorporate the chimney breast as part of a whole (esp with the TV) so as to remove its obvious non central position. Bit like the attached photo.

Hope this helps?
W.
Sue Brown thanked whiteheadw3
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Sue Brown
Original Author
7 years ago
Thank you both. That's really helpful. With the shelving, do you think I should have vertical "ends" as in W's example or do you think this would emphasise the differing lengths at each side? Thank you both again
PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
Hi Sue. If you were going for Ws option then the idea is that by incorporating verticals and going over the whole wall it blends the lines and you don't notice the chimney breast. You therefore wouldn't *need* the varying lengths to disguise it.
You could of course choose to add a few of them at different lengths for style purposes and to extend the unit visually into the space near the stairs. I hope that makes sense :) Gina
whiteheadw3
7 years ago
Hi Sue

Sorry for not coming back to you sooner. The idea I had for you to try was as Gina described in her reply. Don't forget to post a picture of the completed project. Hope all goes well :-D
PRO
Oasys Property Solutions
7 years ago
Adding to whiteheadw3's comment, maybe considering differing depths to the shelves to add further interest.

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14GR Ground floor remodelling · More Info
Sue Brown thanked Oasys Property Solutions
Sue Brown
Original Author
7 years ago
I like it. I have started to get some wood (next door is in the building trade) and am hoping to make a start tomorrow. Still not totally sure on how it will work and in two minds on whether to have open ended or "closed" shelves. I am actually eering towards having both sides the same width but adding in the variation of shelf depths and divisions etc. I am doing the work myself so have to make sure it is within my ability levels if that makes sense!
PRO
Create Perfect
7 years ago
Hi Sue.

Just take it a bit at a time and plan as you go. Start with the basic elements and add to it. Good luck. I look forward to your updates!!! :)
PRO
User
7 years ago
I'd build the whole thing back out as one unit with even shelf sizes both sides. 8cm is not wide enough to put anything on anyway. So if you re-build you can dictate the sizes. All the pics above are nice, but they are all of proper sized shelves.

In fact, you could always buy 'off the shelf' units and move them along the wall at will. As your gap is only 8cm you could fill the gap behind the units on both the left and right allowing you to put the unit wherever you like.
Sue Brown
Original Author
7 years ago
I don't really want to lose the chimney breast.the shelving is really just for decorative things rather than proper storage. The only other option I could think of would be pictures
Sue Brown
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks Simon.so what wood did you use?are the "tops" of the shelves plywood then painted? I was just going to use solid wood throughout
PRO
Oasys Property Solutions
7 years ago
Hi Sue, The tops and underside were just MDF, but ply could equally be used. The benefit of constructing in this way was that it is extremely lightweight but strong, but also all fixings are hidden. A similar look could be achieved with solid wood, but unless you have access to a router it will be difficult to hide any battens, but this may not be of great importance to you.
Sue Brown
Original Author
7 years ago

Hi All.thank you so much for your advice. Over the bank holiday I set to work.i went with the shelving idea but went for equal widths-which has actually turned out well.although I wanted to do different depth shelves, my diy skills reached their limit! I am delighted with the result. Each"thing" on the shelves has a positive emotional link for me -so every time I look at it I get a good vibe.i am really really pleased with the end product.thank you all again!
PRO
User
7 years ago
Good for you ! And, doesn't it feel extra good that you did it yourself. Looks great x
Sue Brown thanked User
Sue Brown
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Thanks ... and yes it does. I can't believe I did it all myself - and neither can other people!
PRO
Oasys Property Solutions
7 years ago
Brilliant. Well done Sue.