Lounge advice... no alcoves for shelves

6 years ago

Please ignore what is in the room as, apart from the sofas, none of it has to stay! I like the wall colour which is f&b light blue. I need general advice however I am firstly wondering whether I should build shelving to come out from the wall either side of the fireplace or whether that would look odd and I should just get a lower tv unit. I feel the shelving and TV needs to blend in more. Obviously the ikea unit under the tele needs to go. Any advice appreciated. Thank you

Featured Answer

rachelmidlands

6 years ago

Hi there, I think whatever you do it needs to be symmetrical on both sides. Personally I would like to see built in cabinets all the way up to the ceiling with cornicing at the top and painted the same colour as your door. You could get a joiner to make them bespoke or like the previous comment you could diy it with kitchen units, bookcases etc. have look at some ikea billy hacks for ideas. Driftwood mantel shelf was my first thought also as the colour should tone in lovely with your flooring. If not a mantel shelf a round or oval mirror should look equally as good. Image just to show fireplace with no alcoves.

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Comments (7)

bookworm987
6 years ago
You definitely need similar units either side of the fireplace to tie the room together. The worry is that, with built in units, the stove will almost disappear into the wall... I think whatever you put in will need to be fairly shallow, and not very high. I wonder whether it would help to fit a mantle shelf or beam above the stove to sort of connect the two sides? I'm sure there are regulations though about the height of a shelf above a stove so you'd have to check that out.
PRO
Caldicot Kitchen & Bathroom Centre
6 years ago
Various options to consider in addition to those of bookworm. A mantle shelf (think chunky, but rounded, oak in a driftwood style - could work to help bring the stove area "forward" - alternatively you could work in shelving which has radiused ends which curve gently in towards the stive, keeping a focal point. My own preference, however, would be to frame out around the stove to give a false chimney breast, and possibly add a fireplace or mantle shelve, then add bespoke shelving/cupboards either side. If you size it carefully, you could use standard sized kitchen/furniture cupboards to keep costs down. The fake chimney breast need not be expensive - some cheap timber framing, a couple of sheets of plaster board and two skimming beads plus some paint. And with a little careful thought, you could build in some secret hidden storage as well!
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My friend had a huge blank wall (no window) with a rubbishy, non original, fireplace, and she decided to buy a big shelving unit from Ikea and removed the fireplace. I was sceptical but it looks amazing and it houses her tv, books and ornaments. The room is decorated in soft grey and yellow and the unit is white so it doesn’t look too heavy. I haven’t got a picture of hers but it’s something like this ( first pic is Ikea).
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LJ Lilliput
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you everyone! After reading the advice I guess the option is either shelving both sides and panel or not the fireplace section or have symmetrical low shelves each side and then have tv hanging on wall above one side and maybe a picture on the other. I love the shelves each side and panelled fireplace area like in this pic but it could be expensive?
PRO
User
6 years ago
Found these Corner units :-

Baytree Interiors

I think they could work with the colour scheme, although, I must admit, I'd go for something a little warmer than blue with the floor and the sofas. As the fire is quite dainty, the corner units being of a low level will work quite well, and the TV can sit on one hopefully. The T.V can sit on one of these, angle in to the room and still look good. If you wish, you could also have shelves above.

I'd put in a mantle shelf and stick a nice mirror above it.
delyth price
6 years ago
Definitely go symmetrical either side, and you could also paint a wide block of dark colour just wider than the stove opening, from floor to ceiling (including the skirting) which will mimic a chimney breast, and make the feature stove stand out, good luck!
User
6 years ago
Could you build out the fireplace? Even by a brick... Giving you a slight alcove... Then have narrow shelves for books etc?
If you look at my recent post, you will see I'm blessed with 4 alcoves and 2 fireplaces. It's so restrictive. All or nothing eh? Lol

Lounge advice... no alcoves for shelves

rachelmidlands

Comments (7)

bookworm987

Caldicot Kitchen & Bathroom Centre

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Lounge advice... no alcoves for shelves

rachelmidlands

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bookworm987

Caldicot Kitchen & Bathroom Centre

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delyth price

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