Chimney Stack in Primary Bedroom

5 years ago

We just moved into a new home and I'm struggling with the primary bedroom. It's a sweet room with angled ceilings etc but it's not very big. My biggest challenge is there's no great spot to put the bed. We have a queen sized bed and the best/only wall to put the bed due to wall lengths/closet/bathroom doors is against a wall where the chimney stack is. So it visually looks weird.

Pictures are attached. A few ideas I've had/seen are to put fabric hanging from the ceiling the whole length of the headboard, getting round nightstands to make it less weird that they're not flush against the wall due to the chimney). Also plan to remove the ceiling fan for something brighter/make the room feel bigger.

I'm swapping out for more neutral bedding as we rearragned things. Pictures show the house in "Settling in phase" :) so ignore the random items strewn about!

Open to any other ideas to make the room feel open and make the chimney look less weird!

Featured Answer

CWD

5 years ago

Another option would be to build out the chimney breast to make it as wide as your bed - could add in shelves that open to the side (so you can't see them from the front) for a little extra storage if you wanted to. That would make it look better I think, but still leaves the bedside units floating away from the window wall.

But it looks like the bed could go on the opposite wall instead? Where the tall grey shelves are? Am sure you've thought of that so there must be an issue, but without seeing the rest of the room it's difficult to tell.

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Comments (13)

Tani H-S
5 years ago
I would ditto the building out the chimney wall and adding storage either side 👌
Amanda Gintoft thanked Tani H-S
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Good Morning Scotto, I am a strong believer in trying to work with the original character of the building. It may take a few more ideas and a bit of innovation. In design it is really helpful to sketch out all ideas and keep thinking of more when you think you are done. Then you can narrow these down. If the chimney is still to be taken down (which is likely to be structural), some log burners can be taken out through walls rather than chimneys depending on the possibilities externally and neighbours etc. Builders and planning departments will advise. If you like the built in stove look, a new built in wall could be created rather than having to utilise the old chimney. Happy to help, please visit my site. We can provide remote design, the first step is to get in touch and we will cost up the service that you require. This can range from an innovative floor-plan created remotely for you to a full design and project management. As a client you can benefit from our supplier discounts as all we charge is fees, no product profit. Thank you for sharing and enjoy these exciting times! Many thanks, Sophie Ellen Ellen Utley Interiors
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minnie101
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

I think if building it out, I’d take it right up to the windows. It does mean you’re either limited to blinds though or blocking light with curtains

Or on the opposite wall as said before
Amanda Gintoft thanked minnie101
minnie101
5 years ago
I meant to say curtains could be tricky, could you take a photo showing the ceiling?
Amanda Gintoft thanked minnie101
Ana Hpping
5 years ago
Do you use the chimney? You could invest in having it removed if not. It would buy you a lot of space in the bedroom if the bed could go all the way against that wall.
Amanda Gintoft thanked Ana Hpping
Amanda Gintoft
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Great idea, . WE do use the chimney so unfortunately not an option! Thanks though.

love the idea of building out the chimney! Hadn't thought of that. with bookshelves in there on the side woudl be cool. I'll take a picture of the ceiling.

We tried to put the bed on the other side but the door to the room and the door to the closet are right there on either side so it was really tight with no room for nightstands.
Jules Mc
5 years ago
What's on the fourth wall (not shown)?
Amanda Gintoft thanked Jules Mc
Jules Mc
5 years ago
I stayed in a gorgeous B&B in Nashville once, remember those days when we could travel? 😭
Anyway, the house had low window placement in all the bedrooms so they had the beds placed diagonally in all the rooms and it worked really well. I don't know if it's something you've even considered or could live with long term, but it might be worth furniture shuftee (I'm sure that's a word?!) before you go to the expense of building out the chimney wall.
I couldn't find the actual place online but some inspiration photos for you below.
Amanda Gintoft thanked Jules Mc
sarh123
5 years ago
We lived for years in our old house with an awkward chimney breast and then had it built out to match the bed. At one end we had bookshelves and at the other two small cupboards. It worked really well.
Amanda Gintoft thanked sarh123
Amanda Gintoft
Original Author
5 years ago
Love these ideas--thanks everyone--especially building out the chimney breast wall with storage. Form meets function :)

The diagonal bed placement looks fantastic but don't think it would work in our space with all of the doors and windows. I've included the pictures of the fourth wall and the ceiling/molding above the bed for the curtain idea.

I think part of the issue with what I don't like about the room currently is everything is high. So maybe swapping out the dressers for something lower/longer (or at least one), would help. And then neutral bedding, new fixture and art :)
sarh123
5 years ago
We built lights into the wall when extending it out-we added little reading lights like this
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Images/Products/size_3/FL3454BZ.JPG
You could then have much smaller bedside tables.
Karenza Roy
5 years ago
you could extend the chimney like colour wise suggested but it doesn't limit your curtain options! you could infact change it up to make it look better and not have two curtains per window but instead have one big sweeping one that went the opposite way to the chimney if that makes sense?
or you could wallpaper that chimney bit?
minnie101
5 years ago
I can’t really see how curtains would work with the roof line unless you just had curtains on the chimney breast which may look a bit odd next to windows (but may be my lack of imagination 😂)

iPersonally I’d extend across to the windows as said before and add some art (ignore what I added as got fed up of looking for something non-offensive!). I’d pull the bedsides away from the bed for some breathing space. Wall lights could work really well or taller lamps. I’d also paint the dressing area in the wall colour. I painted it in a similar’ish colour and as you can see the shadows there deepen the back wall colour so still make it look quite funky.

It can be difficult with furniture size/height when you move!

You could consider painting the bookcase in the wall colour so it blends in a little more. I’m loathe to say paint the wood pieces (or go for a deeper wall colour) so I suppose it depends on budget. It feels a little crowded where the floor lamp and chest are but the other chest is fine. A little bedroom chair in the corner where the dressing table is could look lovely too
Amanda Gintoft thanked minnie101