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Design Dilemma Living Rooms

Alcove built-ins or shelves at window?

3 years ago

We live in a 1930's bungalow, the lounge is at the front of the house and features a small bay window. The room has fairly small proportions (4.83 m X 3.58 m). There aren't any features in the room ie. no chimney breast. Would you either:

a) build in a chimney breast then add built-in alcove shelves/units either side. Have seen some lovely examples of this and would add real interest. However would this encroach too much on the room? it would be the more expensive option

OR

b) build in floor to ceiling shelves on both sides of the bay window? this doesn't reduce the width of the room and would be the cheaper option and add some interest/symmetry.

I'm planning a full re-decoration including new wall colour, sofas and fireplace too.

Option A)

Option B)

example of alcove units/shelving

Battersea, Victorian Terraced House · More Info

Any opinions welcome!

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Comments (7)

Sonia
3 years ago
If you can add a proper chimney/fireplace with cupboard and shelving either side it would give it character and create storage. I’m afraid I don’t like the shelving next to the window, it looks cluttered and not something you would normally have next to windows. I think something like this maybe?
renniac thanked Sonia
keiblem
3 years ago
I agree with Sonia. Build a chimney breast with cupboards and shelves either side. I had something similar to photo one in my last house and I loved it. You can ring the changes but it is a style that never dates. If you are concerned about space then the chimney breast, shelves and cupboards can be shallow so as not to encroach too much into your room.
renniac thanked keiblem
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Hi Dominic, I completely agree with you that having 4 x cabinets and shelves will look a bit rigid. It is also quite a lot of open shelving and as that wall will be a main feature of the room, you will need to think about what goes on all of the shelves and keeping it nicely dressed. It would be great to get a couple more photos of the room, to get an idea of proportion and what the room is used for. I’m an interior designer and have worked on a project with two chimney breasts in one room, which resulted in having four alcoves. I put two console tables on either side of one chimney breast. I had a large picture behind each one and a tall table lamp, this was to add some height to the alcove, so the wall didn’t look bare. For the next set of alcoves I added built in cabinets and shelves above (as you have suggested already). I made sure the height of the cabinet matched the console tables so they all worked together. I have attached some photos. Another option to look at would be to put at desk in an alcove with a nice chair and some shelves above. Alternatively, you could put two built in benches on each side of one of the chimney breasts and the shelves and cabinet on either side of the other. This would create more seating and joiner could make it so it has a lift up seat, if you need the extra storage. There are some picture of the benches and a desk on this blog post: https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/10-fresh-ideas-for-living-room-alcoves-in-a-period-home-stsetivw-vs~52065393
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Sue S
3 years ago
Irrespective of where shelves go, the room would look better if you made the bay more of a feature, as in your own final picture. Light coloured curtains and maybe the louvre shutters would make the bay more attractive, and harmonise with the walls.
renniac thanked Sue S
Wumi
3 years ago
Almost exactly like my living room layout except I do have a chimney breast. I’m assuming that’s a gas fire?

I would build out a false chimney breast, no more than 30cm in depth, have the gas fire sitting within the void, slim surround or just a mantelpiece and and very slim the hearth. You could tile the inside in some lovely tiles to make a feature of it.
renniac thanked Wumi
renniac
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks everyone. You've confirmed what I think I knew deep down. Its something I've always admired but was put off with the idea of making the room more narrow. I think with shallow dimensions it will be fine and I always have the ability to reduce the size of the sofas which will help too.

This is now my inspiration for the room! will update when it's done!
keiblem
3 years ago
God luck with it and looking forward to seeing the transformation.
HU-723069088
3 years ago
Wumi is exactly right: build a chimney breast 300mm deep and alcove cupboards and shelving 280mm deep. The chimney breast should protrude slightly further than the cupboard to make a feature. The fire surround should then be fixed to the chimney breast. If it's a gas fire, you need to take advice on materials to build the breast, as a softwood frame covered with plasterboard may not be legal as a fire hazard. May need two layers of fire proof plasterboard (fireline board).

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