10 Excellent Ideas for Alcove Storage
Those spaces either side of your chimney breast – are you making the most of them? Read on to find out
Kate Burt
26 February 2024
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
Well-designed and professionally built cabinetry could transform your fireplace alcoves. Whether you want to pile them high with a book or record collection, dangle plants from them, display art and objets, or create a spot for mixing cocktails, these examples have it covered. Happy browsing.
1. Colour-block it
Painting walls, skirting boards, shelves, fireplace surround and mantel all the same colour is a statement – and it works.
This kind of colour-blocking, here by A New Day interior design studio, is a particularly good foil in households with lots of colourful objects, books or artworks to display. The strong shade causes other colours to ‘jump out’ at you, without the bitty visual clutter that different paintwork shades might create.
Painting walls, skirting boards, shelves, fireplace surround and mantel all the same colour is a statement – and it works.
This kind of colour-blocking, here by A New Day interior design studio, is a particularly good foil in households with lots of colourful objects, books or artworks to display. The strong shade causes other colours to ‘jump out’ at you, without the bitty visual clutter that different paintwork shades might create.
2. Glam up with mirror and marble
If this gorgeously grown-up TV and cocktail room appeals, consider the elements that give it its luxe looks.
The cabinets are pretty show-stopping for starters: the glass doors bounce light around, and brass mesh behind them ties into accessories in the rest of the room while hiding the contents.
Marble tops let the cabinets double as work surfaces – good spots to mix drinks as well as display flowers. Mirrored splashbacks add depth and more glamour to the space. The shelf for glasses is a stylish touch that not only looks good, it makes the far corner a highly functional spot, too. Reclaimed or off-cuts of marble could work well here.
If this gorgeously grown-up TV and cocktail room appeals, consider the elements that give it its luxe looks.
The cabinets are pretty show-stopping for starters: the glass doors bounce light around, and brass mesh behind them ties into accessories in the rest of the room while hiding the contents.
Marble tops let the cabinets double as work surfaces – good spots to mix drinks as well as display flowers. Mirrored splashbacks add depth and more glamour to the space. The shelf for glasses is a stylish touch that not only looks good, it makes the far corner a highly functional spot, too. Reclaimed or off-cuts of marble could work well here.
3. Cool down with concrete
Another interesting choice for topping alcove cabinets is cast and polished concrete, as employed here by Claude Clemaron Bespoke Wood Interiors. See how it matches the mantelpiece and hearth for visually calming continuity. There are other materials your professional may be able to suggest if you’re not keen on using concrete.
The shelves are made of high-grade MDF, strengthened internally then spray-painted, along with the closed cabinetry, before installation for a professional finish.
Find the perfect cabinet-maker for your project in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Another interesting choice for topping alcove cabinets is cast and polished concrete, as employed here by Claude Clemaron Bespoke Wood Interiors. See how it matches the mantelpiece and hearth for visually calming continuity. There are other materials your professional may be able to suggest if you’re not keen on using concrete.
The shelves are made of high-grade MDF, strengthened internally then spray-painted, along with the closed cabinetry, before installation for a professional finish.
Find the perfect cabinet-maker for your project in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
4. Straddle the space
Bringing alcove storage out of the alcoves, as seen in this room designed by Alexander Martin Architects, is an interesting idea. It changes the proportions of the room, provides two bonus areas of closed storage, and works really well with a small stove like this one, or could create space for a biofuel installation.
Bringing alcove storage out of the alcoves, as seen in this room designed by Alexander Martin Architects, is an interesting idea. It changes the proportions of the room, provides two bonus areas of closed storage, and works really well with a small stove like this one, or could create space for a biofuel installation.
5. Lift your shelves
To maximise storage space, it’s tempting to squeeze in as many cupboards and shelves as possible. Yet this room, designed by 2LG Studio, is an exercise in restraint on that front – ideal if you don’t have masses to store in your living room.
The closed cupboards are low to the ground and shelving starts high and looks wonderful filled with plants – something to consider if you have room for books elsewhere. Painting the shelves a different colour to the walls really works, too, especially here as part of a palette of blues.
Employing one cabinet for extra seating is practical in a small living room, and also allows for an additional textile to add interest to the overall scheme.
To maximise storage space, it’s tempting to squeeze in as many cupboards and shelves as possible. Yet this room, designed by 2LG Studio, is an exercise in restraint on that front – ideal if you don’t have masses to store in your living room.
The closed cupboards are low to the ground and shelving starts high and looks wonderful filled with plants – something to consider if you have room for books elsewhere. Painting the shelves a different colour to the walls really works, too, especially here as part of a palette of blues.
Employing one cabinet for extra seating is practical in a small living room, and also allows for an additional textile to add interest to the overall scheme.
6. Leave space at the top
An Artful Life designed this petite room, including the alcove storage, with simplicity at its heart. Just two shelves each side, painted black to tie in with various accessories and the wood-burning stove between them, ensure the space isn’t overwhelmed.
The shelves aren’t the often-seen floating ones, but fixed with brackets, allowing the surfaces to be neatly slim.
The storage created leaves a nook for a log bucket and makes space for books, artwork and houseplants. Not taking the shelving up to the ceiling tricks the eye into seeing more height than there is at the back of the room.
More: Surprising Ways an Interior Designer Could Help You
An Artful Life designed this petite room, including the alcove storage, with simplicity at its heart. Just two shelves each side, painted black to tie in with various accessories and the wood-burning stove between them, ensure the space isn’t overwhelmed.
The shelves aren’t the often-seen floating ones, but fixed with brackets, allowing the surfaces to be neatly slim.
The storage created leaves a nook for a log bucket and makes space for books, artwork and houseplants. Not taking the shelving up to the ceiling tricks the eye into seeing more height than there is at the back of the room.
More: Surprising Ways an Interior Designer Could Help You
7. Play with asymmetry
There’s no rule that your alcoves should match. Here, Craft Renovations has built the perfect alcove storage for a cosy country cottage with eclectic style.
Box shelving is good if you have a variety of things to store and display. Carrying a little of it over to the right-hand side ties the alcoves together without going matchy-matchy (as does the continuation of the skirting board – it’s all in the detail).
The tall floor cabinet adds deep storage and a nook for the coal scuttle to nestle into. The breathable mesh front means it could be used for logs if needed.
There’s no rule that your alcoves should match. Here, Craft Renovations has built the perfect alcove storage for a cosy country cottage with eclectic style.
Box shelving is good if you have a variety of things to store and display. Carrying a little of it over to the right-hand side ties the alcoves together without going matchy-matchy (as does the continuation of the skirting board – it’s all in the detail).
The tall floor cabinet adds deep storage and a nook for the coal scuttle to nestle into. The breathable mesh front means it could be used for logs if needed.
8. Mind the gap
It’s a small detail but a good look: see how these cabinets, designed by Sarah Vanrenen Designs have been built to float above the floor?
Having furniture you can see underneath can help to bring a sense of more space to smaller rooms – though of course you’ll need to remember to vacuum under them!
It’s a small detail but a good look: see how these cabinets, designed by Sarah Vanrenen Designs have been built to float above the floor?
Having furniture you can see underneath can help to bring a sense of more space to smaller rooms – though of course you’ll need to remember to vacuum under them!
9. Shelve it all
If you’re a book-loving household or vinyl junkie, these towering wooden shelves by Martyn Clarke Architecture may appeal.
There’s a convention for built-in cupboards at floor level, but do you really have anything you’d need to store in such spaces? These days, when TVs can be wall-mounted and bulky audio-visual kit and DVDs aren’t necessary, they could find themselves redundant.
This idea is especially lovely if you have a grown-up room dedicated to reading or listening.
If you’re a book-loving household or vinyl junkie, these towering wooden shelves by Martyn Clarke Architecture may appeal.
There’s a convention for built-in cupboards at floor level, but do you really have anything you’d need to store in such spaces? These days, when TVs can be wall-mounted and bulky audio-visual kit and DVDs aren’t necessary, they could find themselves redundant.
This idea is especially lovely if you have a grown-up room dedicated to reading or listening.
10. Introduce glass
Rather than separate cupboards and shelves, this idea ties them together. A pair of matching tall units, by Hartmann Designs, provides open box shelving for books or ornaments, and space on top for more of the same. The tiny drawers are handy for remotes and the small-scale clutter living rooms often collect.
Larger cupboards and the glass door sections allow for more substantial storage, including glassware and perhaps drinks and mixers.
Tell us…
Which of these ideas would work in your home and why? Share your ideas (or completed project photos) in the Comments.
Rather than separate cupboards and shelves, this idea ties them together. A pair of matching tall units, by Hartmann Designs, provides open box shelving for books or ornaments, and space on top for more of the same. The tiny drawers are handy for remotes and the small-scale clutter living rooms often collect.
Larger cupboards and the glass door sections allow for more substantial storage, including glassware and perhaps drinks and mixers.
Tell us…
Which of these ideas would work in your home and why? Share your ideas (or completed project photos) in the Comments.
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Colour blocking/drenching is overrated in my view and doesn't work with old buildings with lovely features. It's like dressing head to toe in a single colour which is a hard look to pull off! Start with the architecture of the room and the original features and work with those before decidng to obliterate everything to showcase the furniture and nicknacks you bring to the party.
Remember that if you’ve small spaces (in corners as well), or don’t want to go deep, a CD/DVD tower, like the one in 10, can be adjusted to take paperbacks. I’ve used IKEA ones with new shelves to create a wall of books in a small corridor.
There is a trend to combine the TV into the storage/shelving areas in a living room. These may help to provide inspiration!
All design and built by Sawbespoke