Renovate or remove bedroom fireplace?

[Pannacotta]

There is an old Victorian fireplace in what will soon (hopefully) be the DSs' room.

Is is a cast iron insert with original tiles and a wooden surround. If we keep it it eneds to be removed, a new slate hearth added (which I have), re-fitted properly and the surround altered as it had been botched about.

We will never use this fireplace, and it does eat into the available wall space, the room has a large sqaure bay so has quite limied wall space.

Would it be sacriligious to remove it altogether and sell it on? I like period features but am less keen when they serve no purpose other than to take up space...

Any thoughts?

[Cyb]

I woudl keep it but I would KILL for any fireplaces in my Victorian semi-they were all ripped out. What about shelving/storage either side?

[Pannacotta]

There is a cupboard on one side, the other side is limited - it's shallower as this alcove is next to the bay.
I do like it but not convinced it adds much to a shared boys' room.
We could use it in another room, which is destined to be our dressing/store/ironing room.

[MaryMotherOfCheeses]

You've answered your own question then, use it elsewhere.


Absolutely no point in keeping somehting for the sake of it.

[Pannacotta]

You're right Mary!
Funny how writing something down often helps to work it out...

[Chatelaine]

I absolve you of all guilt. I live with and love period features but in many instances they are impractical. What you describe is classic, a poor fireplace in a bedroom. Designed pre central heating. Unless you have servants, that fireplace will never be functional so get rid of it and enjoy the space.

[Islandlady]

I wwould keep it, victorian fireplaces are a very good selling point

cyb we also have a victorian semi and the fireplace in the living room had been removed although the one in the dining room was still there, what we did was to get a cast iron reproduction living flame which is almost indentical to the original one - we used gallery fireplaces

[jalopy]

I would definitely keep it but then I love old houses with original features, regardless of whether it's practical or not.

[Chatelaine]

A fireplace in a living room is worth keeping, but not one in the bedroom if you really need the wall space for years to come, summer and winter!

[starfishmummy]

I would keep it, but moving it to another room might be a good compromise.

[teta]

I have just reinstalled one in our old music room now to be my study.I bought a late victorian one off ebay.The room was really bland and featureless with boxed in cupboards covering old lift shaft!.The fireplace [ i am probably not going to use it] brings the room to life.Unless you really need the space i would say keep it.Sorry i know it is the opposite of what everyone else is saying.

[Pannacotta]

teta you sound like my DH! He was horrified when I suggested we take it out - though we would re-use it in another room - so not sure he will agree to it going anyway!

[vanitypear]

I'd remove - we have exactly this also. It's not a huge room and takes up so much space as there is a large window on facing wall, although it has been restored beautifully with expensive hand-painted tiles around it so did not feel able to remove it.
Agree with Chatelaine - I think it's a good rule to keep them in downstairs rooms and remove upstairs - they are never used, look a bit bare and draughty, and take up useful room.

[northerngirl41]

We ripped out a few (I know, I know it's sacriligious!!) but they weren't originals and two were in bedrooms where the only logical place to put a wardrobe was on the wall where the fireplace was... The other was a cast iron one which I thought would fetch some cash at auction.

Oh how mistaken I was! Apparently the retail value is almost nil unless they are in perfect condition with original grates, surrounds, no cracking from when it's removed from the wall etc.

Bear in mind that if you keep the fireplace, you'll need to block it up (google chimney balloons) otherwise you'll get a frightful draft.

And if you do block it up permanently, you need to install ventilation and cap the chimney so you don't get condensation/dampness on the chimney breast.

[biryani]

Why is it sacriligious to remove something that isn't functional? I would remove it and sell it as there's always a market for these fireplaces (heaven knows why!!)