What to do with fireplace wall 1930s semi

[slowlyburningcalories]

hi. We are (fingers crossed) moving into a 1930s semi which has only a few original features, none upstairs sadly. At the moment there are huge awful floor to ceiling wardrobes in the bedroom alcoves which we want to remove and replace with an IKEA PAX wardrobe each side. But what do I do with the fireplace wall that stands proud? I am in need of design ideas :)

Advice appreciated :)

[Iwannamovenow]

I'll lurk on here for inspiration too, i'm in the same position. :)

[Gooshka]

We exposed the original fireplace and filled with logs and built a wood frame around the edge. Looks lovely and cost next to nothing

[minipie]

How about shallow shelves that run across the chimneybreast side to side and stick out as far as the Pzx wardrobes (assuming the Pax wardrobes stick out a bit more than the chimneybreast). Fill with books/pictureframes/mementos etc or even a tv

[slowlyburningcalories]

gooshka that sounds lovely, we have a destructive toddler and a 'relaxed' attitude to dusting

mini pie love it, when we move in I will measure carefully but it would be lovely to have a place for odd photos, books and DH wuld love the tv idea

[TalkinPeace2]

in one room we opened up the original fireplace
ripped out the late 1950's tile work
and the late 1940's back boiler
and found the lovely 1930 fireplace
and stuck a woodburner in it ....

front room has a sillily ornate tile fireplace so we had cabinets built in (cupboards below, one of which hides the TV and shelves for books above)

[SimpleSi]

Our neighbours did something like minipie suggested, but fitted slidding doors in front so they have the illusion of a wall of full depth wardrobes. Looks pretty good too.

[yomellamoHelly]

In ours we have two bedrooms with fireplaces. Both had fitted wardrobes. One had wardrobes set 60 cm off chimney breast (so nearly 1 m deep in alcoves) and partially obscured bay window. Other had wardrobes set 60 cm off back of alcove (so 15-20 cm in front of chimney breast) coming in right up against the bay window but not obscuring it. Hated them though as they totally dominated both rooms - the huge wardrobes were the first thing you saw. Both long since gone now. In the room we've done I've put 2 doubles and a single bank of wardrobes along the wall opposite the bay with the bed facing the fireplace. Intend to do the same in the other. So now have an electric fireplace and picture to look at.