To install a cast iron mantel piece in my bedroom?

[Somanyquestionsss]

Please help me with this conundrum Mumsnet!

I live in a little Victorian terrace, and thought I'd live here forever. A few years ago I bought a cast iron mantel piece (without the bit in the middle that goes inside the wall) with the intention of installing it in my bedroom where there would have been one originally. However I never installed it (would require cutting the skirting boards and drilling into the wall which I've never gotten round to) and just had it leaning against the wall.

Now it's become apparent I may be selling up in a few years so I'm trying to get jobs done and make the house as appealing for buyers as possible. And I'm thinking, what on earth do I do with this mantel piece? Other people might not love it like I do. It does take up wall space and limits the furniture in the room, and I'm aware that would put people off. Or would people like it, bearing in mind it's only a mantel and not the full fireplace?

I don't know whether to go to the bother of installing it if it might put people off buying! But then I'd have to sell it/get rid and it's so darn heavy to get downstairs. Plus I love it and might still be in this house for a few more years before I sell.

What would you do? Install the mantel or get rid?

I've hopefully attached an image - it's this mantel but with the proper cast iron shelf at the top, not wood.

I love it but I wouldnt want that taking up wall space in my bedroom of my own little terraced house. Keep it for your new house?

Thats beautiful, and I’d love it in a period house. If people like a period home they’d probably love it too.
However, I’m torn, if it seriously affects the room and has only been put in for decorative purposes ie not attached to a chimney it might put me off a bit. I’m wondering if you could just leave it for prospective buyers to decide , although im aware that also sounds like a bit of a cop out !
Im no help ….

Install it. You'll be there for at least a few years. You may be there longer. At the moment it's your house so live for today and just do it. You can deal with removing it etc in a few years if need be.

That's lovely. I'd install if it wouldn't be a nuisance otherwise sell.

Is it in keeping with the other rooms or would it be the only one?

My Victorian 2 bed terraced has one of those in each bedroom - the originals from 1888 when house was built. I'd never remove them but might if there was only 1.

They’re handy for sitting your straighteners/hot brush on.

If you have a natural spot for it - closed chimney breast for example - then I would say install it and enjoy it.

Otherwise, save it for your next house or sell on.

I have one of these in my bedroom which we took out, then fitted wardrobes either side and refitted tke fire place back. I 'll have it polished and refitted. The house next door has taken theirs out and sold it for £500.

There is a full cast iron fireplace in the front room downstairs, but nothing in either bedrooms. And both walls in the bedrooms have been plastered over nicely so there's no evidence of where the fireplaces used to be.

We installed one in our bedroom, on the chimney breast where one had previously been removed. There wasn't room for a piece of furniture there, between the wall and the foot of the bed, and the mantelpiece provides a useful shelf for a few toiletries, with a mirror hanging above. We love the look of it, and use it somewhat like a standing dressing table, I suppose.

You mean you could be installing it on a blank wall, so there would just be more wall in the fireplace opening?

It would go where the original one was, on the chimney breast.

Yeah, but I was going to put some brick wallpaper in the middle to cosy it up a bit. But yeah, there would be just wall in the middle of it.

Personally I'd be installing it. Future buyers may like it, or might want to remove it, but the hassle & cost of removing it & replastering is a drop in the ocean compared to buying a house!

I love it. But I had one in my bedroom a few years back and I kept stubbing my toe on the hearth. Got rid in the end.

Then I wouldn’t, unless your own pleasure in looking at it woukd be considerable — especially as it sounds as if your idea to install it is mostly to do with reluctance to haul it back downstairs! Hold onto it and install it in your next house?

In my opinion this would definitely put me off. It's a gorgeous mantlepiece and would look great where one would naturally go. But just against a normal wall with brick wallpaper will cheapen your home (in my opinion).

If you are really looking to sell, I wouldnt do it. It's easier for a buyer to add than to take something away.

Just to reiterate, you have lovely taste. But I don't think this is the right situation for this piece ☺️

How big is your bedroom?

I have attached a floorplan! Sorry, should have put this in the original post really. The red line is where the fireplace would go.

If you're going to install it, at least make it look like it belongs. The fireplace opening is almost certainly still there, just covered over with plasterboard. Finding the right place and cutting an opening would probably be a straightforward enough job for to DIY. You just need to be clear it's only ornamental and not a usable fireplace, unless it's really installed properly.

Does it have the screw holes on either side like that image does? If so, it's not original and I wouldn't bother installing it. You could tell the buyers you have it and they can either keep it or not.

I'd love to do this, but it feels like a big dusty job and I'd have to find an insert.

Yes it does! Oh wow really. Why do the screw holes make it non original?

Original cast iron fireplaces were partially recessed into the chimney breast or secured with brackets behind. The screw tabs either side are indicative that's it's a replica, as it's an easier way for people to reinstall them once they are gone. Plenty of people still install replicas in their homes, however, and a high quality one may be of interest to your buyers.

Ohhh that's very interesting, thank you!