Design ideas for recesses at sides of fireplace

8 replies

sh77 · 20/12/2011 11:45

Currently we have glass shelves and useless cupboards at the sides of the fireplace. We want to improve the area. Does anyone have any idea of good designs ?

OP posts:

soniaweir · 20/12/2011 12:26

we have floor to ceiling book shelves which are built in. it looks fab. i guess it depends if you have lots of books.

HMTheQueen · 20/12/2011 12:30

We have a low cupboard for storage and then book shelves to the ceiling (all built in). It looks great and it means I don't have to have millions of book cases all over my house. We also had the book shelves made to measure to the height of the books, so there isn't any wasted space.

DorisIsMerryOnChristmasSprits · 20/12/2011 12:43

Depenpends which room,

in the lounge we have a larger fitted oak shelf for tv and smaller book shelves above.

in the playroom we have a shaped computer desk onside with shelve above and oh (you've probaly guessed) a larger shelf with shelves above on the other (for when dc's start to stay up and have a say on tv channel's).

tbf I have a very small cottage and we needed to maximise storage and workspace so I guess whatever works for you.

MrsJAlfredPrufrock · 20/12/2011 12:57

If you need storage you could have floor to ceiling cupboards made with flush doors covered in ex Libris wallpaper from Cole & son or similar. I did this in an a hallway alcove in an old house, it's a brilliant way of hiding clutter, we also ran the deep skirting and cornice round the bottom and top of the cupboard doors which gave it a marvellous finish.

I'm currently covering a flush cupboard door with a collage of old paintings, picked up cheaply at auction. Progress is slow but I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

nocake · 20/12/2011 20:18

In the sitting room we have the meter cupboard with bookshelves above on one side. On the other we have staggered floating shelves. In the bedroom we have fitted wardrobes both sides.

partridge · 21/12/2011 07:51

I would love to get huge floor to ceiling panels of foxed glass ( sort of antiqued mirror). It would make the room look huge.

Original poster

sh77 · 21/12/2011 13:43

Thank you all so much for your responses. Will look into these ideas.

OP posts:

echt · 22/12/2011 09:33

If you have shelves put in; don't go symmetrical. It looks overworked and shite. IMHO.

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