Ideas for what to do with this corner fireplace area?

15 years ago

Buying my first place! And here's my first design dilemma: I have a corner fireplace in an angled wall in my great room. 12 foot ceilings. The angled wall the fireplace is on is 62" wide. You can see on both the left and right sides of the photo that there's a little 8.5" deep column jutting out of both walls.

The problem is that there's a lack of bookshelves/storage/places to display items in the room and either side of the angled wall seem to be the best place to implement whatever solution there is. The TV is going over the fireplace (please don't comment - it's happening) and I'd love to find room for bookshelves/component storage on either or both of these walls. (Also, everything but the fireplace itself will be removed - glass panels and floating shelves.)

So what would you do with the space to achieve these goals? Is there a way to do built-ins around the angled wall while not obstructing the view of the TV? Options to accent the wall with different texture from floor to ceiling? Add a full mantle? A shelf mantle? Any interesting ideas for replacing the tile around the fireplace? The fireplace is flush with the wall, in case you can't tell.

Also, I'm DIY-ing on a budget, so please keep that in mind, but I'll take any ideas and inspiration you all have! Thanks all!

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplace Wall

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Comments (9)

teacats
15 years ago
The best way to DIY this area would be to head to IKEA -- and check out the "Billy" bookcases -- and all of their optional extras (like doors of different lengths and adding an additional section on the top of the bookcases etc.)

Measure and map out the area -- be VERY, VERY accurate and write it all down. Then plan out a storage bookcase solution with the Billy System at IKEA -- and add a strong shelf across the fireplace for a mantel option.

Just some thoughts! :)
gwbr54
15 years ago
All but paperback books will be deeper than your 8.5-in. recess, so I'd probably put books on freestanding shelf that is lower than TV.

If you're a modernist, maybe something like below, which has a thick mantle that extends to the window. Extending the fireplace tile all the way to the wall edge will help balance the TV.

Mobiles: http://www.frithmobiles.com/Templates/mobiles.html

If you need storage more than display space, Ikea has 8-in. deep wall cabinets that could replace the artwork in the drawing. See link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ikea Besta cabinet 7-7/8-in. deep
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chickadee2_gw
15 years ago
Not sure about bookcases, but I think putting stone veneer panels around the fireplace up to the ceiling with a heavy mantel would look cool.

http://www.norstoneusa.com/stackedstonecladding.asp
terezosa / terriks
15 years ago
Normally, I am not a fat of TVs over the fireplace, but yours looks it will be low enough to view comfortably. And I really like gwbr's idea.
natesgram
15 years ago
Fist of all, congratulations on your first home. May you have many happy years there. I think a more substantial surround and mantle would look nice. Here is a site I found that might give a few ideas. I don't personally care for the chalk part of it but there is so much you could do as a DIY project. I assume you already have the tv. I would install and wire it exactly where you want it and then work the fireplace area to fit as you like. Do you have any pictures taken from farther back?

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplace surround on Nesting Place
terezosa / terriks
15 years ago
Oops! I meant fan, not fat!
ohinla
Original Author
15 years ago
These are ALL amazing ideas! I am a huge fan of IKEA, so I will definitely check out the Besta cabs - I have a lot of smaller statues and items to display that feel like they could work with shallower shelves.

Gwbr - that's an amazing idea. I love the thick mantle and the imbalance of the space. I also certainly have plenty of art to fill any of those walls. Thanks for taking the time to sketch it out for me.

Chickadee - I was thinking about panels of some kind all the way up. Speaking of IKEA, I kind of love the idea in the attached URL - they used Nexus yellow/brown drawer fronts -check it out!

Unfortunately, I don't have any more pictures from further back right now, but these ideas are a great place to start.

Please keep them coming and thanks again for your help and warm wishes!

Here is a link that might be useful: Ikea nexus fireplace surround
powermuffin
15 years ago
Yep, that is a great idea for the surround!
Diane
chickadee2_gw
15 years ago
Some people are so clever - yellow/brown drawer fronts! They did a great job.