Never seen one stuffed in a corner like that! Usually they are angled on the corner. What is on the other side of the fireplace wall ( to the right not behind)? Wondering if you have room to knock through.....

If you do want to use it, you'd likely want to move your piano away ( because of the heat- the drying and heat would be bad for the wood- and you'd have constant tuning issues). You might consider adding brick to the left of the fireplace to make a wood cubby storage area and then add a mantle. Get rid of or paint the white trim as it just outlines and draws your eye to the off centeredness.....

My answer should get the 'ball rolling' here and hopefully you will get more suggestions.

Thanks for your thoughts, and for confirming the craziness of this corner fireplace. There's a closet to the left of the fireplace (behind the wall) and my kitchen is behind the wall on the right side of the fireplace.

So guessing not an option to knock down that wall....maybe some brick could be extended to the right as well...if a spark was to bounce off that wall..yikes. Maybe get a local architect and/or brick mason in to see what could be done.

Diane, that's exactly what I was thinking.

that's a bit odd so if you can install it in the corner please do!!!

If you don't need the closet and the kitchen wall space on the other side of the fireplace, and if the kitchen eating area is near the wall on the other side, you may be able to do a double-sided fireplace.

Seeing as you don't use the fireplace anyway could you not have someone come in to see about dismantling it and perhaps putting in a gas fireplace that is centered on the wall that you would use?

I agree with both Diane and charleee. The closet behind the wall could then become a shelving unit. If matching the brickwork is a problem you could paint it out all the same.

By the looks of the smoke damage on the brick that fireplace is full of creosote and you should have it looked at by a chimney sweeper before you decide to use it to make sure it's safe, you will not want a chimney fire.

http://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/the_facts_about_chimney_fires.aspx

This might help with you decision in what to do with it.

I have one in the corner like this, in a 1978 ranch. passed inspection when we did an insert, for clearance to wall. but who puts a FP in this position? our neighbor turned his so it faces into another room, but he was a contractor and I don't want that cost. I like t h e idea of beefing up the mantle.

So, we ripped out the hearth and entire wall of drywall. We plan to cover the entire wall in a type of stacked stone, with a mantle extending across the entire wall, and a place to sit in front of the fire. We are putting a vented gas insert in, since our children tend to have breathing issues and ventless would not be ideal. Once it is done, I'll post pics!

This is a wonderful update! Can't wait to see it. :)

Sounds lovely!