If it's not working, remove it. It looks terrible, and painting it would only make it less obvious - but it's still there.
Remove the floorboard in the front, the brick frame and cover the walls. If it's too costly in the beginning, remove it and place some shelving in front of the 'undone' area. Then if the budget is there, make it one with the rest of the wall.

Option 1: Low shelving up to the height of the window all the way across (maybe even with cushions on top to make a bench?), and then a gallery wall on the other side of the window to balance it out. Create a little seating area in front of the fireplace with a couple of chairs and a rug sort of as a separate conversation area form the rest of the living room where a couple of people could have coffee and chat, or you could curl up with a book in front of the fire.

Option 2: Bookcase or cabinets on the opposite wall the same height as the fireplace to create some symmetry. Maybe coordinating artwork or mirrors above both the fireplace and the shelving/cabinet. Valance on the window. something decorative just below the window.

With either option would definitely whitewash or somehow paint the fireplace to help it blend in a little bit.

My first thought was to build/install a bookcase of comparable size on the other side of the window for balance. Then, when budget allows, perhaps she could have someone build small window seat in between.

I'm chiming in on the corner fireplace idea. I think it would be super easy to convert it, especially since it's not fully functional. All you would need to do is add some additional brick to the right side and build out the corner mantle piece on top. Easy peasy! Then I'd finish it off with a nice electric slide-in. There are quite a few affordable models out there if you look. I would be extremely hesitant to remove it since that will likely require professional help and you'd have to repair the wall. Bottom line, cost to remove would be much more expensive than building it out. But leaving it alone and merely painting it isn't going to get rid of the eyesore. Plus removing it would likely decrease your home value.

There's nothing you 're going to be able to do to or around this fireplace to make the placement seem less awkward than it is. It needs to come out.

Congratulations on the house, first of all. With the vaulted ceiling returning the room to its original size won't work. With the cold air return above, I have to suspect that the fireplace location isn't to code and so converting it to an operational fireplace (even a corner one) may not be allowed - if they think they might want to do that I would talk to a fire place shop or local code enforcement to see if that is an option. Options I see are: 1 Live with it and make it a quirky feature of the house. Put a chalkboard above it and let people put captions on it like ("Bad fireplace wouldn't let Santa in, now it has to sit in the corner.") (Fireplace shaming?) 2. Take it out or at least take out the hearth and mantle so you can cover it up. That may cost something. 3. Put a curtain rod just above the mantle and mimic it on the other side. You can put a shelf above each if you want for display. That would cheaply hide the issue and balance the room until she can decide on (and afford) a more permanent solution. Curtains could be straight and match the wall color, or could be made of a fabric printed with books to fool the eye into seeing something else. Shelves would give the opportunity to draw the eye away from the curtain and up to something decorative. In the same vein, covering the fireplace with a fake cabinet and putting a matching real one on the other side of the window would provide the same balance with a more traditional look (and more expense.) 4. Take a photo of the fire place, have it reprinted as a life size poster and put it on the other side of the window (people put windows on either side of a fire place, why not put fireplaces on either side of the window.) Good luck.

It would not be difficult to make it a corner fireplace.The venting to the outside would not need changing, from what I can gather and a corner fireplace would work with a little seating arrangement around it.As a corner fireplace, there would no awkwardness, in my opinion. Thats what I would do. Never consider a fireplace a disadvantage. Work around it.. Its too nice a feature not to be used and enjoyed.

The area in front of fireplace is not large enough for two chairs. I would suggest a chaise or a smaller-scale chair and ottoman. I would whitewash or paint the brick to tone it down. If you add a mantle or shelves, you now have a cozy reading nook. These would have to be very narrow, as your fireplace is not deep. In the other area, left of the window, I might be inclined to place a desk with shelves (or a tree/tall plant) to utilize and define that space. If a desk would not be useful, perhaps a small table would be better. It could be used for games or puzzles for children and/or adults. It depends on their lifestyle. The other half of the room could contain a sectional to anchor the room. Many smaller pieces of furniture might look cluttered. Unifying elements should be utilized such that you don't wind up with a disjointed result.

There is this stuff called brick-anew. I would use that and on the other side of the window I would add a built in the same dimensions as the fire place for symmetry and maybe add artwork over each to tie it all together

Buy faux brick at a home improvement store. Block fireplace opening with a piece of plywood. Cover that and the wall left of fireplace at same height with fake brick. Paint all brick white. If you can, knock out hearth. Place a large plant in a nice container in front of fireplace. Fill in left area with easy chair, or desk. Put nice large poster art on wall above brick or shelving.

I would make built ins on the full end around the window and put a wood stain plantation shutter on the window.

Is that a Rumford by any chance?

1. Paint brick all white is a must if it is to stay. Add built in or built in looking window seat/ bench under window with shelving to the left of window.

OR

2. since fireplace isn't functional at this point paint brick and board over opening.

OR

3. Paint brick for now and save money to demo fireplace

Hmmmmmm.... Congrats on being homeowners!

For now, paint the brick the same color as the wall to help camouflage it. Put a vase of flowers inside the opening. Put a chair in the corner in front of it, or get a pretty vintage fireplace screen to cover the opening. Don't treat it like a focal point. Arrange the room like it's not there. Make the large wall on the right of the fireplace the focal wall, or the opposite wall. Save up some Money to have it removed.

I agree with Becker Home...candles in the fireplace would be nice too :)

Wow...that is a tough one. Short of tearing it out I think I would definitely paint it so it was not so obtrusive. I would then build a bookcase with cupboards below to balance the walls out and connect the built-in to the fireplace with a little window seat for more storage and to have the whole idea make sense. Then simple blinds or roman shade could be added to the window without worrying about the lack of wall space on the fireplace side for window treatments. Not sure if this is a bedroom or living room but either way, the window seat will add a cozy factor and the built-ins will provide display and storage space. If refacing the fireplace is not in the budget they should probably at least re-tile the hearth. Good luck and have fun.

I like the idea of turning it into a working corner fireplace if possible. If not possible I would consider removing about the top 5 levels of brick to bring the scale down (definitely get rid of the graduated portion of brick at the top. I would absolutely paint light grey or white. By removing the top five layers of brick it will make it less imposing and make it look less like the fireplace is encroaching or competing with the window. I also think that adding shelving on the other side of the window is a good balance and would make them about the same height. I also like the idea of the candles in the fireplace until you can get the fireplace working. There are some really "real" looking flameless white pillar candles these days that you could use. They are a little pricey (around $20-30 each) but the beauty is they can be set to a timer to turn on at night and would give a nice realistic looking glow (they even have "flames" that move or flicker). I do think you could turn this unique feature into something that gives the room character. Best of luck and please send a pic of what they end up doing.

Most people would catty corner the fireplace to the right corner, but if you really want to go big put the fireplace where the window is and put dual windows on each side of the fireplace!

Maybe if you remove the brick and replace it with a very small surround giving it room on each side. like bedroom fireplaces in historical houses? Then balance it with something on the other side?

oh didn't realize it was a living room! decorated the right way and again painting the fireplace will make a huge difference! I made another sketch for you!

Work around it .It's going to be quite cozy .Some one sent in a nice design.I would white wash it.Curtains would be to the left side.Romantic ,cozy, retreat room.Enjoy it.

had a friend with this issue she solved the balance issue with a built-in bench seat along the balance of the wall with back rest on the balance that did not have the window. because the bottom portion was bade of wood and hollow she used the space by building storage under cushions with hi get doors for firewood.

Why spend money trying to make it work. Spend the same money to remove it. Going without one would be better.

I would minimize it but removing the brink, scale back the over all dimension and frame the firebox with marble, no mantle. I would also remove the hearth and make it flush with the floor and change it so it wasn't square; 45 degree angle on each side. And then wallpaper or stencil the entire walk and get some blinds that blend for the window.

As a professional I would go with Ali Hill Design, Or just demo it. I think she did a great design with what was there

Knock out the brick and re-build as a corner fireplace with a gas insert...

Painting the brick is the easiest fix but I would wait until all is finished and furnished. This way you'll know what color will coordinate with her decor. Since this fireplace is going to stay, just embrace it. If feasible, create an A-symmetrical balance (on other side of window) with shelving, pictures and/or large pieces of furniture. Counter act with pictures or floating shelves on the wall, above the mantle... If this is the wall her tv will be on, then the furniture placement of sofa, chairs and rugs can help make the fireplace feel 'included' in the space rather than an after thought due to a remodel. Also, that entire wall is a great opportunity to be an accent wall. Embrace it. Paint the wall itself another color with a contrasting color for the brick. Remember! It does not have to be white. Be bold! Good luck!!

the possibilities are endless without removing the fireplace. just a few more ideas I came up with. I may be having a little too much fun with this room! ☺

I guess I just don't get all effort it would take to try to work with something that was never meant to be in that location originally. If that's a return air vent above the fireplace it will suck the smoke right out of that fireplace.

Where was the licensed home inspector during escrow to call out the non-operational fireplace? In the same vein, where was the city inspector to divulge the code violation?
Safety before design, always!

There's really no way to balance that particular problem without drawing attention to it, so given the choice and decent budget, I'd move or remove the window.

Remove the window? Yikes...how does that help a fireplace that is smashed in a corner? Wouldn't it look even more weird cause now it's the only focal point. I admit I have a thing for symmetry and balance.

Sledgehammer.

And a magnifying glass for the rest of the remuddling that they did.

Ali Hill, it's refreshing to see a helpful comment rather than telling a brand new home owner to start ripping her house apart or move. Well done. Your pics are some great examples.

Wow! FYI, I am also a new homeowner. I got stuck with a lemon myself last June and...I have a similar problem, (in fact problems all over the place, thanks to a lousy home inspector.) While not concerning a fireplace and a window, one of my home issues is similar, so I'm sorry if I offended but based on my own experience, sometimes the obvious, seemingly most expensive answer turns out to be the most viable solution. The fireplace is an expensive fix and you can always put candles in there if you wish to continue to feature. A window move, on the otherhand, is probably less expensive and better for resale in the long run. Trying to practice asymmetrical balance, using decorative items IMO, isn't going to solve the obvious visual problem here, not to mention possible ventilation problems from a fireplace near a window. Sorry for my suggestion, "julesxoxo" and "Idecor" but someone here actually asked for suggestions right? Why be so critical of others who wish to help?

Didn't mean to be critical Jen. Sorry you took it that way.

What you need is some personality in that room, then the fireplace is much less quirky.

Consider adding a light colored ledgerstone/stackstone that gives it a presence! I think the red bricks makes the fireplace take over - a lighter shade will look nice! I know that is oddly placed, but sometimes strangeness adds character!

The design challenge here is to take something asymmetrical and add balance. Though a sledgehammer might be the most straightforward approach, it's expensive and messy... and unnecessary, given a bit of creativity.

The easiest way to add balance is to add something of equal visual mass to the other corner. The obvious candidate is an entertainment unit. I've sketched something to give you an idea:

Put a large ottoman under the window and a hard valance over the window and the entire wall becomes one unit. You can face a couch towards that wall and put an arm chair by the fireplace but angled towards the TV. All that's left to do is decorate!

Ok, one last design! I promise lol please excuse the red, my stylist wasn't working that well. Again, your focus is on the tv and fireplaces area. Its all in how you decorate and place furniture. It definitely works! I think the room has character. Just giving you ideas of different color choices.

Thank you Ali for the great room arrangement suggestions! They help a lot!!

you're very welcome! home designing is a passion of mine, landscaping as well.

Wow, crazy fireplace! This is why people should not drink and do diy projects! You diy and then drink your beer ;-)

Since the budget is probably tight as a first home-owner, I would get an inspection to see if the fireplace is safe enough to use for winter. If not? Paint it so it vanishes into the wall and forget about it. Put candles in the open area and light those now and then or tack up a cheap piece of art to cover the hole. Save the bucks for a proper rebuild of that wall when budget allows. Make that a priority project and get a permit for the job to be allowed. Then hire a good fireplace person to rebuild it properly somewhere else (if desired).

Good luck!

@terry toon. Oh my. I'd need tranquilizers if I had to contend with that "personality," lol. That wallpaper alone is worse than the OP's fireplace!

And the window treatments--1990's meet Chinese take-out on speed. Wow, some people live in eccentric decor...no wonder I get so many headaches from scrolling through the stories on this site. Seriously.

I see now that if I do take an interior design course for a hobby later on, I'm sticking only to new interiors in modern homes with clients with modern tastes. Lol.

Major score, Ali Hill! You've very cleverly de-emphasized that fireplace! I always appreciate a solution that, while perhaps not ideal, is cheap and doesn't necessarily involve a sledgehammer.

New homeowners, congratulations. They don't want to hear demo, or move it. Too much money. Ali Hill suggestions are great. You just need to balance the room and definitely paint the fireplace. Can go one ortwo shades darker than wall color? Don't paint it the same color as the walls, it will just look like a bump in the wall, feature it but be subtle. Or if walls will be a dark color, paint it with the same paint color as the woodworks? To feature it

Can purchase remote control Flameless candles or ones on timers and put them in the fireplace (pier 1 store). But get large candles not small ones. Electrical fireplace log insert?

Once you paint and place furniture in the room, it won't stick out like a sore thumb. Right now there is nothing in the room and the fireplace is all you notice. Don't stress, it will come together.

White wash the bricks, build bookshelves above the fireplace, above window and the lonely wall to the side of the window. Possibly build in a bench under the window, pad and cushions on that. Cozy up the whole wall.

Help! I love this house but HATE this fireplace placement. It doesn’t make any sense and hurts the flow of the house so much.

@kaitlyn Dasler
You’d probably have better luck starting your own post. I like your room! The thing that sticks out to me is the mantel. I think a chunkier mantel in a more flattering color would “fix” your problem.

My fireplace is on a wall that juts out on a angle and I have no idea how to style furniture around it. should i keep the TV there?

HU-620389313 Start a new posting and include pictures of your situation.