Bookshelves and fireplace wall for book lovers

10 years ago

We love books and have lots. We want to modernize our gas fireplace and add Ikea bookshelves on each side in our living room with doors on the bottom for storage. We'd like them to look built-in. We have one set up now and have tried placing it several ways, with and without spacers between each one. We can't place the right one too close to the wall because the window ledge comes out about 1 1/2" and we wouldn't be able to open the door. It looks funny with an empty space next to the window. Not wide enough for a picture and we aren't interested in curtains so we tried different size spacers for more of a built-in look. If we put wider spacers between each bookcase, it brings it closer to the fireplace and seems to take up more space in the room. Not sure it looks right with a spacer on the right and not one on the left.

Or should we butt the bookcases into the fireplace. Not sure that is a good thing. We have a plug on each side of the wall that will have to be moved towards the fireplace, also heat vents.

We're thinking of painting the fireplace screen and hearth black, white washing the stone, and then framing it with white painted wood and adding a plain mantle with molding around the bottom.

Am hoping that someone can help with suggestions for a design that will be pleasing before we create a monster.

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Comments (8)

User
10 years ago
Is it only gojng on one side of the fireplace. I think would be better if on both sides.
PRO
KB Design +
10 years ago
The Ikea bookshelves can be cut. Just purchase the wider one for the middle and cut the top, bottom, and the back of it to size.
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PRO
KB Design +
10 years ago
And yes, cover the edges with the fillers, preferably wooden ones, to hide the fact you used prefab and to bulk it up. Use the same wood for the top and bottom rail. You can add the crown too if this is your style. https://www.houzz.com/photos/cozy-and-colorful-traditional-family-room-seattle-phvw-vp~3334709
nonna36
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes on both sides of the fireplace. I didn't realize you could cut down an ikea bookshelf but it makes sense. Good idea. However, the doors for the bottom wouldn't fit. By the time we put in spacers, we would be almost to the fireplace, anyway. Here's a pic of the whole wall.
nonna36
Original Author
10 years ago
Here's the pic.
PRO
KB Design +
10 years ago
I forgot about the doors. Just go with the wider (maybe fluted) spacers in between the cabinets, watch the size so the doors will open. add more embellishment on the top and bottom to balance out. Also, I have to be honest, the style of bookshelves you are chosen (simple, plane, same depth on the top and the bottom) lean toward the contemporary style and wide spacers are, definitely, not contemporary. Need to draw the wall out carefully and play with shapes and materials not to create a regrettable design.
nonna36
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks, KB Design. A "regrettable design" is what I want to avoid. We are leaning toward a cleaner, more contemporary look. Do you think the bookcases should "attach" to the fireplace? Or should the fireplace stand alone? Any suggestions for redoing the fireplace?
PRO
KB Design +
10 years ago
I would incorporate the fireplace into a composition. for a cleaner, more contemporary look try and see modern tiles from Wow , Ann Sacks or any other design supplier (you need so little that the price might turn out affordable). Even simple glass tile might turn out great. For the cleaner look I would avoid very wide fillers. Try to lose the middle doors and play with the idea of cutting the IKEA's box down to the size.