It looks like there is a light switch there next to the door? See if you have about 48" if you center it between the fireplace wall and the door, such that the light switch is accessible. You'll need to do something that is open on the bottom to clear the HVAC floor vent.

Start playing with masking tape on the wall to block off the size of the bench and hooks. The space doesnt look all that long to me once you clear the light switch.

Thanks so much! kandrewspa....so center it between where the fireplace starts and the door or all the way to the back wall and the door? :-)

There is a light switch, an electrical outlet, and a floor register/vent there. How will you accommodate them?

Maybe just a floating coathook shelf with nothing underneath to block the outlet/register, etc.?

Paint outlet covers the same color as they attach to. Replace the solid door with one that has a window - the bigger the better. Get a pretty, colorful doormat. Lose the wreath and the lemon tablecloth. A rug under the table would be pretty too.

Sounds like my style needs an overhaul! The door goes to the garage, still get one with a window? Also, maybe a black bench like this and a floating coathook?

I love this look of beadboard with pegs. You could visually add height to your beadboard by adding a trim piece a few inches above it, then add a board with pegs a few inches above the trim, and paint everything the same color.

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Here is the whole room. I love the fireplace, but I know there's so much more I should do with this room. I so appreciate all the comments...I was not given the decorating gene!

What a charming space! It is the perfect base for my favorite decoerating style - vintage revival.

I love that! What sorts of things make it vintage revival? Is it like mid-century modern?

you could remove that beadboard and switch it out to this panel (they come in 4' or 6' sheets) do a nice thick trim pice on top, get some wood pegs. paint everything.

this is a board and batten panel. ( just look up DIY board and batten for ideas. it's not difficult) buy some hooks like this at Hobby lobby and get a bench

bigger bench w/cubbies, higher beadboard w/thicker trim, hooks

BTW, you are wasting valuble space on the side of your fireplace.

Can you and your family DIY ? even a little? You can get unfinished oak cabinets and make a built in book case, prime, paint, trim it out, add some wood shelves.

How cool would this look, in this Urbane Bronze color, next to your stone?

(Not sure the current silver gray color on your walls is the best choice)

Her. what do you think? (I put in two diff light options)

then bring in a giant jute or sisal rug to hide some of the damaged floor tile

btw, if you search, Ikea billy bookcase hack for fireplace, or DIY fireplace bookcase hack, you should find a ton of how-to's to help you

this is one.

https://thediyplaybook.com/white-built-ins-around-the-fireplace/

https://www.spaziodesignsla.com/blog2/diy-brick-fireplace-updates

you can also get unfinished oak cabs from lowes, home depot, or even craigslist (if the width fits your spot) and use those plus MDF trim pieces for a custom look

this one is a 30x30. you build a platform base on top of your hearth. (easy, directions below) install, trim it out, put up a few wood shelves, and voila! custom built-in

https://simplyalignedhome.com/custom-built-in-how-to-install-base-cabinets/

see this right side w/the shelves above? you're basically just installing this on the sides, trimming it out, and painting the whole things. It's not as hard as it looks.

this one is very, very basic, and very inexpensive. (imagine your fireplace in the middle

https://justcallmehomegirl.com/upper-cabinets-made-into-built-ins

if you literally have never held a tool or even own one, then you can always get pre-made storage cabs to place on top the stone hearth, float some shelves above those. Or, hang some art. Paint it a contrasting color.

can;t do that either? then get some thick wood beams, cut to fit, use brackets or lag bolts drilled into the studs and put up two on each side. bring in some baskets and pillows/maybe some stacked logs, for hearth decor.

see? they used black iron brackets to hold up the shleves. anything is better than nothing that you have!

(you can buy a piece of Fir lumber at a HD or lowes. 1x8, 2x8,,,in that size range. have them cut it for you to fit in your space. bring it home, sand it, maybe rough it up a bit, stain and poly. buy the iron brackets. drill into the studs. hang your shelves. decorate. easy peasy

Oh my gosh, those are amazing ideas! I've never done any more than repair type projects. But, I could definitely do some of those options. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to reply!! You have some serious design skills! <3

What if I dont have the skill to replace the batten on the wall where i need some hooks?

What if I dont have the skill to replace the batten on the wall where i need some hooks?

that should just peel off the wall, no? score the top w/a sharp razor knife and remove all the trim molding first. use a putty knife to get behind the panel and slowly peel it away from the wall.

if you get some dings in the drywall, patch and repair If you want to do the batten on plain drywall.

just nail on the batten panels w/some finishing nails/adhesive. (If the wall is too messed up, you can also get smooth 'board' attatch that to the wall, and put the battens over that) .

But if your wall is in decent shape, just do the MDF batten/trim pieces.

just like this. She has a really good blog and has a complete tutorial on how to do this

https://angelamariemade.com/diy-board-and-batten-wall/

if the wall is damaged after you remove that, you could buy new, taller beadboard panels (I think they come in 6' and 8' X 4' boards) and do this

I like this because it's taller, looks better, you get a little shelf and the pegs are high enough to hang your clothing items

https://www.atlaneandhigh.com/diy-beadboard-wall/

She walks you through the whole thing.

Is that your dining area? I would consider a storage solution which hid clutter such as shoes, boots, coats, etc.

I really like that black bench, Stephanie. The style seems right for the room to me.

A drawback I can imagine would be things hanging overhead making sitting on the bench awkward...

I learned that the decor style I like is called Vintage Revival by watching this Lone Fox episode on youtube. Drew Scott explains several different styles, and Vintage Revival is the first one up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ3Pk9AcR8g

I'd simply use a cabinet to have all the features and not have any issues with heat/ac supply

https://www.amazon.com/Merax-Storage-Cabinet-Drawers-Mudroom/dp/B0BPP871PJ?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A3SJKCCEERA74R

I love that your hearth runs wall to wall. Here are a few ideas for your fireplace styling.

BTW, now that I’ve seen that Ski Chalet color palette that Beth H. posted, I can’t help but see it in your room. It’s gorgeous!

There are many styles of battery operated lamps that would add nice ambient light to the room. I can picture these flanking the fireplace.

Ratan baskets would add nice texture and look fantastic on your hearth.

This is a screenshot from an Etsy shop called North Prints. It’s a wonderful source for vintage look art.

@ffpalms You are so kind to help! What color in the palette do you think would look best? And would that be the cabinets and the beadboard or just the cabinets and the walls? <3

@Beth H. :Such super valuable help! Thanks so much for all the links and tips!! One more question! Would you recommend painting the beadboard and cabinets all that Urbane Bronze color or just the cabinets?<3

It’s hard to make the call without actually being in the space. In theory, I like the look of everything Urbane Bronze so that the fireplace stone is the star, but in actuallity, it may make the room gloomy and dark. This mock-up is so terrible, but it does show how cozy it looks. I like the wall color on the photo inset on the right - it looks to have more green than the Urbane Bronze. Judging colors on a monitor is impossible. I think you’ll have to get sample paints on the wall and view them at different times of day to find just the right colors.

Your space looks limited. I don't think you have room for a bench and I don't think I would want the clutter of coats and boots/shoes near where I eat. What is on the other side of that door? A garage? That is where I would look for space for the jumble of outside clothes.

Yes, the door goes to the garage!!!

I agree with arcy_gw, that exposed shoes and coats in the eating area is not a good combination. Closed storage is what's needed.

@arcy_gw Very good point! The only thing is my garage gets very cold in the winter. I would be putting on a cold coat. What are your thoughts? Should I try closed storage next to the door?

I had a thought! I have this small room just off my kitchen that might be a good place for a coat rack. You can't see the interior corner of the room unless you actually step into the room. It's a rarely used room. Would that be a good idea?

Is this your main dining area or a more casual eating spot? If it’s casual, I would keep the plan to have coat hooks by the door. My closet is 5 steps from the back door, and my husband still drops his coat on a chair rather than hanging it in the closet. 🙄 And my purse is hanging on a chair at the moment, so maybe I should not be rolling my eyes. I guess my point is, you will come through that door and put stuff down, so it’s usually easiest to dedicate a spot near the door than to try to train everyone to go around the corner to put stuff down.

I like the added trim with wood peg idea to add to the bead board all the same color too would be great. Idk what the issue would be with putting a bench over the vent like others mentioned…it’s not like a couch where it would be fully blocking any air. The photo of the bench you posted would look great, it would play off the mid century. If you want to redo the whole room you could make it look like a million bucks with paint and wall decor updates, if you want to spend more money you could update the floors. I like the rustic fireplace it has character.

@ShadyWillowFarm Yea, I could also just hang my coat in the coat closet! Ugh! Maybe this bench? Put a little texture in there...like I know what I'm talking about!

Cute bench, and looks like you can tuck shoes under it if you need to.