Help with layout of built-in shelves around fireplace

9 years ago

We are finally getting ready to work on our living room and are looking to put built in shelves on either side of the fireplace. I was thinking of shelves approximately the height of the fireplace, but I could maybe be convinced otherwise.

We have a chair on order that will go in front of the current dark ikea bookshelves, and we'll be putting a large picture up above the mantle. Also, the window on the left will be replaced with three windows of a unique pattern with craftsman trim like it was 106 years ago.

My question is, what height should the built-in shelves be? Many homes around here have the shelves slightly below the height of the fireplace mantle, but often they have windows above. I don't have the windows, but was thinking of doing something similar. Looking at it now though, I'm worried that shelves to the bottom of the fireplace trim would be too low and out of proportion.

Options 1 & 2. It's about 42.5" to the bottom of the mantle trim, and 49" to the top. Should I put the top of the bookshelves at one of those dimensions?

I've seen some shelves that are the same height as the fireplace mantle to make one big mantle but I find that it often looks oddly proportioned. However, my fireplace sticks out a good deal from the back wall -- 20.5" excluding the trim, and the shelving unit would come out about 13" of that 20.5".

Option 3. A third option is to put the shelves about 3" below the top mantle flush with the bottom of the mantle shelf, which would keep the shelves from looking too squatty. I'm most strongly considering this option and the option to make the shelves the same height as the mantle.

I think shelves all the way to the ceiling may not look quite right even though I don't have windows due to the fireplace width and the strange shape the shelves would have to be unless we did some drywall work.

Another note, it's my choice whether I want the shelves split in half or not, but with the longest shelf area being 45" I probably should split because I intend to put books on the shelf, even though I would much prefer the look of long shelves.

Thoughts? I can't visualize very well so I'm hopeful someone else might be able to better than I can.

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Comments (10)

adam211
Original Author
9 years ago
Sitting down perspective
los348
9 years ago
Since your mantel piece extrudes into the wall space on both sides I would suggest shelves above that and not below.
molding would be nice above the fireplace and on the rest of that wall too.

This pic is of shelving that is beside a fireplace but not strictly adjacent. I'll try to post a pic of fireplace too. Just imagine, not full length book shelves but wall hung ones and up to ceiling.
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This room is part of the open living area. The kitchen cabinets are not Arts and Crafts style nor are the doors throughout the house. The arch between the columns has the same sort of curve as the cabinets. The mantel doesn't match the rest of the architecture. "> "> The dining area has a sofa in it but it will be gone soon - if you can picture it without the sofa and with a round mission table. "> "> "> I don't like the wite appliances but will have to live with them for a while. The kitchen isn't layed out right and has too much room in the center - I'm going to add a small work table in the middle. So much to do!
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I am not a great decorator. However, I am going to put in my 2 cents. I love books and bookshelves. I think a wrap-around bookshelf on the left side that is the same height. Use the same molding as the doorway detail at the top and bottom to make it look intentional and consistent. It would add a lovely warm feeling. Steam radiators are much hotter than hot water radiators. A cover is necessary if you have children. I put a piece of stone on top of my last cover, and the cat claimed the space. To balance the look of all the books, I would put either three small paintings or one long one. Your home is lovely and whatever you decide will look nice.
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There are many ways to do it, and many dimesions you could do. (please tell me you're nixxing that ceiling fan? besides being far too small, it's really sad looking) get out the measuring tape and tape off the diff depths. here are a few shots from the side so you get an idea of how deep a few of these are all of these in white can be done w/the oak. I like this one w/the zellige tile on the fireplace surround. This one is a bit deeper. Prob closer to 18-20" the shelves about 10 or so. I like the more modern board and batten trim work above the oak mantle, and the solid stone surround. are you doing a TV in here? you have plenty of room to do something like this if you do I did a quick photoshop of one, but man, you have a lot of space. can you incorporate you desk area into this? if you like something like this, here's a lin w/how they did it. https://plankandpillow.com/designing-our-living-room-finishes-built-ins-fireplace-and-beams/
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Thank you for the kind comments. This house has many nice architectural features, but this wall just seemed wrong to me - fireplace is too large, left side wall large and useless. There’s two short rows of this exact house on my street (end units are different tho) and I haven’t seen that anyone has done anything to this space, other than painting the fireplace white. The fact that so many do this makes me want to leave mine unpainted. I admit to being oppositional sometimes. I am desperately looking for artwork but cannot find anything large enough! I want somwthing bright and modern. Most galleries here seem to have abstact stuff. Vintage posters are vastly vertical. I’d really love a linocut or woodblock but they are too small. My husband wants to look for a set of 3 Japanese woodblocks but I would prefer one large thing.
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los348
9 years ago
This is the fireplace itself.

I love your sofa. Your room is going to look great.
maddielee
9 years ago
I would do a traditional craftsman type installation. Shelves or cabinets with glass doors. like this one;

ML
justgotabme
9 years ago
I'm with Maddielee, though I would not make them the depth of the fireplace since you'll be using them for books. Glass doors would be a must if this were our home. If it weren't for an injured arm, that is finally healing, I'd do a virtual for you.
adam211
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for your feedback. Hadn't thought of glass doors. That would look great, except we have furniture close enough that the doors wouldn't quite open fully, which may be ok, but we also plan on placing books we are currentlyer ading along with a nice basket for daily used toys. I think that would be a great consideration down the road though, and something we could add later.

I will not make them the depth of the fireplace, and can't anyway due to windows/trim. They'll be about 13" I think, which is an inch back from the little stub wall on the right.

For the top trim on the side bookshelves I was basically going to copy the fireplace trim but with just the two pieces visible, not three.

justgotabme that's exactly what I'm thinking of, and good to confirm that it would still look appropriate even though I don't have windows above the bookshelves.

What height do the bookshelves go up to for the best look/proportions? You can see the fireplace is basically a three-piece trim. We can do same height as the existing mantle, or just below that mantle shelf (below the top two pieces of trim), or below all three mantle trim pieces.
justgotabme
9 years ago
The doors could be sliding to allow for easier access even with furniture in front of them.
As for height, I'd recommend the same height as the mantel. Since it's painted, they'll be easy to match without the "seam" showing. With the shelves not as deep as the fireplace I would think they'd look odd shorter since they'd appear even shorter when standing up. I hope that makes sense. The guys are talking football in the GP and it's hard to "think" straight. I have my Bose on, but without the TV playing so I could think, they are not helping enough.
los348
9 years ago
The low bookshelves would basically be inaccessible behind the sofa arm. But good luck
lilylore
9 years ago
It looks like built-ins would crowd out the existing window on the left side.
User
9 years ago
I would do just what you are contemplating and install recessed bookshelves on either side to a 13" depth. Height with molding would be exactly the same as your mantel, and in fact I would tie the molding into your mantel by wrapping the same profile around the sides of the bump out of the FP and then across the top of the set in shelving. If done that way it won't look added on.

Would not worry about the sofa in front of shelving on the left side. People put furniture in front of French doors, bookcases and other architectural features all the time.

Help with layout of built-in shelves around fireplace

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adam211
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los348

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Help with layout of built-in shelves around fireplace

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adam211Original Author

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