Building a Home Fireplaces Design Dilemma

Built in caninets by fireplace - Yay or Nay?

3 years ago

Something like the ones in the photo. Fully custom and priced at $9000.
They are more of for decorative objects, am I right? Are those worth $9000? I know and I can see they are beautiful to look at, but how are they in real life? Will I be dusting everyday?

Should I just put windows on both sides witt benches below? Need your opinion! 😊

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Comments (19)

David Cary
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
We did them in a 2007 build and dropped them for 2018 build and did windows with benches.

Yes - a dust issue - but I doubt every day.

My opinion is that they are overdone and your trinkets get boring to look at over time. Then there is the dust issue. But a highly personal decision.
Nick
3 years ago
Start with some practical considerations. Do you need shelf space for displaying objects? It seems senseless, to me, to build shelving and then you have to go out and find stuff to put on the shelves. If you do have nice decorative objects, then shelves might the right answer. If you are concerned about dusting, you might consider shelves with glass doors. If you already have the objects, then they are going to need dusting whether you display them on $9,000 custom-built shelves or on $50 IKEA Billy bookcase.

Windows might very well depend what's on the other side of the wall. If it's nice garden, that might be more attractive than looking out onto your neighbor's fence.

Whatever you have, there will be some sort of cleaning involved. Windows get dirty too, though I tend to agree that dusting shelves is the less attractive option. A major factor will be what sort of fire you have. Our log and coal fire generates a lot more dusting work than my parents' gas fire.
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What you have is a great foundation. Beautiful really. I would suggest not going too matchey on the art. To me art needs to be personal. Look for something you love that doesn't clash. So not knowing your personal taste it would be hard to suggest art. That being said. Think outside the box, architectural elements make beautiful art. Iron pieces, painted ceiling tins etc. I also love taking a terrific personal photo (or 2) and blowing it up, making it black & white and finishing it off with a simple white matt and black frame. What you puts also depends on how formal/casual you want this to feel. You said it is your living room, do you also have a family room, or does this serve dual purpose? I too would love to know what the wall behind the sofa is like and what is on it. I think the armoire could be better suited there. Is there a tv in the armoire? can the room be arranged so that the armoire and fireplace are directly across from each other and the furniture arranged so that they are positioned to view either? I am thinking the sofa in front of the windows and the chair(s) directly across from and facing the sofa? I would love to then see the niche built out with some shelves for a more custom look. The armoire is so tucked in there I feel you loose some of it like the side views. It is fine where it is really, just another thought.
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PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
3 years ago
You can have them done for $4k and they will not look any different than 9k cabinets.
Steph H
3 years ago
It would be nice to have shelves for books and decorative items. Plus the storage underneath is great as well. I think it would be worth it.
linzj4
3 years ago
I love both options. if there is a pretty view do windows if not the shelves will be beautiful .
Indecisiveness
3 years ago
In my experience with similar shelves, The cabinets with doors are useful for storage, but the open shelves not so much. I own limited items that display nicely on shelves, so I was always looking for something nice to go there. i ended up spending even more money but never quite liked how it all looked.

Id suggest a compromise, do the bottom cabinets then install windows instead of shelves above.
cpartist
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
What does the layout of the room look like? Are there already windows on at least two walls or does only one wall have windows. What direction will those windows face?

Too many questions without seeing the floor plan.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
3 years ago
IMO a cabinet on either side one to have the TV above and one for art above is usually my choice since I have found unless people have some really awesome stuff to display the shelves just get filled with a bunch odf stuff . I hate TV over the FP so if you hsve the space this idea IMO is the best. It would be helpful to see your space. BTW it I guess depends on where you live but 9k is outrageous IMO what you show could be bought in any good furniture store for a lot less that 4.5K each
Sammy
3 years ago
$9,000 in custom millwork to display your carefully curated art and pottery collection? Sure. For your latest TJMaxx find? That seems a bit upside down.
decoenthusiaste
3 years ago
I think you can have it all! Here is hidden storage, display shelves and windows flanking FP.
Fire Places · More Info

Have a lot of books? Try this.
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Torn between storage and a bench? Here you go!
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anj_p
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
We have windows & cabinets. Cabinets are great if you have a TV over your fireplace (we do - not my preference but no other spot for it). You can put a tech tube through the wall into a cabinet to hide components. That cabinet hides the subwoofer, our modem, and our computers. Our LO's toys go into the other cabinet, which is great for not having the kid stuff take over the living room. I would only do shelving to the ceiling if the wall wasn't exterior and I couldn't have windows.
293summer
3 years ago
Other inspiration perhaps via Instagram @Ohfarmhouse.
BT
3 years ago
Egregious. Cabinets - yes. What they are asking for it - is no. My cabinets are a lot larger and more massive with more details on both sides of the fireplace with lights. Total cost was $1200 for materials, built in 3 days part time.
Summer H
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks everyone for your feedbacks!🙂

@cpartist
Open concept, backyard facing south and fireplace on west. We have lots of windows on south facing walls, 2 on east and none for west for now since we don't enjoy evening sunlight from sunset on west. We also have tv above fireplace.

@Nick
I don't really have now I was planning to Lol We have a neighbor on the fireplace side, so not a perfect view for windows!

@SashaDog
I love that compromise! For real! I should consider doing that since we certainly need lots of extra storages 😊

@Sammy
I'm laughing so hard my belly hurts now Lol You've got the point! Tjmaxx it is! It now very sounds like upside down to me. haha

@decoenthusiaste
Thanks for such beautiful inspo pics! Combination of windows and cabinets look amazing!
Summer H
Original Author
3 years ago
@anj_p
I hate looking at cables while watching tv. Appreciate for your feedback😊

@293summer
LOVE! Thanks!
C W
3 years ago
I can’t comment on your particular setup, but I can tell you what we’ve done with our builtins. We use the cabinets to store board games, stereo components, fireplace accessories when not in use, and extra throw pillows/blankets. We use the bookshelves for books (strangely enough) 😁 We didn’t have the option of windows, though, since there is a bedroom on the other side of the fireplace.
cpartist
3 years ago
@cpartist
Open concept, backyard facing south and fireplace on west. We have lots of windows on south facing walls, 2 on east and none for west for now since we don't enjoy evening sunlight from sunset on west. We also have tv above fireplace.

You answered your own question. On a west facing wall I absolutely would not do windows.

I have closed cabinets that are only 48" high on either side of my fireplace. My ceilings are 10' for reference.
shead
3 years ago
Windows on a west wall? No way! I certainly would rather look at items on a shelf (photos of family, heirlooms, art, etc.) than have the western sun in my eyes as I try to watch tv.

$9K for custom built-ins is highway robbery. Keep shopping.
anj_p
3 years ago
I change my answer to agree no windows on west wall.

Built in caninets by fireplace - Yay or Nay?

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Built in caninets by fireplace - Yay or Nay?

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