Off centre fireplace and alcoves help!

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

No idea where to start. The house was built in the 80's. The fireplace has a narrow alcove next to it so makes it awkward. Want to try to keep the wood paneling or as much of it as I can.

No idea too crazy! All help greatly apprecieated

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Comments (6)

jck910
2 years ago
Take pictures of all 4 walls so we can see the entire space
beesneeds
2 years ago
Build in/put in proper shelving/cases on both sides. Re-arrange your couches so they aren't invading the alcove area. That pretty little cabinet and table need to live elsewhere. Consider wall mounting your TV above where it is now, with it's equipment on the new proper shelving in that alcove.
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Have you considered no mantel at all? If you were to remove the raised hearth and the current mantel, then do your stacked stone all the way to the floor, it would give it a cleaner, more modern look. Because I couldn't sleep and decided to take the opportunity to think more about your fireplace . . . Many of these asymmetrical fireplaces have a niche to the side for logs. I know you can't manufacture such depth, but the addition of the stone will give you a little depth, and you could play with that. Assuming you do away with the raised hearth, you could even cover a portion of the existing brick on the left with drywall or panelling of some kind so that the fireplace itself would be symmetrical.
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You have enough room for two three seat sofas and a couple of smaller scale arm chairs. Take a look at the below diagram to see if it's something that would appeal to you. It's got two eight foot sofas and a large area rug that defines the entire seating area. One sofa is served by cubed coffee tables, the other by a larger table with an ottoman underneath for casual extra seating. See below example. If the arrangement will work for you, get some blue painters tape and map out the furniture on the floor to make sure the sizing will fit.
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Comments (7)
I think the contrast between the classic FP surround and the contemporary shelves on the right is more of an issue. I'm not a fan of big box store decor, so the items you are decorating with aren't to my taste, but what probably makes it "off" to you is the fact that the coffee table isn't lined up with the firebox opening and the sofa is partially in front of the opening. You might sense better balance if you flank the FP with the two chairs and place the sofa where you have the floor mirror, centering it and the coffee table with the firebox. If you remove the shelves, you could try the floor mirror on that wall instead. You don't have much walk space around the sofa right now. The chairs might do well on that side, leaving the step down entrance clear. I'd rather leave the space in front of the step clear of furniture.
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Comments (9)
I have a post up now to reconfigure my living room - so this might be the blind leading the blind... but here are my thoughts. I agree about 2 matching slip covers for the sofas, something light/neutral. The sofas looked cramped – can you pull the lighter one a foot closer to the TV so the arms have some space? Next – declutter, get rid of anything you don’t need/want. Maybe buy some storage piece for games. Those big dark green drapes are probably blocking all your light – I’d replace them with cream/white. Good luck!
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acm
2 years ago
Left of fireplace seems like a much better TV location, but I agree that we need systematic photos to make sense of the space. Surely the couches can shift...
HU-187528210
2 years ago
How much work can you do to this space. Ideally I’d say to remove everything repaint and redo the flooring. Reface the fireplace and some new furniture... what do you want to do? What kind of style are you after?
kayozzy
2 years ago
I'd remove the shelves and fill the alcove with wood. Or get a stand of wood and have a couple shelves above. If the TV can't go on the left, I'd get a flat screen for a couple hundred bucks (might be able to find one for cyber Monday deals) and put it on a movable mount.
Gary + Gayle: Cincinnati, Ohio · More Info

Fireplaces · More Info

Stand of wood
Changing History · More Info
mn40gall
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks all! Will for sure be building in shelving and upgrading the TV for something leaner. Its a small enough room and the furniture swamps it. Needs some love and patience

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Off centre fireplace and alcoves help!

Comments (6)

jck910

beesneeds

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HU-187528210

kayozzy

mn40gall
Original Author

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Off centre fireplace and alcoves help!

Comments (6)

jck910

beesneeds

Related Discussions

acm

HU-187528210

kayozzy

mn40gallOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

mn40gall
Original Author