help with dated tv niche

last month

I was going to bring down the fireplace mantle so a flatscreen tv can sit on top. But what do I do with the tv niche to balance out the room? Tear it down completely? Would not be symmetrical anymore… does that matter? Build a peninsula? Build a matching bar top like the other side? Build a breakfast nook? I’m so lost. Please help. Thank you for any advice!!!

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Comments (15)

KW
last month
The new problem that would likely be created by removing the TV niche is how to fill in the area with no flooring under it. What’s on the kitchen side of that niche & how wide is the top of it? Looks higher than counter top height.
Buehl
last month
last modified: last month
Use it for storage -- either for the Family Room (facing out) or the Kitchen (changing the opening so it faces the Kitchen).

If you can get cabinets to match, you might consider replacing that whole "piece" with a matching cabinet facing the Kitchen...although I would probably have a very shallow pony wall behind it like you have on the other side so it matches.

I wouldn't put any seats there b/c of the proximity to the fireplace -- unless it's one of those that just has an electric flame to simulate the look of a real fireplace (and no heat).
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PRO
AiFL
last month
It’s not symmetrical now so removing it entirely wouldn’t make for an unbalanced view.
HU-187528210
last month
I agree to remove it completely if you can.

It will really open up the space nicely.
Make sure there’s flooring under there or you have more.
And that it isn’t structural…
Fori
last month
I'd look into adding shelves to the hole and putting a complete wall above it. Hang the TV on that instead of messing up the FP to end up with an oddly-positioned TV.
Kim Tran
Original Author
last month
What do you think if I tear down the niche on the right and the peninsula on the right, and put in a large island?
Kim Tran
Original Author
last month
I mean the peninsula in the left…. There’s a sink and dishwasher there right now
Kim Tran
Original Author
last month
Here’s the view of sink and dishwasher
KW
last month
Have to figure out the space as walkways needed on both sides instead of only the middle. And, the flooring - are you up for replacing all flooring?
mcarroll16
last month
Having an island, that moves your sink and DW over more parallel to the cooktop, seems great. But if I were doing that in your space, I would also want to move a lot of other things. Probably ovens where the pantry cabinet is, pantry and fridge on the short wall where your ovens are. Might be best to just to do a small reconfigure to the niche right now, and save for a full kitchen remodel. Fori's suggestion of extending the wall and hanging the TV there is a good one.
btydrvn
last month
The fireplace is too oddly placed for ambiance or warmth …the niche is not useful in any way…and the peninsula needs to be deeper for comfortable seating… a new layout without the fireplace/ niche …may even offer a nice spot for a table and chairs…a flooring change in the kitchen area will simplify the flooring issue…enlarging the peninsula top for a more useful depth for both dining and kitchen prep use will also allow for some comfortable seating there…
btydrvn
last month
One last thing to consider is if you change the peninsula…a wood top (or at least trim) would look/flow better with the living space
btydrvn
last month
There is one blindspot in your photos….are there cabinets behind the fireplace?…
ci_lantro
last month
last modified: last month
The fireplace looks like it was an afterthought.

I would remove both the niche and the FP or remove the niche & move the fireplace to the left so that it is centered.
Kim Tran
Original Author
last month
Yeah sorry there’s no picture if what’s behind the niche and fireplace. It’s just a blank wall