We have an old TV niche that we no longer use since we hung our flat screen on the adjacent wall.
by
Kim
+7
We are open to ideas on moving the fireplace to center it, but if we do so, it appears that the fireplace will look small under the two big windows. Does anyone have advice on how to make the wall look better (ie, shelving, built-in storage, big mantle, etc). Note that we now have wood floors and we're happy to say goodbye to the teal surround. Thank you for your ideas!
10 answers
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Relocating the gas fireplace would be a lot of work for not much visual return. In the old days if that was a real fireplace the space next door would have held the fire wood. You could pretend that your gas fireplace is real and place some real firewood in the niche to be decorations. It would seem that the original builder had 2 focal points in mind when designing this room..which is a bit of a faux pas in the design world. If the wood storage idea is not so appealing the next thing I would suggest is a build in shelving / book case.
KMS Woodworks
on Jul 22, 2011
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@KMS, do you think Kim can convert the fireplace into one big one and give it a contemperory look like the picture below reduce the size and make it look more rectangular instead of square? Keeeping the windows above and replacing the surround with a contemperory material. Can she still use her gas line for the glass crystal fireplace. Is this possible as well as feasible? @Kim, Not sure if you looked into this option, but I am imagining something like this picture attached and adding glass crystal for the fireplace.
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmotifs
on Jul 22, 2011
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I have attached a photo of what the tv/fireplace niche looks like from outside. It seems that only a wall separates the two niches on the inside. Yamini - I really like your photo. If I did something like that, would it bump away from the wall since right below the window? Would it make a ledge of sorts just below the window? We had met informally with a contractor a few months ago who said it would not be too difficult to move the gas line...
Kim
on Jul 22, 2011
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I love the linear fireplace look, but those things cost a fortune. I think the best solution would be to perhaps close in the niche area, cover the entire surface in tile, and install a cantilevered mantle with matching floating shelving. I did a quick sketchup to show the idea. This would balance out the area and wouldn't require moving gas lines, etc.
Leslie D
on Jul 22, 2011
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With most projects...anything is possible. It just depends on how much time and money you want to throw at it. As an example you could install a three car under ground garage under your house...but an above ground garage "next" to your house is much easier and cheaper to build. Leslie's Idea as well as Yamnini's are both possibles. They just vary with cost and the amount of work that is needed.
KMS Woodworks
on Jul 23, 2011
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I guess what I am hoping is to create something that looks like it was supposed to be there. If I leave the fireplace on the right and have a large gap and then something on the left, it feels like it was retrofitted. I am okay with spending some money to make it look right... You probably can't tell from the original photo that the fireplace is too far on the right. The tile surround causes the mantle to be literally running through the left side of the shutter frame. We have purchased a new frame for the shutter, so that will be an easy fix, but we will be left with a tiny surround on the right side of the fireplace if we leave it in it's current space. I do appreciate the idea of saving money but think I will be happier if the fireplace has symmetry and the wall looks intentionally designed.
Kim
on Jul 25, 2011
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How about just re-tile the entire area around both the fireplace and the niche (or a stacked stone look). Then just put some firewood in the niche, just for looks, along with a set of hand irons. Maybe put tiles in the niche, or wood liner. This would tie the fireplace where it is, with the mantel. A nice focal point. Added note: maybe even make the niche smaller on sides and top if you go with the decorative wood idea.
Clay B
on Jul 25, 2011
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Another Idea, much more involved though. Lose the windows above, center the fireplace, then put in stones/tile all the way up the wall to the ceiling. This idean may be limited to patching the outside siding so it doesn't look patched. Yes you would loose some light, but it looks like you already have some good sized windows. Maybe you could install a recessed ball light in the ceiling to focus light above the mantel. It looks like you have Hardi-Siding, so you may be just able to paint it to match, or paint that side of the house when done.
Clay B
on Jul 25, 2011
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If your luck enough to have a header bridging the fire place and where your TV is located. Also, given that your exterior is lap siding this should be an relatively easy fix... Here is my suggestion. If your budget is tight just move the fireplace to the center of the two opening then have two bookcases added to each side. Personally I don't mind the asymmetrical look having the center of the window over the center of the fireplace. If your budget permits a new fire box that YaminiM suggested. Good luck!
Kitchen + Bath Artisans
on Jul 25, 2011
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How about shelving ?
Ana M
on Feb 16, 2012
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