Built-ins around a fireplace can add much-needed storagenot to mention stylewhile keeping your favorite accessories at the forefront.
Always keep safety at the top of your mind when designing and installing fireplace built-ins.
Your local building codes and ordinances might specify materials and required dimensions to maintain noncombustibility.
Credit: Adam Albright
Before youadd built-insaround a fireplace, consider the rest of your home.
Do you need just a few key spots for books?
Ordoes your home already feel overcrowdedandcluttered?
Credit: John Bessler
Are built-ins around a fireplace essential for storage?
Focus on the mantel first.
Adding decorative items to your mantel helps make your fireplace the focal point in any room.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Use small, color-coded stacks of books or accents in a contrasting color to draw eyes towardyour mantel.
Choose between recessed and flush fireplace built-ins.
Other built-ins are in the same plane as the fireplace.
Credit: Annie Schlechter
Stepping back the built-ins offers a bit of visual relief, particularly useful in a small room.
Decide on symmetrical or asymmetrical fireplace cabinets.
Where your fireplace is situated will influence where your built-ins go and whether they are uniform on both sides.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
There are no rules: Do what works for your house and needs.
Contemporary fireplace built-ins might work well just to one side, particularly if the design is sleek and unfussy.
Traditional homes might feel best with a symmetrical fireplace with built-ins on both sides.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
Boost the base of fireplace built-ins.
Cozy up with a book and a blanket for the perfect reading spot.
Adding drawers underneath the extended seating is a simple way to increaseliving room storage.
Credit: John Bessler
Mix and match the base and shelves of built-ins.
Concealed storage and open shelves work well together, particularly with fireplaces that are centered on a short wall.
It’s a look that’s often seen in traditional orcottage-style homesand can give a space visual balance.
Credit: Michael Partenio
Close up storage as needed.
Solid doors contain and conceal clutter, while glass doors provide display space.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match closed doors with open shelves.
Credit: Annie Schlechter
Pick materials and design details.
In addition, incorporating details already present throughout your home in your fireplace built-in keeps your interior design consistent.
This way, your rooms have one fluid style and color scheme.
Open shelves are a simple fireplace built-in idea and a practical, adaptable way to gain lots of storage.
In narrow fireplace nooks, they work well to fill up what would otherwise be dead space.
Open shelves provide the opportunity to create a symmetrical fireplace with built-ins on each side.
