Fireplace with built-ins on each side ideas start with this vision: Imagine walking into your living room on a cold night. The warm crackling of the fireplace lights up the room with a golden glow. Each side has beautifully made built-ins that go all the way to the top. There are shelves full of books, cabinets that hide clutter, and a few special items that catch the light just right. That’s what makes a fireplace with built-ins on each side so special.
It’s not just a fireplace anymore; it’s the heart of your home, a stylish and useful space where you can enjoy every moment.
This arrangement can change your space whether you want more storage, a beautiful center point, or a cozy spot to read a book.
This step-by-step guide from Breezy Decor has all the information you need, including design ideas, step-by-step instructions for building, and tips on how to make it your own.
Let’s jump in and make that dream come true!
How Fireplace Built-Ins on Each Side Can Change The Game?
Fireplace built-ins are useful as well as nice to look at. They help you make the most of your area, keep your room clear, and improve the mood.
Think about this:
Young Sarah and John had a small living room, so they chose to put built-ins around the fireplace. Suddenly, they had a place to put all of their board games, the TV looked nice, and the room seemed twice as big. Which is why smart design is so powerful.
We’ll talk about how to plan, build, and decorate your own fireplace with built-ins on each side in this post. You can find something here whether you’re new to do-it-yourself projects or a seasoned pro.
Are you ready? The fun part comes first: coming up with a design.
Designing Your Fireplace With Built-Ins on Each Side
Let’s talk about design first, before you get a hammer. You need to find a fireplace with built-ins on each side that works with your home and lifestyle. How to do it right.
Determining Your Storage Needs
What do you want these built-ins to do? You can put books, plants, or that weird vase your aunt gave you on open shelves. Put away blankets, kids’ toys, or that stack of old DVDs you don’t want to part with in a cabinet. To make things more interesting, Sarah chose a mix of shelves on top and cabinets below. It is all about being balanced.
How much stuff do you need to store? Do I want it to be seen or hidden?
This is what your project is built on.
Considering Location and Layout
Where is your fire place? You can make those built-ins really big if it’s on a blank wall. Between these two windows? To make a cozy reading nook, you could go smaller but higher and wrap it around.
They chose irregular built-ins—shorter on one side and full-height on the other — because John’s fireplace wasn’t in the middle of the room. It made the room more interesting and fit in with its quirks.
Take a look at balance too. Asymmetrical built-ins are more current than symmetrical ones because they are not the same size on both sides. What kind of vibe do you want?
Choosing Between Recessed or Flush
Recessed built-ins blend in with the wall, which is great if your walls are thick or you can make room for them. Built-ins that are flush with the wall stand out and add depth and shade. Sarah liked the flush style because it made her small room look bigger.
Look at how deep your walls are and choose what works best for your area.
A Unique Twist: Pet- and Kid-Friendly Features
Design with pets or kids in mind is something you won’t find everywhere. A pet bed nook can be made out of the lower cabinets, and the edges of the shelves are rounded to avoid bumps.
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Building Your Fireplace With Built-Ins on Each Side Step-by-Step Guide
Time to roll up your sleeves! This DIY guide will get you from blank wall to finished built-ins. (If DIY isn’t your thing, skip it.)
Step 1: Prep the Space
Get rid of everything and look at the wall. If you need to, take off the borders and use a stud finder to find the studs that will hold your frame in place.
Step 2: Build the Frame
For a strong frame, use 2×4 lumber. Cut the pieces to fit your picture. Each side should have two verticals and two horizontals. With 3-inch wood screws, screw them into the walls and make sure everything is level.
Step 3: Add Shelves and Cabinets
Shelves and cabinet backs can be made from cut board. You can attach shelves with bolts or screws. Make boxes with hinges and doors for drawers. A miter saw makes clean cuts. If you don’t have one, you can rent one for $30 a day.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Start with 80-grit sandpaper and end with 120-grit. Use two coats of paint or oil and let them dry overnight. Use a nail gun to add trim, and then fill in any holes with glue for a professional look.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Uneven floors? Shim the base with wood scraps.
- Paint drips? Sand and redo that spot.
- Warped wood? Clamp it straight while drying.
10 Fireplace With Built-Ins on Each Side Ideas For You
Looking to elevate your living room with a fireplace with built-ins on each side? Here are 10 ideas to inspire you:
1. Cozy up with rustic wooden shelves and a stone surround
There is a warm, cabin-like atmosphere with rough-hewn wood shelves and a rough-hewn stone fireplace. This is a great place to show off earthy decorations like lanterns or pots.
2. Modern Black Cabinets and Open Shelving
A stylish, urban look can be achieved with sleek black built-ins and simple open shelves. These are great for showing off art or hiding clutter in secret cabinets.
3. Traditional White Built-Ins with Glass Doors
In a traditional living room, crisp white cabinets with glass doors add an unchanging touch of grace. They’re great for stacking old books or crockery.
4. Coastal Shiplap in Soft Whites
Adding handmade baskets or driftwood to shiplap built-ins that are painted in soothing white will give the room a beachy feel.
5. Asymmetrical Design with Uneven Heights & Widths
One side is short in width and the other is wider. These unique built-ins give rooms a modern look and work great in rooms with odd shapes.
6. Floor-to-Ceiling Storage Cabinets
Full-height built-ins make the most of your space by providing plenty of room for toys, blankets, or media equipment while also nicely framing your fireplace.
7. Colorful Book Spine Arrangements
Putting books in order by color on open shelves makes a rainbow effect that makes your built-in fireplace a bright focal point.
8. LED Lighting for Evening Glow
You can make your fireplace the center of attention at night by putting LED strips under the shelves to show off your decorations and give the room a warm glow.
9. Hidden TV Compartments
When not in use, sleek cabinets hide your TV, combining style and entertainment—perfect for a clean, simple look.
10. Firewood Storage Niche
A simple fireplace with a built-in space to store firewood that makes it easy to get to when you need it.
These fireplace built-ins ideas blend practicality and personality — perfect for any home!
Styling Your Fireplace With Built-Ins on Each Side
Built-ins up? Time to make them shine.
1. Decorating Basics
Start with books. For texture, stack some vertically and others crosswise. Add some hanging plants and personal touches like photos in frames.
2. Add Seasonal Flair
If it’s fall, put out pumpkins, and if it’s winter, string lights around the house.
3. Add Some Lighting Magic
A great idea is to put LED strip lights under the shelves. It makes your show stand out and sets the mood for the evening. Ones that run on batteries are simple — no wiring is needed.
4. Keep It Functional
Leave space for everyday use — remotes in a basket, coasters on a shelf. It’s pretty and practical.
Maintaining and Updating Your Built-Ins
Your fireplace built-ins are in —now keep them gorgeous.
Cleaning 101
Every month, use a microfiber cloth to clean the shelves. A wet rag with light soap works well for drawers. Paint it over every couple of years to keep it looking new.
Adapting Over Time
Needs to be changed. As your hobbies change or your stuff piles up, you can add drawers or cases to make room.
Quick Fixes
Loose shelf? Tighten brackets. Scratches? Touch up with matching paint. It’s low-effort upkeep for long-term love.
Conclusion
We’ve gone over every step of the process in this fireplace with built ins on each side guide by Breezy Decor.
We began by coming up with ideas that would work with your lifestyle, like open shelves for Sarah’s unique vase collection or cabinets for John’s board game collection. We got down to the details of building, from using 2x4s for frame to sanding down the finishing touches.
Along the way, we fixed problems like paint drips and uneven floors. We looked at 10 inspiring ideas, such as pairing rustic wood with stone or hiding a TV in modern black cabinets. Each one gives you a chance to make your room your own.
That wasn’t all—we also gave you tips on how to style your built-ins with seasonal flair and LED glow, as well as how to keep them looking great for years to come.
Sarah and John turned their small living room from dull to amazing, showing that good design can do amazing things. It’s your turn now. This isn’t just a job; it’s a chance to make a getaway that shows who you are, no matter how much you know about DIY.
Take out the tape measure, draw out your plan, and let your fireplace shine. Need some more ideas? Stay tuned for more updates and posts.
Your perfect place is already there, ready to be made one cozy spot at a time!
FAQs:
Q. How much do fireplace built-ins cost?
DIY averages $1,500 in materials; pros charge $3,000-$5,000 depending on size and finishes.
Q. Should I DIY or hire someone?
DIY if you’re handy with tools—save cash and add pride. Hire if time or skills are short.
Q. Are built-ins safe around a fireplace?
Yes, with clearance—keep wood 6-12 inches from the firebox and use heat-resistant paint.
Q. What’s a common mistake to avoid?
Skipping measurements. Uneven built-ins look sloppy—triple-check before cutting.
