Built in shelving and cabinets around a fireplace
This set of built in shelving solves a common problem for living rooms centered around a fireplace: if the hearth is front-and-center, where should the television go?
These bookcases really serve as an entertainment center, because they each have removable lower shelves. This gives the homeowner three great options to place the TV: on either side of the fireplace, or over the mantel. Below the shelving are cabinets to hide the AV equipment, with grommets cut through the cabinet tops to make it easy to hide the TV cords.
These bookcases really serve as an entertainment center, because they each have removable lower shelves. This gives the homeowner three great options to place the TV: on either side of the fireplace, or over the mantel. Below the shelving are cabinets to hide the AV equipment, with grommets cut through the cabinet tops to make it easy to hide the TV cords.
The homeowners' television is fairly small, and it blends into the decor so well that there's really no need to hide the TV. Meanwhile the painting and gas fireplace can take center stage, while a collection of books and sculptures adds visual texture in the shelves on either side.
This makes a huge difference from the room as it was before the shelving was installed. The fireplace had been installed by the home builder, but they hadn't even included a mantel, so the room was somewhat plain and needed character.
This makes a huge difference from the room as it was before the shelving was installed. The fireplace had been installed by the home builder, but they hadn't even included a mantel, so the room was somewhat plain and needed character.
We created the mantel in our workshop, and the wood adds a nice texture and character to the room.
The cabinets are topped with dark walnut, which makes a striking contrast to the white trim. We carefully sorted through the selection of wood to find a choice piece with a bold grain pattern that coordinated with the wood grain in the floor.
The cabinet doors are a simple flat-panel Shaker style that goes well with the streamlined mantel.
The interior shelves of the cabinets are also adjustable and removable. Right now this cabinet holds small media like CDs and DVDs, but it could also hold taller items like a collection of vintage records or a record player.
We installed baseboard to match the rest of the room, and painted the unit the same color as the trim. We also fit the shelving closely along the top of the vaulted ceiling so that looked like the unit was a seamless part of the home.
If you have an awkward niche next to your fireplace, built in shelving may be the perfect solution. Call us for a custom design that's tailored to fit your room perfectly.