How
to install a built in fireplace
shelf.
Built in Shelves for your fireplace.
In case if you
or the
fireplace installers in your area
are just started building your
fireplace and want to fill up a
blank wall, you may want to consider
the option of built in shelves.
There are two
types of shelves. Built in shelves
that are fixed and shelves that can
be re-configured at a later time
according to your personal wants and
needs.
There
are a few tips which can be followed
when it comes to designing built-in fireplace
shelves
which will stand you in good stead.
Among the few is keeping the
fireplace and its shelves
architecturally in synch with the
rest of the home's design. A good
fireplace design should never
overpower the room it's in. The
built in shelves should blend in
with the design elements of your
home, while emphasizing the
fireplace as the focal point of the
room.
Off course all
of these are personal choices when
making design decisions for your
fireplace. However, the basic rules
that apply for all built in shelves
are outlined in this article bellow.
Planning
Stage:
First decide how many
shelves you want and set the distance
between each. Making a rough sketch
of what you want to see next to your
fireplace is also a good idea. If
you are having someone do the work
for you it can come handy while
explaining your layout. After
deciding how many shelves you want
you need to take some measurements.
On this picture I show a fireplace
in Weston, fl that covered the whole
entire wall with four built in
shelves for some ornaments and the
entertainment centers, such as DVD
player, etc. Since this was a brand
new fireplace with a ventless
firebox, we had the opportunity to
include some built in shelves with
wiring and cables included. Now I
know this project is not for the DIY
homeowner but if you are in the
process of building your own
fireplace this could serve as design
idea.
The first step was to install the
solid concrete base and then frame
out the walls of the fireplace with
the built-in shelves included. The
whole thing was covered with cement
backer board and veneered with
natural stone. And on the middle we
mounted a flat screen tee-vee.
Built in shelves with
functionality.
|
Bottom of the built in
shelf on the side of the
fireplace. |
Electrical wiring for
mounted TV. |
On this picture you can see the side
view of the shelf in working
progress. We framed the box with
2'x4' lumber and covered the inside
with drywall to give an easily
paintable smooth surface. As you see
on the other picture we took the
time installing the box for the
electrical wiring that housed the
wires for the electronic devices.
 |
The picture on the left shows a
fireplace we put together from
scratch in Southwest Ranches, FL.
The picture on the right shows a
"fake fireplace" in a hotel lobby in
Davie that was the inspirational
idea for the built in shelf.
We have incorporated the porcelain
tiles with the natural look of the
coral stone and made it to a working
wood burning fireplace. The left
side of the fireplace had a sitting
bench covered with the green looking
ceramic tiles that was continued in
the middle of the fireplace. |
 |
As per the owner's request we
created a recessed or built in shelf
(cabinet) just above the firebox.
The picture doesn't show but later a
glass door was inserted on front to
give the proper look of the cabinet.
The idea is to create some space
with added functionality and
beauty to bring the fireplace to a
well-designed focal point of the
room.
|
Thinking about shelves
with functionality?
This retractable shelf
we designed for another
fireplace in Davie, Fl
had integrated the full
functionality of a built
in shelf. It's function
was to hold all the
electronic equipment and
hide it if it is not in
use. It was a pretty
neat idea of the owner.
The shelf simply slid
back into the side of
the fireplace hiding all
the wires and electronic
gizmos. |
 |
If you
have a wood burning fireplace you
might want to utilize your built in
shelf space for holding fire logs.
In the Miami area you rarely
get the opportunity to fire up your
wood burning fireplace but if you
live in an area where fireplaces are
built not only for looks, you might
want to include a shelf that holds
the firewood.
For those of you who only put
candles in the firebox, I would
advice use the built in shelves for
storage.
Quick Note;
If you or a
crew of masons remodel your
fireplace planning of your built in
shelves is key to your success.
Having a small drawing or sketch
with exact position and measurements
of the shelves will help executing
your plan a lot easier.
If you wish to attach a mantel
around the firebox and learn
more about
fireplace mantels click here.
Related articles and pages:
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