8 Clever Chimney Breast Alcove Ideas

In need of chimney breast alcove ideas? From alcove shelving, alcove cupboards to alcove storage ideas, this post shows that there is an option for everyone to fully utilise their alcove space.

Alcoves are usually associated with period properties, due to the majority being created by an original chimney breast protruding out the wall of each room. The common approach to the alcoves either side of the fireplace is to use them as storage, particularly in living rooms and bedrooms, with cupboards and wardrobes being a popular option.

However, these are not the only options or the only types of alcoves in properties. From diagonal angles in loft extensions to irregular alcoves created by renovations, this post will provide inspiration for all scenarios to help you make the most of your available living space.

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1. Alcove Shelving Ideas

Many interior designers would argue that there should only be two types of items in your house, items that are useful to you and items that you believe to be beautiful, and what better way to display the latter than on alcove shelving.

There are various applications when it comes to alcove shelving, and what approach you take may depend on the character of your house or room design.

A simple approach may be the most effective, especially if you plan on displaying artwork. This example shows how a simple approach can help visually recede shelving into the background and showcase the colourful pieces of artwork on display.

*Image courtesy of House & Garden. Photography by Paul Massey.*

This alcove paint idea demonstrates how using a contrasting paint colour, on the walls of the alcove, to the shelves and items that are on display can act as a backdrop that highlights the items.

Another alcove paint idea is painting in between each shelf a different colour from the same tonal family. Starting with the darkest tone at the bottom it will create an ombre effect up the alcove wall.

For more contemporary homes or design styles, a plywood wall with shelves can create a beautiful modern and minimalist approach to alcove shelving. Starting from the bottom of the wall, a plywood panel has been secured to the wall battens and cut with space to allow for a shelf to slot in and be nailed down to the lower panel, continuing the approach up to the ceiling. It provides a great way to hold picture frames and small decorative items.

*Image courtesy of @happyharrishousebuild*

Create a modern and relaxed approach with low-level shelving in the alcoves either side of a chimney breast. This approach really complements minimal and modern fireplaces and can be extremely practical as a TV bench or display area for artwork. To hide any wires or media boxes, a few chunky baskets can be used underneath.

*Image courtesy of Anne Claus Interiors.*

2. Alcove Cupboard Ideas

These alcove unit ideas showcase that it can still look sophisticated to double up on your cupboards within each alcove.

In this living room, the chimney breast alcoves have cupboards at the bottom and an additional cupboard above that creates an extra alcove shelving opportunity. Painting all the cupboards the same colour as the living room walls helps the cupboards to seamlessly blend into the space and lets the artwork and soft furnishings take centre stage.

*Image courtesy of House & Garden. Photography by Elsa Young.*

This clever alcove tv unit idea enables the TV to be watched whilst the upholstered cabinet frame generously stores – or hides – wires, audio equipment, books, and additional items.

3. Alcove Wardrobe Ideas

As well as the added benefit of creating additional storage, whether through a clever DIY hack or custom bespoke fitting, alcove wardrobes can really help maximise the floor space and support the flow of a room. In this bedroom space is unobstructed around the bed by creating storage in both the fireplace and alcove.

*Images courtesy of House & Garden. Photography by Owen Gale.*

The conventional approach to alcove wardrobes is extremely practical and can help store a variety of clothing and items, but what about creating a hidden dressing area? Rather than only filling the alcoves with two built in closets, these wardrobes have been built out slightly further to create a shallow space, in front of the chimney breast, to create a compact dresser.

4. Alcove Storage Ideas

For bedroom layouts where the chimney breast is part of the bed’s headboard, alcoves are the perfect place to create practical storage.

Alcoves are a great space-saving place for bed side tables. The design of the door’s fronts can help add to your bedroom’s design, from period panelling for a more traditional look, open shelving with baskets for a more country cottage vibe or cladding for a more contemporary appearance.

The fact that the storage is sunken within the alcove, helps to create a neater layout in comparison to having traditional furniture protruding out from the wall.

*Image courtesy of Home & Garden. Photography by Sophia Spring.*

5. Alcove Bookcase Ideas

An alcove bookcase is a great option for those who want to create a little library. Not only is it practical for storing your favourite books but the arrangement of the books themselves can become a design element within the room.

This eclectic room shows matching alcove shelves, with books that have been arranged to complement the colours, prints and patterns throughout the room.

Horizontal shelving is not the only option for bookcases. Create a statement feature in the alcove by using wooden boxes fixed to the wall in a diagonal arrangement.

For a more minimal approach, a designer’s trick is to turn all the books around to only show the white pages. A little bit of nuisance when trying to find a particular book but it looks chic.

6. Alcove Desk Ideas

With an increasing amount of people working from home, making dedicated desk space in the home can help with mental and physical wellbeing.

Adding a storage option, like the draws in this example, will help to keep the space tidy and creates a shelf to display home décor items. Displaying home décor items helps the area to remain homey and, especially when not in use, creates separation between work and leisure in your own home.

7. Alcove Furniture Ideas

For those sentimental pieces of furniture, or the amazing vintage pieces found at the local antiques fair, an alcove can be the perfect place to frame these pieces of furniture.

For many, living with beautifully unique and quality crafted pieces of furniture can add value to everyday domestic rituals, and having these items in plain sight can be comforting.

*Image courtesy of Home & Garden. Photography by Owen Gale.*

For a more modern look, simple freestanding furniture is a budget-friendly approach. By painting the furniture, the same colour as the walls, this will recede the furniture visually. Or the colour chosen can coordinate with other items of furniture in the room.

Creating a nook, through using a well-supported storage unit, can make an enjoyable and practical area. Add cushions and seat pads to keep things comfortable and cosy, and the storage space is perfect for toys and books.

*Image courtesy of Home & Garden. Photography by Alexander James.*

Sloping roofs in attics can be difficult to furnish, but as this example shows it can provide the perfect area for positioning a bed and creating an extra cosy corner.

8. Alcove Kitchen Ideas

A chimney breast alcove in a kitchen can be the perfect space to create kitchen utensil storage or a pantry. Incorporating a beautifully designed cooker in the old fireplace, not only saves floor space and space for ventilation, but it can create a focal point that’s both stylish and practical.

In this example, the alcove cabinetry has been designed to integrate the depth of the cooker into the design, which also handily providing a little added worktop space either side of the cooker.

As well as storage, the alcoves have been used for potted plants, lighting and displaying artwork which gives the space a cosy and inviting feel. The muted and deep red tones of the tiled chimney breast compliment the green cabinetry and the pink lime-wash paint used on the walls. The bold pattern of the chimney breast tiles gives a nod to the period character of the kitchen and creates a design statement that doesn’t overly dominate the room.

*Image courtesy of House & Garden. Photography by Yuki Sugiura.*

The alcoves in this kitchen have also been utilised for additional storage with the difference being the open alcove shelving across the top to display cookbooks and tableware, and the handy inclusion of an additional utility sink. A more modern induction hob has been used inside the old fireplace, with the convenient addition of hooks to hang frequently used utensils.

If you’re planning on decorating your alcoves and chimney breast, my post on chimney breast ideas without a fireplace may be of interest too!

If you’d like to see what approach I take with my own chimney breast alcoves, follow my renovation diaries on my YouTube channel and progress updates on my Instagram account.

Clever Chimney Breast Alcove Ideas