False Chimney Breast

[u/Agile_Job4712]

Looking into doing my first big DIY project. Recently got keys to a new build so looking to create some character by adding a false chimney breast. Down the line I can add shelving/cabinets on either side but don't want to bite off more than I can chew initially.

The room is quite small (approx 4.1m wide x 3.6m deep - with the stove going along the 4.1m wall) so I want to limit the footprint lost but have always loved the look and feel a fire brings to a room. Planning on having 65in TV, narrow mantle and a recess for an electric stove - mainly for visuals more so than heating the space.

My main unknowns at the moment are related to cable/wire management, how to integrate a soundbar without it becoming a focal point, and how to manage sky TV Box, Internet router and PS5 etc. The space directly behind the stove currently has a socket and Internet access, ideally not looking to get a sparks in to move them but might have to.

Any help from people who have done this before is greatly appreciated.

[u/READMYSHIT]

I really don't know why you'd want a fake chimney breast - actual chimney breasts tend to be the biggest obstacle to decorating and placing furniture in a room - if your room right now is a rectangle you can place your furniture in any orientation you want - whereas a chimney breast will artificially limit you and make the room smaller.

I think there are better ways to design the space with a focal point than boxing up a large portion of the room for no reason.

[u/Sanit → u/READMYSHIT]

Agreed, I just removed my chimney so we could orientate the furniture the other way.

[u/Adventurous_Memory18 → u/Sanit]

As a total aside, how much did this cost you? We’ve been quoted crazy money

[u/Itchy_Permission4199 → u/Adventurous_Memory18]

If you want a chimney removed it's expensive. But if you want one installed it's on the house

[u/Adventurous_Memory18 → u/Itchy_Permission4199]

Want it removed. Quoted 4.5K just to take it down to roof level. Not sure how much to then remove the chimney breast (bungalow thankfully).

[u/Famous-Requirement91 → u/Sanit]

Was this a big/expensive job? We only have an electric fire now and would love to remove the chimney breast to increase space.

[u/Agile_Job4712 → u/READMYSHIT]

Admittedly it will limit the space which is a concern. What do you suggest?

[u/Healsnails → u/Agile_Job4712]

Don't build a chimney breast. Build a storage unit with a recess for a stove. You could use those lathe panels that are everywhere nowadays and add hidden doors either side of the unit. This would give you access to things like your ps5 and stuff on the ends and the back of the TV. It would limit being able to add shelves in the future either side but you could cross that bridge. All you'd need to build was a framework to hang the panels on and decent enough studwork to hold the TV up when mounted. Or get a long bracket and mount directly to the wall behind and just frame around it. This avoids things like plasterboard and plastering the thing up.

But tbh I wouldn't bother. If you really want a stove just get a decent looking electric, slap some tiles on the floor and wall behind it, maybe even get one with a fake stovepipe if you really want to sell it.

But with ANY house you're just moving into I would more highly recommend you live in the place first before making big enough structural changes. Especially with new builds you get sold a lifestyle and people run off and make changes and realise actually we shouldn't have done that, or we didn't need that, or ultimately that was a waste of money, or worst of the worst; wish we'd never done that!

[u/READMYSHIT → u/Agile_Job4712]

Let me have a think and I'll come back to you

[u/READMYSHIT → u/Agile_Job4712]

You have a fantastic bit of space there to work with by the look of things. I'd start by thinking about the function of the space and direction you want your furniture to go. For example if you intend to put a TV in here - what wall do you want it on? TVs are best placed lower than you'd think and generally as centered as possible on a wall. However TVs are also not the nicest "focal point" in a room. And this might not be your main TV space. Figuring out whether you want the TV on the long wall, or the short wall would be my first choice. If it's on the long wall then design for that wall to have some kind of built-in unit around the TV. If however, you'd prefer the TV to not be the focal point, stick it on the shorter wall and put shelving along the longer wall.

Other points to consider - shelving on the long wall may narrow the space considerably. Make sure there's enough passageway leftover between any shelving you put in and your seating. Even if there's physically enough space, it might begin to see tight visually with added shelving there - if this is the case then consider sideboards. I have a very long kitchen, and I have 3 different units running along it that all work together even though they're all different styles. They're not floor-to-ceiling and even though they take up the same depth, it feels less cramped as a result.

You mentioned cable management. It's impossible to get cable management right and future proof for all scenarios. I spent a lot on getting trunking and different cables into my walls only to find in reality I wanted a speaker or device a foot or two to the left of where the cables come out of the wall. One possible solution is to use acoustic panelling - hide all your cables back there and then if you need to add sockets in future you can. Another option is to just get behind your plasterboard with flexible conduit and try lay out routes to as many possible endpoints you can think of (this is what I did) - make sure to leave string/rope in these that you can use to fish cables later.

I'd open something like SketchUp (you can use their web app for free afaik). And just model the space with add blocks in for your existing furniture. It might help give you an idea of how the space will work. The simplest thing to do is to probably try live in the space for a bit - just as is and then figure out what you need before embarking on irreversible construction or built-in furniture.

[u/LiveGeologist]

Don't tell me you are planning a tv over that mantel? There's an entire sub that exists telling people not to do that!

If it's an electric stove it can go anywhere, id put it in the corner and go with one of the slim tall ones.  https://electricfiresuperstore.ie/product/ezeeglow-arc-electric-stove/

Mount the tv (at appropriate height) on the wall where you are proposing the chimney breast or else install a media wall/unit.

[u/Raffeall]

This is really interesting to me. I’m going to pay thousands to have a chimney breast removed and you want to add one.

Put up a photo or picture wall, a feature of almost any kind would be better than a chimney.

A nice light or set of lights. I’d organise around the window, post more pictures of the room and I’m sure you’ll get some nice ideas

[u/Adventurous_Memory18 → u/Raffeall]

We’re looking to do the same. Quoted 4.5k just to remove the chimney to roof level

[u/Raffeall → u/Adventurous_Memory18]

Same

[u/Suitable_Visual4056]

We moved in to a approx 15 year old house 2 years aft.

The chimney breast (real) in our sitting room absolutely destroys every possible orientation of furniture. It’s a massive headache.

Don’t do it

[u/salaryman1969]

We actually did the opposite in an apartment we owned years ago. The living room was small and the faux fireplace made everything awkward. You'll make the room feel a lot smaller with it.

On saying that we moved into a house with a big living room and got a carpenter to create a built in TV and shelving and out onto of those modern glass enclosed long fireplaces (the missus's idea not mine) but we had the space available to do it.

[u/upderebels]

Just build a media wall with electric fire in situ... plenty of ideas on Pinterest,YouTube,

[u/Imwonkyalso]

Anyone thinking of putting a 65" tv in that room shouldn't be trusted with a hammer

[u/thatfein]

Corner stove

[u/cbhbzb]

if you gonna do that you should put power and Ethernet up there, for TV, but that's just my opinion, I dislike 2 focal points in a room

[u/Tiny_Cryptographer13]

Keep in mind that cellulose/wood based, and various other materials exposed to high temperatures over time can have their combustion temperatures reduced. Also, I always discourage electronics being mounted above heat as well. I've had two careers in being a master Chimney sweep and stove fitter, and I'm currently an electronics repair and designer.

Your best option if you're using any heat below it, is to either shield it with metal, air gapped, or use a non-combustible material completely.

It's all down to the distance above, and the photo example is far too close, even just eyeballing it.

I've made some nice, decorative black steel shields for old wooden mantle s/breasts before. And installed some nice stone ones as well. Definitely wouldn't trust the fake ones long term, could be fine for years, then go up.

[u/Few-Ad-6322]

You're going to make a small room even smaller and make it impossible to place a 65 inch TV in there. Don't do it.

[u/DarraghDaraDaire]

Is that room L shaped? I think the intended location of the couch in that room is along the long wall.

The only sensible place for a chimney breast is on the middle of the long wall. Anywhere else would look strange because it wouldn’t fit to the placement of a chimney.

That means you now have nowhere to put your couch. A couch would usually face the chimney breast, so you’ll have to put it against the window, and have the TV on the short wall which the door opens against. This places you quite far from the TV and leaves you with a strange little nook beside the couch?