Advice needed on designing around a gallows bracket

3 years ago

Hello,

I've moved into a small Victorian terraced flat and the previous owner removed the chimney breast but needed to add in a gallows bracket to support the chimney in the flat above.

Any ideas on how best to design around it without it looking too odd? The wall is around 3.5m and I'd like to keep a sofa there (although probably change it for a smaller one) and ideally add some storage or shelving as space is at a premium.

Options, I think, are:

- Built in shelving around the outside, leaving a smaller sofa surrounded - Possibly a bit boxy?

- Built in shelving to the right, and adding a corner sofa to the left, which might look uneven?

- A single shelf on both sides, level with the bracket

Would really love any ideas! Thanks

Featured Answer

Sonia

3 years ago

I wonder if just simply painting the whole wall in a dark colour (navy, charcoal etc) will make it disappear and recede?

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Comments (15)

PRO
Haru Design
3 years ago
Hey Hattie,

It would be helpful to know a few more things about your space.

What does the wall opposite the sofa look like? Will you be putting a tv unit there or do you have other ideas?

If you get a smaller sofa would it fit on that opposite wall? If that's the case then you can very much create a beautiful built-in shelving unit that houses books, ornaments & also acts as your tv unit by placing your tv right under the chimney breast.

The only way it wouldn't look odd is if you made sure to match the depth of the chimney breast to that of the built-ins.

If you need any more help with this like drawings or visuals just let us know, we'd be more than happy to help.
Jules Mc
3 years ago
A couple more questions that will help you get further advice/suggestions.
Is the property rented or have you bought it? I'm sure you'd be prepared to put more money /time into the latter and wouldn't have any landlord restrictions. And is this a property agents photo, so the last occupiers furniture? Seems like you're happy to start from scratch to get the best layout /furniture arrangement?
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Hattie FG
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi both, thanks so much. I own the property so am prepared to make some changes. Furniture is temporary for now, just keen to get the right approach.

There's a bay window with a small round table to the right and then opposite I have a sideboard with a tv on it. The wall you can see is the longest wall so I think it makes sense to have the sofa there but I'm open to suggestions.
Jules Mc
3 years ago
I agree with Sonia. I think shelving might highlight it even more I'd save that for the, TV wall or the wall opposite the window maybe. If you go dark, a wide landscape piece of art quite low on the wall behind the sofa will also provide a focus and draw attention away from it.

It sounds like you have already found the best place for the TV/ sideboard. As for seating, a corner sofa could work nicely but I think it's down to preference and how many people you'll need to seat on a daily basis? Corner sofas with a chaise ends, seat far less people than you think.
Sarah U-S
3 years ago
Hi - do you actually like the gallows basket? If you don’t, then maybe get a builder found to see if it could be taken out? I took out a chimney in my old cottage and instead of a gallows basket I had an RSJ put across that ran in the ceiling space. It didn’t cost that much either. (Can’t remember exact amounts, but remember it being in the hundreds and certainly not thousands!)
Sarah U-S
3 years ago
Bracket, not basket!!!
Hattie FG
Original Author
3 years ago
Hi Sarah, no I don't like the gallows bracket at all! My builder didn't have a solution to get rid of it but I'll ask about an RSJ - thanks!
Sarah U-S
3 years ago
Good luck! To be fair, I’ve never seen a gallows bracket before! I had a chimney removed in my old house and contemplated having one removed in my current house (then changed my mind!) - but a gallows bracket was never an option for either! What’s above this room? If it’s a loft space, a builder might be able to take the whole chimney out!
Hattie FG
Original Author
3 years ago
Sadly its a flat above with a fireplace that leads to a chimney which I think is why they put in the bracket to support it. I can see why they don't use them much - they don't look great!
Zoe Kelly
3 years ago
If you’re willing to pay a carpenter or have a particularly handy friend... could you build in a cupboard that goes all the way across (wall to wall and from the bottom of the gallows bracket to the ceiling), but where the middle section is just fake with non-opening doors? I can’t find a picture of exactly what I mean but think similar to overbed cupboards, could obviously paint/put nice doors on as you wanted
Zoe Kelly
3 years ago
(Wouldn’t really work if the bracket comes out further than the window though, can’t really tell from the photo :))
PRO
OnePlan
3 years ago
Personally, I’d reinstate a form of chimney, if you can reconfigure the room to still fit adequate seating within the remaining space.
J
3 years ago
I'd reinstate a chimney breast and use it as built in storage
Hattie FG
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks all, really helpful. I’m definitely going to look into Zoe’s suggestion.

Advice needed on designing around a gallows bracket

Sonia

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