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natalie_butler59

1920s Bedroom Wardrobe Advice - Alcove and Chimney Breast

natalie_butler59
2 months ago

Hi all! Looking for some advice on our bedroom wardrobes.

In the throes of a renovation (currently at first fix, plastering to start next week) and trying to decide what to do about wardrobes in our master bedroom.

We’ve decided to place bed opposite chimney breast to create a feeling of space when you walk in.

My original thought was to have fitted wardrobes built in the alcoves only either side of the chimney breast, which would need to project further than the face of the chimney as it’s fairly shallow. There is no original fireplace, so would possibly have to source one for decorative purposes only?

However, it’s been suggested to instead have the wardrobes run right across the chimney breast, to avoid having the awkward jutting out of the wardrobes either side. Obviously the storage in front of the breast would only be narrow, so for small items.

I can see the merit of this, but worried we would start to lose the soul of the room by covering the chimney breast.

Any wisdom / experience much appreciated :-)

P.s. no up to date photos of bedroom, but have attached one of a few weeks ago. Can get more tonight if helpful

Featured Answer
  • PRO
    colourhappy
    2 months ago
    last modified: 2 months ago

    My sister has the same set up in her Hove house, she has wardrobes either side of a chimney and a modern hole in the wall with a driftwood lintel fireplace and a large etching above. I'll ask her for a picture.




    Comments (9)

    • PRO
      Xenas Interiors
      2 months ago

      HI Natalie,

      I think it will depend how much wardrobe space you actually want. By going over the fireplace you will be able to have all that extra storage - it may be shallow, but you can put shelves in there for shoes etc.

      If you were to leave the chimney bread there, i would defiantly get a decorative fireplace to go there. if you are worried about the difference in depth, you can always build out the chimney breast to be more in line with wardrobe units.

      Kate

      - Xenas Interiors

    • PRO
      colourhappy
      2 months ago

      I had the same set up in my house in Brighton. We built shaker style wardrobes in the alcoves with a space above for baskets for out of season clothes etc. The chimney breast wall we had a huge wooden mirror which looked really good. Sorry no photo it was years ago.

    • Daisy England
      2 months ago

      I was going to suggest what you have already suggested. Go all the way across making some shallow.

    • Priscilla
      2 months ago

      We had the same situation and we built  across. The fitter brought the doors slightly forward so the storage is wider and this gave us a bigger storage space in front of the alcove . pictures attached to help you visualise. 4th picture show the storage size in the alcove. Hope this helps.

    • Holly C.
      2 months ago

      As others have said, it is a personal decision. There are lots of photos of fireplaces ‘recessed’ between alcoves, and it can look very smart, especially with a big mirror. (I found this one on Houzz.)

      For me, I’d find a big wall of wardrobes would be too much homogeneous-wardrobe-door and I’d go for the fireplace every time. However, be aware that fitting a decorative fireplace can be a hassle if the hole was bricked up rather than boarded over. You’d also need to source a fireplace you like that suits the period of the house, which is harder for 1920s houses than Edwardian or Victorian ones.

      … but you’ll gain a real feature and add so much character so definitely do it if you feel drawn to it!

    • siobhanmcgee90
      2 months ago

      Agree, a wall of wardrobes would be overpowering and a fireplace, even a fake one, would be a real feature.

    • Kim Black
      2 months ago

      We have a similar situation. Though I would prefer the two separate wardrobes visually, practically the full run of wardrobes across the wall gives more,much needed, storage.

    • PRO
      Organise Space
      14 days ago

      In the alcoves OR go right over the chimney breast with a uniform "wall of doors" you will have a reduce depth in front of the chimney breast but this would be ideas for shoe storage.

      Alternatively go for an open "walk-in wardrobe" which is our specialisation.

      Building "boxes" (wardrobes) into the alcove will spoil the lines of the room but this is almost unavoidable.

      Master Bedroom Finchley · More Info



      Here are some "arts and crafts" styled wardrobes we did a few years back...

      https://www.exploitspace.co.uk/portfolio/fitted-wardrobes-finchley/ 

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