30 Ways To Decorate Your Fireplace With Built-Ins on Each Side

If you’re looking to maximize style and storage around your existing fireplace with built-ins on each side, you’ve come to the right place.

Few things make a living space cozier than a fabulous fireplace with built-in shelving or cabinetry on both sides. Adding these functional features amplifies the style factor while keeping things neat and organized. 

We’ve rounded up stunning fireplaces flanked by built-in cabinets and bookshelves on the sides to provide inspiration for these charming spaces that beautifully balance open and concealed storage.

Keep reading for gorgeous living rooms designed around fireplace built-ins to warm your home and heart!

30 Ideas for Built-Ins Around Your Fireplace

1. Classic Chic

The timeless elegance of a classic fireplace, complete with built-in open shelves and cabinets on each side, creates a cozy nook for cherished novels and trinkets.

Above the mantel, a breathtaking sea panorama invites daydreams of distant shores.

2. Mediterranean Elegance

A stone brick fireplace anchors the room, with floating shelves and dark wood cabinets built into each side, echoing a modern Mediterranean interior design.

The dark wood mantel matches the shelves and adds a touch of sophistication.

3. Luminous Hearthside Harmony

Leave guests awestruck with a pale stone brick fireplace, flanked by dark wood living room built-ins.

The fireplace mantel, crafted from the same rich wood, elegantly boasts a wall-mounted TV above it, offering a seamless blend of form and function.

4. Rustic Charm

A weathered stone masonry fireplace graced with a herringbone pattern in its firebox exudes rustic charm.

Wooden built-ins house chic vases and jute rope baskets, while a brown gradient painting and a leafy plant sit atop the mantel.

5. Crisp and Clean

An exquisite weathered masonry fireplace with a pristine white mantel serves as the heart of this home.

Flanking the wall-mounted TV are wall sconce lights that add a touch of warmth and white built-ins that neatly display a stack of books and trinkets.

6. Noir Elegance

This stylish fireplace, with its weathered brick and sleek black door, is framed by dark wood shelves, offering a sanctuary for flickering candles and treasured literature.

7. Monochrome Tranquility

A white brick fireplace with built-ins whispers simplicity beneath a vaulted ceiling.

A verdant plant rests on the hearth extension, while a forest painting is hung above the mantel, creating a serene monochromatic escape.

8. Herringbone Chic

A modern fireplace with a striking herringbone pattern above sets a dramatic stage for the TV and is surrounded by spacious lit built-ins and decorative items.

9. Arched Elegance

A one-of-a-kind clay fireplace with a mantel adorned with pottery and greenery is flanked on both sides by built-ins housed inside stylish arched alcoves, crafting an enchanting focal point. 

The shelves are filled with books and more pottery, giving off Mediterranean vibes.

10. Dark Wood Grandeur

This elegant stone brick fireplace with a dark wooden mantel and built-ins exudes grandeur, complemented by the room’s matching beams and tasteful clay decor.

11. Farmhouse Charm 

This homely farmhouse fireplace has a matching wooden mantel and built-ins that hold rustic woven baskets and clay vases, enveloping the room in country comfort.

12. Classic Contrast 

A regal white fireplace with wainscottng takes the stage between dark wood shelves, creating a striking contrast, while the glow of lamps atop the mantel bathes the room in a warm, inviting light.

13. Teal Tranquility 

Nestled against a white shiplap wall, this brick fireplace boasts a surprise splash of teal on the jambs, with matching cabinets in the built-ins that infuse the space with a serene, coastal vibe.

14. Boho Minimalist

In this boho-style sanctuary, a minimalist fireplace with a wooden mantel is bordered by matching built-ins, displaying an eclectic mix of trinkets and decor.

15. Whitewashed Elegance 

A classic whitewashed brick fireplace with built-ins sets a serene stage where books and decorative pieces mingle and a TV perched on the mantel invites cozy evenings.

16. Soaring Heights

Elevate your family room space with a high-ceilinged room featuring a white brick fireplace and a weathered brick overmantel.

The wooden built-ins add a charming contrast to the room’s white walls and trim.

17. Marble Minimalism 

This modern minimalist linear fireplace, framed by a chic white marble surround and dark wood shelves against black walls, creates a sophisticated nook for curated decor pieces.

18. Luxe Illumination 

Bask in the luxury of a modern fireplace set against a rugged white brick backdrop, with dark wood shelves that feature moody lighting for an opulent touch.

19. Wooden Harmony

A sleek black-trimmed firebox is the heart of this style, flanked by built-in wooden shelves that cradle minimalist vases, perfectly echoing the room’s furniture for a seamless look.

20. Blue Hues and Hearth

A modern fireplace, nestled within a stone brick wall, boasts built-in shelves in a soft steel blue, warmly illuminated by built-ins to enhance the room’s chic ambiance.

A similarly warm starburst chandelier hangs on the ceiling.

21. Rustic Warmth

Snuggle up in this cozy nook, where a stone brick fireplace with an aged wood mantel harmonizes with built-in wooden shelves adorned in rustic decor.

22. Serene Simplicity

This quaint stone brick fireplace, with a wooden mantel and matching shelves, holds a serene coastal afternoon painting and lamps that echo the living room’s tranquil vibe.

On both sides are wooden recessed built-ins housing boxes, empty white ceramic vases, and woven organizers.

23. Metal and Brick Charm

A rustic fireplace with a stone brick wall and wooden mantel showcases beautiful metal vases and a large empty picture frame.

The shelves on each side brim with homey decor that complements the rest of the modern living room.

24. Mediterranean Elegance 

A cream-colored arched clay fireplace with alcoves on each side exudes modern Mediterranean luxury, complemented by a sepia-toned beachscape painting and dark vases.

The alcoves have wooden shelves holding stylish clay jars.

25. Boho Noir

In this moody boho space, a dark fireplace with a wooden mantel and matching built-ins on each side creates a cozy corner for baskets and earthy pottery.

26. Scandinavian Serenity 

This modern living room features a wide fireplace and built-in shelves that hold Scandinavian-style decor. Adding to the elegance are a plush white sofa and rug.

27. Monochrome Chic

A sleek wainscoted fireplace stands out against dark built-in shelves with a warm moody backlight, making a bold statement alongside contrasting vases.

28. Luminous Loft 

A bright, high-ceilinged living room boasts a brick fireplace with a light wood mantel.

The white built-in shelves on each side play host to an array of decorative treasures that add more flair to the space.

29. Arched Woodland

A classic wood fireplace with arched alcoves for recessed built-ins sets a warm, welcoming tone.

The built-ins have wooden shelves that mirror the natural wood of the coffee table and complement the room’s soft neutral hues.

30. Marble and Earth 

An elegant white marble fireplace sits regally in the middle of the living room, while the built-in shelving houses an assortment of clay pots, grounding the space with earthy elegance. 

The gradient painting on the mantel complements the rest of the decor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Some Benefits of Built-Ins Around a Fireplace?

Built-ins maximize space utilization, provide concealed and/or display space, create symmetry and balance, and allow you to customize to your needs.

What Types of Built-Ins Work Well Around Fireplaces?

Bookshelves, cabinetry, window seats, benches, media units, and display shelving are great built-in options for flanking a fireplace. 

Should Built-Ins on Each Side of a Fireplace Match?

It’s not mandatory, but designing matching built-ins creates visual symmetry for a more seamless look. You can use different styles on each side as long as they complement one another.

What Design Elements Unite Built-Ins With a Fireplace?

Using consistent materials, finishes, hardware, molding, and design details will make built-ins and fireplaces feel cohesive. Lighting within built-ins also helps tie spaces together. 

However, don’t be afraid to experiment with pops of color to create a focal point!

How Much Space Should Be Allowed for Built-Ins Around a Fireplace?

It’s generally recommended to allow at least 24 to 36 inches of floor space on each side for built-ins. You should proportionately size built-ins to fit the wall space around the fireplace.

Let Style and Storage Come Together With Built-Ins Around Your Fireplace

As we’ve cozied up to stunning fireplaces with built-ins, it’s clear that these charming features not only add warmth and ambiance to a room but also offer a stylish solution for displaying your favorite reads and keepsakes. 

So grab a cup of something steamy, nestle into your plush armchair, and let the flickering flames inspire your next interior adventure. Here’s to toasty toes and decor-lined walls!