Embracing Asymmetry: The Art of Built-Ins Around Your Fireplace

When my husband and I moved into our new traditional-style home, built in 2004, we were immediately struck by the lack of storage and display space in the living room. Two alcoves flanking the fireplace begged to be transformed into built-in bookshelves and cabinets, but the varying wall widths and a pesky bump-out on one side had us scratching our heads.

How on earth were we going to design built-ins that looked cohesive and intentional, without the luxury of symmetry? I turned to the home design experts on Houzz for some much-needed guidance.

Embracing Asymmetry

The resounding advice from the Houzz community was to wholeheartedly embrace the asymmetry – don’t try to mask the differences, but rather let them shine. As one user so eloquently put it, “Asymmetry is much more interesting visually than symmetry. Each side doesn’t have to match in size.”

This was music to my ears! I had been worried that the uneven wall widths would make the built-ins look unbalanced and off-kilter, but the experts assured me that a little asymmetry can actually add visual interest and character to the space.

Customizing the Layout

With that reassuring perspective in mind, I set out to design a custom built-in solution that would make the most of our unique fireplace alcoves. The left side measured a cozy 39 inches wide, while the right side sprawled out to 51 inches – with that pesky 17-inch bump-out thrown in for good measure.

Rather than trying to force a symmetrical design, I decided to lean into the asymmetry and get creative. I envisioned a mix of open shelving, closed cabinets, and even a decorative chest on one side to balance out the visual weight.

The DIY Playbook provided further inspiration, showcasing how a custom built-in solution can transform a bland living room wall into a stunning focal point. Seeing those crisp white cabinets and shelves flanking the fireplace, I knew I had found the direction I wanted to take.

Bringing the Vision to Life

With a clear design in mind, I enlisted the help of an experienced carpenter to bring my vision to life. The first step was to update the fireplace surround, swapping out the old red bricks for a sleek marble tile. This simple change immediately elevated the space and set the stage for the built-ins to come.

Next, we tackled the wood trim around the fireplace, replacing the ornate details with clean, Craftsman-style lines to match the new doors throughout our home. This not only created a cohesive aesthetic but also allowed the built-ins to seamlessly integrate with the fireplace surround.

Once the fireplace was prepped, the carpenter got to work constructing the custom cabinetry. He started by securing the two shelving units on either side of the fireplace, carefully accommodating the varying wall widths and the dreaded bump-out. Even without the final touches, these raw cabinets were already looking impressive.

The Art of Finishing Touches

The real magic, however, happened in the final stages of the project. Our carpenter masterfully blended the new crown molding into the existing plaster molding, creating a seamless, built-in look that left me in awe. And my amazing dad took on the priming and painting, using a pre-mixed Benjamin Moore white to match the existing wood.

The end result was nothing short of stunning. Those once-bare walls had been transformed into a beautiful, asymmetrical display of open shelving and hidden storage – all framing the fireplace in a way that felt intentional and visually striking.

Maximizing Function and Style

Although the depth of the built-ins is only 12 inches, which limits their functional storage capacity, we actually have plenty of storage elsewhere in our home. So, for us, the focus was on creating a gorgeous design element that would enhance the overall aesthetic of the living room.

One key function the built-ins do serve, however, is hiding the unsightly tangle of cords and cables that come with modern-day entertainment systems. The shelves and cabinets provide the perfect solution for stashing away all those messy wires, ensuring our stunning new focal point remains the star of the show.

And while we did have to open a cabinet to change the TV channel (for now), I’ve already got a plan in the works to upgrade our cable box and eliminate that minor inconvenience. After all, when you’ve invested in such a beautiful custom built-in, you want to make sure it’s working for you in every way.

Embracing the Asymmetry

As I sit here in our transformed living room, surrounded by the natural light and the clean, modern lines of our new built-ins, I can’t help but marvel at how far we’ve come. What was once a bland, forgettable wall has become a stunning focal point that reflects our personal style and adds so much character to the space.

DIY blogger Stefana Silber perfectly captures the essence of our journey, sharing her own experience of building custom fireplace built-ins and embracing the asymmetry. “Asymmetry is much more interesting visually than symmetry,” she echoes, and I couldn’t agree more.

So, if you find yourself faced with a fireplace alcove that doesn’t quite fit the mold, don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Embrace the unique layout, get creative with your design, and trust that a little asymmetry can go a long way in elevating your space. After all, that’s where the true magic happens.

And when it comes to finding the perfect custom sofa to complement your new built-ins, be sure to check out Sofas Spectacular – a UK-based company that offers a wide range of high-quality, made-to-measure options to suit any style and space.