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BedroomsDesign DilemmaFireplace
janetelizabeth_cronin

What do I need to consider for built-in robes around a fireplace?

JE C
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

I am planning to put wardrobes on either side of the fireplace in my daughter's room (first pic) – I favour a modern look to contrast with the federation features in the room, so am choosing a flat profile with slimline black handles. ( a bit like the handle type in 2nd pic). One side will be for clothes the other for other storage. The first will have a shelf at the top, hanging space and drawers ( all inside), the second just shelves ( adjustable).I'm planning vivid white 2pac doors in satin as the other woodwork in the room is vivid white. I think the ceilings are 3.3 m, I was going to go for 2.5 m doors on the built ins. The walls are not square so the cabinet maker will use spaces. Is there anything else I should consider and do you thing the relative height of the doors and ceiling will look ok together? Does anyone have any photos of something similar that they can post ( most pics online are of shaker style doors). Thanks for any input.




Featured Answer
  • siriuskey
    4 years ago

    The following is a great link as it shows the fireplace and robes from different angles, not suggesting you do shaker style, but it does show how it all comes together with picture rail window and door height.

    I didn't explain myself very well previously when I suggested you could possibly build the robe on the same side as the doorway and build across the top of the door to build it in

    https://www.furnitureartist.co.uk/portfolio-view/fitted-built-in-bespoke-classic-shaker-wardrobe-bedroom-furniture/


    Comments (38)

    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Sorry that should have read "spacers " not spaces to be fitted where the walls are not square.

    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Hi - can anyone help? I need to chat to the cabinetmaker today so bumping this up. Thanks.

    • siriuskey
      4 years ago

      Hi JE C

      If it was for my federation room I would use shaker doors on both sides with out the fancy moldings, import to make them match, colour and handles great. Does the room have picture rails, good luck

      JE C thanked siriuskey
    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Thanks Siriuskey - no picture rails. I know Shakerstyle would look good, but it's just not my sort of look.But then maybe there is a reason that I can't find any pictures of what I had in mind...


      Any other thoughts/photos anyone? Thanks.

    • PRO
      Paul Di Stefano Design
      4 years ago

      tricky to do full depth robes flanking a fireplace without making it all feel boxed in/squeezed and highlighting the depth difference. These spaces are better for shelves or shallower storage. Can you find a different position for the robe? In regards to style, contemporary can work well if it's super cleanly detailed as it will bring out the fireplace as a feature

      Terrace Refurbishment · More Info


    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Thanks Paul. I found a great picture on Houzz and it has made me confident it can look good. But maybe it needs some drawers to break it up. My daughter doesn' t want shelves as she has decided to be a minimalist ( which I am encouraging) . This is really the only logical placw for the robe. If I have a drawer or 2 on each side at the bottom I think I need a different handle - or none. Thoughts anyone? Thanks

      Fairfield Mini-Luxe Ensuite · More Info

    • siriuskey
      4 years ago

      have to agree with Paul it looks too boxed in.

      Would you be able to build the wardrobe on the same side as and over the doorway?

    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      I could

    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      oops I could but that wall is adjacent the fireplace wall so it would cut one of the alcoves in half.

    • siriuskey
      4 years ago

      If done correctly that can look great,

    • C P
      4 years ago

      I think modern will be fine but I'd go without handles altogether.

    • siriuskey
      4 years ago

      didn.t get the alcoves

    • Kate
      4 years ago

      Hi, I would not put drawers below the hanging rail. She will grow and need space for dresses and it’s not a wide robe. In the other robe consider drawers below standard bench ht, easier to access

      JE C thanked Kate
    • julie herbert
      4 years ago

      Hi JE C,
      Love this seamless look also, I think it will look great and give the minimalist look your daughter is after.

      JE C thanked julie herbert
    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Oh that's a nice photo! Yes I think it will look fine.

      Siriuskey by the alcoves I was meaning the areas either side of the chimney breast ( not sure if thats the right word ).

      Thanks everyone.

    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Thats a good thought about hanging dresses Kate. Thanks.

    • PRO
      Paul Di Stefano Design
      4 years ago

      Julie's image is completely different to JE C's. One looks integrated, the other looks forced - Julie's image works well due to the integrated full height cabinetry and architraving to the front of the robes giving the perception the room finishes at the cupboards (not beyond) and the fireplace is a recessed alcove with minimised detail

      JE C thanked Paul Di Stefano Design
    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Yes, it is quite different but it has given me the confidence I needed in terms of going with flat profile rather than shaker. All good food for thought Paul thanks.

    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      No worries- thats a great website . Also, its a good example of a robe that looks nicely fitted without going to the ceiling. ( I like the look of 'to the ceiling' but it does tend to make a small room look smaller, relative to the other sort.

    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Also, the cabinet maker used the term 'pencil round' - I presume meaning edges - do I want this? Thanks again for everyones input.

    • siriuskey
      4 years ago

      That's why things like picture rails help to bring the ceiling down, if you install one and build the robe up to it, and paint the wall and robe the same colour up to it, keeping the wall and ceiling above white.

      JE C thanked siriuskey
    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Also - I noticed that in the link you just posted, the skirtings have been removed so that the robe abuts the chimney breast - will a cabinet maker be happy to remove skirtings typically? Also in a scenario where the space for the robe is unlikely to be perfectly "square" ( as in all the vertical planes are not actually perfectly vertical), how is that managed if there is no room for a spacer? thanks

    • siriuskey
      4 years ago

      It would be best to show the cabinet maker the link and if you click on one of the photos it will enlarge them all for better viewing., If you go to Bunnings you will be able to see MDF board with a pencil round edge . The only pieces of skirting that have been removed are the return so he shouldn't have a problem fitting everything, can he give you a detailed drawing?

      JE C thanked siriuskey
    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Yes, just want to work out what I want before I explain it to him. Thanks

    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      I had a look at pencil round edges on the internet. Just wondering if they are a bit "curved to look contemporary? I wonder if that is the edge profile that woudl nnormally be used on contemporary flat profile wardrobe doors? Does anyone know? Thanks again.



    • siriuskey
      4 years ago
      last modified: 4 years ago

      A visit to a wardrobe company showroom near you to look at profiles and actual robes could be a big help, take photos. Check out how the door fits to the carcasse, ie: leaves an edge or fully covers which is what I think you want

      JE C thanked siriuskey
    • lulu_q
      4 years ago

      Would going back through the walls to recess the joinery work? The front of the cabinets could be either flush with or slightly behind the fireplace. Making them recede a bit would emphasise the fireplace and you could go all the way to the ceiling and have the cornice look very intentional. (Would look great with flat panels as it would basically just look like a wall.) Obviously depends on what is next door.



      JE C thanked lulu_q
    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Actually that looks great - but not an option in this case because of the layout of the adjacent room. Thanks.

    • PRO
      Lisa Elliott Interior Design
      4 years ago

      You could consider custom joinery that actually looks freestanding - purposefully creating a gap from the edge of the fireplace surround to the wardrobe & on the wall side also. This would also mean that it really does not matter if the front of the cupboards do not align with the front of the fireplace. Adding a nicely detailed leg, and a feature handle (you can get some really unique Australian made ones these days) to give some visual interest to the otherwise minimal finishes. Keep it simple & classic so it ages with your child's taste and preferences. As an example, The Design Files recent article has an image of a cupboard in a lounge area, that could be adapted to two double door units on either side of the fireplace https://thedesignfiles.net/2019/10/interiors-house-p-cjh-studio/. Seems perfect for a child of any age, or even if you want to convert the room to a more 'grown up purpose' once they leave home ;-)

      JE C thanked Lisa Elliott Interior Design
    • PRO
      Feature Fire
      4 years ago

      I assume that the existing fireplace is for decorative purposes and that you don't intend on lighting the fireplace

      JE C thanked Feature Fire
    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Yes the fire is just decorative , and thats a good idea Lisa Elliot.

    • alexa5013
      4 years ago


      This is what we did with robes either side of the fireplace in the master bedroom in our terrace. There is both hanging space and drawers behind the cupboard doors

    • dafmaria
      4 years ago

      I have the same problem except on the rhs. of the fire recess, a built-in is not possible because the doorway is too near for a built in wardrobe. To be deep enough. What can I do to have enough wardrobe space for 2 people? In a bungalow.
      Does this make sense?

    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Hi - would it be possible to move the door? not cheap but sometimes the best option.

    • JE C
      Original Author
      4 years ago

      Can you post the current room layout? You will get better suggestions then thanks.

    • dafmaria
      4 years ago

      Rhs too narrow for second wardrobe. Existing mirrored wardrobe is huge but takes up a hole wall behind the door, Leaving me with one wall to put my bed on western side. Am I weird ?, I don’t like my head on west side in bed either. Sash windows on the other. See if I can work my iPad to draw a plan later.

    • Sophie C.
      4 years ago

      A great tip when renovating a period home is to go to some OFIs for some renovated period places. Robes around a fireplace are common & I've seen lots done well. If I find a good photo I'll share it :)

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