Walls Besides Fireplace Decorating: the 10 – Step Quick Guide

One of the most frequent dilemmas I encounter during living room consultations isn’t the fireplace itself, but the awkward, empty spaces flanking it. These alcoves or flat walls often become “design graveyards” where clutter accumulates or, worse, where mismatched furniture goes to die. I once worked with a client who had shoved a stationary bike in one alcove and a cat tower in the other, completely ruining the focal point of her otherwise beautiful craftsman home.

The goal is to treat these spaces as supporting actors that frame the main event without stealing the show. Whether you are dealing with deep architectural recesses or a flat wall that needs definition, the approach requires a mix of math and aesthetics. For plenty of visual inspiration on how to execute these concepts, make sure to check out the Picture Gallery at the end of the blog post.

Phase 1: Assessing Architecture and Layout

Step 1: Measure the “Recess Reality”

Before buying a single shelf or hiring a carpenter, you must understand the physical constraints of the space. In many homes, the fireplace breast (the part that sticks out) creates natural alcoves, but their depth varies wildy.

If your recess is less than 12 inches deep, standard base cabinets will likely protrude past the fireplace, creating awkward sightlines. In this scenario, you are better off using floating shelves or shallow console tables.

If you have a flat wall with no recess, your goal is to create visual depth. You will need to decide if you want to build “out” to match the fireplace depth or keep things light with furniture.

Step 2: Check for Symmetry (and Embrace Asymmetry)

Homeowners often panic when the spaces on either side of the fireplace are different widths. One side might be 48 inches wide while the other is only 36 inches. This is common in older homes and renovated spaces.

Do not try to force symmetry where it does not exist. Instead, aim for “visual balance.” This means the visual weight of the objects on the left should equal the visual weight on the right, even if the objects themselves are different.

Designer’s Note: The Asymmetry Fix
If one side is a deep alcove and the other is a flat wall or a window, treat them differently. I often place a built-in bench or firewood storage on the smaller side and a full bookshelf on the wider side. As long as the materials and colors coordinate, the room will feel cohesive.

Phase 2: The Built-In Foundation

Step 3: Establish the Base Weight

For a high-end look, design should almost always be “bottom-heavy.” This anchors the room. If you are installing built-ins, start with closed cabinetry at the bottom rather than running open shelves all the way to the floor.

Standard base cabinets should be 30 to 36 inches high. This height is comfortable for leaning art or placing a lamp and keeps visual clutter hidden near the floor.

Ensure you account for a toe kick or a furniture-style base molding. A cabinet that sits flush on the floor without a recess for your toes looks like a kitchen leftover, not a custom living room feature.

Step 4: Managing the Tech Mess

The walls beside the fireplace are the most logical place for media components, routers, and cable boxes. If you are renovating, have an electrician move outlets inside the intended cabinet area before installation.

If you are renting or cannot move electrical, drill a 2-inch hole with a grommet in the back of your cabinet or shelf. Use white cord covers painted to match the wall color to run cables from the baseboard up to the TV or components.

Common Mistakes + Fixes

Mistake: Installing shelves that are too thin. Standard 0.75-inch lumber looks flimsy and cheap on a long span.
Fix: Face your shelves with a 1.5-inch to 2-inch strip of wood trim. This gives the appearance of substantial, custom millwork without the cost of solid thick slabs.

Phase 3: Floating Elements and Surfaces

Step 5: The Floating Shelf Logic

If you aren’t doing full built-ins, floating shelves are the next best option. They feel modern and airy, which is excellent for smaller living rooms where you don’t want to close off space with heavy cabinetry.

Depth matters here. A shelf for books needs to be at least 10 inches deep. If you plan to display styling objects or large vases, aim for 12 to 14 inches.

Step 6: Vertical Spacing Rules

The distance between shelves is where most DIY projects fail. If they are too close, it looks cluttered; too far apart, and the display looks disconnected.

A safe designer standard is 12 to 15 inches of clearance between shelves. However, I always recommend varying the height slightly if you have a specific large item to display, like a tall vase or a piece of art.

Leave substantial “breathing room” at the top. There should be at least 15 to 18 inches between the top shelf and the ceiling (or crown molding). Taking shelves all the way to the ceiling often makes the room feel shorter.

What I’d do in a real project:

Materials: Use White Oak with a clear matte sealant for a warm, organic feel.

Supports: Use heavy-duty internal brackets (steel rods) that drill into studs. Avoid visible L-brackets unless they are intentionally decorative ironwork.
Alignment: Align the front of the shelves to be slightly recessed (about 1-2 inches) from the face of the fireplace surround. Never let them stick out past the fireplace.

Phase 4: Lighting and Wall Decor

Step 7: Layering Light

Dark alcoves suck the energy out of a room at night. Adding light sources beside the fireplace creates a warm, ambient glow that balances the flickering light of a fire.

If you have built-ins, install LED tape lighting in channels routed into the underside of the shelves. Use a warm color temperature (2700K or 3000K) to match residential bulbs. Avoid 4000K or 5000K, which looks like a hospital operating room.

For walls without shelves, install decorative sconces. Ideally, these are hardwired, but plug-in sconces with cord covers can look intentional if the style is industrial or vintage.

Step 8: Art and Mirror Placement

If you choose not to use shelves, the walls beside the fireplace are prime real estate for art. The scale is critical here.

Do not hang a tiny 8×10 frame in a 4-foot wide space. The art should fill about two-thirds of the wall width. If the wall is 36 inches wide, your art (or gallery grouping) should be roughly 24 inches wide.

Center the art at eye level, generally 57 to 60 inches from the floor to the center of the piece. If you are hanging art above a cabinet, leave 4 to 8 inches of space between the top of the cabinet and the bottom of the frame.

Phase 5: Freestanding Furniture and Greenery

Step 9: The Renter-Friendly Furniture Layout

Not everyone can build custom cabinetry. In rental properties or budget makeovers, we use freestanding furniture to mimic the look of built-ins.

Matching chests of drawers are my secret weapon. They offer hidden storage like built-ins but can move with you. Look for “bachelor chests” or wide nightstands that fit the width of your alcove.

If the space is tight, consider a pair of x-benches or ottomans. They add texture (fabric/leather) and provide extra seating for parties without blocking visual flow.

Step 10: Organic Life

If you have a flat wall or a particularly awkward corner, a large indoor tree can soften the hard edges of the fireplace masonry. This works exceptionally well in contemporary or transitional homes.

Ensure the plant is substantial. A fiddle leaf fig, olive tree, or bird of paradise should reach at least 5 to 6 feet high to balance the height of the fireplace. Place it in a heavy ceramic pot or a woven basket to add texture.

Designer’s Note: Lighting for Plants
Be realistic about light. Most corners beside fireplaces are dark. If you don’t have a window nearby, use a high-quality faux tree or install a grow bulb in a recessed can light above the spot. Dead plants are not good decor.

Finish & Styling Checklist

Once the structure is in place, the styling makes or breaks the look. Here is the checklist I use to ensure the shelves or surfaces look curated, not cluttered.

1. The Triangle Rule
Arrange objects in visual triangles. A tall item, a medium item, and a low item grouped together create a balanced composition. Do this on shelves and cabinet tops to keep the eye moving.

2. The 60/40 Balance
Ideally, use 60% vertical items (books standing up, tall vases, candlesticks) and 40% horizontal items (stacks of books, trays, low bowls). Too much verticality looks like a fence; too much horizontal styling looks like a storage unit.

3. Texture Variety
Every shelf or surface needs at least three textures:

Shiny: Glass, brass, glazed ceramic.
Organic: Wood, leather, plants, woven material.
Matte: Paper (books), stone, matte paint.

4. Negative Space
Do not fill every inch. Leave empty space on shelves to let the eye rest. If you have painted the back of your alcoves a contrasting color, negative space allows that color to pop through.

5. Book Spine Logic
For a cohesive look, remove dust jackets from hardcovers. Most books are a neutral linen or solid color underneath. Group them by size, not necessarily by color, for a sophisticated library feel.

FAQs

What if there is a window on one side and a wall on the other?
This is a classic asymmetry challenge. Treat the window as a visual block similar to a cabinet. Place a low console or bench under the window. On the wall side, use a cabinet of similar height or a piece of art that mimics the window’s shape and size. Use matching curtains or roman shades to soften the window side, and perhaps add a fabric wall hanging on the solid wall side to balance the texture.

Can I put the TV beside the fireplace?
Yes, and it is often better than putting it above the fireplace, which is usually too high for comfortable viewing. Place the TV on a low media cabinet in the alcove. Ideally, put it on the side away from the main window to reduce glare. If possible, mount it on an articulating arm so you can angle it toward the sofa.

How do I decorate deep alcoves without them looking like caves?
Paint is your friend here. If the alcove is deep and shadowy, paint the back wall and shelves a light, reflective color, or use a subtle wallpaper. Mirrors are also excellent; a large mirror leaning against the back of the alcove reflects light into the space and makes the depth feel intentional rather than accidental.

What is the best budget alternative to custom built-ins?
The “IKEA Hack” is popular for a reason. Using Billy or Havsta bookcases, you can add baseboard molding, crown molding, and filler strips to make them look built-in. The key is caulk and paint. When you fill the gaps and paint the unit the same color as your walls, it looks custom for 20% of the price.

Conclusion

Decorating the walls beside your fireplace is about solving a puzzle of proportion and function. Whether you commit to custom carpentry, install simple floating shelves, or curate the perfect pair of antique chests, the goal is to support the fireplace, not compete with it.

Remember to measure twice, respect the architectural lines of your room, and be honest about your storage needs. When done correctly, these spaces transform from awkward leftovers into the most functional and beautiful parts of your living room.