They provide an ideal space for storage and, when filled with shelving, can be cosy and useful at the same time. They are a practical and aesthetically pleasing way of storing your belongings.

However, do you choose built-in shelving or floating shelves? Do you insert a cabinet? What’s best? 

Our article discusses the best way to make the most out of your alcove with shelving ideas. 

Alcove Home Cinema

Are you sick of your television taking up floor space with a cabinet? If so, why not use your alcove to slot it in? 

You can either shift your television and cabinet into the space or build shelving into the alcove to house your television as a home cinema. The space beneath can be styled with trendy cupboards and, around the television, storage shelves can be utilised to dress with plants and trinkets. 

Alcove Bar

The home bar has become a staple addition to any home in recent years, whether it be indoors or in the garden – or even in a man cave or shed. However, why not utilise your alcove space by turning it into a mini bar? 

Add a slim wine fridge, some shelves for booze and glasses, and a little countertop for the ideal home bar. Moreover, this will ooze glitz and glamour and will really impress your guests! 

A Home For Your Pets

If you’re an animal lover, why not turn your alcove into a little home for your pet? Add a pet bed or cat litter into the alcove and make it their safe space in your home. 

Wood Storage

Make your home a little bit more cosy by adding a storage place for the logs for your stove or fire. Not only is this practical, but it also creates an eye-catching centrepiece within the room. 

Alternative Ideas

• Create a bookshelf
• Set up a home office
• Use wallpaper or a pop of colour to create a feature

The post Alcove Shelving Ideas appeared first on Windows Manchester.

Chimney breasts and alcoves can be tricky to make use of. However, they have loads of potential and can help to shape the whole room when used correctly. 

Period features like these needn’t be neglected. They can be incorporated into the home and experimented with to make the most of the space. 

Lounge Chimney Breasts

The most obvious place to find chimney breasts and the alcoves that come with it is the lounge. However, to spruce it up, why not add a wood stove and ditch the traditional fireplace? Not only will this add value to your home, but it can also be a safer and cleaner option than an open fire. Moreover, it creates a focal point and a feature to the room. 

Additionally, stripping the wall back to brick around the stove or fire can help to bring character to the home and add a rustic touch. 

Alcoves are the ideal place for building in storage shelves too. Furthermore, this adds value and character – but can be costly initially. As an alternative, freestanding furniture, like a bookcase, can also fill the space effectively. 

Kitchen 

If you have a chimney breast in the kitchen, use it to open up the wall. Add a freestanding cooker to the space and build worktops to the sides to create a continuation. 

Hallway

A lot of homes benefit from alcoves or chimney breasts in the hallways. Painting them with a pop of colour can make them stand out. Adding furniture and picture frames to the wall can also create a designer style feature. 

Bedroom

Alcoves are apparent in a lot of bedrooms, particularly those of period properties. Wardrobes can fill the space perfectly, and provide ample storage whilst not taking up much-needed floor space. 

If you have a chimney breast in your bedroom, use it as a headboard for your bed. It can be used as a feature to make the perfect backdrop for your cosy bed. 

Other Alternatives For Chimney Breasts

Tiling around the fireplace in the chimney breast can add a modern and fresh appearance to any room. If you don’t have a working fire, how about filling the space with logs to create an eye-catching centrepiece? 

Create a media wall from your chimney breast if it’s no longer in use, by building in the television to make the room appear sleek and contemporary. Or build it out into the centrepiece it deserves to be. 

Wallpaper the walls to create a real feature, or add a pop of colour to attract attention. 

The post How To Make The Most Of Chimney Breasts And Alcoves appeared first on Windows Manchester.