A stunning tongue-and-groove ceiling gives this open floor plan a cozy feeling, which is echoed in the white built-in shelving full of multi-colored books on the far wall. A white sofa and matching ottoman rest in front of a fireplace with a white mantel.
32 Fireplace With Built Ins on Both Sides Ideas to Add Charm
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Published: December 17, 2022
Updated: November 16, 2023
For many homeowners, a fireplace is a non-negotiable feature. Not only does it create warmth and represent the comforts of home, but it also serves as a focal point in any room. When you’re lucky enough to find a fireplace with built ins on each side, you’ve really hit the home décor jackpot.
Shelves are the perfect location to add interest and visual depth through the use of accessories. Popular choices include vases, potted plants, vintage books, and framed prints or photographs. Give this feature a modern touch by adding a bold color or wainscotting for a more traditional look. This collection of ideas is sure to spark ideas for styling your fireplace and shelves!
02 of White Living Room with Neutral Décor
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A glass coffee table with a gold metal frame sits on a light rug in the center of this peaceful sitting area. A white fireplace in the center of the wall is decorated with small white vases and bordered by two white shelves with cabinets and gold hardware. The shelves are accented with white vases and wood decor.
03 of Modern White Living Room with Coffered Ceiling
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A modern living room is designed with a white coffered ceiling and a wall of windows to illuminate the pristine seating area. One brown leather and one gray upholstered sofa sit on a white rug in front of a stone fireplace, which is boarded by white cabinets and shelves on either side.
04 of Vintage Decorations on White Built-In Shelves
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A natural stone fireplace is accessorized with a black fire screen on a stone hearth. The living room also features a white mantel with shiplap that is decorated with antique framed mirrors, metal candlesticks, and white jugs filled with dried flowers. The built-in shelves on each side also feature vintage decor.
05 of Shiplap Fireplace With Built-in Shelves
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Wood beams on a tray ceiling frame this neutral living room, with a black chandelier hung over a light gray coffee table. The back wall displays white built-in shelves with a fireplace in the center. A wood mantel and white shiplap give the space a rustic touch.
06 of Arched Black Built-Ins with Leather Accents
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Arched built-in cabinets are painted a matte black in this modern living room. Two white ottomans rest in front of a white fireplace with a matching mantel, which is accentuated with wainscoting on the wall above. Two leather armchairs are placed on a dark red area rug in the center of the room.
07 of Vintage Bookshelf Décor with Shiplap Fireplace
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Wood-framed signs lean against a white shiplap wall on top of a floating mantel in this living room. A white fireplace is flanked by white cabinetry and floating shelves, which are accessorized with vintage decor. A black and white patterned rug covers the dark hardwood floors in front of the white hearth.
08 of Pristine White Living Room with Gray Mantel
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This pristine white living room is centered around a light gray mantel over a fireplace on the back wall. White cabinetry and shelves are displayed on each side with gold metal light fixtures mounted on the wall above. A woven tray rests on a tufted ottoman in the center of the room, decorated with white miniature pumpkins and green moss.
09 of Modern White Shelves with Black-Painted Back Paneling
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A bright and modern living room features built-in shelves with dark navy back paneling. This showcases the natural tones of the white vases and potted plants that decorate each shelf. A round, white coffee table with light wood legs rests on a black and white patterned rug in front of the fireplace.
10 of Seasonal Décor on Brick Fireplace
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Wood ornaments and accent pieces are placed carefully on two vertical white shelves on either side of a brick fireplace. The wood mantel displays miniature wood houses and evergreen trees beneath a black-framed winter scene. A wooden cloche and flocked trees accessorize the hearth near a light gray sofa.
11 of Brick Fireplace with White Décor
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A crackling fire illuminates the brick fireplace of this white-painted living room. White sofas rest on the light wood floor, while the white built-in shelves are accessorized with potted plants and framed photos. A picture of a snowy scene hangs above the thick wood mantel.
12 of Classic White Fireplace with Matching Shelves
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A classic white fireplace with built-ins on each side is showcased in this farmhouse living room. The matching white mantel is decorated with a wood-framed mirror, a small painting, and a black vase filled with white flowers. The shelves are accessorized with wicker baskets and wood accents.
13 of White Built-in Shelves with Wicker Basket Décor
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This living room is decorated with a white and blue gingham armchair and matching ottoman set in front of a wall of white built-in shelves. Potted plants, wicker baskets, and blue ornaments accessorize each shelf.
14 of Modern Built-In Shelves with White Fireplace
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The dark gray-green hue of the shelves surrounding this living room fireplace creates a rich, modern vibe. Natural wood beams on the white ceiling add a natural tone, while white sofas and chairs face a white tufted ottoman serving as a coffee table in the center of the room.
15 of Shiplap Living Room with Ceiling Beams
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A farmhouse-inspired living room features large wooden beams on the ceiling and a white shiplap fireplace with a matching mantel. White shelves on either side display potted plants, galvanized tin decor, and framed signs. A rustic wood coffee table sits on a rug in front with light beige upholstered seating on either side.
16 of Vaulted Room with Arched Alcove Shelves
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Arched alcoves with floating wood shelves frame a brick fireplace with a matching wood mantle in this vaulted room. Pine garland, gold ornaments, and stockings decorate the top, along with white shiplap and black metal lights. A light red rug lies on the hardwood floor in front of the hearth.
17 of Living Room with Natural Tones and a Stone Fireplace
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The neutral tones of this living room are showcased in the gray natural stone fireplace and white mantel in the center of the room. White built-in shelves are accessorized with stacks of books, vases, and vases on either side, while a wood coffee table and white sofas sit on a dark red carpet in front.
18 of White Built-In Shelves with Brass Lights
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White shiplap frames a traditional black fireplace with a floating wood mantel. White built-in shelves on either side are accessorized with rustic ornaments, each illuminated by wall-mounted brass light fixtures. The center of the room features a wooden coffee table with white sofas on a dark rug.
19 of Vaulted Ceiling with Stone Chimney Fireplace
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This vaulted living room design beautifully marries function with style. The room’s focal point is a stone fireplace chimney that extends to the ceiling, complemented by the natural beauty of wood beams and accented by a sleek black ceiling fan. Flanking the fireplace are light wood shelves, elegantly styled with potted plants and white vases, offering both storage and display space. A round wooden coffee table anchors the room, set upon a white rug, adding warmth and texture. Interior designer Camila Lyons observes the architectural harmony of the space, stating, “The central vault lends symmetry to the space, with side extensions ensuring seamless bookshelves. Cohesive finishes, like the limestone chimney and light oak, create a tranquil, fresh ambiance.” Her comments highlight how the thoughtful use of materials and symmetry can enhance the room’s charm, making the fireplace with built-ins not just a functional element but also a significant contributor to the room’s tranquil and inviting atmosphere.
20 of Natural Wood Built-Ins with Matching Beams
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Natural wood built-in shelves are the focal point of this contemporary living room. A black fireplace on a white wall is placed in between, while two round mirrored coffee tables are set in the center of the room. Natural wood beams and a modern gold light fixture are showcased on the ceiling above.
21 of Matte Black Cabinet Doors with Built-In Shelves
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Wood floors run the length of a modern seating area with a Christmas tree resting in front of a wall of windows. Built-in shelves with matte black doors are displayed on each side of a white fireplace along the back wall.
22 of White Living Room with Traditional Touches
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A dark patterned rug lies on the hardwood floor of this well-lit living room. A white mantel frames a black fireplace decorated with a stone vase and black candlesticks. A wooden arm chair with white cushions is surrounded by potted plants in the corner of the room.
23 of Living Room Fireplace with Built Ins on Each Side
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A stunning coffered ceiling is illuminated by a wall of windows in this neutral living room. White shelves are decorated with books, vases, and candlesticks above matching white cabinetry with a fireplace in the center. A dark wood coffee table contrasts with the light sofas and neutral throw pillows placed around the room.
24 of Stone Fireplace with Built Ins on Each Side
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A white stone fireplace with built-ins on each side is accompanied by a rustic wood mantel decorated with a fall garland. A white vase filled with an autumnal bouquet rests on the stone hearth, accompanied by white fabric pumpkins.
25 of White Mantel and Fireplace with Christmas Décor
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Red and white stockings are hung with care on the white mantel in this living room. White shelves on either side display seasonal decor, white vases, and potted plants. A unique, round wood coffee table is placed in the center of the room and is accessorized with a small tree and pinecones on a wicker tray.
26 of Vaulted Ceiling Living Room with Dark Wood Beam and Matching Mantel
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A dark wood beam frames the vaulted ceiling in this cozy living room, which is designed with a natural stone fireplace and matching dark wood mantel. White built-in cabinets with upper shelves are accessorized with a variety of ornaments, while a dark rug rests on the hardwood floors below.
27 of Living Room with Dry Stacked Stone Fireplace and Small Windows
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This seasonally decorated living room is centered around a dry stacked stone fireplace with a dark wood floating mantel. Small window on either side of the chimney illuminate the white cabinets and shelves below, along with a Christmas tree in the corner decorated with silver and gold ornaments.
28 of Brick Living Room Fireplace with White Built-In Shelving
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A white textured rug lies below a light wood coffee table decorated with a wicker basket and potted plant. White built-in shelves are placed along the back wall, framing a brick fireplace with a floating wood mantel and pillows resting on the hearth. A potted tree in the corner is illuminated by the light of a nearby window.
29 of Farmhouse Gray Stone Fireplace
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This farmhouse living room features a gray stone fireplace with built-ins on each side and white shiplap on the upper walls. The white shelves are decorated with gray cloth bins and wooden ornaments, with rustic accents on the fireplace mantle and hearth.
30 of Well-Lit Living Room with White Shelving
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A pristine white living room is lit by a large window next to two built-in shelves framing each side of a white fireplace. A wicker basket displays birch logs on the hearth, with pamaps grass is ceramic vases on the mantel above. A light wood coffee table is surrounded by white armchairs on a light gray carpet in the center of the room.
31 of Classic Living Room with Millwork Detailing
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A stone fireplace hung with white stockings is the focal point of this well-lit living room. The white mantel is decorated with garland, while the built-in shelves on either side feature elaborate millwork details to give the room a classic look. Framed prints, vases, and neutral seasonal decor are displayed on the shelves nearby.
32 of Living Room with Vaulted Ceiling and White Sectional
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A black metal chandelier hangs from the vaulted ceiling with two skylights in this cozy sitting room. Light taupe throw pillows accessorize the white sectional resting on a pale blue rug in the center of the room. The far wall showcases a white brick fireplace with built-ins on both sides.
