15 Fireplace With Bookshelves on Each Side Ideas for Your Home

Last updated on March 2, 2024

Exploring fireplace with bookshelves on each side will enliven your living room like never before, because these design ideas merge comfort and aesthetics in unique, innovative ways.

These are my unique design concepts made using design tools. I hope you find them inspiring!

What's Inside

Versatile Adjustable Shelving for Ever-Changing Displays

Adjustable shelving flanking the fireplace allows for a customizable display, catering to various decorative or storage needs over time.

The flexibility of these shelves makes them perfect for showcasing an evolving book collection or changing seasonal decor.

Their practical design serves not only as a functional element but also as a dynamic visual companion to the warm ambiance of a fire.

Art Deco Inspired Built-Ins for Gatsby Chic

Embrace the opulence of the Roaring Twenties with built-in bookshelves featuring geometric patterns and gold accents.

Illuminate your literary collection with elegant glass-front cabinets and integrated lighting.

Use rich, dark woods for the shelves to complement the lavish and sophisticated style of your fireplace.

Farmhouse Style With Distressed Wood and Chicken Wire Doors

Rustic, distressed wood bookshelves flank the fireplace, offering a cozy, country charm.

The incorporation of chicken wire doors adds a farmhouse touch while providing visibility into the curated book collection within.

This design choice marries functionality and style, creating a warm, inviting reading nook.

Convertible Students’ Study Area With Ladder and Desk

This design seamlessly incorporates a fold-down desk into the shelving on either side of the fireplace, offering a cozy nook for studying or work.

A sliding ladder allows easy access to higher shelves, keeping textbooks and reference materials within reach.

The dual function preserves floor space while providing a dedicated area for academic pursuits in a comfortable setting.

Natural Bamboo Shelving for a Zen Vibe

Employing natural bamboo for shelving introduces a serene, organic aesthetic that complements the warmth of a fireplace. The light color and smooth textures of bamboo shelves enhance a calm, clutter-free space, inviting a tranquil reading environment.

Strategically placed, these shelves can house books and Zen-inspired decor, creating a harmonious balance between the elements.

Ultimate Entertainment Centre With Integrated TV and Sound System

This design seamlessly incorporates a state-of-the-art TV and top-notch sound system into the shelving, flanking the fireplace.

The shelves offer ample space for storing media components and collections while keeping an uncluttered, elegant look.

It’s the ideal setup for a cozy movie night or for hosting sports-viewing parties, enveloped in style and comfort.

Sleek Scandinavian Design With White and Natural Wood

Incorporate clean lines and a muted color palette to emphasize a sense of calm and simplicity. Use open shelving in light woods alongside the white fireplace to create an airy, open feeling in the space.

Accent with minimalistic décor and green plants to bring a touch of nature indoors, enhancing the tranquil Scandinavian aesthetic.

Asian Inspiration With Cherry Wood and Rice Paper Doors

Incorporating cherry wood shelves brings warmth and richness, creating an exquisite backdrop for collections.

Delicate rice paper door inserts add a subtle Asian flair while softly diffusing light.

This design choice not only enhances the aesthetic but also offers a serene, organized space for both books and decorative items.

Contemporary Concrete and Glass Shelves for a Modern Flair

Concrete shelves against a fireplace provide an industrial edge to your living space, exuding sturdiness while maintaining a clean look.

Paired with glass elements, they allow for an interplay of opacity and transparency, showcasing decor pieces with a floating effect.

This design choice harmonizes with contemporary aesthetics, blending form and function seamlessly.

Bold Red Brick Fireplace With Dark Wood Shelves

A striking contrast emerges as dark wood shelves flank the vibrant red brick fireplace, creating a focal point in the room.

The rich tones of the wood lend a sense of warmth and sophistication that complements the rustic charm of the brick.

This design choice not only maximizes storage but also enhances the cozy ambiance ideal for those who appreciate classic elements with a bold twist.

Best of Both: Mixing Traditional and Modern Elements

Incorporating classic woodworking alongside sleek metal finishes harmonizes past and present decor.

Strategically placed LED strips beneath traditional molding offer a gentle nod to modern lighting technology.

Stained glass inserts within heritage-style wood shelving units create a unique fusion of era-inspired aesthetics.

Classical Column-Inspired Bookshelves for a Grecian Touch

Intricately carved shelf supports mimic ancient Greek columns, adding a touch of classical elegance to the fireplace area.

The symmetrical arrangement of the shelves enhances the grandeur of the surrounding space, harmonizing with the stately look of a traditional mantelpiece.

Rich, stained wood or a marble finish on the bookcases can further accentuate the Grecian ambiance, making the fireplace a focal point of cultured sophistication.

Unique Round Shelves Echoing the Fireplace Curve

Curvaceous shelving enhances the room’s aesthetic by mimicking the gentle arc of the fireplace, creating a harmonious visual flow. The round shelves offer a unique display solution that softens the typically angular lines of bookcases. This design choice not only maximizes storage but also introduces an element of architectural interest.

Space-Saving Corner Shelves for Smaller Rooms

Maximizing the available space, corner shelves wrap neatly around the fireplace, creating a cozy reading nook without cluttering the room.

The angular design tucks away books and decor, maintaining a clean, open feel even in smaller living areas.

These shelves use otherwise ignored spaces, offering storage and decorative possibilities that enhance the room’s ambiance.

Compact, Ingenious Design for the Minimalist Homeowner

In smaller spaces, slimmer shelving flanking the fireplace maximizes storage without overpowering the room. Simple, clean lines and floating shelves offer an uncluttered, airy feel that complements a minimalist decor.

Strategic use of materials like glass or metal can reflect light and enhance the sense of openness around the hearth.