ADVICE

Reader’s question

"I would like your help. We are about to redecorate our house by making some changes. I attach a draft I have done. The pieces of furniture in the living room and the bedroom are the existing ones. On the floor plan you can see where we plan to locate the kitchen; it is an area 3.00 x3.60m. As you can see on the space layout the only position for the fireplace is opposite the sofa.

1. The big problem is that I would like to somehow separate the kitchen from the living room. I am thinking the fireplace to be perpendicular to the sofa turning back to the kitchen with a drywall construction from floor to ceiling. It is the only solution I can think of and I would your opinion.

2. If the fireplace will be located at that position how could I use the space behind the fireplace?"

Our recommendation

Studying the floor plan you have sent we agree that the proper position of the fireplace is opposite the sofa. However, if you like to separate the kitchen from the living room, the fireplace should function as a partition.

Option 1

It is a light construction 2.40m long that separates without isolating the two spaces.

The fireplace is placed on a concrete base and the chimney with its cladding forms a column.

Between the chimney column and the outer wall 3 shelves form a dynamic alternative separation of the two spaces where you can position utilitarian and decorative items. A drywall beam with spotlights complements the composition.

Option 2

This option ensures greater isolation between the two spaces, and storage space accessible from the kitchen at the same time. The length of the structure depends on the size of the storage cabinet next to the fireplace. The cabinet will be constructed according to your needs and it will be combined with the other kitchen cabinets.

The fireplace wall can be painted in opposite or darker tone of the other walls; an interesting artwork can be mounted on it.

The look of the fireplace becomes interesting by adding a small column accented with a spotlight.

The fireplace hood is suggested to be painted a light color for a discreet presence in the area.