Project Day: Fireplace With Built-Ins
GMWoodworking Oct 21, 2016
A little more than a year ago I embarked on a nice DIY project to add a fireplace and built in cabinets and shelves to my backroom. I did everything except run the gas line and install the fireplace (i.e. the installer vented it out the back and screwed it into the frame I built).
The cabinets were made with pre-finished ply and poplar for the face frame. I ordered the doors offline as it was cheaper than buying the bits (the doors match all the other cabinet profiles in the house). Since I wasnt planning on doing cabinets anywhere else it wasnt worth buying the bits this time around.
I can't remember what I used to make the shelves, but I was very worried about the span and them sagging, I ended up doing the maths and think I will be good to go with no sag after adding in the front trim.
I was really happy with it overall and learned alot as I had never tiled before. The room looks completely different now and while I know a few places here or there that could be better I think it is the same quality or better that I would have gotten from a contractor at a fraction of the price!
Finished Product!
One of my favorite things was the hidden drawers at the bottom of the cabinets! I used some L-shaped "modern style" pulls that you cannot really see unless you are looking for them. So it is easy access to open, but not noticeable!
Added some 2x4s behind the wall so I had something solid to anchor the frame to.
Frame built! I brought out the wall a little bit above the fireplace so I could put in a chase to run wires for hanging a TV. I think it looks nice too because the shelves on either side go right up to it.
The fireplace installed! While making sure i had power ready for the fireplace I actually split the circuit the plugs in that room were on as the electrician who wired the house originally had the light in this room, all the outlets in this room and the light in at least one other bathroom all on this circuit. I split the circuit so now if I overload it (not that it was an issue prior) I dont lose plugs and lights in multiple rooms!
Drywall!
Drywall and masonry board!
Tile! My wife found these on Houzz or one of those sites and she liked them so much I ordered them unseen in person by calling the manufacturer directly. Worked out well as she really liked them when they went up.
Cabinets going in!
Faceframes!
I put in temporary tops on the cabinets and a temporary mantel to get through the holidays. Still need trim around the fireplace too!
Trim around the fireplace is in, a red oak mantle which was perfectly scribed to the wall, I was really proud of myself on how well it fit against the wall. Again, one of my favorite things was the drawers. Saw the idea in a magazine and built them in.
Everything is done! including the crown molding! I am normally someone who hates painting wood, but with how dark the paint is in this room (plus the materials were not the highest quality for finishing anyhow) all the white really brightens the room on this one wall!
