Most Victorian and Edwardian houses in London have a chimney breast in the main rooms, with an alcove on each side. Those alcoves are natural homes for cupboards, shelves, a desk or a wardrobe. But a chimney breast isn’t just a wall. It’s part of a flue, and it brings its own things to check.
This guide covers the practical points: damp, ventilation, uneven walls, fixings and what you can and can’t do with the breast itself.
Is the fireplace open, blocked or removed?
Many fireplaces in London homes have been blocked up over the years. Some are still in use. Some have had the fireplace removed but the breast left in place. Each case is a little different for furniture.
- If the fireplace is in use, furniture beside it must be kept a safe distance from the opening and any heat. Follow the guidance for your fire or stove.
- If it’s blocked, there should still be a vent. More on that below.
- If the breast has been removed on a lower floor, that’s structural work and outside what we do. It doesn’t change much for alcove furniture on the floor you’re fitting, but it’s worth knowing.
We don’t remove chimney breasts or do any structural work.
Ventilation in a capped chimney
When a chimney is capped at the top and the fireplace is blocked, the flue can trap moisture. A capped or blocked chimney should still be ventilated to help stop damp. That usually means a vent in the blocked fireplace and ventilation at the top.
If you’re putting a unit in front of a blocked fireplace, don’t cover the vent. A grille in the front or side of the unit can keep the air moving. Plan this at the design stage, not on the day.
Check for damp first
Damp on a chimney breast is common in older houses. Look for staining, flaking paint, salts on the plaster or a musty smell. Damp should be sorted before any furniture is fitted against it. Fitting over a damp patch hides it, and the furniture can be damaged too.
Finding the cause is a job for a specialist or a builder, not a carpenter. Once it’s sorted and the wall has dried, the alcoves can be measured properly. See fitted furniture on external walls for more on damp and ventilation.
Thinking about fitted furniture? We design, make and fit it across London: we visit, measure and talk through the design, then send a written quote. Arrange a design visit.
Walls that aren’t straight or square
Period walls are rarely flat or square. The two alcoves either side of a breast are often different widths. One may be wider at the top than the bottom. The breast itself may lean slightly.
Fitted furniture deals with this by scribing: trimming the edges to follow the wall so there are no gaps. Floors that slope are handled with adjustable feet or a plinth set level. Our guide to fitting furniture to uneven walls and floors explains how.
Skirting, picture rails and cornice
Alcoves in period rooms often have original skirting boards, picture rails, cornices or coving. Units have to meet these neatly. Some people cut the skirting back so the unit sits tight to the wall. Others scribe the unit round it so the skirting stays.
If your home is a listed building, removing original joinery or fixing into it can need listed building consent. Check with the council’s conservation officer first. Historic England explains how listing works: Historic England: listed buildings.
Fixings and what goes in the alcove
Chimney breasts and the walls beside them are usually solid brick in a period house, often with lime or older plaster on top. Some internal walls are lath and plaster. Fixings must suit the wall, so it helps to know what you’re fixing into before you load shelves with books.
Popular uses for alcoves include low cupboards with shelves above, full-height cupboards, a desk with shelving, and built-in bookshelves. See our alcove units guide for ideas and proportions.
Quick answers
Can I build cupboards in front of a blocked fireplace?
Yes, as long as the chimney is still ventilated. Leave the vent clear, or add a grille to the unit so air can move.
Why are my two alcoves different sizes?
It’s very common in period houses. Walls and breasts were built by hand, and houses settle. Fitted units are made to each alcove and scribed to the walls.
Do I need to sort damp on the chimney breast first?
Yes. Any damp should be found and fixed, and the wall allowed to dry, before furniture is fitted against it.
Can you remove a chimney breast for more space?
No. Removing a chimney breast is structural work, and we don’t do it. We build furniture into the space as it is.
Related services
More advice
- Alcove Units: A Guide for London Homes
- Storage Ideas for Victorian and Edwardian Terraces
- Fitting Furniture to Uneven Walls and Floors
- Fitted Furniture on External Walls: Damp and Ventilation
- All advice
This guide is general information about fitted furniture. It isn’t legal, planning or building advice; for those, speak to the council, your landlord or managing agent, or a suitably qualified professional.