Quick answer

• Build to either side: Frame the media wall to the width of the room, treating the chimney breast as the central focal point. The TV sits in front of or above the breast.
• Incorporate the alcoves: The recesses either side of the chimney breast become built-in storage or shelving — a traditional design that works well in Victorian and Edwardian homes.
• Reduce the chimney breast depth: A builder can remove or reduce the projection of the breast. This requires structural assessment and can vary in complexity depending on the chimney above.
• Work with what you have: In most cases, a well-designed media wall can make the chimney breast an asset rather than a problem — without removing anything.
• Always check the flue status before any structural decisions. An active flue has implications for what can be built in front of it.

Why the chimney breast creates a challenge

Most UK lounge walls — particularly in Victorian, Edwardian, and 1930s houses across Sheffield and South Yorkshire — have a chimney breast projecting into the room. It typically sticks out 200–350mm from the main wall face, and is often 900mm–1200mm wide at its base.

This projection creates two immediate problems for a media wall: the TV can’t sit flush on the chimney breast face without the sides of the media wall being set back significantly, and the alcoves on either side of the breast become awkward dead space if not properly considered in the design.

The good news is that with the right approach, the chimney breast can actually make a media wall look more considered and bespoke — rather than a flat box bolted to a flat wall.

Option 1: Build the media wall to the full room width

What this involves

The media wall is framed from one side of the room to the other, with the front face of the wall set forward of the chimney breast projection. The TV is mounted on this new flat face, which now sits at the same depth as — or slightly proud of — the original chimney breast.

The space behind the wall (between the new face and the original chimney breast) becomes useful void: cable routes, ventilation for a fire, or shallow storage compartments.

What this looks like

From the front, you see a clean, flat media wall with no visible projection. The chimney breast is completely concealed within the structure. This is the most popular approach for homeowners who want a fully contemporary, seamless result.

Pros

• Clean, flat front face — the chimney breast projection disappears entirely
• Maximum flexibility for fireplace placement, shelving, and AV compartments
• Good cable management — the void behind the face provides natural conduit space
• No structural work required to the chimney itself

Cons

• The wall projects further into the room than a flat media wall on a non-chimney wall — how much depends on the breast’s original depth
• In smaller rooms, the room depth lost to the wall is worth thinking about early in planning

Option 2: Keep the chimney breast and work with the alcoves

What this involves

Rather than concealing the chimney breast, this approach treats it as the central feature. The breast stays visible, with the TV mounted directly on its face. The alcoves on either side — typically 400–600mm deep — are designed as built-in shelving, cupboards, or open display units that form part of the media wall composition.

What this looks like

Think of a traditional chimney breast with a fire and mantelpiece, but updated: the breast face carries a flat-screen TV, the integrated fire sits below, and the flanking alcoves have floating shelves or fitted cabinetry. This look is particularly at home in period properties across Sheffield’s Victorian suburbs — Nether Edge, Crookes, Walkley, Abbeydale.

Pros

• Works with the existing architecture rather than against it — suits period homes well
• The alcoves provide natural, deep storage without needing to build a full wall
• Less material and labour — no full-width frame needed if the breast face is the right width for your TV
• Keeps the room depth, as nothing projects further than the existing breast

Cons

• The TV width is limited by the chimney breast width — typically 900–1200mm, which suits up to a 55–65 inch screen depending on the design
• Cable routing needs to go into the breast face — requires careful planning to avoid drilling into the flue
• The look is less minimal than a full-width flat wall

Option 3: Reduce or remove the chimney breast

What this involves

A builder or structural engineer can assess whether the chimney breast can be reduced in depth or removed entirely below ceiling level. This is a structural job — chimneys often support load from above, and the work usually requires a steel beam (RSJ) to redistribute weight and sign-off from building control.

When this might be considered

• The chimney breast is unusually deep (300mm+) and removing it would significantly improve the room proportions
• The room is small and the projection is taking up a noticeable proportion of usable floor depth
• A full contemporary media wall design is the goal and concealing the breast isn’t felt to be sufficient

Important considerations

This is separate work from the media wall installation itself. It involves a structural assessment, likely building regulations approval, plaster making-good after removal, and potentially an RSJ. It adds cost and timeline to the overall project.

For most homeowners, Options 1 or 2 achieve the desired result without the disruption and expense of structural chimney work. We’d always recommend getting a structural engineer’s view before committing to this route.

What to check before getting quotes

These are the questions worth resolving before a media wall installer visits your home:

• Is the chimney live, redundant, or capped? Check with a chimney sweep or builder if you’re unsure. An active flue needs ventilation maintained — which affects design options.
• How deep is the breast projection? Measure from the main wall face to the front face of the chimney breast. This tells the installer how far the new wall face will sit into the room.
• How wide is the breast? Measure across the face of the chimney breast. This influences whether it constrains your TV size choice.
• What’s the room width? If you’re going full-width, the installer needs to know the total wall span.
• Do you want a fire? An integrated electric fire in a chimney breast wall is a popular and practical choice — the visual logic of a fire in that position works naturally for most living rooms.

Common mistakes when planning a chimney breast media wall

1. Assuming the chimney breast has to come down

It rarely does. A well-built full-width media wall conceals the projection completely and gives you a flat, contemporary front face. Most customers are surprised how invisible the original chimney breast becomes once the wall is finished and plastered.

2. Not checking the flue status first

Building in front of an active, unsealed chimney without understanding the ventilation requirements can cause condensation issues. Always establish flue status before the design is finalised.

3. Forgetting about the space above the chimney breast

If your ceiling has a chimney breast running up through it, the media wall designer needs to accommodate this in the height and depth calculations — particularly for floating shelves or closed cabinets that run above TV level.

4. Choosing a TV that’s too wide for the breast face

If you want the TV on the breast face without going full-width, check the breast width against the TV’s physical dimensions (not just screen size). A 65-inch TV is around 1450mm wide including the frame — this often overhangs a standard chimney breast. Discuss this with your installer at the design stage.

5. Not budgeting for making-good work

A full-width media wall that conceals the chimney breast will involve some plaster work to integrate cleanly with the ceiling line and adjacent walls. This is standard, but factor it into your budget and timeline expectations.

Ready to see what’s possible?

The best way to understand your options is to send us a photo of the wall — including the chimney breast — along with your TV size and whether you’d like a fire. We can then put together a practical recommendation and a clear, fixed price.

We’ve built media walls around chimney breasts throughout Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham, Leeds, and surrounding South Yorkshire areas — from Victorian terraces to modern new-builds. With 20+ years of experience, we’ll tell you honestly what’s achievable and what’s not worth the disruption.

Send a photo and get a quote

Call 07477 405111  |  Email dan@mediawallmaster.co.uk

Learn more about what’s included in a media wall installation or explore our integrated fireplace options.