Removing Fireplace....

deejaybee

Is it a No-No in terms of future saleability ?

We own a modern flat, Living room is 5m x 3.64m.

We want to re-configure it, at moment we have 2 x 2 seater leather sofas in there, they are pretty big despite being 2 seaters..

Thinking of getting a corner sofa to free up space, but if we did the ideal position for TV would be where fireplace is now - planning on getting a good unit to sit TV on which would also incorporate other storage.

The fireplace itself is quite attractive, though we are not keen on the electric fire ( we never use ) that sits in it.
There is no chimney breast.

We had convinced ourselves that it was the right thing to do, but small doubts creeping in - mainly whether stripping out the fireplace + fire would remove personality from the room, and maybe make a future sale harder ? Not that we will definitely move from here, but you never know.

Ideally we want a very modern look.

Opinions welcomed, Ta

wallbash

So you 'have to' keep a feature, which is not required because sometimes/ never you might want to sell ??
Hint a buyer will be interested in size of property / location and maybe condition. A fireplace comes so far down the list, its not even on the page,

We had convinced ourselves that it was the right thing to do

Then get on with it!

konark

A fireplace in a modern flat isn't the same 'must-have' as one in a country cottage. From what you say the fire isn't much of a feature and if it's only electric you'll not be losing anything desirable.

pendragon_arther

We took out the fireplace and replaced it with a curved archway with bookshelves and with space for the TV.

DRP

i don't think a fireplace is a missing feature that anyone will worry about in a modern flat.

Get rid!

PasturesNew

An alternative would be to wall-hang the TV over the fireplace.

wallbash

PasturesNew wrote: »

An alternative would be to wall-hang the TV over the fireplace.

Then the tv is too high, unless you sit on a bar stool.

casper_g

Just get rid. Unless it's an exceptionally large modern flat, the space will be more valuable than the "feature". Since it's a modern flat and an electric fire, presumably there will be no chimney breast or alcove left after the fireplace is removed, just a flat wall and a socket where the fire was plugged in.

I write this as someone who's recently spent good money adding a fireplace back into a 1920s semi - context is everything!

deejaybee

wallbash wrote: »

Then the tv is too high, unless you sit on a bar stool.

Yes we considered this option and came to same conclusion.

deejaybee

casper_g wrote: »

Just get rid. Unless it's an exceptionally large modern flat, the space will be more valuable than the "feature". Since it's a modern flat and an electric fire, presumably there will be no chimney breast or alcove left after the fireplace is removed, just a flat wall and a socket where the fire was plugged in.

I write this as someone who's recently spent good money adding a fireplace back into a 1920s semi - context is everything!

Yep correct, just flat wall and socket ( not a plug in type, the fire must be wired directly to the socket - will ask our usual sparky whether it can be converted to a plug-in socket, once fire has gone )

deejaybee

Thanks for the replies folks - all appreciated !

You have convinced me to go with gut feeling to get rid..

The logic of not needing fireplace & fire in modern flat is obvious now I have had it pointed out to me, cheers !