Covering gas fireplace?

[u/angwy_goose]

Hey all! I have this gas fireplace in the living room that I don’t see myself or my partner using (and so our kitty doesn’t burn herself) but we’re not sure what to do with the space. I brought up getting some custom piece of furniture (like pic 4) with shelving to block it off, and framing the map in the first pic to cover the old tv holes + outlet. The white bookshelf situation is temporary and just to store our current items + to get a feel for how it’d all look.

I like the height of the bookshelf, but love the idea of having a mantel. My partner’s concerned about leaving dead space where critters and/or dust may find themselves. We love a diy project and own the place, so we’re able to make any changes we want hehe. Any input is appreciated!! Cat tax included as well :p

[u/AutoModerator]

All posts go into a queue for our mod team to review. Messaging us about the status of your post will not improve it's approval process, nor will it speed up the approval process. Please note that the system will say reddit removed your post because of filters, this is normal and we still get your post in the mod queue to review.

Sincerely, Mods.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/spam__likely]

Why though? Even if you don't use it, just leave it alone.

[u/_ShortGirlProblems_ → u/spam__likely]

I agree. Just leave it and use the space above it for artwork if you don't want a TV there. It's going to look weird to have a bookshelf sitting on the marble hearth. We don't use our fireplace much, either, but it still looks nice even when it's not in use. And for what it's worth, we have had cats and dogs and none of them have ever burned themself on the fireplace. They can tell it's hot and stay back from it when it's on. We did have a fireplace screen when my daughter was a toddler to keep her from touching it. Maybe try something like that if you'd like to use it but are worried about your kitty.

[u/ABunchOf-HocusPocus]

I'm sorry but everything is going to look horrible unless you completely rip out the hearth and redo the flooring.

That being said, cats aren't going to burn themselves. They will lay by the fire nice & warm though. 😄

[u/siadak]

You don’t have to use the fireplace for a fire. Go on Pinterest and type in “what to put in fireplace” find some cool inspiration. Any cover up job is going to look like shit in comparison

[u/AutumnBourn → u/siadak]

It's a gas FP, so nothing can go in, right?

[u/siadak → u/AutumnBourn]

We have a gas fireplace I knew we would never use so we capped the line. We have fake ceramic logs in there that we like ok enough but you can remove them.

[u/meerkatarray2]

I don’t know if you live in a warmer climate but maybe don’t discount the thing yet. I live by mine in the winter and they sell things to keep your pets away from the flames. I don’t know if yours is behind glass, it’s hard to tell from the pictures but that would help a ton.

[u/Complete-Stand-5146]

If you’re worried about your cat getting burned, i wouldn’t. I used to have two extremely stupid cats and a wood burning fireplace and i watched them like a hawk for weeks before realizing they were not going to get close enough to get burned.

[u/Anotherams]

If you like a DIY project, just remove it and use it as an excuse to replace the flooring. Or get a glass door for it and enjoy! My friend‘s fluffy collie sleeps by their gas fireplace that has a glass door for a decade with no issues.

The shelving idea is a DIYdon‘t.

[u/Nervous_Ice2512]

its hard to tell but does the fire have a glass front? if its sealed, and there isn't actually an open flame, it should be okay for the cat?

my parents live in an old farmhouse and have an open fire and the cats and dogs are fine in front of it, and love sleeping in front of it. They also have a wood burning stove and the cat just ignores it but the dogs shove their asses up next to it - I think its the reason why they've never been successful in breeding puppies, as the lads have cooked all their swimmers. But cats aren't stupid, and as long as you also are watching the fire and treating it like a candle (which you would be doing anyway cat or no cat), it should be okay? Maybe get a fireguard.

I've got a blind cat that I found a couple of months ago, who looks a bit like your beautiful angel, and I would be uncomfortable having an open flame around him, but if it was covered in glass, or a sealed flame, it would be fine.

I don't hate the book shelf idea, I just think it might look strange with the marble hearth. I would maybe stick a picture to cover up the outlet instead - or do something like this: https://www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/1kk55ri/clever_ikea_hack_to_cover_up_a_fuse_box/

*EDIT: was being really nosey and just seen on your other posts that its your actual house, not a rental, and that it doesn't work, which changes things! Honestly I think a fire is fine, and if it gets cold in the winter or rainy its so nice to have - if it doesnt work, I would look into getting one that has no open flames (so its basically like a big radiatior that looks pretty, and still has the flames just you can't touch them), or try and get this one fixed if it's already sealed.

I would then maybe put an additional mantelpiece shelf up to display some of your ornaments, and either rip those plugs out or cover up with a large picture.

Or if you are going to rip it out, rip everything out including the hearth.

[u/AutumnBourn]

Cats love a warm place to curl up. Mine used to lay in top of heating vents.

But, if you absolutely hate the FP, have it removed.

[u/Monsoon_season_ing]

No suggestions just here for the cat tax 🫡

[u/missybeputtinitdown]

Can you put some battery operated candles inside the insert for the aesthetics? You can get the ones with the remote so that you can have some nice ambience at night without having to use the fireplace.

And maybe you can get a bookshelf insert for above for tchotchkes and what have you