Fireplace With Shelves and Cabinets: Asymmetrical Built-Ins

A finished basement becomes truly special when every detail is thoughtfully designed. In this light-filled space, Sean’s Cabinetry created custom white oak cabinetry and open shelving at one of construction2style’s projects. This fireplace with shelves and cabinets provide both beauty and function. Builtins are perfect for keeping your living area organized (especially with kids!) and these white oak cabinets add warmth to the room. Whether you love a perfectly mirrored design on both sides of the fireplace or prefer a more playful, asymmetrical layout, like this one, we can customize our cabinetry to fit any space. From floor-to-ceiling to wall-to-wall, every detail is tailored to your style, creating a cohesive look that feels entirely your own.

1. Fireplace with Shelves in White Oak

Built-ins and custom cabinetry should always be tailored to your space. In this bright, neutral basement, we designed an asymmetrical fireplace with custom built-ins, positioned only on the left side of the fireplace to maximize storage without overwhelming the room.

The cabinetry features a Natural Grain finish on Rift Sawn White Oak, known for its distinctive linear pattern, moisture resistance, and long-lasting durability. White Oak is a sustainable, versatile choice that’s easy to maintain and perfect for anyone who prefers the warmth of natural wood over painted finishes.

2. Fireplace with a Rift Sawn White Oak Mantel

There is nothing like a beautiful fire to make your house feel like home. A fireplace is the heart of the home, hands down. It’s where everyone gathers — to play games, read a book, watch a movie, celebrate Christmas, and open presents. A fireplace is an excellent focal point for any fun or formal living room design.

With so many choices for style, size, and type of wood, finding the perfect mantel isn’t always easy. Some people prefer the character of reclaimed wood, but for this project, our homeowner wanted a mantel with a natural grain finish in Rift Sawn White Oak. At Sean’s Cabinetry, we delivered exactly that.

This Rift Sawn White Oak mantel completed the look of this living room. It added the natural beauty and warmth to the fireplace design. Its distinctive linear grain pattern elevates the entire room, complementing the fireplace and custom cabinetry we built. The combination of rich texture, durability, and beauty makes this mantel a perfect finishing touch for a cozy yet classy basement living area.

Shaker-style doors are accented with champagne bronze knobs, while framed upper cabinetry with open, finished interiors and four shelves offer both display and function. To complete the look, Sean’s Cabinetry also crafted a long Rift Sawn White Oak mantel, adding natural beauty to this stone fireplace design.

3. Fireplace with Builtins on One Side and Asymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical balance in interior design is a creative and sophisticated approach. While symmetrical layouts rely on repeating elements for an easy, balanced look, asymmetry is more challenging. It asks for a more careful planning, imagination, and an eye for detail. Instead of mirroring both sides, you distribute visual weight across the space in a way that feels harmonious yet unexpected.

In this finished basement, the fireplace with built-in shelving and cabinetry sits only on the left side. This decision wasn’t by chance — on the right side of the fireplace, a doorway leads into the basement, leaving no room for a matching unit. So, we had an opportunity to create something unique.

Natural light pours in from the left, beautifully highlighting the Rift Sawn White Oak built-ins. Above, the stepped crown molding on the ceiling adds architectural interest and helps connect the built-in to the rest of the room. Its lines subtly guide the eye toward the fireplace, contributing to the sense of balance even without perfect symmetry.

At Sean’s Cabinetry, we made the most of the space, turning this design challenge into a standout feature. The result is a fireplace with shelves and cabinets that feels intentional, functional, and perfectly integrated into the home’s architecture.

If you’re thinking about adding a fireplace with cabinetry and shelves to your home, the team at Sean’s Cabinetry is here to bring your vision to life. As a custom cabinet shop, we use only high-quality materials and go above and beyond for every client. For those who appreciate the warmth and character of natural wood, our solid wood cabinet doors and custom shelving add beautiful style and functionality to your fireplace.

Whether you prefer rich, dark built-ins or a lighter look with white oak, we have a variety of styles to perfectly suit your home. Let us help you craft a fireplace with built-ins that becomes a stunning, personalized focal point in your living space.

Contact Sean’s Cabinetry today, and let’s transform your fireplace with shelves into something truly special.