what are those arched wall cut-outs I see in living room pictures of homes for sale in Austin? (West: buyer, cabinets)

[teasipmom]

They are usually by the fireplace. Sometimes there's just one wall cutout, sometimes there are 2 (on either side of the fireplace). At first, I thought they were a place to put firewood, but who would want to keep firewood inside their house? Does anyone know what they are called?

[sloppymeg]

Are they big areas?

Many homes have built in cabinets/entertainment area on either side of the fireplace. Sometimes the area is left empty for the buyer to either fill it with furniture/bookcases or have someone build in cabinets and shelves.

My MIL has a small area built in to the side of her fireplace for firewood, but it's a small area.

[FueledByBlueBell]

Originally Posted by teasipmom

They are usually by the fireplace. Sometimes there's just one wall cutout, sometimes there are 2 (on either side of the fireplace). At first, I thought they were a place to put firewood, but who would want to keep firewood inside their house? Does anyone know what they are called?

We moved into a 1974 home and we have them. I don't know what they are called either, nor do I know what they are used for. Ours are empty but thought about putting baskets there eventually or birch wood (if we can find)-- except I really don't want critters living in them.

[Austin97]

fireplace is deep, they are a way to get some storage. If they continued the wall from the fireplace it would make the wall like 2 feet thick.

We use ours as an entertainment center.

alcove

[CptnRn]

Can you reference to an online photo? Probably just a random niche.

[FalconheadWest]

There is no official name. It's just a niche for your entertainment center or book cases. More builders are leaving them open these days because built-ins really limit the size tv you can put there if they put the wrong size built ins. TVs are now rectangle and not square so many older homes have unusable built ins.

[love roses]

I have a few too, although they are arched. We put art and some decorative glass in ours. They are called niches.

[cBach]

I put a cabinet in mine, it looks real good that way.

[sezzam]

Originally Posted by FalconheadWest

There is no official name. It's just a niche for your entertainment center or book cases. More builders are leaving them open these days because built-ins really limit the size tv you can put there if they put the wrong size built ins. TVs are now rectangle and not square so many older homes have unusable built ins.

Am I right they are described in MLS as "art niches"?

[teasipmom]

Here's a picture. In this picture, the things that were put there don't really fit because they are smaller than the space. Just wondering what to do with them so that they look good.