Bookcases on both sides of a fireplace create the kind of built-in look people usually pay a carpenter for, and an electric version gives you that look with no chimney and no construction.
The best electric fireplace with bookshelves on each side comes in several shapes, and these five picks from four brands range from a classic mantel to a full three-piece wall.
| Product Name | SEI Furniture Tennyson Electric Fireplace With Bookcases | Eueiriup 72-Inch Arched Bookshelf With Fireplace | AMERLIFE 70-Inch Fireplace Entertainment Center With Bookcases | 80-Inch Electric Fireplace With Open Shelves Each Side | Tangkula 70-Inch Mantel Fireplace With Bookshelves |
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| Bookcase Style | Two flanking bookcases | Adjustable shelves above the insert | Two tall glass-door bookcases | 3 open shelves each side | 6 built-in shelves |
| Insert Size | 23-inch firebox | 23-inch insert | 36-inch fireplace | 30-inch insert | 28.5-inch insert |
| Finish | Ivory | Black | Black high gloss | Stacked stone look | White |
| Standout Feature | Remote controls heat, logs and flames | 7 flame colors, remote | Set of 3 with LED lights | Fits TVs up to 90 inches | Remote, touch screen, 8-hour timer |
| Best For | Traditional rooms | Compact living rooms | Big media walls | Wide living rooms | Narrow walls |
| Total Width | 70.25″ | 28.5″ | 117.4″ | 80″ | 45″ |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 70.25″ x 14″ x 42.25″ | 28.5″ x 13.8″ x 71.7″ | 117.4″ x 16.1″ x 70.9″ | 80″ x 13.6″ x 37.6″ | 45″ x 11″ x 70″ |
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| Product Name | Image | Bookcase Style | Insert Size | Finish | Standout Feature | Best For | Total Width | Dimensions (W x D x H) | Buy Now |
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| SEI Furniture Tennyson Electric Fireplace With Bookcases | |
Two flanking bookcases | 23-inch firebox | Ivory | Remote controls heat, logs and flames | Traditional rooms | 70.25″ | 70.25″ x 14″ x 42.25″ | |
| Eueiriup 72-Inch Arched Bookshelf With Fireplace | |
Adjustable shelves above the insert | 23-inch insert | Black | 7 flame colors, remote | Compact living rooms | 28.5″ | 28.5″ x 13.8″ x 71.7″ | |
| AMERLIFE 70-Inch Fireplace Entertainment Center With Bookcases | |
Two tall glass-door bookcases | 36-inch fireplace | Black high gloss | Set of 3 with LED lights | Big media walls | 117.4″ | 117.4″ x 16.1″ x 70.9″ | |
| 80-Inch Electric Fireplace With Open Shelves Each Side | |
3 open shelves each side | 30-inch insert | Stacked stone look | Fits TVs up to 90 inches | Wide living rooms | 80″ | 80″ x 13.6″ x 37.6″ | |
| Tangkula 70-Inch Mantel Fireplace With Bookshelves | |
6 built-in shelves | 28.5-inch insert | White | Remote, touch screen, 8-hour timer | Narrow walls | 45″ | 45″ x 11″ x 70″ | |
1. SEI Furniture Tennyson Electric Fireplace With Bookcases
The SEI Furniture Tennyson Electric Fireplace With Bookcases is the classic answer to the built-in look, with a 40-inch mantel in the middle and a bookcase on each side.
It measures 70.25 inches wide, 14 inches deep and 42.25 inches tall, and the firebox front is 23 inches wide and 20 inches tall.
Each bookcase has shelves about 12 inches wide and 7.5 inches deep.
Features
- Size: 70.25″ W x 14″ D x 42.25″ H
- 23 by 20 inch firebox
- 40-inch mantel with a bookcase on each side
- Remote controls thermostat, timer, logs and flames
- Ivory finish with glass and wood
Pros
- The symmetrical bookcases give a real built-in feel
- The remote offers detailed control
- The ivory finish is elegant
- The firebox ships separately for safe delivery
Cons
- The shelves are small, so they suit lighter items
- The firebox arrives in a separate carton
- Rating data was not confirmed at the time of writing.
When people picture a fireplace flanked by bookcases, this is usually the design they have in mind.
It brings a calm, traditional look to a living room or a study.
Check the shelf sizes if you want to display larger books.
Check its current price on Amazon
2. Eueiriup 72-Inch Arched Bookshelf With Fireplace
The Eueiriup 72-Inch Arched Bookshelf With Fireplace stacks adjustable shelves above a 23-inch fireplace, in a unit that measures 28.5 inches wide, 13.8 inches deep and 71.7 inches tall.
The heater is rated at 1,500 watts, with seven flame colors, five brightness levels and a remote.
It is built from fiberboard with a sturdy metal frame.
Features
- Size: 28.5″ W x 13.8″ D x 71.7″ H
- 23-inch electric fireplace
- Open adjustable shelving with a metal frame
- 1,500 watt heater
- 7 flame colors and 5 brightness levels
Pros
- The adjustable shelves fit different items
- The remote controls flames and heat
- The arched top adds style
- The slim body suits compact living rooms
Cons
- The narrow width limits large items on the shelves
- It is tall, so check your ceiling height
- Rating data was not confirmed at the time of writing.
This is a smart choice if you want the fireplace and the bookshelf in one slim piece at a friendly size.
The shelves hold books, photos and plants.
It looks great in a modern or farmhouse living room.
Check its current price on Amazon
3. AMERLIFE 70-Inch Fireplace Entertainment Center With Bookcases
The AMERLIFE 70-Inch Fireplace Entertainment Center With Bookcases is the showpiece, a set of three pieces with a 36-inch fireplace in the middle and a tall bookcase with glass doors on each side.
The full set measures 117.4 inches wide, 16.1 inches deep and 70.9 inches tall.
High-gloss finishes and LED lights give it a modern look.
Features
- Size: 117.4″ W x 16.1″ D x 70.9″ H
- 36-inch electric fireplace
- Two high-gloss bookcases with glass doors
- LED lighting
- Set of three pieces
Pros
- The glass doors protect collectibles from dust
- The 36-inch fireplace is big and impressive
- LED lights add atmosphere
- It creates a complete media wall
Cons
- It needs a very wide wall at nearly ten feet
- It is a bigger job to assemble
- Rating data was not confirmed at the time of writing.
This set is for people who want a full built-in wall without hiring a carpenter.
It covers almost ten feet of wall with a fireplace, a TV stand and tall bookcases.
Measure the wall carefully first, because the set is large.
Check its current price on Amazon
4. 80-Inch Electric Fireplace With Open Shelves Each Side
The 80-Inch Electric Fireplace With Open Shelves Each Side puts three open shelves on either side of a 30-inch insert, for a total width of 80 inches.
It measures 13.6 inches deep and 37.6 inches tall, and it has a stacked stone surround.
The heater runs at 1,400 or 750 watts.
Features
- Size: 80″ W x 13.6″ D x 37.6″ H
- 30-inch electric fireplace insert
- Three open shelves on each side
- 1,400 or 750 watt heater
- Fits TVs up to 90 inches
Pros
- The open shelves suit consoles, speakers and decor
- The stone surround looks substantial
- It supports very large TVs
- The 30-inch insert is generous
Cons
- It is low, so the shelves are short
- The brand name is not clear on the listing
- Rating data was not confirmed at the time of writing.
This is a better fit when you want the fireplace to sit under a big TV and keep media gear on both sides.
The open shelves keep everything within reach.
It works best on a wide wall.
Check its current price on Amazon
5. Tangkula 70-Inch Mantel Fireplace With Bookshelves
The Tangkula 70-Inch Mantel Fireplace With Bookshelves goes tall instead of wide, with a 28.5-inch fireplace and six shelves in a unit that is 45 inches wide and 70 inches high.
It runs at 750 or 1,500 watts, which is about 5,100 BTU, and it has a remote, a touch screen and a one to eight hour timer.
It is only 11 inches deep.
Features
- Size: 45″ W x 11″ D x 70″ H
- 28.5-inch electric fireplace
- Six built-in shelves
- 750 or 1,500 watt heater
- 1 to 8 hour timer, remote and touch screen
Pros
- The slim 11-inch depth suits narrow rooms
- The six shelves give you lots of display room
- The heater warms up to 400 square feet
- The timer and remote are convenient
Cons
- The narrow width limits the shelf size
- It is tall, so check your ceiling height
- Rating data was not confirmed at the time of writing.
Pick this one if your wall is narrow and you want the shelves to go up instead of out.
It works nicely as a focal point in a corner.
The white finish makes small rooms feel larger.
Check its current price on Amazon
Buying Guide
Decide how wide a wall you have, since these units run from 45 inches to nearly ten feet.
Compare the shelf style and the insert size, then check the finish.
Make sure the shelves are sturdy enough for the items you own.
Read each listing fully before you finally decide.
Tips for Choosing a Fireplace With Bookcases
Measure your wall width and your ceiling height first, because the biggest set here is almost ten feet across and the tallest unit stands 70 inches high.
Decide whether you want open shelves or glass doors, since open shelves are easier to reach while glass doors keep dust off your collection.
Check whether the unit supports a TV, because some mantels are designed to hold one while others are not.
Because these are large pieces, plan a clear path from the front door to the room, and ask someone to help you carry the boxes inside.
Check how far the side units sit from the fireplace opening.
Bookcases on both sides make the fireplace feel like part of the architecture, which is the whole appeal of a built-in look without a remodel.
If you want extra warmth for other rooms too, you may like our guide to the best WiFi controlled space heaters.
If you are planning the whole room, our guide to the best family sofas is a good place to look for seating that suits a cozy fireplace corner.
FAQ
Is a fireplace with bookcases hard to install?
It plugs into a standard outlet, so there is no electrical work, but the large pieces take time and a helper to assemble.
Can I add a TV above the mantel?
That depends on the model, so check the listing and the manual for heat clearance and weight guidance.
How much heat do they give?
Most inserts produce about 5,100 BTU at 1,500 watts, which warms a room of about 400 square feet.
What fits on the shelves?
Books, photos and plants work well, but check the weight limit on each shelf before you load them.
Conclusion
A fireplace with bookcases turns a plain wall into the warmest spot in the room.
The SEI Furniture Tennyson Electric Fireplace With Bookcases is the best all-round pick for a traditional built-in look.
Choose the Eueiriup 72-Inch Arched Bookshelf With Fireplace for a slim fit, the AMERLIFE 70-Inch Fireplace Entertainment Center With Bookcases for a full wall, and the Tangkula 70-Inch Mantel Fireplace With Bookshelves for narrow spaces.
Pick the 80-Inch Electric Fireplace With Open Shelves Each Side when you want to sit a big TV above the fireplace.