u/Anu_1643

We recently bought a house, and there’s a fireplace (I believe it’s a peninsula-style fireplace) right in the middle of the living room. It basically splits the space into two smaller areas, which makes the layout feel a bit small

We’re considering removing it, but we’re not sure if that’s even feasible or what the implications might be. Has anyone done something similar?

A few questions:

•	Is removing a fireplace like this typically straightforward, or are there structural/gas/chimney complications to watch out for?

•	What kind of challenges should we expect (permits, flooring patching, ceiling repairs, etc.)?

•	Any idea on rough costs for removal and cleanup/finishing work afterward?

•	Or is it usually better to work around it instead of removing it?

Open to any alternative ideas too—maybe ways to redesign the space so it feels more open without fully removing it.

Appreciate any insights or experiences