Wooden compartment in chimney niche

As you can hopefully see in the photo (huh, why can't photos be inserted anymore?), we had two compartments made in drywall construction in the (unintentionally created) niche next to the chimney. We want to store our firewood for regular use there. The compartments are about 52cm wide and 39cm deep. We are concerned that over time, the white-painted plaster will be damaged by loading and unloading.

We had considered tiling the shelves, but theoretically you would also have to tile the sides. That not only takes up space but might also look strange.

Then we thought about maybe installing a U-shaped sheet steel frame. It doesn't take up much space and is durable.

Do you have any ideas how we could solve this (discreetly)?

I can confirm the concerns to you. My cousin realized something like that in his house, and after the first winter the [Fach] was completely ruined, obviously.

Look, there are these black steel insert boxes. With them, you won't have any more trouble. |bild geht nicht| CB-Tec wooden shelves

White painted plaster is only good in such a place if wood is stored there just for decoration :) Supposedly, that does happen :D I like the idea of the steel sheet - I wouldn’t know any alternative that is not only subtle in appearance but also durable.

I have left out such a niche of practicality.

Look, there are such black insert boxes made of steel. With that, you have no more trouble. |image not available| CB-Tec wooden shelves

Hello Merlin 83, where exactly did you find that? Can you name the manufacturer/supplier?