Off centre fireplace in double living room

5 years ago

We moved into our new home and the living room area is quite long, with lots of windows and a fireplace that is not centred. Before purchasing any new furniture, I wanted to get some input on the best use of space. The back portion with the couch is a casual tv nook - we will be getting a smaller sofa so the space isn’t dwarfed. Should we also put a chair there? Then the other part of the living space I want to use as more of a formal seating area. Since the fireplace isn’t centred, how should the furniture be placed? Would a couch with an accent chair dwarf the space? It’s a big room so we end up with dead space by the windows too that I honestly don’t know what to do with!

Any suggestions are much appreciated!!

Featured Answer

groveraxle

5 years ago

OK, Rut, we've got this knocked. Hubby won't complain about moving the TV if you do this:

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Comments (26)

User
5 years ago
I wish I had a suggestion- I am going to be posting a similar plea for help as we just bought a home as well that has a large famly/lving room with an off center fireplace as well. (but in my case, the other part of the room is not an alcove but has a bay window. ) I cannot figure out how to decorate either but am considering making the fireplace area more of a conversation area with some chairs....but totally clueless. I will be watching this thread and hope some talent shows up lol.
groveraxle
5 years ago
A floor plan with dimensions would really help here.

In the meantime, you could use the sectional and two chairs in front of the fireplace. However, you really need way less bulky furniture in that TV nook and I would go sleek and modern with a sofa and small chair with legs. Also lower the TV to seated eye level.

If you do go modern in the TV nook, then your current furniture really doesn't go stylewise. But use it now as placeholders to determine if you want a sectional and two chairs, a sofa and two chairs, and what sizes they need to be. Whatever seating arrangement you decide on, center it on the fireplace and get a rug that all the furniture can sit on.
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groveraxle
5 years ago
You do not need to fill every inch of space in a room. It's all right to leave a bay window open. If it's a good sized bay, it can hold two chairs for secret tete-a-tetes.
Yayagal
5 years ago
There are lots of ideas on Houzz, here are a few. [OFF CENTER FIREPLACE FIXES[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/off-center-fireplace-living-room-ideas-and-photos-phbr0lbl-bl~l_167802)
groveraxle
5 years ago
If you have a view out those windows, think about moving the TV to the end over a console that goes wall to wall. Put a sofa on the wall facing the window and a chair facing the TV. Put the TV over the right end of the console on an articulating arm so it can be pulled out and turned to face the sofa. Fill the left half of the wall with art.
Ruta
Original Author
5 years ago
Great suggestions! If we got a smaller sofa instead of the sectional, could we pull a smaller feature chair over at an angle facing the tv? How would the furniture be places in the front part of the room? Is it awkward to have it not centred around the fireplace?

I’m going to get the floor plan and dimensions too!
Kathi Steele
5 years ago
The fireplace lends itself to 4 swivel chairs and a round table in the center with space behind to walk. Then the chairs can swivel towards the TV if need be.

Then another sitting area by the front window with 1 or 2 chairs and a table and good reading lamp. I would put a large bookcase between the window and the front door.

I would put the TV on the wall grover said and the couch and chair where grover said also.
groveraxle
5 years ago
Rut K, yes it's awkward to have the seating not centered on the fireplace. It's your natural focal point and conversation area. Kathi's idea for swivel chairs there is a good one. Then the whole crew can see the TV on Superbowl Sunday if you've moved it to the end wall.
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Once i get measurements i can do a accurate layout, but i would switch functions of the two main areas. I wonder if you can mount TV over fireplace. Not something i would normally recommend but your space is tight. There also might be a chance to mount TV on wall to far left of opening to adjoining space. Then make the nook either a reading nook with two chairs and table and large ottoman or a game table set up. Possible sectional in L in front of fireplace and windows. A couple chairs of small scale possibility swivel. But need measurements.
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Rough sketch of potential layout.
groveraxle
5 years ago
Give some attention to your TV wall decor so that it becomes a focal point, too.
groveraxle
5 years ago
Another option, Flo, is to put a humongous TV in that nook so it can be watched from the fireplace seating area.
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Surely could be an option but the view “lines of sight” would be limited. I am wondering if there is wall space for TV on outside wall of nook? That could be better TV spot. Just don’t know for sure.
Ruta
Original Author
5 years ago
Okay so, I’m getting the sense that the tv is not mounted in the right spot! My other half will not be happy when he as to re-mount the television.

I’m liking the idea of doing a book shelf with two chairs at the end of the room by the big window, and then a separate seating area. I don’t really want to mount the tv on top of the fireplace because the. The furniture placement blocks off the hallway to the kitchen. I’ve drawn a sketch of the main floor with measurements of the room in question!
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
Haha! Men and their TVs. I think groveraxle’s suggestion on the nook with TV is probably going to work best for you. Maybe a chaise lounge facing fireplace would serve both for relaxing and stretching out to watch TV. I am sure your hubby would go for bigger TV!
Ruta
Original Author
5 years ago
He definitely wouldn’t complain about a bigger tv!! And then how would furniture be arranged around the tv since there is that entrance to the kitchen where intuitively the couch or chairs would go?
Kathi Steele
5 years ago
Flo, can a TV really be too big?? Ha! I like Grover's picture....where is the dog?..... and I would have a sofa facing the TV, I think.
Kathi Steele
5 years ago
And I still like the swivel chairs!
groveraxle
5 years ago
Rut, with a TV that size you don't need to arrange furniture around it. You can watch it from the nosebleed seats.
PRO
Flo Mangan
5 years ago
I've never heard a man say a TV was too big! Just us designers who abhor the black things except when watching favorite sports teams! lol
everdebz
5 years ago
Seeing bit of dark blue in art.... good reviews for $600.
Eliza 82.5" Tufted Oversized Chaise Lounge With Bolster Pillows, Dark Navy Blue · More Info

[https://www.houzz.com/products/eliza-bench-bed-dark-navy-blue-prvw-vr~94309058[(https://www.houzz.com/products/eliza-bench-bed-dark-navy-blue-prvw-vr~94309058)
everdebz
5 years ago
2 blue in a long room each $186:
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everdebz
5 years ago
Versatile setup -- Victor Liberatore Interior Design: chaise is comprised of two armless chairs and an ottoman.
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Flo Mangan
5 years ago
I like that idea everdebz. Swivel chairs would help with turning to TV!
arcy_gw
5 years ago
Loving the alcove ideas. SOOO much better!! This is where chairs with a swivel come in handy. We found they can be added to many chair designs. To orientate your room to the fireplace may look best--is it really how the room is used MOST often? I gave up long ago pretending the TV wasn't the main use for our living room.