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Design Dilemma Fireplaces living room

Need help with awkward fireplace in living room

last year

Hello everyone!

We have just moved and have already furnished a large part of our living room (see photos).

However, we don't know what we want to do with the space around our the fireplace. The fireplace is rather awkwardly positioned between the sitting area and the dining area. We now have 1 chair, but this looks awkward as well. We would like to create symmetry, do something with the white wall, and give the fireplace a less modern look. We really like the McGee style (white, black, and wood with a little bit of green/blue). Anyone have any ideas what to do with this corner?

The baby playpen (box), the dog bed, and the chair can be moved.

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

last year

Do you enjoy table games?

Beach Style Living Room · More Info

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Comments (12)

arcy_gw
last year
You have a few things that confuse going on. Is that a radiator behind the sofa? Do you think the fireplace was a recent addition? Is it a 'fix up' and an older fireplace is under the drywall? Why the nook and cranny to the right of the fireplace? Stacked wood...for a gas fireplace????? These designs are more for mood and for those who think a fireplace is a must--but really have no idea if they would use one. I wonder how difficult it would be just to take it out?
designwithro thanked arcy_gw
HU-705669309
last year
Does the space allow you to make a conversational space in front the fireplace? Two chairs and a small table facing toward it or kitty cornered by it?
designwithro thanked HU-705669309
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This suggestion is kind of taste-specific and might not be your style at all, but I'll share my thoughts... What about this long, lounge-y leather sofa from Article that Chris and Julia put in their cabin? This kind of sectional that's more like a sofa+chaise won't take up too much room in the narrow space between stairs and kitchen. https://www.chrislovesjulia.com/2018/01/sectional-frame-article-sofa.html With the floating stairs behind, I think you need something with simple lines, heft and no legs. The room could probably get cluttered looking very easily with those stairs, so my inclination is very minimalist furnishings. If you must have a TV in this space, I'd put it on the wall opposite the fireplace so at least you can view it from the kitchen. You could put a swivel chair to the left of the sofa so one could spin and see the fireplace. Personally, I don't think I'd worry about making the fireplace a "focal point." The sofa with the pretty stairs behind is a more important focal point, IMO, because it's what you see most prominently from the foyer, the kitchen and the dining room. Here's another layout that might provide some inspiration. Hefty, cool sofa flanked by a swivel chair and a bench. With an arc lamp. . . And a floor plan explanation:
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The photo didn’t post. Give it more time to change from the original grayed out version to full color before hitting submit. You can try adding in the comments as that seems to work better.
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Why not put a pair of comfy armchairs flanking the fireplace? Style the shelves with 1/3 books, 1/3 large decor items and 1/3 open space. Are there any outlets there for lighting? Put TV on the long wall where the black chair is. Set it on a credenza 25% wider than the TV. Float a small scale sofa perpendicular to the stair and fireplace with a coffee table in front of it. Put a console or sofa table on the wall behind the sofa with two lamps and art. Leave a 30" traffic path between sofa and table if possible. Art 5" above the mantle no wider than the firebox opening. No need for a ceiling fixture; just upgrade lighting to 4000K LEDs for daylight feeling night or day. Is there lighting in the stairwell? It needs some. Straight leg chairs will be best because splayed legs will block the traffic path and be hazardous. Not sure an egg chair will work there but its fun. Too tall and big I think. Go for a low profile like the green one and you can fit a pair of them in.
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Without measurements of the room and sectional, I’ll wing it and suggest you try turning it with the the back to window and doors. Pulling it away from them, hopefully it will give you space to walk behind it. Then put the t v in the space of photo # 3.
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designwithro
Original Author
last year
Thanks both for your reply!

Yes, it's a radiator behind the sofa. The fireplace is indeed a fix-up: the previous owners replaced it with a modern gas fireplace. We can't remove this one: it will be too expensive.

The space does allow two chairs, but smaller chairs (not the chair we currently have).

Do you have any idea what we can do with the white wall between the fireplace and the cabinet?? Thanks again!
Sammie J
last year
Can we see the other side of the room? If possible, I'd rearrange the sofa so that it faces the windows and fireplace.
designwithro thanked Sammie J
smile4me422
last year
I agree with move the sofa out and float it in the room so it faces the window and the fireplace. Keep an eye out for a good sofa table to go behind it. Then chairs infront of the window for conversation with the sofa. The fireplace being a bit off to the side from the window (the real focal point) won't be awkward then. Worth a shot right? If possible, a tall plant next to the fireplace would soften that line, give it some height layering.
designwithro thanked smile4me422
PRO
Debbi Washburn
last year
Need more pics of the space. It looks like all the furniture is shoved up against the walls.

Trying to create symmetry in an asymmetric space may not work out. You will have to think outside the box.

Good luck!
designwithro thanked Debbi Washburn
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
More pics please. Not sure this is the best layout for your room. Where is the TV?
designwithro thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
Ryan
last year
I think the room looks great. Maybe an upholstered bench between the sitting area and the fireplace. Or a comfy swivel chair. A reclining chair (in your current style) near the fireplace might make for a nice reading nook on a cold day. Don’t overfill your space. The breathing room is part of it’s beauty
designwithro thanked Ryan
designwithro
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
The table game idea is really good! I think the two-chair idea is the only option. Maybe "swivel chairs"? so they can face the sofa as well.

It's evening here (Europe) so I currently can't take more pics. Here is part of the floor map:

As you can see, it's a corner and too small to open things up. The television connection is also in a fixed place, making this the most logical place for the sofa.
ffpalms
last year
Perhaps you can get creative with how the TV is mounted so that the couch can float in the room and face the windows.

Boston, Ma Residence · More Info
designwithro thanked ffpalms
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
designwithro thanked BeverlyFLADeziner

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