skip to main content

Furniture Design Dilemma The Old House

Help with furniture placement around wood stove

2 months ago

We will be adding a wood stove to our colonial fireplace. I’m looking for help in arranging furniture for a cozy spot. The current recliners seem too big and too close to the fire. Table is usually extended for family visits. We don’t use the room much as we have a family room and fireplace on the lower level. Will post photos and dimensions in comments.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

Sue Brown
Original Author
2 months ago
A couple
Sue Brown
Original Author
2 months ago
Thanks for any suggestions
Related Discussions
is it safe to create a 'fireplace' around this wood stove?
Q
Comments (12)
An older stove can be burned efficiently if it is handled properly. Mostly this means never closing off the air supply, but instead carefully regulating the amount of wood you put in and adjusting the airflow for optimum burning. If you are not going to choke off the air then you must be careful to never load the stove up with too much wood. You must make a few smaller, hotter fires per day. You must never load it up with wood for the night hoping to make the fire last till morning. This is like leaving your car running in the garage overnight so it will still be running in the morning. When you choke off the air to one of the modern stoves you are just shutting down the primary air supply to the pile of firewood. This creates thick clouds of smoke otherwise known as "fuel". The stove is still letting in secondary air to the catalytic converter or secondary combustion chamber where this gaseous fuel, which will be produced as long as the wood is hot, is burned. If you are judicious with the wood, adjust the air to match, and keep the stove burning hot, then there is not much for the cat or secondary combustion to do. If you shove too much wood in, choke off the air, or both, then the secondary combustion is a big deal. Without it the smoke will continue up the flue pipe. While the stove and flue are still hot this smoke will go out and pollute the atmosphere. As the flue cools the smoke will begin to condense inside on the walls of the flue pipe. This is creosote and it has burned down many houses. When the next hot fire is made, the creosote in the flue, which is distilled, unburned fuel, may catch fire. If it is just a thin coating you may never know and it does little harm. If there is a thick accumulation the ensuing chimney fire can be extremely intense, melting metal flues and cracking masonry. Flames shoot out the top of the chimney. On top of everything else there is pyrolysis, which is a chemical reaction that takes place in wood after prolonged exposure to heat. Normally it takes several hundred degrees F to get wood to burst into flame, but years of exposure to say 200 degrees can work a chemical change such that someday it might catch fire at not much more than 200 F. This is why it is such a big deal to keep the proper clearance from combustibles. The wood 2x4s in the wall may not give any signs, such as smoking, for years, then may suddenly progress rapidly to the open flame stage. The wooden handles on your barbecue tongs probably take higher heat for short periods, while you are actively holding them, but the combustibles in your walls or furniture can cook for years without coming to your attention. It is difficult to operate a stove with sufficient attention to detail that you always burn cleanly. The new designs have made it much easier. One last thing you could do is stack up rocks or concrete blocks around the stove to create even more of a heat sink but that would look like what it is, an afterthought. People have done it though and it allows you to let the fire rip for a while, then die out for a while. Efficiency-wise and pollution-wise it gives better results than keeping a fire burning continuously at a semi-throttled condition. Others will point out that the new stoves do a pretty good job anyway but that is the underlying theory.
...See More
furniture placement, corner fireplace, walkways around, diagonal walls
Q
Comments (11)
Oof.. this is tough. The problem with the family room is that it's not so much a room in its own right as it is a junction for all the other rooms. Due to where the bedroom doorways are and how the kitchen and foyer connect to it, you have lots of square footage taken up by pathways to get to the other rooms. I don't think either the builder's suggestion or your configuration really works - the builder's doesn't work because it's cramped and basically ignores the fireplace... that they put there. Yours doesn't work because it has furniture against the walls (a la waiting room) that require people to have to walk in front of anyone seated to get to a bedroom. I agree with above - you need to float the seating and probably eliminate a sofa and replace with some sitting chairs (which will give more flexibility).
...See More
Need help with furniture placement in a larger room
Q
Comments (12)
This will actually give you a path way from the back to the front, instead of the "hallway" being where the tv is, also I would just leave the wainscot trim up and paint it what ever color you paint the walls, and then paint the trim in the room around windows and doors white. There are other tweeks but we can get to that .
...See More
Help with wood stove placement
Q
Comments (35)
The Cook's Kitchen, yes, the windows are already installed. Actually, once I remove that island, I think we will be golden. It really opens up the space. I have a question for you since you are a kitchen designer. Do you ever design a kitchen with 36" between the counters and island. If that is acceptable, I could turn the island to run into the U shape. It would be smaller, both width and depth. My mother-in-law's kitchen is very similar, with a very similar traffic pattern. Her clearance between her island and the outer counters cannot be more than 36". It is narrow, but we have big gatherings there with no problems. I won't have many big gatherings at all because we live literally in the middle of nowhere. Her island isn't very big, but we use it all the time. Also, I think it was you who commented on the fridge. The engineer tucked it in that opening. It will be sticking out I think about 4" so the doors will open. I'm curious how the location runs the traffic though the work zone?
...See More
Sue Brown
Original Author
2 months ago
I know the rug is too small!
auntthelma
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
Cool room. we have a similar situation. our room is primarily a dining room, but it also is the only room with a wood stove. during the wintwr, we like to enjoy the warmth of the wood stove. For most days, when we dont need to seat a lot of people at the table, we move the table up against the wall and face two lightweight comfy chairs to the fireplace.

For you, that would mean a pair of lighter weight chairs or a small sofa that can be easily moved.

We call it ”modular living.” Or ”flexible arrangement.”
Kate
2 months ago
Can you shorten the table and put the chairs facing the fireplace at the end of the table? Still guessing that wood stove is going to be really hot. We added a glass floor screen to deflect some of the heat.
Kate
2 months ago
On more thought, if you shorten the table can you change the orientation?
Sue Brown
Original Author
2 months ago
Thanks for the responses! The table doe seem to be the problem. I think it’s the narrow room. Would love to have a loveseat and chair but too clunky. Thinking of a couple of faux leather swivel chairs.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
Is the wood staove a must for heating I do not like replacing a FP with awoodstove unless it is going to be a major eleemnt in heating. I think you need to decide what the space is a DR or a LR .I think it is kind of coolt obe aDR but only ypu know how you use the spaces you have. I think the dining table and maybe 2 nice chairs for 2 people to sit in front of the wood stove could be a nice choice .Great place to read to grandkids for sure . I think if you do not use the space there is no reason to cram it full of useless pieces .Please no vinyl chairs ever . I love the size and style of the table in thta space but not the gray cabinet on the left . IMO keep this space free of too much clutter and it will reward you with a nice spot to relax.
Sue Brown
Original Author
2 months ago
Thank you for the input, Patricia. We would love to use the fireplace as it is but can’t. It was built poorly and doesn’t draw. The house fills with smoke if we light a fire! We’ve investigated solutions and the stove seems the best for us.
I also have tried chairs or a loveseat facing the fireplace. It really cuts off the view and impact of the fireplace. The tall chimney cabinet is actually black and looks more proportional in person. I think you’re right. A couple of small leather chairs to replace the big ones. Maybe bring in my grandmother’s rocker.
We love the space for family dinners. We spread out and laugh!
Sue Brown
Original Author
2 months ago
Oh and most of our 16 grandkids are in their 20’s so no more cuddles in grandma’s lap! Although we have a newborn great grandson!
Sarah
2 months ago
Is this an antique home? I love this room! Do you need the tv here if you normally don’t use the room much? I envision a lovely reading spot next to the wood stove. Your chairs could flank the stove- perfect spots for reading and napping, or having morning coffee or a nightcap.

Hopefully the wood stove will nestle into the fireplace so it doesn’t protrude.
ShadyWillowFarm
2 months ago
Super cool room!! I think you need to rework the corner where the tv is - do you have a dry sink that is a bit bigger and taller than the table you are currently using for the tv? Put the tv where the tall cabinet is, and then fiddle with chair placement. The one chair will end up being the hot seat when the wood stove is burning, it needs to be farther away. Your idea of less bulky chairs is a good one. It’s a great room, and having a cozy area by the fire is a good one.
Sue Brown
Original Author
2 months ago
Yes. I do have another cabinet I could could use. The mustard one you can see in the foyer. Also half thinking of using the buffet for the tv stand and putting the chimney cabinet in its place. Would extend the chair area.
No, not an antique home at all. Built in 60’s but loaded with beams and wood features. Best thing is the lot! 2 wooded acres and in ground pool. We spend most of our time in the lower level.

Related Stories

FIREPLACES Photo Flip: 40 Wood-Burning Stoves to Set Your Heart Aflame

By Bryan Anthony

A collection of stylish stoves warm up contemporary, traditional and eclectic spaces from around the globe

FURNITURE What Are the Best Wood Species for Furniture?

By The Stated Home

Learn about 9 common woods used in furniture and how they affect appearance and durability

DECORATING GUIDES The Most Helpful Furniture Piece You May Ever Own

By Mike Dietrich

Use it as a table, a seat, a display space, a footrest ... and indoors or out. Meet the ever-versatile Chinese garden stool

FURNITURE How to Spot High-Quality Wood Furniture

By The Stated Home

Discover the pros and cons of solid wood, plywood, particleboard and MDF furniture

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: Choosing What Furniture to Leave Behind

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

What to take, what to buy, how to make your favorite furniture fit ... get some answers from a homeowner who scaled way down

FURNITURE How to Mix Wood Furniture Finishes

By Love Your Room LLC

Furniture doesn't need to match to look good; add character and charm to your home with mismatched — but complementary — tones

FIREPLACES Heat Your Space in Style with Today's Wood-Burning Stoves

By Shawn Gauthier

Cleaner burning and streamlined, new wood-burning stoves warm up the room

LOFTS My Houzz: Ronnie Wood’s Old Art Studio Gets a Makeover

By Natalie Wain

Check out this contemporary update of a former factory flat that survived World War II bombs and use by a member of The Rolling Stones

MORE ROOMS 5 Ways to Decorate Around a Flat-Screen TV

By KitchenLab Interiors

Color, Placement and Accessories Help that Big Black Screen Blend In

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Light Wood Accents That'll Grow on You

Ditch the darkness with modern accessories and furniture in ash, birch and light oak

More Discussions

Living room arrangement

8

How to arrange furniture?

5

Who made this chair?

12

Outdoor furniture that’s actually waterproof?

4

crazy idea to repurpose entertainment center in office?

15