Great Seating: Cozy Up to the Fireplace
Think of the fireplace as another member in the gathering, and build your seating around it
With the holidays and winter in full swing, where better to relax after a long day than by a crackling fire? You can snuggle up with your pet, a good book, a glass of wine, perhaps a few friends or family.
Of course, this is tough to do if you haven’t organized a seating arrangement to your wishes. The trick is to engage your fireplace: don’t think of it as an accessory that blends into the wall, but a focal point to incorporate into the layout. Even if your fireplace is in a seemingly awkward spot, you still want to incorporate some type of seating to maximize its inclusion to your home. Looking for some ideas? Check out the following photos and enjoy your fireplace in cozy style this season.
Of course, this is tough to do if you haven’t organized a seating arrangement to your wishes. The trick is to engage your fireplace: don’t think of it as an accessory that blends into the wall, but a focal point to incorporate into the layout. Even if your fireplace is in a seemingly awkward spot, you still want to incorporate some type of seating to maximize its inclusion to your home. Looking for some ideas? Check out the following photos and enjoy your fireplace in cozy style this season.
Arrange seating around your fireplace so that everyone who sits in the room is able to enjoy it. Think of the fireplace as another seat in the layout: It should be able to engage with all those who surround it.
Want to sneakily add in more seating in a less than obvious fashion? Replace a typical coffee table with an oversized ottoman. It will still carry the same effect as a coffee table — ground the center of the layout — and doubles as extra fireside seating when you have guests.
Have a the luxury of a chaise longue amongst your furnishings? Pull it up close to the fireplace. You’ll never regret its placement after a long day.
Wherever your fireplace is located, try to incorporate seating nearby. This fireplace is in a slightly unusual spot near the perimeter of the kitchen, yet a chaise provides seating while also acting as a divider between the kitchen and living space.
Place your dining table near the fire so that your family or dinner guests are warm and toasty during their meal.
Can you get much cozier than this built-in bench near the fire? I can see many hours lost with a great book in this snug space.
Fireplaces in the bedroom should also come equipped with seating. Turn on a holiday movie for the kids and escape to this spot for a much-deserved break.
If you have the space, try to sneak the two-seater arrangement into your layout. It's a great way to create an intimate seating arrangement perfect for conversation. With space at the end of this dining table, one can’t help but include two seats face-to-face at the fireplace.
Here’s a great example in the bedroom, with a comfy ottoman to rest your tired feet.
This living room layout is great for entertaining, as it creates separate seating areas for mingling.
Of course, simply piling a collection of ottomans near the base of the couch will work as well. The entire point is enjoying the warmth of the fire in cozy fashion, and this look certainly makes it possible!
More: Design a Room for Entertaining
More: Design a Room for Entertaining