How to Avoid an Awkward Living Room with a Corner Fireplace
Decorating a living room with a corner fireplace can be tricky! How do you arrange your furniture so that everything looks balanced and cozy? Trust me, I understand the struggle. It’s so frustrating when you want your space to look just right, but that corner fireplace seems like it throws everything off!
It can take some trial and error, but you absolutely can make your living room or family room both functional and pretty even with a corner fireplace! In this post, I’m sharing tips and tricks to help you with this design dilemma and transform your awkward living room layout with corner fireplace into a beautiful and comfortable space.
The Best Tips for an Awkward Living Room Layout With Corner Fireplace
1. IDENTIFY THE FOCAL POINT OF THE ROOM
Your first step in decorating a living room with a corner fireplace is to identify what you want to be the room’s focal point. In most cases, your corner fireplace itself can serve as this focal point as your eye will be naturally drawn towards it! Accepting the fact that the fireplace is going to serve as the main attraction can help guide the rest of your decorating decisions. It also means that if you don’t love the look of your fireplace, you might want to consider having it remodeled or doing a DIY fireplace project yourself to make it a feature of the room that you’re obsessed with! I love this easy DIY fireplace idea that is quick and easy for beginners.
Now, to highlight the fireplace as the focal point, you should arrange your furniture around it. This doesn’t mean everything has to face the fireplace directly, but creating a sense of balance around it can make the room feel more cohesive. For example, you can place a large sectional in a way that frames the fireplace to create a cozy and inviting seating area. Or, you could face your sectional toward one of the adjacent walls where you have a console or built-in media center under your TV.
If you try to face your couch away from the fireplace to hide it or take attention away from it, your room might feel disjointed because of the awkward layout. Simply rearranging the furniture layout to acknowledge the fireplace as the focal point will immediately make the space feel more harmonious and put-together!
2. FURNITURE PLACEMENT TIPS
Arranging a Sectional Sofa – A sectional sofa can be a great idea for a living room with a corner fireplace! Try placing the longer side of the sectional against the wall opposite the fireplace so the sectional is essentially facing it. This furniture arrangement allows the sofa to frame the fireplace and create a cozy conversation area while keeping the traffic flow smooth!
Choosing the Right Coffee Table – Picking the right coffee table is important for keeping a balanced look, especially in a small living room. Make sure your coffee table fits the scale of your sofa and allows for easy movement around the room. A round coffee table is my personal favorite for living rooms with sectionals or multiple sofas and chairs!
Use Side Tables and Console Tables – Don’t forget about accent tables and console tables! Side tables are great to put next to your sectional, couch, or accent chairs to have a convenient spot for lamps, drinks, or books. Then a console on the side of the fireplace or against a wall behind your furniture can serve as additional storage or display space!
3. CREATE CONVERSATION AREAS
Use Accent Chairs – Accent chairs are a great way to add extra seating and style to your living room! You could place one or two accent chairs directly in front of the fireplace or across from a sofa or loveseat to create a cozy conversation area. In a small or narrow living room, be sure to choose chairs that are slim and lightweight so they don’t overcrowd the space.
Add a Reading Nook – I lovee a little reading nook in a little room. They add so much charm AND functionality! If you have an open corner near a large window with natural light, this is a great place to put a comfortable chair. Then add a small side table for books and a floor lamp for evening reading. If you have the space for it, an area rug can help define this little nook and make it even cozier, too!
4. accessories make the room
Choose the Right Area Rug – An area rug can tie your living room together and also define different spaces. When you’re choosing a rug, make sure it’s big enough to fit under the front legs of all your furniture. This will help your space feel bigger and anchors the seating area!
Use Floor Lamps Strategically – Floor lamps are not only practical but also add style and personality to your living room! Use them to brighten dark corners or draw attention to specific areas of the room, like your reading nook. Look for lamps that fit your decor style and provide enough light for the space!
5. DEALING WITH AWKWARD SPACES
Make the Most of an Open Floor Plan – Creating distinct areas in an open floor plan with a corner fireplace can be a bit challenging, but it’s definitely doable! The key is to use furniture and decor strategically to define spaces. For example, use a large area rug to anchor the seating area around the fireplace, making it feel like its own cozy little zone. You could also use a console table on the back of the sofa to separate the living space from the dining room or kitchen. With a little experimentation you’ll figure out what works best to create a sense of order and flow within your open layout!
Working Around the Front Door – If your front door opens directly into your living room, it can feel a bit awkward. But good news is, you can easily create a welcoming entryway without disrupting the room’s flow! Try placing a small bench, console table, or storage cabinet by the door to create a functional drop zone for shoes, coats, and bags. It’s also a good idea to have a small doormat or area rug at the entrance to help define the space and make it feel more like a distinct area from the rest of the room.
6. MAKING THE SPACE WORK FOR YOU
Multi-functional Furniture – These are a lifesaver for small living rooms with corner fireplaces! Multi-functional furniture serves more than one purpose. Think an ottoman that doubles as storage or a coffee table that can be raised to dining height. These types of furniture not only save space but also add functionality to your living area!
Styling Tips for a Cohesive Look – Mastering the cohesive look in your living room takes time, but it starts with choosing a color scheme that you love. If you want a peaceful, calm, minimal space, go for neutrals. I also love neutral for small space design because they help make the space look bigger. If you enjoy pops of color, choose throw pillows and area rugs with lots of color! The important thing is to keep your color scheme in mind for every decor piece that you shop for, whether it be a throw blanket, artwork, or curtains. Keeping your accessories consistent will help your create that harmonious feel you want in your living room!
FAQ: How can I make sure I choose a coffee table that leaves enough space for easy traffic flow?
It’s important to choose one that is proportional to your seating area! A good guideline is to choose a coffee table that is about 2/3 the length of your sofa, and make sure there can be at least 18 inches of space between the coffee table and the edges of your furniture. That way you’ll still be able to have easy movement and traffic flow around your coffee table!
I hope these tips gave you some awkward living room layout ideas to make your living room the perfect place to hang out! Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. Every home is different, and it will take time!
Have you tackled a tricky living room layout with a corner fireplace? I’d love to hear about your experiences and tips! Share your thoughts in the comments below.
And if you found this post helpful, don’t forget to check out other posts on my blog for more decor tips and inspiration. Happy decorating!
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