Tips For Arranging A Living Room With An Angled Fireplace

Sectionals are a great way to make use of the space in front of an angled fireplace.

Placing the sectional so that it creates a “V” facing the corner makes the fireplace the undeniable focal point of the living room.

But also provides a comfortable viewing angle for watching TV (hung on the wall beside it) or looking out the window (on the other side).

Adding a bench and a chair on either side of the fireplace makes the area into a conversation area without blocking the view of the TV or the window. And you can choose a bench that opens if you need more storage.

And floating the furniture away from the walls helps the space feel more open. Which can make the room look bigger.

You can also use the same sectional placement but hang the TV over the fireplace.

I know this is a design decision which many people hate.
And since I have this setup in my living room, I can say from experience that it isn’t ideal.

The TV is a little too high to be viewed comfortably. Kind of like sitting in the first row at the movie theater.

And it can detract from the look of the fireplace. (Although, there are some ways to make it blend in better. Read how to hide your TV to learn more.)

However when you have a corner fireplace, sometimes you don’t have a choice. Especially if you have windows on one or both walls beside it (like I do).

And this is a space-saving layout which definitely ensures that wall (and the fireplace) is the focal point of the room.

If you prefer, you can use 2 sofas placed at a 90-degree angle to each other instead of the sectional.

Place a large table in the corner to “join” them together like a sectional.

This gives you a bit more flexibility in the size and placement of each one.

And you don’t lose any seating, since you can’t really fit an extra person in the corner of a sectional.

If you don’t have a sectional, facing your sofa towards the wall (or window) next to the fireplace is often the best way to position it. Especially in a small living room.

That way the couch doesn’t take up too much space in the room but it still feels like you are sitting in front of the fireplace.

This arrangement also provides the perfect place to put the TV.
Adding chairs on either side of the sofa can accommodate more guests and foster a more inviting atmosphere.

And placing an area rug under the sofa and chairs helps to define this seating area, making it feel more intimate and grounded.

Facing the sofa towards the fireplace makes sure the fireplace is the center of attention in the room.

But it can be awkward to decorate around and works best in a larger room.

To include additional seating, you can create a separate seating area with two chairs and a small table between the sofa and the fireplace (like the picture above).

Or add a chair or two on either side of the sofa to create a conversation area.

For smaller rooms, flanking the fireplace on both sides with a chair would work.

And putting down an area rug is always helpful in defining the area as one grouping.

If you want to add a TV, hanging it over the fireplace is usually the best option. With the fireplace being such a definite focal point, it can feel awkward to turn in a different direction to watch television.

A curved sofa is one piece of furniture that often works better in a living room with a corner fireplace than it does in a rectangular room.

The curved lines fit well in both cozy nooks and spacious areas.
They not only maximize the use of space but also echo the lines of the angled corner which makes the area feel cohesive.

Using a round coffee table and a cowhide rug keeps the circular motive going, which adds more intrigue into the room’s design.

Opting for an angled sectional can totally transform a living room with an angled fireplace.

Place one end of the sofa on the wall next to the fireplace with the rest of it extending into the room. This creates a sleek, continuous line that guides the eye around the space.

To balance the setup, add a chair or two across from the sectional, on the other side of the fireplace, with a round coffee table in between.

This arrangement creates a curved effect that’s visually intriguing, and adds a layer of interest to the room.

It’s especially a game-changer for smaller living rooms because it doesn’t take up much space and makes the area feel open but intimate.

If entertaining or having a conversation area is the main goal for your living room, you might want to use the angled fireplace as more of a backdrop.

In this case, arrange your seating area as you would if there wasn’t a fireplace in the room.

But make sure the chairs closest to the fireplace are pulled far enough away from it that you can walk behind them.

This makes the arrangement feel intentional. And keeps the room looking open and inviting rather than cramped.

To keep the fireplace from fading into the background, consider jazzing it up with a stylish screen, some fancy moldings, or even a couple of columns.

To use the same idea of having the fireplace as a backdrop in a larger room (or if you just prefer more intimate seating arrangements), you can create multiple smaller seating groups.

In this room, there are 3 distinct areas:

• two chairs and a table on one side of the fireplace.
• the long window bench on the other side of the fireplace.
• And a 3-seat grouping around a coffee table in the center of the room.

As in the other rooms, an area rug is used to define the main seating area.

But in this case, they have put it on the diagonal so the corner points towards the fireplace.

Which provides enough space for a small love seat and creates a leading line that directs your eye towards the fireplace.

And the fireplace still attracts attention because of the large picture hung over it and the ornate mantel and moldings around it.

Swapping out sofas for chairs around your angled fireplace makes arranging the furniture easier.

Since chairs come in so many different sizes and styles you can choose the ones that will fit your space comfortably.

And decide whether you want to have one or two on each side of your seating area.

Just remember that each seat should have a surface close by to put a drink or plate on.

If you want a TV viewing area, cabinets along one wall beside the fireplace will work. And you can arrange your chairs accordingly.

For long narrow living rooms, using long furniture is the trick to making the room feel balanced.

To ensure the fireplace is still the star of the room, place a long sofa on the wall opposite to it which creates a line that leads your eye in that direction.

Then add a long coffee table, and a rectangular area rug to reinforce that line.

Finally, make sure the fireplace wall stands out so your eye knows where to stop. Interesting tile, moldings or a dramatic paint color are all possible options.

For many living rooms, one of the biggest issues with an angled corner fireplace is getting an area rug to fit the space.

If the rug is large enough to fit under all of the furniture, the corner of it extends into the fireplace.

And if you pull it out far enough to prevent that, there will be a large area of the floor that is not covered by the rug. Or it will stick out too far beyond your seating area.

Or you end up getting a smaller rug and all of the furniture won’t fit on it.

The solution to all of these problems is to buy a large rug and have it cut to fit the space.

There are rug resizing companies that can cut the corner off and rebind the edge so that it looks like it has always been that size. Which gives you a neat and professional look.

(Of course, you have to be sure you’re always going to use the rug for this space).

If you happen to have a small living room, you may be able to place the area rug parallel to the fireplace.

Because the room is small, you will likely be able to get at least part of each piece of furniture to fit on the rug.

Which isn’t following traditional design rules, but still helps to create a cohesive furniture grouping. (And when you’re decorating in a small house, sometimes the design rules have to be broken).

And provides warmth and texture on the floor, which is an important part of creating a cozy, welcoming space.

In most living rooms with a corner fireplace, a round coffee table is your best bet.

It mimics the shape of the angle which provides a more cohesive look and can be placed a little closer to the fireplace (if necessary) without looking too crowded.

It will also leave a little more space for walking around it, which is a big benefit if your room is small.

And you don’t have to worry about hitting your shin on a corner.

For larger living rooms, a U-shaped seating area with the corner fireplace at one end can work quite well.

You can create the U-shape with a large sectional, multiple sofas or a combination of sofas, chairs and a chaise. So it’s a very versatile layout.

The U can either be facing toward the fireplace (to make it a strong focal point) or on the side of it, depending on how much space you have.

Either way, it provides a multi-functional area that can be used for watching TV, enjoying the fireplace or as a conversation area.

Add a large coffee table in the middle and an area rug to finish the look.

For small living rooms, a small sectional is often the best choice when you have a corner fireplace.

Why? Because having one larger piece of furniture doesn’t look as cluttered as having a sofa, chair and table would. Even if they take up the same amount of space.

And the sectional provides more seating in an area that might be hard to use otherwise.

To make this work, place the sectional so one side is along the wall beside the fireplace. The other side will be in front of the fireplace at an angle.

This allows you to enjoy a cozy seating area with the warmth of the fire without disrupting the flow of the room.

If the side wall happens to be a window, a sectional with a chaise on that side is the best option since it won’t block the view.

For very large living rooms, you might want to create an area that’s all about sitting in front of the fire. The perfect spot for those chillier evenings when all you want to do is bask in the warmth and watch the flames dance.

Then create a separate conversation area behind it.

To do this, position two comfortable chairs (or chaises), an accent table and an area rug right in front of the fireplace.

Then create a second seating area behind them by arranging sofas and chairs around a coffee table. And using another area rug to define the grouping.

This setup is great for when you’re hosting and want to keep the conversation flowing. Everyone can be part of the chat, yet still enjoy the fireplace’s ambiance.