How to Style Your Living Room Furniture Around a Fireplace

Written by: Emma Cyrus, Senior Copy, Content & Editorial Writer
Reviewed by: Mansi Gokani, Interior Designer at FCI London
Edited by: Zoona Sikander, Head of Content

Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

TL;DR - Styling your living room around a fireplace needn't be terribly complicated, though it does require rather thoughtful planning. From maximising precious floor space with elevated furniture pieces to creating perfectly balanced layouts that accommodate both roaring hearths and modern televisions, these genuinely helpful design principles will transform your fireplace from an architectural challenge into the room's most charming focal point. Whether you're working with a traditional inglenook or a contemporary suspended feature, the right approach makes all the difference.

Table of Contents

• Maximising Space When You Have a Fireplace
• Top Living Room Layout Ideas
• How to Incorporate a TV into a Room with a Fireplace
• Styling a Room with a TV Above a Fireplace
• Styling a Room with a TV Next to a Fireplace
• Modus Fireplaces
• Frequently Asked Questions

A fireplace doesn't simply warm a room; it transforms it. The traditional living room with fireplace remains one of Britain's most coveted design features, commanding attention whilst providing genuine warmth. Yet for all their undeniable charm, these architectural focal points present a rather delicious challenge: how does one arrange furniture to honour the hearth without sacrificing flow, conversation, or that elusive sense of effortless sophistication?

Whether you're orchestrating a complete redesign or simply refining what's already there, the secret lies in balancing intimacy with openness and tradition with contemporary ease.

Creating a refined fireplace sitting room requires balancing intimacy with architectural presence. Today's modern living room with fireplace seamlessly marries heritage charm with contemporary functionality, quite the design feat when executed properly. 

What follows are the strategies we've honed over decades of creating living spaces that feel as inviting as they are impeccably styled.

Maximising Space When You Have a Fireplace

A fireplace in your living space represents a worthy investment. The architectural prominence of a fireplace in living room settings naturally dictates furniture placement and circulation patterns. They provide cheaper heating options and also increase the overall value of your home. However, larger fireplaces can make a room feel cluttered and cramped.

Here are five strategies to reclaim your space.

1. Avoid bulky furniture sets - instead, mix a statement piece with smaller items like footstools and side tables. The Eichholtz collection offers particularly elegant solutions.

2. Go for anything elegant and airy with legs that elevate it above the floor. Flexform offer some wonderful options.

3. Create flow by planning definite walk-through areas.

4. Establish your layout around a specific focal point to create balance.

5. Select a colour scheme that brightens and elevates the room, and avoid placing dark sofas on top of dark floors. Adding a bespoke rug breaks up floor space beautifully - the customisable Knot & Loop collection works particularly well.

Key Takeaway: Elevated furniture with visible legs creates visual breathing room around fireplaces, whilst thoughtful colour schemes and bespoke rugs prevent spaces from feeling cramped - rather clever design principles that genuinely transform confined rooms into airy, sophisticated living areas.

Top Living Room Layout Ideas

When decorating around a fireplace, start by drawing up a comprehensive floor plan for an idea of how the room will look before you invest in the design elements. Here are some great layout ideas to get you started.

• If your living room is open plan, don't block the fireplace off by boxing it in with seating. Choose a corner sofa unit that faces both the fireplace and the adjoining dining or kitchen space.

• If your living room is long and narrow with a fireplace at one end, open it up by creating two separate seating areas. Try placing smaller armchairs on either side of the fireplace, facing the rest of the room. Include some artwork, a gorgeous floor cushion or a rug to make it extra cosy. Then add a sofa, ottomans and a stylish coffee table to the other end of the room, oriented inwards towards the fireplace.

• If your sitting room is particularly compact, ensure the fireplace becomes the focal point. A classic option would be to place a comfortable two-seater sofa on one side of it and two complementary chairs on the other. A round coffee table will complete the look and allow ample floor space for easy movement.

• If your fireplace occupies a slanted corner wall, embrace the angle rather daringly by placing your sofa parallel to the hearth. Fill out the rest of the space with some accent pieces like a low coffee table, a pair of elegant stools or a simple bench.

• Fireplaces positioned centrally along a long wall are perfect for creating generous entertainment spaces with ample seating for guests. Flank the fireplace with elegant shelving or built-in sideboards to create symmetry. Then place matching sofas or a large sofa and two substantial, upholstered chairs facing each other on either side of it. Simple benches directly before the fireplace give guests the perfect spot to sit and warm up.

Key Takeaway: Every room configuration demands its own tailored approach - from corner sofas for open-plan spaces to dual seating zones for narrow rooms. The secret lies in embracing your fireplace's unique positioning rather than fighting against it.

How to Incorporate a TV Into a Room With a Fireplace

Without a separate entertainment space, you'll need to orchestrate your living room furniture around both the fireplace and the television. Here are 2 tips to help you.

Styling a Room With a TV Above a Fireplace

If your TV is directly above your fireplace, create a centralised space that accommodates both entertainment and social gatherings. Position your main sofa facing the TV and fireplace, making them the focal point of the room.

• Use complementary armchairs, stools or ottomans on either side of the sofa to form a U-shaped layout. This adds charm, warmth, and a genuinely welcoming aesthetic.

• Choose a comfortable, luxurious leather or fabric sofa and find stylish stools and upholstered armchairs you can really sink into.

• Create balance and symmetry by installing bookshelves or cabinets on either side of the fireplace. Fill them with ornaments to create interest.

• Keep wall space clean and neutral.

• Make sure that your TV is perfectly placed for comfortable viewing.

Key Takeaway: When television and fireplace share the same wall, U-shaped seating arrangements with symmetrical cabinetry create dual-purpose spaces that work equally well for cosy film nights and sophisticated entertaining.

Styling a Room With a TV Next to a Fireplace

To include a television whilst maintaining the fireplace as your primary focal point, position the screen beside the hearth on a built-in wall unit or dedicated stand.

• Add more cabinetry, a striking mirror or a bookshelf on the other wall to create balance.

• Paint the fireplace wall a dark colour. This will make it stand out while simultaneously blending the TV into the background.

• Place your main sofa opposite the fireplace and television, giving you a full view of both.

• Include chairs or stools and a low coffee table to complete the room, but be careful not to overclutter.

Key Takeaway: Side-mounted televisions allow fireplaces to maintain their starring role - strategic paint choices and balanced cabinetry ensure the screen recedes gracefully when not in use, whilst remaining perfectly viewable when needed.

Modus Fireplaces

At FCI London, we offer a gorgeous range of Modus fireplaces to suit any interior or patio. Collaborating with top architects and designers worldwide, Modus create iconic luxury fireplaces custom-made for modern living and will work with you to craft bespoke pieces. So whether you're looking for a fireplace TV unit, built-in fireplace, a double-sided unit or one that suspends from the ceiling, we have the perfect solution.

Key Takeaway: Modus fireplaces represent the pinnacle of bespoke fire design - from suspended statement pieces to double-sided room dividers, their architect-led approach transforms functional heating into genuine sculptural art.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the ideal distance between a sofa and a fireplace for comfortable seating?
Roughly 8-10 feet provides the sweet spot - close enough to enjoy the warmth without overwhelming the space, whilst allowing comfortable conversation flow. Any closer and you risk creating a rather stifling atmosphere, particularly with wood-burning hearths that generate considerable heat.

Can I mount a television above an active wood-burning fireplace safely?
Generally not advisable, actually - the heat and potential smoke damage make it rather problematic. Gas fireplaces work better for this arrangement, though you'll still want a proper mantel providing at least 12 inches of clearance and heat shielding to protect your investment.

How do I prevent my fireplace from dominating a small living room?
Strategic furniture scale makes all the difference - opt for streamlined pieces with exposed legs rather than bulky upholstered suites. Light colour palettes and minimal mantel decoration prevent the fireplace from visually overwhelming the space, whilst mirrors opposite can genuinely double your perceived square footage.

Should my coffee table placement change when arranging furniture around a fireplace?
Position it centrally within your seating arrangement but slightly offset from the direct fireplace line - this maintains conversation flow whilst avoiding blocking the fire's visual impact. Round or oval tables work particularly well, as they're more forgiving in tighter fireplace-adjacent spaces than rectangular options.

Visit Our Showroom

Address & Hours:
FCI London, Rays House, North Circular Road, London, NW10 7XP
Monday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm
Sunday & Bank Holidays: 11am - 5pm

Contact Details:
Phone: +442081531235
Email: [email protected]

What to Bring:

• Room dimensions and measurements
• Floor plans or room layout sketches
• Current room photos from multiple angles
• Budget range and timeline
• Style preferences and inspiration images
• Details of existing furniture you want to keep

Conclusion

Styling furniture around a fireplace transforms from a design challenge to an opportunity when approached with proper planning and spatial awareness. From maximising compact spaces with elevated pieces to creating balanced layouts that accommodate both hearth and television, these principles ensure your fireplace becomes the room's most compelling focal point rather than its most awkward feature. Visit FCI London's showroom to explore luxury furniture options perfectly suited to fireplace-adjacent living.

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