Yes! As long as you're not having fires in the fireplace, it would make a nice backdrop for a sofa. The room in the photo is quite large, so they had room to float the furniture in the space. If it works better to go up against the fireplace, I say go for it. One thought though, if you don't use the fireplace for fires, be sure to put something decorative inside it. Maybe some attractive birch logs in a wood holder, or a large votive candleholder, or even some ceramic containers with dried flowers. It looks better than an empty dark space. Good luck!