Chairs in front of fireplace??

8 years ago

Is it a design no-no to put furniture in front of a fireplace? There isn't enough space to flank the fireplace with the chairs. Any thoughts?

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BeverlyFLADeziner

8 years ago

There are a number of issue in your layout.

Center the area rug on the fireplace and in front of the entertainment unit
Position the 3 seater facing the entertainment unit. You can't have the 3 seater overlapping the side of the 2 seater as you have in the picture
Place the two seater facing the fireplace. Not sure from your picture that you actually have enough room for the white sideboard, which style doesn't really work with your selection of furnishings, though it is complementary to the style of your home.
Position the lounge chairs on either side of the fireplace as I have shown in the floor plan.
You can place the floor lamp in either corner depending on which chair might be used for reading.
Add an end table & l between the intersection of the 3 seater and two seater. You should be able to run the cord under the 2 seater and over to the wall if you have no outlets in the floor.

It's always the fine tuning that makes an interior successful.

When you're ready ......use the white sideboard for the flatscreen and eliminate the huge entertainment unit from the room. It really gobbles up your space.

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Comments (17)

cawaps
8 years ago
I don't know if it is a no-no; it depends on what you want from your fireplace. If you want to make it a focal point, it is fabulous and stunning, you probably don't want to block it with furniture. But if the room isn't functional when you try and make the fireplace the focal point (even if it is fabulous and stunning), and you would rather be able to use the room for sitting and having a conversation than oohing and aahing over your pretty fireplace, then you do what you have to do.

In historic homes, fireplaces were often there just for heat, not to be pretty. Other fireplaces are poorly located to be a focal point and better ignored when choosing a furniture layout.
cmd75 thanked cawaps
Sebago Gal
8 years ago
I would loose one of the chairs and have the other angled facing the couch.. - I'm not a fan of having the chairs in front of your fireplace
cmd75 thanked Sebago Gal
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ilikefriday
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago

I would make a separate seating area to the right of the fireplace with those two chairs and a small table in between or just one chair and leave it at that.
cmd75 thanked ilikefriday
Lars
8 years ago
Yes, it is a design no-no to have chairs backed in front of the fireplace. This is yet another reason that I made sure our house did NOT have a fireplace. That and the fact that fireplaces/chimneys significantly increase the cost of earthquake insurance.
jay06
8 years ago
Can the couch shown on the left side of the pic be moved further back from the wall unit? There's definitely room now on the right side of the fireplace for the chair on the right, and moving the couch back would allow room for the other chair to be placed on the left side of the fireplace. It's a pretty room, but right now the furniture placement seems very close together.
dyliane
8 years ago
the sofa facing the tv is to close to it push it back and you will have room to put the chairs in the sides of the fireplace
cpaul1
8 years ago
Do not put chairs in front of a fireplace. You can put them on the side(s), but not directly in front for a variety of reasons, safety being one, practicality being two.
bossyvossy
8 years ago
Also the soot from FP will ruin the upholstery fabric, that is, if it doesn’t catch on fire first.
tatts
8 years ago
It looks silly.
housegal200
8 years ago
Do all the centering Beverly suggests. Then move back that TV facing sofa and push back the chairs a bit and tilt them so the fireplace can be seen.
sandradclark
8 years ago
Suggest removing the left chair & angling the right one to be tucked more into the corner of the room. As I see it, this is the easiest solution to the dilemma.
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BeverlyFLADeziner
8 years ago
cmd75, is adjusting the furnishings something you would consider? If so please show us the results.
Boxerpal
8 years ago
I love all your elements!!!!!!... Whatever you do with the chairs, it will look gorgeous because the drapes, the armoire, chairs, pillows and details look amazing. You have great taste.
eandhl2
8 years ago
Is it possible to diagonal the love seat on the right of FB? Then the 2 chairs where the love seat was?
l pinkmountain
8 years ago
My dad has a small seating area with two chairs and a small table, beside his fireplace. Looks fine. He moves one chair close to the fireplace to warm up if he gets cold.
Blair Box
2 years ago
Personally I love having my two chairs at an angle and a small cocktail table in front of my fireplace - cozy place to sit , yet fireplace is quite large….. large flatscreen is above mantle with plenty of other seating ( 2 large Sofas/ 2 leather recliners) good luck and have fun with it! You can always switch things around! :)