I would leave the fireplace plain or with a simple mantle above the fire and arrange furniture to take advantage of the view. Is there going to be a tv in the room?

I see no reason to have seating right at the window furniture arranged to enjoy the view is what you need.I would not add anything to the FP you can easily hang a nice large piece of art there and be done.

Can't say I care for any of the options. From what little I see in the images the style is modern. I also would use furniture for sitting and enjoying botht he fireplace and the views.

In my opinion I don't think you need the stone seating, something like that can be solved with furniture, out of these 3 options I would probably choose the second one. But these days there are a lot of amazing designs maybe you should look a bit more before making a final decision.

#2. I think 1 looks a little odd with those wings. I also think it would be uncomfortable to sit on stone unless you did cushions. But it would still be cold and hard.

I like option 3 best of the choices given. Part of my childhood was in a house that had a large stone hearth, and it was nice. Between hearth seating and room seating, a bunch of us could hang out around the fire. It would be nice to have cushions for the window seats, a buffer between stone and butt is welcomed.

There will be no TV. There will likely be art on fireplace, at least to hide cable & electrical (planning for future).

Here's a layout of the room, to give an idea. To the right are two larger triple glass stacking sliders that are 10 feet tall and 9 feet wide. To the right is the "best" view, see pic with partial walls and framing. It's not a very big "great room". The fireplace will be seen as soon as someone enters the house, so it's somewhat of a focal point. Most of the right wall be glass (trapazoids above, too).

I also would prefer to have upholstered furniture to sit on. There are many threads here where people want to remove the extended hearths.

After seeing this plan, confirm…no hearth…just comfortable furniture…beautiful!!

I think the problem with the “seating” your designs off is that it is just “ perching” No support, mostly slouching, can’t really sit directly in front of fire for long, can’t really curl up cozily in the windows. And then they’re permanent.

@marmiegard_z7b Yes, that's true, the seating will be permanent if using hearth or window seats. I suppose simple might be best. I took away hearth seat and windows seats and just put a simple floating mantel in place, see pic. Could eventually put a painting on mantel or leave empty.

Seems like the mantel should be a bit higher

Your view is awesome, at first I thought those windows were paintings!

The last plan is best.

Mantel height may need some adjustment--I still have not wrapped my brain around the proportions best for a linear fireplace so I can't help there.

You might not NEED a mantel. It's a bit old fashioned for this style FP.

@doods Here's the view from the great room to the right of the fireplace. It helps make up for all the time and effort of building a house!

@Iri Yes, maybe mantel not needed; afraid fp would be too plain with only the gas firebox.

Gorgeous view!!!

Stunning!

No seating.

Althought I suggested a mantel it was just something for you to consider. We are building and our fireplace is 6' wide and 12' high. We have just removed the planned mantel from the build.

Gorgeous view!

#3 with no built-in window seating. It will give you the flexibility to use consoles under the windows, benches, comfortable arm chairs, etc.

Amazing and beautiful view! Thankyou Jeff for sharing.

#2 bc its always nice to get close to the fire, plus easier to build fire and to sit and enjoy for a minute or two. I always enjoy the coolness of a stone seat against the difference of the heat of the fire i would also include a floating mantle. Check out the ones that include storage for options, so many options lol Nice plan and great views!

A hybrid of 1 and 3. The bench style from 1 spanning the width from 3.

Choose option 4: Use a longer wooden bench running the width of the space to create the window seats. Cold, scratchy stone for a seat even with cushions does not draw me in.

Those gorgeous views should remain unobstructed. Less is more!

Upholstered bench or rectangular upholstered ottoman under windows. Nothing on the fireplace. There are many styles to choose from modern to traditional. The challenge would be to get correct width for windows.

No mantle, no hearth, upholstered bench under each window would be my choice!

No hearth, but mantle.

We remodeled our family room a few years ago and put ledge seating in along the wall of the fireplace, most useless decision ever. Use furniture so you can have more options.

I prefer the cantilevered hearth. Since there is not much space in the seating area, the cantilevered hearth/bench is much less imposing and gives a more spacious appearance. Besides, there is not enough room for bulky chairs in front of the windows while placing a sizable L-shaped sofa. If not the cantilevered hearth, then no hearth would be my second choice, as you illustrated, and place benches under the windows if you’re wanting symmetry.

Out of those choices I would pick #2 as the prettiest and most flexible. I agree that seating near the windows that can be flexible like chairs or even beanbag seating for added coziness (esp if you have children) is better,

I agree: best option is having the fireplace as streamlined as possible and placing swivel chairs near the windows (looking into the room but with the ability to swivel toward view).

I agree with Maureen - taller windows! They would add so much to the space - the difference between ho-hum and spectacular. No "built-in" seating. Your furniture layout could be a large sofa (instead of sectional) and 2 swivel chairs. I love your view and the simple fireplace design really let's the view be the star. I personally love having a mantle, but you could go either way.

I love a good cantilever bench on a modern fireplace. No mantle. I like #1 the best, and you could possibly still put a chair at each end, then you have the cantilever also acting as a side table for drinks. I agree about the windows being taller, too.

@maureen Wow, the wood is a great concept. Unfortunately we can't change the windows to enlarge them because they are external to the house & subject to design review board approval. Plus the windows are arriving in a couple of weeks. Each side window is 6 ft. x 7 ft. so scale is already fairly big. The wow factor will also be evident (I hope) from larger slider doors to the right - see image of metal frame from yesterday & 3D perspective attached. The blue are the windows adjacent to fireplace & the green is the fairly large opening for 2 triple sliding (stacking, 9' x 10' each) doors with trapezoids above. Bottom line, we're thinking the view will dominate the "great room" and possibly keeping the fireplace simple without window seats or a mantel. Plus as room is now framed it seems smaller than on paper and we don't want to clutter the room.

Keep it simple (this, coming from someone who overthinks things). I like the concept of the raised windowseat under both windows, but in the end, I think bare bones works best.

You could try this: build the base out and keep the window ledges free. And just add two nice chairs in front of a window

Keep it simple, no built in seating, no mantle. If you add art/tv. then that can breakup the expanse of the stone facade over the fireplace, or leave open for clean minimalist lines.

Seating on soft furniture that can face the window/view. No built in seating gives more space flexibility for furniture.

Should be easier to add a mantle, than to remove and patch/match later (if you change your mind)

SSS

Of your selections, I choose #2; however, if your home is more contemporary in style, you could also opt for making the fireplace the “art” in the room by using porcelain slabs with no mantel or hearth. Let those views shine, and the fireplace be an accessory. Without ledge or built-in seating, you can easily switch out furniture & its placement throughout the years.

@terrib962 It's new construction, so nothing to rip out yet, ha ha. Further, it's strictly gas anyway in this community. Finally, modern might just be ok; I'd almost rather do modern than have some sort of pretend log cabin vibe (even though the residence is partially in the woods).

I'm confused. Would the view be behind the bench, so that if sitting next to the FP your back is to it (and also blocking the view for others facing the windows?).

I've been noodling over a similar situation. We are remodeling a waterfront home with a smallish living room that has a great view. I also want to incorporate seating into the hearth because it would accommodate more people (4-6) when entertaining than upholstered seating (2) next to the FP. In our case, the view of the water is to the left of anyone seated at the fireplace, and we don't have windows flanking the FP. This photo is the best option I've seen so far for our situation.

@JmsPdx Yes that is right; if a person were sitting on a bench next to fireplace at the window they would be blocking the view to the north (of the trees and mountains as shown) out the windows. However, as shown, to the east is a fairly large set of triple sliding doors with a good view, too. From that great room corner there are 2 very pleasant forest and mountain views.

Bottom line - if people completely blocked the windows by fireplace, to the right is basically a wall of glass facing forest and distant mtn. range.

Like the image of the fireplace you show, very nice!

I completely disagree with terrib962; you are expressing your preferences for traditional interior decoration. Many prefer the clean lines of modernism which has never been out of style since its rise in popularity in the 1940s. Other trends have come and gone but modern decor has proven itself to be classic because of its simplicity. Obviously, Jeff’s preference is modernistic or contemporary. So let’s comment with his personal taste in mind. You will never turn a modernist to Victorian. They are as opposite as you can get.

Thanks for clarifying, Jeff. Would love to see what you eventually land on. I may want to steal your idea. :-)

Sorry to intrude, but when as you say "the best view is to the right", why have your couch area (and therefor view) not to this side? Your couch is has its sight inwards

I would opt for not having fixed seating area.

Have your dining table in line of your kichten. So you enjoy the fire from table and sitting area.

The couch/seating area on the right side (VIEW) and 2 mountainlike (swivel)chairs near the fireplace. 2 chairs provide for extra sitting area, easily changing views (by swiveling) and a

more leisure feeling

@signatuur Good idea, I like that.

Jeff, I like the location of your table. Perhaps switching the sectional and chair would offer more seating for the view. I feel your fp will be lovely with or without a hearth. Personal preference. We like our hearth as it does provide extra seating and a quick warm up for those who may be chilly. We normally have a chair on either side of the fp. Love the photos from Maureen

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