15 solutions to awkward living room layout with a fireplace that work pretty well

15 solutions to awkward living room layout with a fireplace that work pretty well

Designing a living space can be daunting due to being a vital part of the home, especially when incorporating a fireplace into the layout. They add warmth and charm to a space but can also create awkward living room arrangements that are difficult to work with. This article will explore ideas and creative solutions you can use to improve your living area while highlighting your fireplace.

Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
Awkward living room layout. Photo: Steven Errico
Source: Getty Images

An awkward living room layout with a fireplace is an arrangement that does not feel comfortable or functional due to its shape or size, making it difficult to arrange furniture in a way that satisfy you. It may have features such as unusual angles or awkward doorways that make it challenging to design a cohesive space.

Solutions to awkward living room layout

If you have an awkward layout, here are some common awkward living room layouts and ideas to help you improve them:

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1. Corner fireplace

A fireplace in a living area is considered to be an excellent focal point in a living room where attention is directed. However, this can pose a challenge when it is placed in the corner, becoming hard to arrange furniture and decorate it.

Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
Living room layout with a corner fireplace. Photo: Lawcain
Source: Getty Images

Solution

The first solution is to reconsider using the fireplace as a focal point due to it's location. Choose another wall to place your TV screen and arrange the furniture with the fireplace parallel to the arrangement.

2. Rectangular living room layout with TV

The rectangular living room is one of the most common living room layouts. While this shape is versatile and adaptable, it can present challenges when arranging furniture and creating a focal point. Also where to put TV in awkward living room.

Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
Rectangular living room layout with TV. Photo: John Keeble
Source: Getty Images

Solution

One practical approach is to create a focal point around the TV. For example, you could mount the TV on a feature wall or consider use of lighting to highlight the focal point—also position seating in a way that allows for optimal viewing of the TV.

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3. Long awkward living room with fireplace

A long living room with a fireplace can pose several challenges when decorating and arranging furniture. One of the most significant challenges is finding the right balance between the room's length and the fireplace's positioning.

awkward living room layout ideas
Long awkward living room with fireplace. Photo: Frank Herfot
Source: Getty Images

Solution

Solve this using a sectional sofa or a series of smaller seating areas to help break up the space and create distinct zones for different activities. Area rugs and strategic lighting can also help define these zones and create a sense of flow throughout the area while artwork and mirrors will draw attention away from the length.

4. Awkward living room layout with fireplace and TV

An awkward living room layout with a fireplace and TV can pose a unique challenge in finding the right balance between the two, without compromising the functionality and flow of the room. The positioning of the fireplace and TV can greatly affect the layout of the space.

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Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
A living room layout with a fireplace and TV. Photo: Shippee
Source: Getty Images

Solution

This layout requires careful consideration on how to arrange living room furniture with fireplace and TV to create a functional and comfortable space. Choose a focal point and where to place the screen while complementing the fireplace location. Also arrange the furniture facing this point.

5. Small living room

A small living room can present challenges regarding furniture placement, traffic flow, and creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The need for more space to work with makes it hard to make arrangement decisions and type of furniture to include.

Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
A small living room. Photo: @mixetto, pexels.com
Source: Getty Images

Solution

Start by choosing right sized furniture to avoid cramming the space. Also use lighting and mirrors creatively to highlight some areas and create an illusion of sufficient space.

6. Angled fireplace

An angled fireplace layout can pose some unique design challenges, as it creates an asymmetrical focal point in the space that can be difficult to work with.

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Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
A living room layout with an angled fireplace. Photo: Perry Mastrovito
Source: Getty Images

Solution.

A remedy is to use the fireplace as the room's focal point and arrange the furniture in a way that complements its angle. Another is creating symmetry by incorporating matching elements on either side of the fireplace, including bookcases or shelves, artwork, or decorative accessories.

7. Round - shaped layout

A round shaped layout may be less common but still preferred by some creative real estate architects. This unique design can pose a headache on how to to arrange furniture. With no angles or straight walls, placing them against the wall might be hard.

Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
A round shaped living room. Photo: Fotosearch
Source: Getty Images

Solution

Pull the furniture to float them towards the centre and create a round layout with a centre piece like round coffee tables. You can also select custom furniture that resembles the room's shape, making arranging the space easier. If a fireplace is present, create a cosy area around it by placing armchairs to set up a warm spot suitable for relaxing

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8. Slanted walls

A slanted wall living area can be a unique and challenging space to design. While slanted walls can add character and make a room more interesting, but they can also have an unconventional and asymmetrical shape, making furniture placement and traffic flow a challenge.

Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
Awkward living room with slanted walls. Photo: Alexandre Zveiger
Source: Getty Images

Solution

Use the slanted walls to your advantage by creating built-in storage or shelving and installing floating shelves that follow the angle of the wall. You can also use custom furniture and lighting to define the space.

9. Staircases

A layout with staircases and a fireplace can create an asymmetrical and potentially awkward focal point, making it challenging to find the right furniture placement to maximize the area.

Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
Living room with a staircase Photo: Cunfek
Source: Getty Images

Solution

You can convert the space under the staircase for a resting place, storage areas or bookshelf. This can complement the fireplace by creating a cosy place that can be used for different uses depending on intended purpose.

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10. L - shaped layout

It's a layout that involves a L-shape around a central fireplace which may bring a challenge regarding which portion is for the living room and the dining area.

awkward living room layout with a fireplace
L-shaped living room. Photo: Christina Kinetica
Source: Getty Images

Solution.

One solution is to create a clear path between different areas of the room and arranging the furniture in a way that defines distinct zones for different activities such as an L-shape around the fireplace.

11. Awkward focal point

Whether it's an oddly placed window or an unappealing feature wall, an awkward focal point can present challenges regarding furniture placement and overall aesthetic.

Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
An awkward living room. Photo: Anne Dale
Source: Getty Images

Solution

Create a distraction using decorative items such as artwork to divert the attention from the focal point. Also balance the space by using furniture and lighting to draw the awkwardness away from that point.

12. Living room with pillars

These pillars are often structural as they are load-bearing to support upper floors and therefore cannot be done away with. Their presence in a living space might pose a huge challenge in arranging the place especially if they are located in odd places or irregularly.

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Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
Living room with a pillar. Photo: Mint
Source: Getty Images

Solution

These columns can creatively be used as apace dividers to separate different areas of the area. They can also be used for decoration with art pieces and potted plants hung around it. Use smaller items such as side tables and arm chairs as accent pieces to avoid overwhelming the area around these columns.

13. Awkward corners

This layout has one or more corners that are difficult to furnish or decorate due to their irregular shape or limited space. These corners can create dead space that is not easily utilized, or they may disrupt the room's flow.

before and after awkward living room layout with a fireplace
An awkward living room. Photo: Chuck Collier Schmidt
Source: Getty Images

Solution

One common solution for awkward corners is installing custom shelving or built-in storage units that maximize the space and create a focal point in the area. Another option is to add a cosy reading nook or seating area that takes advantage of the natural light or unique corner angles.

14. Open concept layout

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The concept combines the living, dining, and kitchen areas into a large place without walls or other physical barriers. This creates a seamless flow between the different zones of the home, making it easy for people to move from one space to another.

before and after awkward living room layout with a fireplace
An open plan room. Photo: Victor Dyomin
Source: Getty Images

Solution

Define separate zones using furniture and floor mats to separate different areas within the space. Also ensure flexibility by using moveable furniture and accessories to make the space more adaptable and accommodate different needs and uses.

14. Split-level living room

The split-level space features a divider that separates a space into two levels to create different floors within the same area that can be used for various purposes. This is mainly found in open-plan layouts, creating functional spaces with aesthetic appeal.

Awkward living room layout with a fireplace
A split-level living room. Photo: Iriana Shiyan
Source: Getty Images

Solution

Add a room divider to help define the different areas of the split-level living area, creating a visual barrier between the two areas. Also use furniture to create flow by choosing moveable items between the different levels. Highlight the fireplace by adding cosy chairs around it for a relaxed spot.

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FAQs

  1. How do you beautify a fireplace? You can creatively use decorative pieces such as mirrors, family photos or art pieces around it.
  2. Where should I place my TV in my living room with a fireplace? You can mount the TV above the fireplace, use a stand to strategically place it or place in on furniture such as bookshelves.
  3. What is an awkward living room layout? This is a room arrangement that does not feel comfortable or functional due to its shape or size.
  4. How do I fix an awkward living room layout? You can change the furniture arrangement, use creative lighting and creatively use the weaknesses to your advantage.
  5. How do you organize a living room with a fireplace? Arrange comfortable chairs around it, creatively set up spaces for décor and also paint it using warm colours.
  6. How do you deal with odd shaped rooms? A solution is to create zones using furniture in order to help isolate irregular walls or areas.
  7. How do you decorate a room with weird angles? Use large artwork, wall panelling, or a mural to your advantage in rooms with quirky features to direct focus away from the angles.

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Creating a functional living space can be quite challenging, especially when arranging an awkward living room layout with a fireplace. Fortunately, there are various ideas you can explore to enhance your living room space and make it more balanced and appealing.

Yen.com.gh also shared an informative guide on single-room decoration ideas. Limited space in a single room does not necessarily mean that you have to give up on aesthetics and elegance. Coming up with ways to decorate a single room can be challenging but there are various ideas you can implement to create a stunning interior.

The guide explores different methods you can use to enhance the look and feel of the place while not filling it with a lot of unnecessary furniture and decorations.

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Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Chris Muyera avatar

Chris Muyera Chris is a creative writer, designer and digital nomad with over two years of experience as a digital marketer. He completed his BSc in Aquaculture Technology from South Eastern Kenya University in 2020. Chris joined Yen in 2023 and contributes to the Facts and Life-hacks section. He can be reached via chrisnomad10@gmail.com.