A living room with a fireplace is everyone's dream! There's no getting around it, a fireplace makes any home feel warmer, and we're not just talking about the temperature. The space becomes intimate and welcoming. Not only that, but the fireplace brings people together, inviting them to chat and relax together.
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Of course, furnishing a living room with a fireplace certainly requires a little extra care. Whether it's a real stone fireplace, a faux wood fireplace, or an electric fireplace, you always need to carefully choose the rest of the furniture to avoid overcrowding the space.
Let's find out together how to make the most of a living room with a fireplace!
How to arrange furniture in a living room with a fireplace
The fireplace is an architectural element that captures all the attention. This doesn't mean a living room with a fireplace should be furnished haphazardly, quite the opposite: this element significantly influences the floor plan, and it's important to keep this in mind when choosing other furniture!
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First, the seating. If you have a TV hanging above the fireplace, the sofa should be positioned opposite it; alternatively, a pair of armchairs should be positioned at a three-quarter angle, so that those sitting on them can both converse and watch the fire or the TV.
If there's no TV, we have a little more freedom: with a full living room, we can also position the sofa and armchairs not in front of the fireplace, but facing each other, in a conversational position. Just like in the photo above.
Oh, and also consider purchasing one or more footstools: you can't sit in front of a fireplace; you need to relax!
If the TV isn't positioned there, here's what to hang above the fireplace to enrich the space: a beautiful painting, a round or inlaid mirror, a series of prints on a shelf... Or a beautiful wreath of branches and dried flowers! Alternatively, a clock always makes a statement: choose one that complements the decor and you can't go wrong.
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Want to enhance your living room with a fireplace even more? Add a unique accent to the wall around it: a brick finish, faux stone cladding, striped wallpaper... you can even paint a single vertical stripe of wall, slightly wider than the fireplace and reaching the ceiling, a different color, like gray or dove gray. Wood paneling also works very well.
Finally, don't forget that even wood can be a beautiful decorative element, rather than something to hide: having a woodshed has become very popular in recent years... and it's easy to see why! And if you're looking for more inspiration for decorating your fireplace and showcasing it to its fullest, discover our suggestions in the guide we wrote specifically on this topic!
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Yes, but how do you choose among all these ideas? As always, let the style you want for your living room guide you!
Living rooms with fireplaces: one for every decor style!
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Every living room has its own fireplace! Yes, because there are fireplaces for all tastes: stone, marble, brick, or ultramodern... To each his own. So don't despair if you've been told you don't have the right home: there's a living room with a fireplace for every type of decor.
It's all about choosing the right one. Let's look at some examples!
The modern living room with a fireplace: a contradiction?
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There are certainly those who have ruled that a fireplace is a classic, traditional piece of furniture, unsuitable for your ultramodern home. Nothing could be more wrong! A beautiful modern living room with a fireplace is not only possible: it's also a striking choice.
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If you have the space, choose a modern dividing fireplace, usable from both sides: beautiful, original, and also allows you to separate an open space. Or, have you ever seen how spectacular living rooms with a suspended fireplace look? If you want to give a truly unique touch to your modern living room, dare to do so!
Rustic and Timeless: The Living Room with a Stone Fireplace
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You say "fireplace," and you probably picture an antique stone fireplace, like in homes of yesteryear. If you live in a suitable setting (in the mountains, in the countryside, or in an old house in the historic center of a town), then the choice is almost obvious: what you need is a beautiful living room with a stone fireplace.
Make sure the rest of the furnishings match: rustic and welcoming, with plenty of wood, warm colors, beautiful rugs, comfortable armchairs, and accessories with a classic yet informal feel (like tartan pillows and fringed wool throws).
Do you love the charm of a stone fireplace in the living room, but live in an apartment and are worried the whole thing would be "too much"? Try a brick fireplace: less demanding, but it will give the room an equally warm atmosphere.
Infinite Elegance: The Living Room with a Classic Fireplace
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Let's move towards more refined styles: if you have a classic living room, then you need a classic fireplace!
The ultimate in this case is a marble fireplace, ideally embellished with subtle inlays. White is a safe bet, but also consider a dark gray look (fireplace and wall): chic, yet unexpected.
To avoid overcrowding the space, take inspiration from the photo above: the fireplace area and ceiling are already richly decorated, so the space is minimal and the decor relies on modern, essential artwork. You'll have a living room with a classic fireplace, yet one that's also contemporary and on-trend!
Ideas for living rooms with a shabby chic fireplace
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Fireplaces and shabby chic often go hand in hand: this architectural element, in fact, pairs perfectly with the nostalgic charm of shabby chic.
The perfect shabby chic fireplace features floral scrolls and inlays, more romantic than a classic fireplace, and is—of course—white. Not a solid white, mind you: it's always better to have a slightly worn look, with artfully aged edges and reliefs.
Hang a matching mirror above the fireplace for an antique feel and arrange delicate porcelain, grandfather clocks, and lace doilies on the mantelpiece. And we assure you, you'll have the most beautiful shabby chic living room.
Alternatives to the real fireplace: the living room with an electric (or fake) fireplace
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Unfortunately, not all homes allow a living room with a fireplace. Perhaps the ceiling isn't high enough for a flue, or the ventilation vents aren't sufficient, or even the condominium regulations don't allow it.
Still don't want to give up the dreamy atmosphere that only a fireplace can create in your home? Here are two different solutions to help!
The electric fireplace
We know, the magnetic allure of a fire is hard to resist. If you can't build a wood-burning fireplace at home, you can always choose an electric fireplace from our catalog! It warms, creates ambiance, and is a beautiful decorative element. The advantage? You can even place it on the terrace or veranda.
The faux decorative fireplace (decorate however you like!)
Do you love the fireplace most about creating a focal point in the room, using it as a display for your most beautiful ornaments? In this case, a faux wooden fireplace is the solution for you: dramatic and delicate, it will allow you to create a truly delightful corner, perhaps embellished with lanterns and electric candles for ambiance.
