If you’re wondering how to style a living room with a corner fireplace, you’re in the right place. Styling a living room with a corner fireplace is an opportunity to create a cozy, intimate, and beautiful living room you love. A corner fireplace serves as a natural focal point and adds warmth and character to your living room.
This article will explore how you can style your living room with a corner fireplace, offering practical, beautiful, and current design solutions. Whether you want a modern, traditional, or eclectic look, these tips will help you make the most of the space in your living room.
Embrace the Corner Fireplace as a Focal Point
A corner fireplace is eye-catching. When you walk into a living room with one your eye inevitably falls upon it. Because of this you need to embrace it as a key feature in the way you style your living room. Don’t see it as a limiting feature, see it as an opportunity.
Build your design around it and instead of trying to downplay the fireplace’s presence, highlight it as a key element in the room’s design no matter the style of décor you choose. A fireplace can serve as a great gathering point for friends and family, creating a cosy and welcoming space no matter the season.
Place seating around the fireplace
One of the first things to consider when styling a living room with a corner fireplace is how to arrange the furniture. Placing your seating so it directs the eye toward the fireplace will help to bring your living room together. This doesn’t necessarily mean all seating must face the fireplace directly, but it should complement the angle and location of the fireplace.
For example, positioning a sectional sofa or chairs at an angle to face both the fireplace and a TV (if you have one) help you to feel cosy in your living room. This kind of seating arrangement means that the fireplace remains a key feature, but you are angling your seats for how you use your room.
Adding an armchair near the fireplace, or a cozy reading nook, is another great way to embrace your corner fireplace as a focal point and style your living room décor around it.
Balance the TV and Fireplace
One of the most common dilemmas in how to style a living room with a corner fireplace is where to put the TV. For many people the TV plays a role in day-to-day life, but TV’s are often big and eye-catching, just like a corner fireplace. Working out how to blend the TV and the fireplace together into your living room décor without creating a disjointed look can be tricky. The last thing you want is to feel as if your décor is competing for your attention as your living room won’t feel cosy or restful. You can however successfully blend both to create cohesive space.
TV above the Fireplace
One option is to mount the TV above the corner fireplace, if the size and height of the mantel allow for it. This creates one cohesive focal point, combining both the TV and fireplace into one feature wall. Make sure the TV is at a comfortable viewing height, and use sleek, minimal wall mounts to avoid clutter so you don’t detract from the fireplace.
This option will help you to achieve a minimalist look in your living room and is a great way to blend modern technology with unconventional interior design. The minimalist style will suit both small and large living rooms with a corner fir place as you will get clean lines in the décor you choose.
TV opposite the fireplace
Alternatively, if you prefer to keep the TV and fireplace separate, consider placing the television on an opposite wall. This will allow each attention-grabbing feature to shine without competing for attention. For this layout to work though you need to have enough space to arrange your seating in a way that offers clear sightlines to both the fireplace and the television. It’s a great option for open plan spaces, or larger living rooms.
Swivel chairs or modular seating can be especially useful in this setup as you can move about in your seat easily and still be comfortable. Enjoying the benefit of both the TV and the cozy ambiance of the fireplace means you have a versatile living room perfect for relaxing in whatever your mood.
Create balance in your living room
A corner fireplace naturally creates a layout that can make your living room feel unbalanced. To avoid this happening as you style your living room around your corner fireplace you need to balance the visuals in your room. To do this you can use the power of symmetry. Matching your décor items on either side of the fireplace.
One way to introduce symmetry is by using matching accent chairs on either side of the fireplace. Another is to go for a pair of identical lamps, mirrors, or artwork to frame the fireplace from both angles. This brings balance to the asymmetry and enhances the overall design.
If your corner fireplace has a mantel, use it as an opportunity to further develop symmetry in the décor. Placing candles or vases on each end of the mantel will create a sense of balance, even in a corner setting. Additionally, symmetrical lighting, such as wall sconces or floor lamps, can also help to maintain harmony in the room’s design.
Using this symmetrical approach to styling your living room will help to prevent your room feeling like it has been overtaken by the fireplace.
Use Rugs to Define the Space
A well-placed rug always helps when styling your living room, especially when you have a corner fireplace that might throw off the layout of your room. Rugs are excellent for tying your seating together in a living room and making the room feel more like a styled space, even when you have built in features.
In a living room with a corner fireplace, choose a rug that anchors your main seating area and ties together the fireplace in with the rest of the room’s furniture. Ideally, the rug should be large enough so that the front legs of your sofa and chairs rest on it. This helps ground the furniture and visually connects the different elements of the room. It’s surprising how effective it is at making a space feel complete.
If your fireplace is located in a corner with little natural light, you can also use a smaller accent rug near the hearth to add warmth and texture and make it feel super cosy. This small rug can mark the fireplace as a distinct area for relaxing or reading, offering additional layering to the design. Just make sure your room is large enough to achieve this, otherwise it can end up feeling cramped.
Built-in Storage Options For Your Living Room
Maximizing space is key to styling any living room, especially one with a corner fireplace. If you have a corner fireplace in a small living room it will feel like every inch matters, as corner fireplaces take up a lot of space.
One way to make the most of your space is to add shelving around the fireplace. This not only provides functional storage but also adds visual interest and makes the fireplace feel more integrated into the room’s design.
If your corner fireplace has empty walls on either side, consider adding custom built-in shelves or bookcases. A bookcase is a great addition if you want to create that reading nook we talked about above. They provide storage to house not only books, but decor items and electronics, while also framing the fireplace in a stylish way. If you prefer a more casual look, floating shelves are an easy DIY option that can provide the same effect with a more modern flair.
Use Mirrors to Make Your Living Room Brighter
Mirrors are an excellent décor option to brighten and expand a living room, especially when styling one with a corner fireplace. The reflective surface of a mirror bounces light around the room, making it feel more open and airy. Additionally, you can enhance the sense of symmetry and draw attention to the fireplace with a mirror.
One design option is to place a large mirror above the mantel of your corner fireplace. This will take away the feeling of your fireplace encroaching on your living room if you have a smaller space. A mirror can also soften the angular appearance of a corner fireplace, making a corner fireplace feel like a deliberate style choice in your living room rather than one you work around.
Focus on Minimalist Décor for a Modern Look
When it comes to styling a living room with a corner fireplace, less is often more. Opting for a minimalist approach with your décor choices can help ensure that the room doesn’t feel overcrowded or cluttered. If your corner fireplace already takes up a significant portion of one wall, opting for décor with clean lines, neutral colors, and a simple look will make sure you don’t feel overwhelmed and enclosed in your living room.
Minimalist decor doesn’t mean sacrificing warmth in your lounge or stripping away your personality. The key is to choose a few carefully selected accessories that complement the fireplace, such as a sleek and clean mantle or modern artwork. Sticking to a neutral color palette with pops of color in pillows, throws, or artwork helps to keep the room feeling open and bright.
If you want to go all out minimalist, your furniture should also maintain the theme. Choose pieces with simple, modern lines that don’t compete with the architectural elements of the room. Low-profile sofas, streamlined coffee tables, and functional storage solutions will help keep the space feeling open and stylish. Pairing a rustic brick or stone fireplace with sleek modern furniture adds an interesting contrast that draws attention to the unique architectural feature.
Play with Texture and Materials for Added Depth
When thinking about how to style your living room with a corner fireplace consider including a variety of textures and materials into your design to add depth and interest. By creating a contrast between different surfaces, you can create a rich, layered look that makes your living room feel both cozy and sophisticated.
Pairing a rustic looking stone or brick corner fireplace with different textures in bold shades or patterns helps to create a more boho feel for your living room, especially if you add some natural hemp decorations and plants. Similarly, if your corner fireplace has a smooth, modern finish, introduce that warm cosy feeling through textiles like a soft wool rug, linen pillows, or a chunky knit throw.
When accessorizing around your fireplace, mix materials such as wood, metal, and glass to keep your design dynamic. A wood mantel paired with metal candleholders adds a sophisticated or industrial style vibe to your living room, while adding ceramic vases with ditzy patterns would help to create a more farmhouse look. You can use your fireplace to make a statement and add depth to your design whatever trend you like.
Think About Color and Paint Choices
Color plays an important role in styling a living room with a corner fireplace. Depending on the look you want, you can use your paint color to either highlight or downplay the fireplace. If you want the fireplace to stand out as a bold statement, choose a contrasting color for the wall behind or around it. A dark, moody tone like charcoal or navy can create a dramatic backdrop to showcase your corner fireplace in your living room.
On the other hand, if you want the fireplace to blend seamlessly with the rest of the room, opt for a color scheme where the fireplace and walls are painted in similar shades. Light, neutral colors like white, beige, or soft grey can make the space feel open and airy, while still subtly showcasing the fireplace as a focal point.
For an extra touch of style, consider painting the mantel in a contrasting color or adding a decorative tile surround to match your living room decor. Making small changes can have a big impact on how your living room feels when you’re in there.
Conclusion
Embracing your fireplace as the focal point in your living room, whether in a subtle design or a more centred design will help you get the most out of your living room. Arranging your furniture and styling your space to complement the unique feature your have in your living room will help to create a calm and relaxing space. Embrace the moment in your living room by embracing the beauty of your space.
