12 tips for arranging furniture around a fireplace to create cozy, inviting spaces

A fireplace makes a wonderful feature in a living room and serves as a natural focal point around which to center a living room layout. Whether it's a working fireplace or just decorative, this architectural feature commands instant attention in a room and can often dictate the style and arrangement of the furniture around it.

But what types of furniture are best suited to living rooms with fireplaces and is there an optimum layout or arrangement? To help answer these questions we consulted the experts for their insights into arranging and styling furniture around a fireplace – read on to see their tips.

1. Combine a variety of different pieces for a flexible layout

If space allows, try arranging a mix of sofas, armchairs, and smaller chairs, together with an ottoman, poufs, and side tables in order to bring ultimate flexibility to your living room layout.

‘I like to use a combination of really comfortable sofas, deep relaxing armchairs, and smaller, firmer side chairs. I quite often use a pair of armchairs instead of a second sofa, as I feel this can be more flexible in the room,’ explains Lucy Marsh of Lucy Marsh Interiors. ‘I love to include a club fender around the fireplace where possible, as people love to sit close to the warmth of the fire. This provides additional seating without encroaching on floor space. I also use a living room rug to demarcate the seating area, and this is usually centered on the fireplace.'

However, it’s worth remembering that congregating around the fireplace isn’t the sole purpose of a living room, so it’s important to take into account other uses and architectural features in the room when choosing living room furniture.

‘A fireplace naturally becomes the heart of a living room, but it can also pose a challenge when arranging furniture, especially in rooms with multiple entrances, large windows, or the need to accommodate a TV,’ explains interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe. ‘The key is to balance practicality with a sense of flow, ensuring the space feels inviting from every angle.’

2. Position cozy armchairs next to the fireplace

Nothing beats curling up in a cozy armchair by a glowing log fire during the cold winter months so it’s no wonder they’re a popular choice. Flanking a fireplace with two armchairs covered in tactile throws and cushions creates an intimate feel, plus they can easily be moved to be either closer or further away from the warmth. For this reason, more lightweight designs may be preferable.

'I love a good fireside chair moment. Whenever we have a fireplace, that's always the thing we're trying to do – figure out how to get some chairs around the fireplace! It is among the loveliest experiences to sit down, put a fire on, get yourself a cup of tea (or an espresso martini!), and really enjoy the warmth of the fire,' says Robin Gannon, founder of Robin Gannon Interiors. 'We always toy with whether you have to be facing the fire. Sitting next to the fire and getting that visceral warmth from the fireplace is enough - it's one of the nicest, most relaxing feelings.'

'Sometimes, if we don't have room for a fireside chair, we'll put a bench in front of the fireplace so you can put the fire on and sit with your back to it,' adds Robin Gannon. 'You can get warm that way while having a conversation with the people seated adjacent. I don't recommend putting a sofa directly in front of a fireplace, but you can certainly put sofas facing each other in front of the fireplace.'

3. Think about materials

When choosing furniture to position close to your fireplace be sure to consider materials advises Phillip Thomas, it's not just aesthetics and comfort you need to take into account, but durability, too.

‘Choose materials and furniture pieces that you are not concerned could be damaged by heat. Also consider pieces that will not absorb the warmth from a fire and potentially hurt individuals, such as metals. Choose materials that enhance your fireside experience, such as wonderful wood texture in the winter or a sumptuous linen in the spring and early summer when there is still a chill in the air.’

When we asked the designers leather came up as a particular favorite. 'I love leather next to fireplaces because leather absorbs the heat and acts as an added heater unlike fabric, which doesn't absorb the heat as much,' says Robin Gannon. 'Sitting in a cozy, warm leather chair beside a fireplace is not just enjoyable; it's a whole experience in itself.'

'Materials like leather are also classic around a fireplace because they are tough and resistant to heat,' says Kristyn Harvey, founder of Kristyn Harvey Interiors. 'They also only get more beautiful with the wear and tear that comes from being close to embers.'

4. Go for furniture which can be easily moved

When choosing furniture to arrange by a fireplace it's important to look at the wider use of the space. Living rooms, and many other rooms containing fireplaces, are often multifunctional spaces, so the furniture you choose needs to be able to adapt to different moods and uses, whether it be relaxing and watching the TV or entertaining guests.

In addition, a working fireplace isn't in use all year or all of the day, so it's important to consider how the furniture will serve the room throughout the day and from season to season.

'Flexibility is key when styling furniture around a fireplace. Opt for swivel chairs and movable ottomans that you can position in various ways to offer versatility in how the space is enjoyed,' advises interior designer Stephanie Larsen. 'On days when you want the room to feel cozier, angling the furniture toward the fireplace can bring an added sense of warmth. In other moments, you can pivot the furniture inward and away from the fireplace, shifting the focal point and cultivating a more intimate gathering space.'

5. Embrace symmetry with two sofas

Placing two sofas facing each other on either side of the fireplace, with an ottoman or a coffee table in the middle, is a popular layout that helps focus on the symmetry of the room's architecture. It creates a neat, formal feel, especially if you choose sleek, tailored sofas with fitted upholstery. The format helps aid natural conversation however this arrangement can hinder the versatility of the space as it is tricky to rearrange.

In this space by Herlong Architecture & Interiors, the layout was designed to reflect the symmetry of the architecture. ‘We want to accentuate the architectural features of the home rather than masking them. We work in harmony with the architectural elements such as the symmetry of the fireplace wall, enhancing the overall design,’ explains Abigail Botero, interior designer at Herlong Architecture & Interiors.

'The furniture arrangement mirrors the symmetry of the fireplace and shelves with flanking sofas and a generous centered coffee table. he space is relaxed yet defined while it has an open feel with room to move around when entertaining,' adds Heather Allison, interior designer at Herlong.

6. Add a fireplace fender

A traditional design feature often seen in period homes, fireplace fenders consist of small upholstered benches around the fireplaces usually attached to metal railings which provide a comfortable perch to get closer to the warmth of the fire. They create a feeling of grandeur and can also be a stylish design feature in their own right, offering the opportunity to introduce fun pops of colour and pattern through fabric. Plus, if you have little ones around the house then it can also serve as a handy fireplace barrier.

‘I like to keep the furniture mix quite interesting and play around with sizing, such as having a small slipper on one side and a beautiful antique Victorian armchair on the other, but above all else, I love to install a club fender around the fireplace. They dress the fireplace in a way that no other furniture can and the contrast of soft fabric against antique brass or metal is beautiful,' says interior designer Octavia Dickinson.

'Club fenders are another way of bringing in texture and color through fabrics to a scheme, and a great place to perch so you are looking into the room which is great for conversation. Not only that but the roaring fire safely behind you keeps you warm in these colder months. They provide precious extra seating when squeezing lots of people in, and aesthetically frame a fire.'

7. Center furniture around a statement ottoman

Arranging seating around a central ottoman or coffee table is the go-to layout for many living rooms with fireplaces and for good reason. Low designs keep sightlines clear for conversation and they make a perfect place to place drinks, nibbles, books, magazines, and remotes. They can also be built in with concealed storage and provide additional seating. Often placed in line with the fireplace, they also make a wonderful place to make a design feature, serving as a secondary focal point within the room.

If your aim is to create a cozy living room, then choose an upholstered ottoman over a hard coffee table as this will bring additional warmth, softness, and a level of sound insulation. It also offers the chance to showcase beautiful patterned fabrics, as shown in this scheme by Brooke Copp-Barton. Choosing a bright or patterned fabric will help anchor the space and can serve as a great starting point for a scheme.

For small living rooms, circular ottoman or coffee table designs are a great solution as these often fit more neatly into tight spaces and feel less obtrusive.

8. Add pouffes and footstools for flexibility

If you like to host large gatherings and use your living room space for entertaining then incorporating a selection of poufs or upholstered footstools can make a really handy additional seating. These can easily be moved closer into the room to accommodate extra guests and they can easily be moved close to the fire for a cosy and intimate gathering.

'Depending on the size of the room, I like to mix the shapes of the ottoman, so in smaller rooms, I may choose a 20th Century round ottoman as another place to perch or piles with books or magazines, or in larger spaces, I'll design a generously sized ottoman with bullion fringing or a pleated skirt, to ground the area and offset from the openness of the fireplace,' explains Octavia Dickinson.

9. Include side tables with lamps

Living room seating isn't the only thing to consider when styling furniture around a fireplace – storage and side tables should be factored in too. Incorporating strategically placed side tables not only provides space for books and drinks, they also offer a place for table lamps which are essential in setting the mood for a relaxing living space.

Lamps with cables need to be positioned near sockets, alternatively, try cableless, rechargeable designs for more flexibility. Positioned near the fire, side tables with table lamps can further enhance the warm glowing focus of the room.

10. Leave space in front of the fire for gathering

When arranging furniture around a fireplace be sure to maintain adequate space around it to prevent the space feeling cramped and to ensure the room has flow, advise interior designers.

'I love to leave at least a 3-foot radius around a fireplace because I view that as a gathering spot for the family to sit on the floor by the fire and cuddle in close. This also happens to work well since fabric does not want to be exposed to direct heat either,' says Kristyn Harvey, founder of Kristyn Harvey Interiors.

'Rooms should evolve with the seasons. In winter, pulling furniture closer to the fireplace creates a more intimate and inviting atmosphere, while in summer, opening up the layout allows for a lighter, airier feel,' adds Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'A well-placed rug can help to ground the seating area and subtly reinforce the fireplace as the room’s natural focal point.'

11. Try a swivel chair

Armchairs are a must for getting cozy by the fireplace, but it can be tricky to know which way to angle them in a living room with a fireplace and they can be cumbersome to move - enter the swivel chair, a favorite flexible option with interior designers.

'I love to place low-backed swivel chairs in front of the fireplace with a side table in between,' adds Kristyn Harvey, Kristyn Harvey Interiors. 'It offers flexibility for when you want to face the fire but also the ability to swivel around and be part of the larger conversational group on the sofa.'

12. Install built-in display shelving beside the fireplace

When furniture is arranged to face towards a fireplace it makes sense to display artwork or object's d'art on the same wall where they can be appreciated. Oftentimes, if the fireplace has a traditional chimney, there will be empty alcoves on either side of the chimney breast which can make perfect areas to introduce built-in alcove shelves for curating beautiful displays of decorative objects and books.

'If you have alcoves on either side, then why not consider adding built-in bookshelves to add symmetry and provide a natural frame and storage for all your books and decorative pieces?' suggests Emma Deterding. 'Creating built-in, wall-to-ceiling shelving and cabinetry will add a sense of grandeur and height, whilst allowing you to display personal touches, your favorite treasures and even plants beautifully. You could even choose a bold color for the joinery and wallpaper the backs to add eye-catching detail and interest to the space.'

Generally speaking, when arranging furniture around a fireplace, the fireplace usually serves as the main focus, especially in living rooms where they are most commonly located. ‘You should always establish a focal point – mainly the fireplace itself – by orienting your seating towards it. The go-to for this is using a sofa and a pair of armchairs to create a really inviting and cozy conversation area,’ explains Emma Deterding, founder and creative director, at Kelling Designs.

Of course, what pieces you choose will be dependent on the size and shape of the room and tastes; however, there are ‘certain pieces that always complement a fireplace, for instance, upholstered armchairs, loveseats and deep-seated sofas,' adds Emma Deterding. 'They help to create a really cozy atmosphere, whilst materials like leather or velvets bring in a touch of luxury. A coffee table or ottoman at the center of the arrangement will bring functionality without blocking the visual connection to the fire itself.'