skip to main content

Design Dilemma Living Rooms

Room design, tv & fireplace ahhh!

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Hi All,

We are redoing our living room & kitchen. From the beginning i knew that we would have to build a box around where all my pipes come down the wall into the living room. I had decided that we'd make a chimney where i could have a balanced flue fire with a tv above, a look which i quite like.

Foolishly I purchased a fireplace without doing my research and i've now discovered that the flue is too short at its maximum length to place it in the chimney which has already been built :(

In desperation to use this fireplace that was pretty expensive and I cant return (and also not let my husband know that i messed up!) my question is, would it look just terrible and off centre if i built a half chimney to the left (next to bifold doors) of the existing chimney and put the fire there and then made the existing chimney into a cupboard with tv above?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Emily
6 years ago
I saw your question yesterday and wondered what clever solutions might be offered so I’m just bumping it.
For me, I’m not sure. The most jarring thing to me in your drawing is the cupboards under tv. Also in any event I think the tv is placed too high for that sitting down relaxing space. I only like TVs set high in places where people are on their feet, like a games room or gym.
Bet you’ll get better solutions offered soon though.
User
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the bump! Yes my drawing isn’t exactly to scale. The top of the fire is 78cm from ground level so the shelf would sit about 110cm from the floor, it’s the same level our tv is currently set at. I sketched out again with our tv dropped to 78cm and a recessed shelving area but I don’t know if I should have something under the tv? Have attached pic of fire
Related Discussions
Views, Fireplace and TV layout help !
Q
Comments (5)
Great comments thanks. Interesting to consider breaking the area up. So far we'd been focussed on as open plan as possible with quite a contemporary 'free hanging' type woodburner Fire. But maybe we could utilise the old timber chimney to create a separation between The dining and living areas open on all four sides. I've attached a picture of it (actually there are two there right now, bit tricky to see in the photo but hope you get the idea. This 'barn level' is what will become the floor of the plan you're considering). I like this idea of using this, could make a great centrepiece and use some of the existing traditional building materials which we'd like to maximise but probably it makes my layout dilemma even harder as when facing the fireplace (which would have to be further left than on the plan I guess) we'd be facing completely away from the view and probably TV. Mmm more thinking needed but nice idea. Maybe the 'mobile' TV stand idea could help this. The other slight consideration is that one day the place may be rented to a chalet holiday company so the dining and sitting spaces have to have enough room to seat 12-14. Meaning we can't break it up too much. All views very welcome. Would love to hear your thoughts. Many thanks. Richard.
...See More
Do you prefer fireplace or TV furniture as focal point of living room
Q
Comments (30)
Your views pls: we have a large flat screen TV positioned centrally on the chimney breast (not clear on the photo), however the fireplace is offset, not central to the chimney breast. We originally fitted the TV central to the fireplace but it didn't look right as the TV overlapped the right hand edge of the chimney breast. It just doesn't look right in either position. Would it be better in the left alcove (it just fits the width) or the right alcove (which is wider) above one of the bookcases? The other consideration is the TV leads, they cannot be chased into the old stone walls. The sockets are on the left alcove. Thoughts anyone?
...See More
help me decide where to put my TV in this living room
Q
Comments (6)
Hello Maria, It's an interesting room actually and firstly my suggestion is to paint the orange white as a base. You can then gauge light levels more easily which would then inform you as to how to treat the room. Removing the balustrade completely opens the room as the steps and split level arrangement can still denote separation.. Which you can use accordingly either by situating sofa or perhaps a console and then sofa or even just a console or low cabinet here with something decorative on it.. ... Viewing the back of a sofa or low piece with something lovely like a vase and floral arrangement or something decorative is a rather nice way to introduce if you like, another area of a room and give it a sleeker form of separation if that is required.. I also rather like the idea of having a more open split level arrangement.... Perhaps consider a fire that you can use.. Look into flueless fires as an alternative.. OR possibly even a small black wood burning stove with a twin wall flue. There are options you can research and look into which I think could be nice.. Store a pile of logs underneath the space is ideal. If you want to lighten the floor consider rugs and other layers here that can really be used as a basis for your design.. Placing the sofa facing the fireplace is really an idea focal point.. with armchair opposite angled towards the sofa and fireplace.. It could be a 3 seater with a matching square foot stool which you can sit at one end to create a chaise longue arrangement for something less formal.. Another idea I like is to have again a sofa facing the fireplace and then possibly two chairs with a small table in between at the side with their backs to the sliding door, but in a way that means they don't block the view or flow of the room.. Try things out and see what works for you and the room... You want to keep flow through the space and decorate as 1 space even if the rooms are functioning separately.. Layering colour is an ideal way to decorate and add texture. Situating a flat screen in a cabinet is a nice way to hide the tv as it's not what you want people to focus on when they come to your home.. So perhaps take out the shelving entirely in favour of a cabinet that could house the screen when you want to watch a film etc. There are really some fantastic elements to your new home- the rads are fantastic and I do like the fireplace.. I think you could make this fabulous.. Add textural and warm coloured elements to the sofa arms etc.. I can see earthy and warm tones with rich luxuriant additions.. such as cushions, throws and large floral arrangements for coffee table or side tables to add interest and finish the space .... :))
...See More
Fire place & TV arrangements for a living room - south facing
Q
Comments (23)
Regarding the fireplace, what type of fire are you thinking of having? If its a real wood fire of gas fire, then you may need to take into account a chimney/flue system. It looks like both options you have suggested have the fireplace in the original house and not in the planned extension, which means any flue/chimney would likely need to to run up through the house and may cause issues with the space above. There are some great options available when it comes to fires and stoves that might allow you to position the stove away from the wall and perhaps more central in the room. Double sided stoves with glass on opposite sides are good options when you have bi-folding doors as you can enjoy the ambience of the fire from both inside or outside.
...See More
User
Original Author
6 years ago
Something like this but without the bottom recess?
Emily
6 years ago
That last photo of recessed tv with fire beside it will look good I think. :)

Sponsored

More Discussions

panelling advice!

7

Above garage extension to create primary suite

25

Window and door colour/style help please

8

should I paint the tiles white?

14

Bespoke doors & windows. What you think of this shade for glazing?

0

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.