While at first it may seem like a feature reserved for rooms of a much grander scale, finding suitable small living room fireplace ideas may be easier than you'd imagine. All it takes it thinking outside the box.
There are a few key considerations to keep in mind when coming up with fireplace ideas for smaller spaces. Layout is obviously important; as much as we like cozying up by the fire, you shouldn't sit (or position furniture) too close to it. Then, there is the actual style of fireplace you choose. Working with a smaller room means overly ornate or decorative surrounds may not work, as they risk dominating the space. And lastly, there's the decorating ideas, because it's important to make sure the fireplace fits seamlessly with the overall look of your space.
To prove it's all possible, below, we've shared some great small living room fireplace ideas that mean just because you may lack space, it doesn't mean you have to miss out on the experience of gathering around a fire during the cooler season.
Small Living Room Fireplace Decor Ideas
Believe it or not, your small living room fireplace decor can make a big difference to how it sits in the space. You want to make it a feature and focal point, without it dominating the room. Interior designer Lucie Ayres, founder and principal at Los Angeles-based 22 Interiors says an all too common mistake is a fireplace mantel that "swallows a small living room."
"Using a tile or stone that catches the eye is the best way to make it a focal point," she says. "Go bold and have just that one element stand out, but keep the mantle scaled down to the room size." Here are some other ideas.
1. WRAP IT IN WALLPAPER
Adding wallpaper behind and around a freestanding fireplace is an easy way to create a charming vignette in a small room. It also helps make it feel nestled into the space, rather than overtaking it. And while the options are endless, choosing a busier floral pattern can actually work to expand the space, blurring the edges of the room.
"Wallpapers can add another dimension of warmth and textural interest to a room," says Patrick O'Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball. "From small motif designs to more graphic prints, they're also a great way to hide flaws if your walls are not in the best order."
2. COLOR DRENCH IT
Much in the same way that a busy wallpaper can help blur the boundaries of a space, so too can paint — it just depends on how you apply it. Color drenching (when you paint the walls, ceiling, trims, and doors all in the same color) can work wonders in helping a fireplace settle into a room, making it feel less dominating and a more subtle feature.
The space above demonstrates how this happens, even when you're working with an overly ornate fireplace mantel. It's also a great way to make other features take center stage, like a statement tile or your choice of decor, and also makes the room feel bigger as a whole.
3. KEEP IT MINIMAL
When it comes to over fireplace decor ideas, particularly in smaller living rooms, it's best to keep things minimal, so you don't make the space feel too cramped and cluttered. "You can layer a few curated objects, like a piece of art, a small plant, or a couple of well-chosen decorative items, to add personality without cluttering the room," says Sarah Brady, the founder and creative director of Salt Design Company. "A mirror above the fireplace can also help reflect light and make the room feel more expansive."
In the room above, by architect Peter Block and styled by Eleanor Roper, three simple candlesticks balance the rest of the decor in the space, and make the fireplace itself feel like the focus.
Layout Considerations
When designing a small living room with a fireplace, layout is key. Whether it's the best way to arrange your furniture, or ensuring everything remains at a safe distance from the flames, there are a few ideas of how to integrate a fireplace into a small living room, without making it feel even more cramped.
4. USE THE FIREPLACE AS A ROOM DIVIDER
When coming up with small living room layout ideas (particularly with open-concept or studio apartments) it can be tricky to know where to position the fireplace. One clever way is to use it to create partitions, or to divide different zones within the space, making it a more multifunctional feature.
The space above demonstrates how it effectively separates the space, without making them feel cramped or disconnected. "In the open plan living/dining space, we used a fireplace in black to stand out from the neutral palette, and divide and demarcate each space's function," adds Stefan Tollgard, the designer and founder of Tollgard Studio.
5. POSITION ALONG THE LONGEST WALL
Australian architect Georgina Wilson of Georgina Wilson Associates recommends trying to install your fireplace on the longer wall of a small living room, if you can. "This allows the furniture to sit in a shallower circle around the fireplace, creating a cozy, conversation-friendly layout," she explains.
Not only that, but in smaller spaces "this wider arrangement works better than a deeper one," she adds, "ensuring that the warmth from the fireplace benefits as much of the room as possible."
6. SKIP THE COFFEE TABLE
Another layout consideration for small living room fireplace ideas is your choice of furniture. "It's best to keep the furniture arrangement simple to avoid overcrowding the space," says Georgina, who recommends a sofa facing the fireplace with an armchair on either side as the ideal set-up.
"A low, streamlined sofa facing the fireplace, with two accent chairs flanking it at an angle, helps create an intimate, balanced layout," adds Sarah Brady.
As for the coffee table, Georgina suggests trying to avoid using a large central coffee table, and instead "opt for a few side tables or ottomans that can be easily moved." This prevents the space from feeling too cramped, and means there is more room for everyone to enjoy cozying up in front of the fireplace.
Small Living Room Fireplace Ideas
But when it comes to small living room fireplace ideas, there are hundreds of ways to approach it. Here are some other things to consider, when making your decision.
7. ADD CHARACTER WITH EXPOSED BRICK
Exposed brick can introduce instant character. It works particularly well in this small living room, where the red of the bricks provides a subtle contrast against the steel blue-gray wall color. The surround isn't too fussy, so it doesn't overwhelm the small space like a large ornate surround might, but it does add warmth.
Owen Pacey, founder of Renaissance London, says it's important to think about the architectural era of your home when considering an exposed brick fireplace. "I always advise sticking to whatever fireplace style is local to your area," he adds. "This is for aesthetic, rather than practical reasons. Something from the wrong era will stick out like a sore thumb."
8. CHOOSE A DOUBLE-SIDED FIREPLACE
Apart from being a fabulous designer feature, a double-sided fireplace is also great for maximizing warmth, heating two rooms at once. It's also perfect for sustaining visual and light flow in small spaces.
This bright and airy living room features a sleek double-sided glass fireplace built into a concrete wall with a practical niche on the other side which stores firewood and creates a discreetly styled statement. Light shines through the fireplace from one side of the room to the other making the whole concept feel delicate despite the industrial aesthetic.
9. FORGO WITH MANTEL
When space is limited, a simple but effective idea for making a fireplace work is to choose a style that doesn't have a mantel. This means it will be less protruding in the space, giving back precious room for other things.
"A slim-profile fireplace insert paired with a simple plaster wall surround can create a sleek, minimalist look, while saving valuable floor space," echoes Sarah Brady.
It also means the fireplace will look more minimal in the space, and potentially less of a focal point, which will help to ensure the overall room doesn't feel cluttered or cramped.
10. TREAT IT WITH TILES
There are plenty of fireplace tile ideas that can be a game-changer for the look and feel of a room, even a small one. Smaller decorative tiles are an easy way to introduce pattern and visual interest, while the space above shows how tiling the entire chimney breast — from floor to ceiling — can be a useful tool for making a small living room feel taller and more grand.
11. CONSIDER A WOOD-BURNING STOVE
A stove can be another great idea for getting a fireplace in a smaller space, whether it's installed in an inglenook, or to stand on its own. They come in a range of sizes, so you can find one that will work properly in the space you have.
With this approach it's important to make sure you maintain a safe distance from combustible materials such as beams, carpet, and skirtings, but it's an easy way to add a focal point in your living room without taking up too much space.
FAQs
Can you put a fireplace in a small room?
As this article has set out, yes, it's absolutely possible to find small living room fireplace ideas that are both functional and stylish. They're a luxury addition to any room, big or small. While there is certainly an assumption that they can be architecturally overwhelming in smaller spaces, there are plenty of creative ways to incorporate them into a floor plan with limited space, like removing mantels, rearranging furniture, or positioning them in dividing walls.
But, with something like a fireplace, it's also important to consider the safety aspect. Things like: does the space have adequate ventilation? Are you or your furniture sitting too close to the fireplace? For that, architect Georgina Wilson urges that you always consult an expert before proceeding with any installation. "I once discovered that I had a fireplace that was not properly installed — there was no fire isolation barrier," she admits. "So always make sure you install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions."
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