How to Arrange Furniture in a Narrow Room With a Fireplace at the End

Paint your walls a soft earth tone or a subtle pastel. This will give your room an open, airy look. Dark or bright colors will make the room appear to be narrower.

Center a large accent rug in front of the fireplace to define your living space. An overall pattern on the rug will bring attention to this area and visually shorten the room.

Place your sofa along one long side of the rug so that it sits at a right angle to the fireplace. Place an accent table by the end of the sofa nearest the fireplace. Set a tall reading lamp on the table, which will add height.

Position a large square coffee table so that it is centered in front of your sofa. Set a tall vase of flowers on top of the table.

Arrange two matching chairs in opposite corners of the rug at the end of the rug facing the fireplace. Angle them toward each other at 45 degrees. You will be able to view your fireplace through the space between the two chairs.

Set a smaller accent chair on the corner of the rug closest to the fireplace and opposite the sofa. Angle it at 45 degrees toward the coffee table. Place a small round accent table beside the chair.

Create a tall accent feature against the wall facing the sofa. An armoire, a high, narrow framed mirror or a low table with a large vertical painting displayed above it will work well. Place the piece of furniture so that it is not sitting on the rug. This will add a sense of width to your room.

Hang a mirror, painting or TV above the fireplace. This will add height at the end of the room.

Use the area behind your rug and two matching chairs as a dining area or a small work area. Position a desk with a chair to face the center of the wall opposite the fireplace. Another option is to create a small eating area with a round glass-topped table and two chairs.