How to Arrange Furniture in Front of Fireplaces

Place a large area rug in front of the fireplace. Position the rug so that the center of the fireplace lines up with the center of the rug. Having an area rug in place draws the eye toward the fireplace as it anchors the sitting area.

Position the sofa so that it rests between the wall opposite the fireplace and the edge of the rug, with the sofa facing the fireplace.

Place a love seat between a shorter side of the rug and a wall perpendicular to the sofa, so that the sofa and the love seat create an "L" shape.

Put a chair opposite the love seat at the end of the rug. Turn the chair at an angle so that it faces both the fireplace and the sofa. This will prevent your furniture arrangement from looking squared off or dull. Alternatively, place a love seat in this space directly opposite the one on the other side of the rug for a symmetrical arrangement.

Place a coffee table in the center of the area rug, close enough to the sofa so that is within reaching distance, but far enough away to create a walking space between the two pieces.

Put one end table between the sofa and the love seat. Ensure you can reach the end table from the either the sofa or the love seat in a seated position. Place the second end table beside the chair at the same angle so that it can be easily reached from the chair, or if you've placed another love seat in this space, put an end table in the same position as it is on the other side to maintain symmetry.