How to Arrange Chairs in Front of a Fireplace

U-shaped seating works for conversation and fireplace viewing.

A well-thought-out seating arrangement encourages conversation and interaction, makes the room comfortable and inviting and uses floor space efficiently. A fireplace is a natural focal point of a room, but it's also important to facilitate easy eye contact between the chairs' occupants. A successful seating arrangement should take into account the relationship of the chairs to the fireplace so that the entire room is integrated to feature the fire while creating a suitable conversation area.

Instructions

1. Place two chairs facing the fireplace for a small, intimate conversation area. Angle the chairs toward each other so the occupants can see each other comfortably, while keeping the fireplace the focus of the room.

2. Arrange your chairs in an L-shape when there are competing focal points in the room. For example, if a wall adjacent to the fireplace holds a TV or a picture window, place a line of chairs facing that wall and a line of chairs facing the fireplace.

3. Arrange a large group of chairs in a U-shape. This configuration is best for a room with lots of seating, where the U-shape offers a functional conversation area with chairs on three sides oriented to feature the fireplace at the open end.

4. Place two lines of chairs facing each other and perpendicular to the fireplace to form a parallel seating arrangement. This puts the fireplace off to the side but leaves the chairs' occupants facing each other for more direct eye contact.

References

• Davis School District: Furniture Arrangement (PDF)