A fireplace is often the heart of a home—a natural gathering spot that offers warmth, comfort, and a stunning visual anchor.

But how do you design a living room that complements this feature instead of competing with it?

The right layout and decor can transform your fireplace from a simple heat source into the centerpiece of a beautiful, functional space.

Whether you’re working with a grand stone hearth or a sleek, modern unit, there are endless ways to arrange your living room.

We’ll explore a variety of design ideas to help you create a cozy and stylish environment. From furniture placement to mantel decor, these tips will help you make the most of your living room fireplace.

1. Classic and Symmetrical Warmth

This design creates an inviting, symmetrical focal point centered around a stately stone fireplace and mantel.

The palette relies on creamy neutrals and warm beige walls, achieving a timeless and sophisticated atmosphere.

Layered lighting—from the glowing fire to the twin wall sconces and large table lamps—is key to the cozy ambiance.

A classic, large-scale landscape painting draws the eye upward and reinforces the traditional style.

The deep, round coffee table grounds the seating arrangement and introduces a rich, dark wood tone.

2. Organic Modern Stone Hearth

The striking focal point is the floor-to-ceiling fireplace clad in natural, cool-toned stacked stone veneer.

A smooth, lighter stone mantel provides a refined contrast to the rugged hearth material, marrying texture and polish.

Custom vertical-grain wood cabinetry with sleek black hardware offers balanced storage and warmth.

The decor is thoughtfully layered with organic elements like neutral linen pillows and wooden beads.

The overall style is a blend of organic modern and transitional design, focusing on natural materials and a serene, muted color palette.

3. Modern Hearth with Organic Textures

The dominant feature is the full-wall stone cladding, utilizing large, irregularly shaped stones in cool, light gray and white tones.

On the left, a series of floating wood shelves are paired with a lower cabinet in a light, raw wood finish for open storage.

A rich cognac leather armchair provides a warm, classic color anchor that contrasts beautifully with the cool stone.

The decor includes organic, textured accessories, while a wood-framed mirror above the mantel adds reflection and depth.

This design perfectly balances rustic stone with clean, modern lines and shelving.

4. Rustic Stone with Soft Curve Furniture

A soaring, floor-to-ceiling stone chimney in light, natural-cut stone commands attention and creates a dramatic vertical element.

The focal point is warmed by a thick, rustic, distressed wood mantel, providing a heavy horizontal counterpoint to the stone.

Seating includes unique, curved accent pieces in creamy fabrics, which softens the room’s angular lines and stone texture.

Dark, full-length drapery panels frame the windows, adding necessary contrast and drawing the eye to the bright natural light.

The decor is minimal but effective, using an arched mirror and delicate floral art for a touch of refined elegance.

5. Contemporary Hearth with High Contrast

The room features soaring, two-story walls and black-framed windows, establishing a clean, high-contrast, modern aesthetic.

A classic white wood mantel surrounds the firebox, which is clad in small, vertical light tile or brick, grounding the design with traditional form.

A strikingly tall, vertically oriented piece of pastoral art is hung above, commanding the large wall space.

Black wall sconces flanking the art tie into the window frames, repeating the key contrasting color.

The floor-to-ceiling fireplace area integrates with warm beige built-in cabinetry on the sides, adding warmth and practical storage.

6. Cozy Farmhouse Fireplace with Shiplap

The fireplace wall uses vertical shiplap paneling painted white, creating a clean, architectural backdrop that reaches the vaulted ceiling.

A substantial, rustic wood mantel beam grounds the design, contrasting the clean lines of the electric firebox below.

An arched black-framed mirror above the mantel is paired with holiday greenery to reflect light and soften the angular lines.

The room’s overall aesthetic is warm and layered, utilizing chunky knits, textured velvet ottomans, and woven baskets for depth.

This is a beautiful case study in blending rustic texture with plush comfort for an ultimate cozy feel.

7. Traditional Hearth with Sage Built-Ins

A classic white mantel above a stunning facing of veined white marble, providing a luxurious and polished foundation.

The focal point is framed by a pair of dramatic built-in cabinets and bookshelves painted in a rich, inviting sage green.

A bold, abstract painting over the mantel introduces vibrant color, balancing the room’s formal symmetry and traditional style.

The space feels intentionally designed, blending classic forms (like the Oriental rug) with a fresh, contemporary color palette.

The rich oak flooring and exposed ceiling beam enhance the room’s welcoming warmth.

8. Archway Fireplace with Deep Green

A dramatic, recessed arched niche frames the fireplace, housing custom built-ins painted in a rich, moody deep forest green.

The fireplace surround is clad in beautiful textured natural stone, providing an organic, light contrast against the dark shelving.

Above the fireplace, a textured white artwork is centered, drawing the eye and balancing the dark paint color.

The ceiling features rustic, exposed wood beams, adding a textural, architectural element and enhancing the organic modern style.

Plush, light linen seating and a massive, round wood coffee table ground the arrangement and maintain a neutral base.

9. Organic Modern Coastal Hearth

A minimalist, block-style mantel clad in a warm, light beige stone or cast concrete, providing subtle texture.

It is grounded by a large woven jute rug in a chevron pattern that defines the seating area and adds foundational texture.

A massive, natural-fiber woven pendant light hangs dramatically above, reinforcing the organic, beach-inspired aesthetic.

The seating is balanced, with a crisp white slipcovered sofa facing a soft, light blue sofa for a gentle touch of color.

A large, rustic square wood coffee table anchors the center, keeping the mood natural and airy.

10. Luxury Marble Fireplace Symmetry

A luxurious white marble surround with dramatic gray or black veining that emphasizes the stone’s natural beauty.

It is flanked by two towering, antique-style wall mirrors that reflect light and expand the room’s visual footprint.

The overall aesthetic is one of refined elegance, grounded by a large, abstract area rug in muted tones of gray and blue.

A deep, sapphire velvet armchair provides a rich pop of color, contrasting beautifully with the mostly neutral palette.

The asymmetrical, sculptural coffee table and large statement vase add a contemporary artistic edge.

11. Minimalist Hearth with Green Marble

The fireplace immediately commands attention with a surround of richly veined dark green marble, providing a luxurious color pop against the white walls.

A simple, chunky wood mantel sits atop the marble, introducing warmth and an organic texture to the design.

The entire space is unified by light wood floors laid in a herringbone pattern, which adds subtle detail and flow.

The furniture introduces striking contrast with rust-colored corduroy velvet chairs, perfectly complementing the green marble and natural wood tones.

The design achieves a clean, warm minimalist aesthetic through its restrained use of color and focus on high-quality materials.

12. Monochromatic Travertine Hearth

This space features dramatic walls clad in layered travertine stone, creating a warm, monochromatic, and heavily textured backdrop for the fireplace.

The fireplace mantel is a simple, monolithic block of stone, seamlessly blending with the wall for an architectural feel.

The furniture uses curved, organic silhouettes, notably two cozy bouclé armchairs that emphasize softness and comfort.

A contrast is introduced by the massive, dark-stained round coffee table, which grounds the light space with a heavy, sculptural form.

The subtle palette of creams, beiges, and tans achieves a refined warm minimalism.

13. Serene Coastal Farmhouse Hearth

This design achieves serenity with an all-white canvas, allowing the textures and subtle colors to take center stage.

The fireplace features light, natural-cut stone tiling and is topped with a simple, chunky raw wood mantel for organic warmth.

A gentle color palette is introduced through a pale green abstract artwork and coordinating aqua throw pillows on the seating.

The grouping of three curved barrel chairs creates an intimate, conversational arrangement around the unique live-edge wood coffee table.

The space is anchored by a large, neutral textured rug that clearly defines the living area.

14. Soaring Stone Chimney Focal Point

A dramatic vertical element, utilizing rough-cut natural stone that extends the full two-story height of the room.

It is framed by a refined creamy stone mantel and hearth, which provides a polished, light border around the firebox.

A massive, tiered black circular chandelier hangs from the high ceiling, emphasizing the vertical space and adding a strong modern contrast.

Light-toned woven Roman shades filter the abundant natural light from the large windows.

The furniture, including a large gray sectional sofa and ottoman, grounds the space with a comfortable, neutral palette.

15. Functional Farmhouse with Floating Shelves

A clean, symmetrical focus with a linear electric fireplace centered beneath a floating rustic wood mantel beam.

The fireplace wall is flanked by symmetrical white built-in cabinets, which provide essential hidden storage.

Above the cabinets, natural wood floating shelves display decorative items, introducing texture and personality.

A brass chandelier adds a touch of classic elegance, contrasting with the more casual, light wood tones.

The room is styled for seasonal warmth, using soft textures, a muted area rug, and pops of deep green and autumnal colors.

16. Vaulted Stone Hearth and Archways

A dramatic focal point with floor-to-ceiling natural fieldstone, emphasizing the room’s impressive vaulted ceilings.

The rugged stone is balanced by two symmetrical dark-stained wood built-in cabinets with glass doors, introducing rich color and a formal element.

Architectural details include an arched entryway in contrasting wood, which softens the linear aspects of the room.

A large, beaded or woven pendant chandelier adds unique texture and scale, drawing the eye up toward the ceiling.

The seating arrangement is kept bright and neutral using various gray and cream patterned textiles.

17. Transitional Hearth with High Contrast

A charming painted white brick hearth, complemented by a sleek white shiplap chimney breast and an elevated simple mantel.

It is flanked by contrasting deep navy or black cabinets that anchor the lower half and provide a grounding, dark accent color.

Floating natural wood shelves are placed above the cabinets, maintaining an airy feel while showcasing curated decor.

A striking geometric pendant light with a drum shade emphasizes the vaulted shiplap ceiling and introduces black contrast.

The seating consists of lightly textured chairs and a large gray rug, ensuring a bright, comfortable atmosphere.

18. Clean Transitional Hearth with Built-Ins

This design achieves perfect symmetry and balance with a classic white mantel flanked by recessed built-in shelving.

The built-ins feature closed lower cabinets for hidden storage and light wood open shelves above for stylish display.

A modern, abstract piece of art (or a TV framed to look like art) dominates the space above the mantel, tying in gray and blue accent tones.

The sleek, mid-century-inspired lounge chair and pair of cozy bouclé ottomans introduce softness and texture.

Brass picture lights over the shelves add a refined touch, highlighting the decor and accentuating the architectural height.

19. Dramatic Modern Mountain Hearth

A bold, dramatic statement using a monolithic fireplace as its core element.

The massive chimney breast is clad in rough-cut natural stone on the sides, sharply contrasted by a smooth, floor-to-ceiling black metal panel at the center.

A linear, modern gas fireplace with stones adds to the contemporary, clean look.

The room features high, vaulted wood ceilings that introduce essential warmth and texture.

The dark, substantial square coffee table grounds the space, while low, textured seating and cowhide ottomans maintain the sophisticated, organic-industrial style.

Create Your Perfect Fireside Retreat

Your fireplace is more than just a source of heat; it’s a feature that adds character and focus to your living room.

By thoughtfully arranging your furniture and decor around it, you can create a space that is not only stylish but also warm, inviting, and perfect for making memories.

Whether you prefer a formal, symmetrical layout or a casual, eclectic mix, the key is to make the fireplace the star of the show.