It’s a common dilemma: you walk into your new home or apartment and find that the living room has some quirks. The usual case is that it’s an awkward living room layout. Maybe a fireplace is built right in the center of the room, or worse, one is shoved into a corner that throws off the balance. What’s more, a rectangular room, especially in small apartments, can make the room even more awkward.
Regardless of the situation, awkward living room layout ideas can still be fostered with a little creativity. With a bit of guidance, you can transform any awkward space into a cozy and functional area with some effective idea planning and execution.
We’ll start out the idea inspiration by getting around fireplace challenges.
Awkward Living Room Layout with a Fireplace
A fireplace is always such a nice feature to have, but the fixture can be both a blessing and a curse. It adds a warming touch, but it can make furniture placement tricky by over-powering the room. One of the key challenges with an awkward living room layout with a fireplace is determining how to position your seating.
When the fireplace is an easy focal point, the ideal approach is to embrace it. All you need to do is arrange furniture to directly face the fireplace. This ensures that your guests can enjoy the warmth and ambiance of the fire. But what if fireplace is not an easy focal point? Here’s where the process gets tricky, and it’s worse if you want to incorporate a TV or other amenities. Now, let’s cover how to resolve this issue.
Weird angles may be the impediment. When this is the case, you’ll want to find the right angle of your furniture. First, assess the angle of your fireplace, and use adjacent space to leverage that angle. For example, if the fire place has eastern faced angle, counter the space by placing and floating your furniture in a western facing angle. This will help cut the awkward living room layout.
If you would like to create a symmetrical feel, then you’ll need to factor in some visual additions to offset the awkward fireplace. This can be best achieved by adding bookshelves or a tall plant to the opposite side of the fireplace. Then adjust how you float your furniture to even it out.
Living Room Planning with a Corner Fireplace in Play
The awkward living room layout with a corner fireplace can be seen as a next-level puzzle. A corner fireplace can throw off symmetry and leave you wondering how to create a balanced look. Many homeowners in this situation end up asking themselves: “How to I stage my furniture and accessories?”
When furniture placement in an awkward living room layout with a corner fireplace feels impossible, the most effective approach is going to be find the right place to float you living room pieces.
This will be the time where you don’t want to make sure all your furniture items are pushed against a wall. Instead, float your sofa towards the center of the room facing the fireplace. This makes the fireplace a focal point without creating dead space in the corners.
Another great trick is to angle the furniture. Place a sofa or chairs at an angle that mirrors the fireplace. While this might seem unconventional, it may actually soften harsh lines and help create an inviting, fluid layout.
Another great addition is incorporating a round coffee table or ottoman to break up the angles of the room. A well-placed smaller furniture piece can create a sense of balance in a space that might otherwise feel awkwardly displaced.
Rectangle Awkward Living Room Layouts Ideas
Moving along, let’s cover some ideas for your living room if it is long and rectangular. This type of space can be challenging to establish a cohesive feel. You might end up with awkward gaps or areas that downright feel empty, to say the least. The best way around it is zoning your living area.
One popular rectangle awkward living room layout idea is to divide the room into multiple distinct areas. The best approach is usually two zones. Three or more can get very tricky and lead to crowding.
Take this example. Place the sofa on one end, with a chair or two on the opposite side to create a conversation area. That covers one zone. The other end will be zone two. Built it out by creating a cozy reading nook with a small accent chair and narrow bookshelf. If space allows, you may add a small desk for a functional work-from-home corner.
Work on floating the two zone to find the right balance for the most inviting look your guests will come to appreciate.
Small Apartment Awkward Living Room Layout Ideas
Awkward spaces are one issue to confront, and this gets further complicated when the space is also small. Additionally, living in a small apartment brings its own unique set of challenges, and the awkward living room layout will feel even more pronounced. Don’t you worry—there are plenty of solutions for maximizing your space.
Your first tactic is utilization of multi-functional furniture to overcome the limited space. A storage ottoman can double as a coffee table. Furthermore, don’t fit the space with a regular sofa. The space will be better served with a sofa bed which will provide extra sleeping space for guests.
Your next move will be the consideration of installing floating shelves over bulky bookcases. Using vertical space will make the most of the area. When dealing with a small apartment awkward living room layout, every inch counts.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to furniture arrangement to “mask’ an awkward space. Carefully float your sofa in the center of the room and pair it with a smaller armchair or loveseat. Use strategic placement of your floating furniture to blend out the awkward structure.
Lastly, mirrors also work wonders in making a small space feel larger. Above the fireplace or on a feature wall to reflect light and open up the room works best.
Final Thoughts on an Awkward Living Room
Dealing with an awkward living room layout—whether it’s a fireplace in the middle, a corner fireplace, or just an oddly shaped room—can be challenging. Don’t let this discourage you from making the most of your space. With some thoughtful planning, creative furniture placement, and clever design tricks, you can turn even the most awkward spaces into comfortable and functional living areas.
Remember that an awkward room isn’t always a deal breaker for your choice in living quarters. All you have to do is take some of the tips given here and embrace the quirks to let your personal style shine!