DEAR GAIL: How do I place my sofa in a room that has two focal points, my TV and fireplace? They are on right angles to each other and not the same wall. BETTY I.
DEAR BETTY: The two focal points that you have are also two different types. Your fireplace is considered your architectural focal point and your TV a furniture focal point. Now some would cringe that I even place your TV in the focal point category, but I’m realist and in today’s lifestyle, when sitting in our family room we’re there to watch TV.
Depending upon the size of your room and any angles that you may have, I would first try angling your sofa across from the corner where the TV and fireplace meet. This way your sofa has a view of both the fireplace and the TV.
Then place your loveseat or matching chairs on a right angle to your sofa. If you need this secondary seating to have TV viewing, then place on a right angle on the fireplace side. If you would like this seating to have a better view of the fireplace, then place on the right angle by the TV. This initial arrangement should be in the form of an "L" shape.
Now to balance your arrangement, take an accent chair and place it diagonally across from the corner of the "L" shape that you have formed with your sofa and love seat. So it will either be next to the fireplace or next to the TV. This chair is not expected to be one that will be used to view your TV with, but for casual conversation while entertaining or just enjoying the family when the TV is not in use.
If you have overstuffed furniture or your room is not large enough to accommodate the angling, you need to choose your primary focal point. If it is important that you look straight onto the TV from the sofa, then center it directly across from your TV. Next place your loveseat on the right angle to form the "L" shape. The loveseat will then be facing your fireplace. Again, take that accent chair and place it diagonally across from the corner of the "L" for balance.
A nice change for your room would be to make your fireplace the primary focal point in the winter time. Follow the same steps for placing your furniture, except start by centering your sofa on your fireplace and then your loveseat will be at a right angle and facing your TV. This arrangement would also work if you have two recliners that are your primary seating for TV viewing, since they are your secondary pieces, they would be facing the TV.
A quick double check to make sure you have your furniture properly placed is that your table or floor lighting should be on a diagonal line and best if in the shape of a triangle. This way you do not have any dark areas in your room.
Also make sure that your furniture is not placed at any odd angles in your room or off angled to each other. Keep them at right angles in the form of an "L" and you’ll do just fine.