Living Room and Kitchen Open Flow with Corner Fireplaces

Open concept floor plans are popular in modern homes, blending living rooms seamlessly with kitchens and dining areas. While this creates a spacious, airy feel, incorporating a corner fireplace can disrupt the open flow. With some careful planning however, you can enjoy an unobstructed layout despite a prominent fireplace.

The key is choosing fireplace proportions and positioning doorways strategically. Built-in storage solutions and intentional furniture arrangements also help maximize openness. Follow these tips, and your living room and kitchen can harmoniously coexist around a stunning corner fireplace focal point.

Choose Fireplace Size and Style Carefully

An oversized, imposing corner fireplace can overwhelm a room, blocking sight lines and dominating the space. Instead, opt for a smaller, less intrusive style to preserve an open feel. Flush mounted electric fireplaces take up very little wall space. You can also install a rounded or curved fireplace for a softer look.

Freestanding, movable fireplace units are another excellent option. Their versatility allows you to change layouts anytime. Just avoid extremely tall fireplaces that rise above head level. The lower the profile, the less disruption to open flow.

Strategic Furniture Layout and Placement

Arrange living room furniture strategically to keep circulation flowing freely. Floating sofas, modular sectionals and ottomans make the most of limited space around a corner fireplace.

Angle furniture inward to face the fireplace, creating an intimate seating area. Allow at least 3-4 feet between the fireplace and any furnishings to enable traffic flow. Doorways to adjacent rooms should align carefully with clear paths through the space.

Leave Space for Traffic Flow

Avoid bottlenecks caused by furniture placement. Leave ample room for people to comfortably walk from the kitchen through the living area without obstruction.

Angle Furniture Inward Toward the Fireplace

Pointing chairs and sofas diagonally towards the fireplace keeps it in view while delineating separate spaces.

Doorway and Fireplace Placement

Carefully position doorways in relation to the fireplace to prevent disruptions in flow between rooms. If possible, ensure doorways don't open directly into the corner with the fireplace, impeding movement.

Using glass partition walls rather than solid ones keeps sightlines open. This maintains an airy, unbroken feel between the kitchen, living and dining spaces despite the fireplace.

Built-In Shelving and Storage Solutions

Take advantage of the empty space around your living room corner fireplace by incorporating built-in storage. Floating open shelves provide decorative display space while eliminating visual clutter. Enclose the shelves for more hidden storage.

Built-in cabinetry or bookshelves flanking the fireplace boost storage while framing the focal point. Stylish storage ottomans also tuck away blankets and other items conveniently when not in use.

Lighting to Highlight the Fireplace

Properly illuminating a corner fireplace ensures it commands the right visual attention. Perimeter accent lighting washing the walls around the fireplace highlights it beautifully.

Hang pendant lights above the mantel or install sconces on side walls. Dim lights in seating areas to prevent competing glare. The fireplace should be the brightest light source for maximum impact.

Additional Design Tips and Ideas

A few final touches complete your cohesive open concept living room with a corner fireplace:

• Paint or tile walls behind the fireplace a bold, contrasting color to accentuate it.
• Add large artwork or mirrors above the mantel to draw the eye upwards.
• Incorporate lush green plants and fresh flowers to soften the hard fireplace edges.
• Minimize visual clutter and decor around the fireplace to avoid competing elements.

With thoughtful planning and strategic design choices, an open floor plan kitchen and living room can beautifully integrate a stunning corner fireplace. Keeping sightlines clear, allowing for traffic flow, and drawing the eye to the fireplace as a focal point creates a seamless, harmonious feel.

Incorporating built-ins, floating furniture, glass walls and accent lighting enhances openness. Follow these tips, and your corner fireplace will feel like a natural, fluid part of an airy, welcoming space.