What Should You Do if You Have Two Focal Points in Your Living Room?

When there are two focal points in a living room it can be a real challenge to arrange furniture and decorate the room. How do are we supposed to address this oh-so-common problem?

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I struggle with this exact problem in my own living room, where I have a fireplace and french doors on one side of the room and a large entertainment center on the opposite side.

Welcome to chapter 5 of the Simply Decorating Series; a free resource designed especially for the diy decorator who is eager to transform their home into a place that reflects their personal style and needs. Each post breaks down complex design ideas into simple, actionable steps. If you’re just beginning the series, start with chapter 1, How to Decorate a Room – Where To Start.

Let’s explore clever ways that you can handle this decorating dilemma in your own home.

In a living room, the primary focal point should be the center of attention, but that doesn’t mean other elements can’t also shine.

For instance, in an open concept space, the space’s focal point might be on one end, with a secondary focal point creating interest on the opposite end.

How to find the focal point in your living room?

Identifying the main focal point in your living room can sometimes feel like playing detective in your own home. But don’t worry, it’s pretty easy to figure out.

Start by looking over your room – what catches your eye first? What is the most predominant thing in the room?

It could be anything from a large picture window or French doors that frame a beautiful view, or a grand fireplace mantel that anchors the space.

Any such features in a room are a natural focal point. Think of it as an anchor of your room; everything else sort of dances around it.

The challenge starts when there’s a secondary focal point — be it an accent wall, an architectural element, or even a statement piece of furniture.

It can play havoc with the living room furniture arrangement. Especially if they are on opposite sides of the room (like mine). Notice my fireplace on one side and the large entertainment center across from it.

Actually, depending upon how you enter the room, you might even say the decorative screen, hanging behind my couch, is a third focal point.

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Designer strategies for two focal points

So, just how do you arrange a living room with two focal points? Most designers will tell you that it can be quite the challenge for them.

If forces them to reach into their bag of tricks to take advantage of both focal points in the room, but there are several strategies that they use to create a balanced, cohesive, and beautiful room that we can all add to our decorating arsenals.

Balance visual weight

The most fundamental elements of a living room design that has dual focal points revolve around getting the visual balance right. Furniture placement correct is crucial!

Think of your living room as a stage where each element plays a supporting role.

And on that “stage”, the intent should be to arrange the living room layout so that each focal point, whether it’s the main or the secondary one, remains an important part of the room, but doesn’t overshadow the other.

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• Size and scale: If one focal point is significantly larger or more visually commanding (like a large window or an expansive piece of art), the other focal point (like a fireplace or a TV) can be enhanced with additional elements.

For instance, adding larger pieces of decor to a mantel to balance the visual weight of an entertainment center in the room, as I’ve done in my room.

• Symmetry and asymmetry: Depending on the room’s layout and what the focal points are, designers might create symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangements.

Let’s say you have a living room with a fireplace and a large picture window on a perpendicular wall. The goal is to arrange the furniture in a way that draws more attention to one and less to the other.

In a symmetrical arrangement, you might place two identical sofas facing each other, aligned with the fireplace, with a coffee table between them. This layout would draw the majority of the attention to the fireplace and minimize the window.

An asymmetrical arrangement might be to position a sectional sofa with its longer side facing the fireplace and its shorter side perpendicular, facing the window. Add a chair in the opposing corner, facing the sofa. Again, this arrangement favors the fireplace as the attention grabber.

• Color and texture play: Colors and textures can be used to create visual links between two focal points. If one focal point is colorful or textured, introducing similar hues or textures near the other focal point can create a cohesive look that balances the room.

Elements such as fabrics, artwork, and rugs and furniture made with natural fibers are a few examples that come to mind.

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• Lighting as a balancing tool: Lighting is another tool that can be used to balance the visual weight of a room.

This might mean using accent lighting to draw attention to artwork or architectural features while natural light from windows can be enhanced with the right window treatments.

• Decorative elements: Attention drawing decorative elements like rugs, cushions, plants, and art can be used to balance the visual weight.

These elements can draw the eye and add interest, helping to distribute attention between the two focal points.

The use of negative space

It’s all about the art of leaving certain parts of your room intentionally empty, which, believe it or not, can be as impactful as the furniture and decor you choose.

So, why is negative space so important in a room with two focal points? I wrote a whole blog post about using negative space in a room, but picture this: You’ve got a stunning fireplace on one side and a breathtaking bay window on the other.

Now, if every inch of your room is filled up, it’s like a visual shouting match. Everything competes for attention, and it can feel pretty overwhelming. But with some thoughtfully preserved negative space, each focal point gets its moment in the spotlight.

It acts as a visual ‘palette cleanser’ by giving your eyes a rest and a clear path to take in each focal point without distraction.

Think of it as the quiet space that whispers in a room full of louder conversations. When used correctly, it’s a concept that not only makes the room more aesthetically pleasing but also more relaxing to be in.

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Also, let’s not forget how negative space can make a room feel bigger. It’s a nifty trick, especially in a smaller room.

By not overcrowding the space, each focal point stands out more, and the room feels more open and airy.

And negative space doesn’t always mean bare walls or empty corners. It can also be about the spacing between furniture, the area around your coffee table, or even the way you hang art on the walls.

The goal is to create balance and breathing room, so the room feels harmonious, not cluttered.

In short, when you’re working with two focal points, negative space is the quiet best friend who makes sure both stars of the show shine equally. A space that feels as good as it looks – welcoming, spacious, and perfectly balanced.

Attention to rhythm and repetition

Think of rhythm in design like the beat in your favorite song. It’s what makes the design feel alive and keeps your eyes moving around the room in a way that feels natural and pleasing.

When you have two focal points, such as a cozy fireplace and a stunning window view, rhythm helps by creating a connection between them. How?

Well, it’s done by repeating certain design elements. This could be color, shapes, textures, patterns, or even materials. 

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For example, if you have a blue sofa in front of your fireplace, you might repeat the blue in throw pillows by the window.

Or, if you have a circular mirror above the fireplace, consider adding a round coffee table or circular patterns in rugs or cushions near your other focal point.

Repetition creates a sense of harmony and order. It subtly tells a story throughout your space, where each element feels connected and part of a whole.

This is super helpful in a room with two focal points because it guides the eye smoothly from one area to the other, without any jarring interruptions. It’s like creating a visual trail of breadcrumbs that leads you around the room.

But here’s the key – don’t go overboard. A little repetition goes a long way. It should feel natural, not like you’re walking into a room where everything is matchy-matchy.

You’re working to connect each part in a way that’s visually appealing and feels just right.

​Strategic contrast and variety

While repetition has its place, contrast can also be effective. It’s a great opportunity to juxtapose different styles, textures, or colors near each focal point to create distinct but harmonious areas within the room.

Imagine you’re an artist with a blank canvas; contrast and variety are your vibrant paint colors that bring everything to life.

Just like in that artist’s painting, if we juxtapose different styles, textures, or colors near each focal point, we’ll create distinct but harmonious areas within the room.

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Say you have two focal points in your living room – a huge tv on one wall and a large rustic fireplace on the other side of the room. They’re different, right? That’s where the magic of contrast comes in. 

Playing up their differences to helps to create an interesting space. Think of pairing the sleek, polished look of the tv with the rough, warm textures of the fireplace. It’s this mix of styles and textures that adds depth and character to your room.

Variety is about mixing things up – different shapes, sizes, textures, and colors. Take a room where one focal point is a very modern, traditionally designed fireplace at one end of the room.

To contrast this, you might situate a modern large sectional sofa in front of a gallery wall. The difference between the two creates a visual tension that’s intriguing and engaging.

What does that have to do with dealing with two focal points? When done well, contrast and variety can make your dual focal points stand out and complement each other instead of competing with one another.

How to make a focal point in living room without a fireplace?

Do you live in a very basic home or apartment with no clear focal point – no large windows, no fireplace, and no architectural features?​

Can you even have a focal point in a living room without having a fireplace or any of those elements?

Absolutely! It’s an opportunity to get creative and highlight what makes your space special.

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You may not have any large ones, but windows can still be a shining star. Dress them with a beautiful window treatment or leave them bare to show off a beautiful view.

The light that pours in can make the whole room revolve around this sunny, bright spot.

But what if windows aren’t your room’s strong suit? No worries! How about creating an accent wall?

This could be with a bold paint color, a striking wallpaper, or even a board and batten treatment added to a wall. Think of a blank wall as a canvas for your creativity and an instant eye-catcher.

Art can also be a game changer. A large, statement piece of art can anchor your room and set the tone.

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Whether it’s a vibrant painting, a monochromatic abstract piece, or a gallery wall with a collection of smaller works, art has the power to define a space and make it interesting.

And let’s not forget about lighting. An elegant chandelier, a contemporary floor lamp, or a string of fairy lights can draw the eye and add warmth to the space.

Even a well-styled bookcase can be a focal point. It’s not just storage; it’s a display of your personal journey. Style it with books, little plants, and some unique knick-knacks to make it a conversation starter.

A cozy nook can become a focal point too. A plush armchair with a side table, a lamp, and a small shelf with your favorite reads can create an inviting corner that draws people in.

Finally, furniture can play a leading role too. A unique or large piece of furniture, like an oversized sofa or a striking bookshelf, can serve as a focal point.

Arrange the other elements of the room around it to draw attention.

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Remember, your living room’s focal point is about showcasing your style and what you love. Without a fireplace, you have a blank slate to create something that truly reflects your personality. 

Ultimately, whether you’re dealing with a small living room or a large one, the goal is to create a space that feels like home. 

Next in the Simply Decorating series: how to layer decor when you decorate and why it’s important.

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