One Great Focal Point for a Small Living Room that Has None
The focal point of a room is exactly what it's name suggests. It’s the superstar of the room; where your eyes land and remain for the much of the time you’re there. Since this small living room has two entryways, technically, there are at least two opportunities to create a focal wall. Today I’ll share an idea I had to create one.
It’s week 5 of the One Room Challenge. An 8-week, self-imposed challenge to makeover any space of your choice in 8 weeks or less. If you’re just joining me, you can find all the details on the space I’m transforming below:
Week 1: Small Living Room Makeover: The Challenges // Week 2: Mood Board and Floor Plan // Week 3: Lighting Design Plan // Week 4: Wall moldings // Week 5: DiY Fireplace plans // Week 6: Ceiling Decoration // Week 7: Awkward Alcove Dilemma // Week 8: Small Living Room Makeover REVEAL
Creating a Focal Point for a Small Living Room
Historically, weeks 4 & 5 are the most grueling for the One Room Challenge. This week 5 was no different. I’m exhausted and every muscle and bone in my body aches. So I’m gonna cut to the chase on this post.
Below is the image of the small living space I’m working with during the Challenge. As you can see, the two entryways into the room are not evenly aligned, creating an awkward “dead zone” on a wall between two windows. To make matters worse, due to the narrow shape of the room, the large sofa purchased by the homeowner, can only be placed on the wall that faces said dead zone.
The simplest and most striking solution to the above problem was to create a faux fireplace. If this were my own home I’d have no problem attempting this DIY fireplace wall. I’ve done tons of research on how to build a fireplace surround, and it seemed pretty straight forward. It’s basically a box with an electric fireplace, on a wall.
However, I didn’t want to make my client a ginny pig for my first attempt, and wisely hired the job out. It would also be cost prohibitive for me to do this kind of work myself for a client. Still, I found myself drawing out the plans to build build a fireplace box complete with a fire space insert when I couldn’t find an available contractor. Below was what I came up with.
To be sure, the thought of having to build a faux fireplace under the gun terrified me. Not because I didn’t think I could do it. Rather, these things take time and a calm, focused mind. I was running a short supply on all of those things. Fortunately, at the very last moment, I located a female contractor who was ready to tackle the job. Thank goodness!!!
I sent Tina (the contractor) my plans and when she arrived, she got to work. I was SO proud that my drawing actually made sense to another contractor! She only simplified one portion of it— the additional crossbar along the top of the structure was omitted.
Many fireplaces - even fake fireplace - tend to take up a lot of space in a room. But notice that the depth on this one will only be 8". The base molding will also be removed so that the firebox can be attached to the wall. Afterwards, the baseboards will be reapplied to the remaining portions of the exposed wall. I plan to add a small electric fireplace insert—IF it arrives on time. Should those plans fail, my plan B is to substitute the fireplace insert with wood. If there’s one thing I’ve learned during these makeovers, it’s that you ALWAYS need a plan B, C and D.
Finally, I’ll add wall trim above of the firebox structure for a seamless look. Below is an in-progress shot of how it’s going.
We have yet to tile the fireplace, but I’m quite hopeful that Tina will knock it out of the park! Now I have to come up with a solution for the other headache in the space — that dreaded alcove.
