Hi Malibu_tan Well I must also agree with the other four comments "the fireplace is a focal point" , all I would add to that is - man/woman has been looking at fire for many years, and it's reference to our being most likely goes back to primordial times. Fire (the moving flame) is deeply rooted in our psychic, and our relationship with safety and comfort, I would remove the heater and celebrate the fireplace. You can always put in an ethanol fire and close of the flue if required, but I would not get rid of such asset to your residence and your life. Depending a bit with the style of the house I would go as far as providing side book shelving storage, or DVD's, or your best collection of miniature spoons should miniature spoons bee your interest. Whatever you wish to display for your or your friends enjoyment. Then I would complete the lounge design around your final choice of tiles and mantle, if you are putting in a slightly better mantle than you have at present, or if you are going for a modernist look. (it all depends a bit on tastes and budget) If you are in a "period style" you could look at something like Regardless of your tastes I think you can get an ethanol insert in just about any fireplace, corny as it sounds the fireplace is "the hearth of the home" . Possibly not the response that you were perhaps seeking, and you might have a lot of reason why you want to remove it - well I would like to hear your comments. Hope this is of some help Regards Michael Manias

which size fireplace you choose will need to be decided by the available fireplaces to suit your needs (ie heating capacity, fuel, location of flue, overhead beams etc) so i'd start with the fireplace insert and then work all the other details from that..but, you should add scale sized furniture and suitable walking paths to the room so that the seating is angled to suit the view, the tv and the fire and you might find that the alcove with the bulkhead could be a better location for the TV and/or fireplace and storage wall

It is always a bit difficult when you essentially have three key features (view, fire, TV) that should all have the living area seating orientated towards them. With your current floor plan, I think the logical place for the fire is in the corner to the right of the TV. You may have to ensure that the wall projects far enough that the fire is not in front of the window. This wasn’t the question, but of the two fires that you showed, I preferred the first, more contemporary looking one.

Thanks to all who helped my choice and placement of rug. Ive another question. I think it looks a bit small and would like to move the rug to be half under the couch or the chairs, however, this means will not be centred in front of fireplace. Does this matter? And if I do move it, which direction should I move it in? It currently looks like I'm trying to squeeze ALL furniture onto it. Should I move everything out? THANK YOU