How to Bring Balance and Style to Perpendicular, Opposite, Niche, and Symmetrical Focal Points

You’ve got a small living room, and somehow, you’ve also got multiple focal points competing for attention. Maybe it’s a fireplace and a TV at a right angle, or two massive windows on opposite walls. Or maybe you have an awkward niche that no one knows what to do with.

If you’ve ever rearranged your furniture again just to feel like something is still off, I see you. The key isn’t to fight against these tricky focal points—it’s to work with them. Here’s how to bring balance, purpose, and a little bit of breathing room back into your space.

Perpendicular Focal Points: Finding Flow Instead of Friction

So, you’ve got two focal points sitting at a 90-degree angle—maybe a TV and a window, or a fireplace and a piece of built-in cabinetry. These situations can make a room feel visually disconnected, but you can bring them together with a few simple tricks.

• Layer Art and Décor – Think of art and accessories as the glue between these two focal points. Place artwork on the walls that bridge the space between them. Use décor—like a tall plant, floor lamp, or sculpture—to subtly connect the two areas without overwhelming them.

• Create Height for Balance – When focal points sit at an awkward angle, balance out the visual weight by going up. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, a statement mirror, or vertically stacked or layered artwork on a fireplace mantle can all keep the room feeling cohesive.

• Add Lighting to Highlight Objects – Sconces or picture lights above artwork help direct the eye while making the whole setup feel intentional. If one focal point gets more natural light, consider placing a lamp near the other to even things out.

Opposite Focal Points: How to Balance Without Going Overboard

If you’ve got two major focal points on opposite walls—maybe a fireplace on one side and a massive window or built-in on the other—it can feel like your room is pulling in two directions. Or, like in these pictures, two blank walls connected by a large doorway, the trick is to keep things feeling open and balanced without forcing matchy-matchy symmetry.

• Use Open Etagere Shelves – A closed cabinet might make a small space feel heavier, but an etagere (an open shelving unit) lets you see the wall behind it, keeping the room airy.

• Keep Décor Minimal – Just because you can fill every shelf doesn’t mean you should. Stick to a few curated pieces to prevent visual clutter.

• Hang Large Art on Smaller Walls – A big, bold piece of art can ground a smaller wall and give it presence. If one side of the room is naturally the “heavier” side (like a built-in fireplace), a large piece of art on the opposite side keeps things balanced.

• Anchor Large Art with a Console or Credenza – A floating piece of art can feel unmoored. Pair it with a long, low piece of furniture—like a credenza or console—to make it feel more connected to the space.

• Match the Visual Weight, Not the Pieces – Instead of trying to mirror each side exactly (which can feel forced), focus on keeping the weight of each side balanced. If one wall has a bulky fireplace, the opposite wall might need a bookshelf or a substantial piece of furniture to hold its own.

Niche Focal Points: Go Big or Go Home

A niche can be a quirky architectural feature or a frustrating dead zone—depending on how you treat it. The best approach? Lean in.

• Be Bold – A niche isn’t a background player. Give it some personality with wallpaper, a contrasting paint color, or paneling. The goal is to make it stand out on purpose rather than look like an afterthought.

• Define the Purpose – Why are you highlighting this space? Is it meant to showcase art, a statement furniture piece, or a collection? Once you define its function, styling becomes much easier.

• Add Dimension with Tall Furniture – If the niche feels like an empty void, fill it with a tall bookcase, an etagere, or even a floor-to-ceiling gallery wall.

• Consider a Custom Entertainment Center – A large enough niche is the perfect spot for a built-in media unit. Not only does it create a natural focal point, but it also gives your room a polished, custom feel.

Symmetrical Focal Points: Structure That Works

Sometimes, the best way to deal with a focal point is to embrace symmetry—but that doesn’t mean everything has to be perfectly identical.

• Determine the Purpose – Every focal point needs a reason to exist. Are you trying to highlight a TV? Your favorite piece of art? A unique piece of furniture? Figure that out first.

• Expand the Focal Point – If your TV is the main attraction but feels like a black hole, frame it with symmetrical artwork or sconces. This expands the focus beyond just the screen.

• Enhance Verticality – Got a tall piece of furniture? Play up that height with vertically arranged artwork or a floor lamp that draws the eye upward.

Don’t Fight Your Focal Points—Finesse Them

If you’ve been trying to “fix” your room by shifting furniture around like a game of Tetris, take a step back. The layout of your space isn’t the problem—it’s how the focal points are being used.

Work with your space, not against it. Whether you’re layering art, balancing opposite walls, embracing a bold niche, or leaning into symmetry, the goal is to create a room that feels intentional, stylish, and—most importantly—functional.

Now, tell me—which of these techniques are you trying first? Drop a comment and let’s talk focal points!

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.