A Guide to Arranging Living Room Furniture

As we all know, the living room is one of the most important rooms in the home. It’s where family gathers to bond and where guests are entertained.

No matter how big or small your living room is, you’ll surely want it to be a harmonious environment that is fully functional.

Here are a few tips and tricks from our design team for various living room sizes and configurations:

1. Living rooms that are slender and wide require walking paths so allow two feet of space in between large pieces of living room furniture like sofas and chairs. Make sure there’s plenty of space by the entryway so the room isn’t bottle-necked. Place your sofa lengthwise down the long part of the room, against the wall or floating towards the center, to open up the room. To induce comfortable, intimate conversation, arrange seating about so they’re less than eight feet apart. Incorporate coffee tables or side tables with a space of 14 to 16 inches from the seats so there’s a flat surface within easy reach. Take advantage of the large space with wall-to-wall entertainment centers, bookshelves, or storage ottomans.

2. Symmetrical living rooms will require a focus – typically a focal wall or big screen TV. It’s best to float your furniture so everyone has an unobstructed view. This allows for easier conversation as your guests will be grouped more closely together. Place tables near the seating and not in the center of the room so there’s more space to move. Cabinets and bookshelves can be placed around the perimeter. Add greenery with a few potted plants by the windows, corners, or beside furniture.

3. Small living rooms will do well with furniture angled towards the focal point. Smaller furniture, transparent tables, clean cut designs that are raised, not flush with the ground, creates the illusion of space. Choose furniture with rounded edges for more freedom of movement, preferably pieces with hidden storage compartments. Limit the number of furniture, bringing in pieces from other rooms only when necessary.

Try these tips out today and watch your living room undergo an almost magical transformation right before your very eyes.