8 Ways to Make a Living Room Layout Work
These helpful hints will transform your living room layout into a stylish and functional arrangement
Furniture layout, especially when it comes to living areas, can make or break the way a room functions and the way we feel in it. Regardless of your style and taste, this advice for how to arrange or rearrange your living room will help to create an inviting gathering space for everyday use.
2. Anchor with an L-shape
Nothing is as luxurious or indulgent as a grand L-shaped lounge. If space is not an issue in your living room, consider incorporating a modular sofa, such as the one pictured here, and let it define the space by becoming the standout shape within the room. Choose a neutral-coloured upholstery in a cotton/linen/polyester blend to add some texture and warmth.
Next, add pops of colour with cushions or keep the soft furnishings tonal for a more refined look. Balance the arrangement with an occasional chair opposite the modular and float a coffee table in the middle. This type of lounge will not only give you lots of seating options when entertaining guests, but will also allow you to stretch out and relax in style.
Nothing is as luxurious or indulgent as a grand L-shaped lounge. If space is not an issue in your living room, consider incorporating a modular sofa, such as the one pictured here, and let it define the space by becoming the standout shape within the room. Choose a neutral-coloured upholstery in a cotton/linen/polyester blend to add some texture and warmth.
Next, add pops of colour with cushions or keep the soft furnishings tonal for a more refined look. Balance the arrangement with an occasional chair opposite the modular and float a coffee table in the middle. This type of lounge will not only give you lots of seating options when entertaining guests, but will also allow you to stretch out and relax in style.
3. Float the furniture
When furnishing a room, most people are tempted to follow the perimeter and place furniture along the walls. Go against your desire to hug the walls and start your layout from the centre of the room outwards. You will most likely end up with the key furniture pieces, such as the seating, floating in the space rather than lining the walls. This is my favourite way to spatially plan living spaces and invariably results in the most dynamic, inviting and liveable rooms.
More living room layouts that work
When furnishing a room, most people are tempted to follow the perimeter and place furniture along the walls. Go against your desire to hug the walls and start your layout from the centre of the room outwards. You will most likely end up with the key furniture pieces, such as the seating, floating in the space rather than lining the walls. This is my favourite way to spatially plan living spaces and invariably results in the most dynamic, inviting and liveable rooms.
More living room layouts that work
4. Square off the seating
Create a square seating arrangement by placing a piece of furniture along each side of an imaginary square within a room. This setup is ideal for conversation as it allows guests to all see each other and feel included. It can be easily used in long or wide rooms, where you want to create a feeling of cosiness and togetherness, and it also allows for a variety of seating combinations.
If your room has enough space to still allow you to navigate easily between the furniture, why not play with this layout at home? There are so many possibilities and combinations to choose from. I suggest you consider a number of sofas and occasional chairs, large banquette-style ottomans or a couple of smaller seats like the beautiful fur-covered stools pictured here.
Create a square seating arrangement by placing a piece of furniture along each side of an imaginary square within a room. This setup is ideal for conversation as it allows guests to all see each other and feel included. It can be easily used in long or wide rooms, where you want to create a feeling of cosiness and togetherness, and it also allows for a variety of seating combinations.
If your room has enough space to still allow you to navigate easily between the furniture, why not play with this layout at home? There are so many possibilities and combinations to choose from. I suggest you consider a number of sofas and occasional chairs, large banquette-style ottomans or a couple of smaller seats like the beautiful fur-covered stools pictured here.
5. Take advantage of symmetry
Older-style houses traditionally have fireplaces in the formal areas. These are usually in the centre of the dominant or feature wall in the room. Due to their placement they often provide a wonderful opportunity to furnish a room based on symmetry and balance. Imagine drawing a line down the middle of the space and effectively mirroring the layout from one side to the other – as on the left, so on the right – with a couple of key pieces, such as a mirror, fireplace, rug, coffee table or ottoman placed in the middle.
See more of this project
Older-style houses traditionally have fireplaces in the formal areas. These are usually in the centre of the dominant or feature wall in the room. Due to their placement they often provide a wonderful opportunity to furnish a room based on symmetry and balance. Imagine drawing a line down the middle of the space and effectively mirroring the layout from one side to the other – as on the left, so on the right – with a couple of key pieces, such as a mirror, fireplace, rug, coffee table or ottoman placed in the middle.
See more of this project
6. Tie the layout to a rug
Never underestimate the power of a great rug. It can literally transform a space and add the wow factor it may have been lacking. I think rugs are, after all, artwork on the floor. Plus, they not only serve to soften the decor and balance the acoustics in a room, but also act as a kind of decorative stage on which theatrical pieces of furniture can be placed.
Go large and dramatic in terms of size and let the rug define the area on which the furniture sits, like Brendan Wong Design have done in this ‘sky home’ apartment. The oversized rug creates a sense of cohesion and unity, and visually pushes the corners of the room out, making it feel bigger.
Never underestimate the power of a great rug. It can literally transform a space and add the wow factor it may have been lacking. I think rugs are, after all, artwork on the floor. Plus, they not only serve to soften the decor and balance the acoustics in a room, but also act as a kind of decorative stage on which theatrical pieces of furniture can be placed.
Go large and dramatic in terms of size and let the rug define the area on which the furniture sits, like Brendan Wong Design have done in this ‘sky home’ apartment. The oversized rug creates a sense of cohesion and unity, and visually pushes the corners of the room out, making it feel bigger.
7. Make a feature of a window
Bay windows, and window nooks in particular, are a perfect way to create additional seating while maximising floor space. Custom-made window seats can elongate or widen the room and, when paired with additional ottomans or chairs, they allow for more seating possibilities.
If you have a similar setup in your house, consider building a banquette, add some storage underneath, a plush seat topper and some colourful cushions for an instant cosy corner where you can retreat and simply watch the world go by.
Reasons to install a window seat
Bay windows, and window nooks in particular, are a perfect way to create additional seating while maximising floor space. Custom-made window seats can elongate or widen the room and, when paired with additional ottomans or chairs, they allow for more seating possibilities.
If you have a similar setup in your house, consider building a banquette, add some storage underneath, a plush seat topper and some colourful cushions for an instant cosy corner where you can retreat and simply watch the world go by.
Reasons to install a window seat
8. Incorporate the view
If you’re lucky enough to have an idyllic view, make the most of it by styling your living room furniture around it. Avoid placing large pieces of furniture directly in front of the view. Instead choose pieces that are light and can be seen through, such as those made from wicker or wire.
If there is an adjoining patio or outdoor area, ensure there’s a similar style of furniture between internal and external living. This is so that when the doors are peeled back, the indoor configuration flows easily into the outdoors, and the whole becomes one cohesive space.
TELL US
Have you tried any similar living room arrangements in your home, and do you have a favourite? Upload photos or tell us about it in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse a gallery of living rooms
If you’re lucky enough to have an idyllic view, make the most of it by styling your living room furniture around it. Avoid placing large pieces of furniture directly in front of the view. Instead choose pieces that are light and can be seen through, such as those made from wicker or wire.
If there is an adjoining patio or outdoor area, ensure there’s a similar style of furniture between internal and external living. This is so that when the doors are peeled back, the indoor configuration flows easily into the outdoors, and the whole becomes one cohesive space.
TELL US
Have you tried any similar living room arrangements in your home, and do you have a favourite? Upload photos or tell us about it in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse a gallery of living rooms
When walking into a room, the most striking feature will immediately draw the eye. For this reason, I like to consider this feature first, as it provides a focal point and a strong foundation from which I build and layer the rest of the room.
In the transitional living space pictured here, a large artwork has been placed on the dominant wall as you enter the room, instantly becoming the focal point. It not only balances the space and creates symmetry, but has informed the muted yet sophisticated colour palette and contemporary style of the furnishings.