When it comes to designing a room, choosing furniture in the right sizes, styles, and finishes is only half the battle. You also have to determine how to arrange each piece so the room feels balanced and liveable. Because if there’s one design mistake that will make a room feel awkward and unwelcoming, it’s a wonky furniture arrangement. Unless you have a trained eye, it’s the kind of thing you might not notice right away, but after living in the room for a while, you might find yourself wondering why something feels off. Figuring out the right layout is always a bit of a puzzle, but luckily, there are a few simple rules that you can apply in any space to help you find the right fit. And if you’re really stuck, I also pulled together some no-fail living room layout ideas that you can easily replicate.
Whether you’re designing a room from scratch or itching to rearrange your current setup, keep scrolling for all the tips and ideas you need to find the best living room layout for your space.
Rules to Follow When Arranging Living Room Furniture
Every room is different, but a few basic design rules can apply to almost any space. Keep these guidelines in mind as you work out your living room arrangement:
Choose a focal point
Before you start playing around with the layout, you need to determine the room’s focal point. In some cases, this is obvious: The TV is the clear focus of many living rooms (mine included). The focal point could also be a fireplace, a wall of built-ins, or a window with a great view. Whatever it is that immediately draws your eye when you walk into the room, that’s what you’ll want to build your furniture arrangement around.
Work with (not against) the room’s orientation
To put it simply, the shape of your furniture arrangement should mimic the shape of the room. Generally, the easiest way to adhere to this rule is to arrange your largest furniture piece (often the sofa) so it runs parallel to the longest stretch of wall. That way, the shape of your furniture will align with the orientation of the room. If, instead, you placed the sofa perpendicular to the wall in a long, narrow room, the layout would look choppy and disrupt the flow of the room.
Account for traffic flow
You need to be able to comfortably move through your space without bumping into furniture or feeling like you’re just barely squeezing past. In general, you should plan to leave about 30 inches of space between furniture in areas that you often use as a walkway. If space is tight, you can cheat that distance a little bit—just make sure you’re not cutting it too close, or you’ll curse yourself later when you’re constantly banging into things as you walk past.
Make sure each seat has a table within reach
No matter where you’re sitting, you should have a surface within reach where you can set down a drink or a book without having to get up. This will make your everyday life easier and is crucial for entertaining, too. That may mean you simply need to pull your furniture in closer, or you may need to bring in some additional accent tables alongside your seating. Keep in mind that about 16-18 inches is the ideal distance between the sofa and coffee table—this allows you to easily reach your drink or put your feet up while still leaving enough space to move in between.
Living Room Layout Ideas for Any Size Space
1. Balanced Living Room Layout
This is the exact furniture arrangement you’ll find in my living room. This layout is a classic for a reason: It feels balanced, is simple to replicate, and can work for both lounging and entertaining. To make sure your arrangement looks proportional, make sure the width of your sofa is about equal to the width of the accent chairs and table on the other side. For an easy variation on this layout that feels more casual, angle the two chairs in toward each other instead of facing them straight toward the sofa. If you have a small living room, the backs of your sofa and chairs may be nearly touching the walls, and that’s OK! In a larger room, you can “float” your furniture away from the walls and use an area rug to anchor the arrangement.
2. TV-Focused Living Room Layout
If you primarily use your living room for plopping down on the couch and watching TV (no shame in that), this layout idea is for you. By placing the sofa directly across from the TV and arranging chairs on either side, you ensure that every seat has a good view of the screen. Be sure to place the chairs far enough away from the sofa that you can walk in between, and choose a rectangular or oval coffee table so each seat can comfortably reach it.
3. Small Living Room Layout
This asymmetrical layout works well in small living rooms where space is at a premium, but you still want to have a couple of different seating options. Here, the sofa will likely get the most use on a daily basis, and the accent chair acts as a sort of “bonus.” You could either treat it as an opportunity to bring in a fun style or color that adds to the design or consider it standby seating that you might utilize when you have guests over. If your living room opens to another area (like a kitchen or dining space), the chair can also serve to close off the living space a bit so it feels more defined. If you have the space, you could add something opposite the chair (a floor lamp, plant, or pouf are all great options) to make the room feel more balanced.
4. Narrow Living Room Layout
This layout proves that big furniture can totally work in a small space, and sometimes, it’s actually the best option. For a narrow living room, one large seating option (like a sofa with a chaise) can be much more practical than trying to fit multiple pieces into a tight space. Place the sofa directly across from your focal point with accent tables on either side and a round coffee table or ottoman tucked in front. The round shape will help you easily maneuver around the table without worrying about banged knees. If you need additional seating for guests on occasion, keep a slim side chair or a pouf along one wall and pull it out when you have company.
5. Formal Living Room Arrangement
This living room layout idea definitely requires a larger room, but if you have the space (and budget) for two sofas, it can be very chic. To make this work, you either want to use two identical sofas or choose ones that are similar in size. It’s totally OK to mix materials and styles between the two sofas for an eclectic look, but the scale should be similar to make it look balanced. Split up the two sofas with a rectangular or oval coffee table in the middle, and consider adding accent tables along the sides if you want more spots to set down a drink or a book.
6. U-Shaped Living Room Layout
For a large living room, a U-shaped arrangement is a great way to use up the available space while still making your seating area feel cozy and intimate. Start with a sofa facing straight toward your focal point, then add in a loveseat and chairs on either side to create a “U.” Again, make sure the two sides are balanced in scale. You could also replicate this arrangement with an L-shaped sectional in place of the sofa and loveseat. Either way, make sure to leave enough space between the pieces so you can enter into the arrangement without it feeling like a squeeze. A square coffee table or ottoman in the middle will make sure all sides have equal access to a surface.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She has nearly seven years of experience reviewing products, covering trends, and creating inspiring content around all things home.
