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The living room is typically the most-used area in a home, but it can be the most difficult to design for it to meet many purposes. However, no matter the shape or size of your living room, there are ways to artfully and effectively furnish and arrange furniture, which we have uncovered in this blog.
First, let’s talk about the many jobs a living room has to fulfil.
The living room needs to be a functional, welcoming, and relaxing haven, encompassing all types of furniture and elements, including sofas, tables, sideboards, lamps, rugs, and even toy boxes. Furthermore, you should arrange all of the above to support entertaining, with the focal point typically being the TV.
Also, let’s not forget feng shui, i.e. the balance and harmony you should aim to achieve to promote a positive flow of energy within your home. Thinking about ‘feng’ (wind) and ‘shui’ (water) when you arrange your furniture will optimise ‘chi’ (energy), helping support your physical and mental health.
Discover some living room arrangement ideas to turn your space into a well-organised, functional, and comfortable area.
Does your living room have multiple windows but little wall space?
Then consider a floating furniture layout.
With this design concept, you position your furniture away from the walls and windows, creating an island-like arrangement in the middle of the room. The floating layout maximises natural light, creating a spacious feel to make the room appear larger.
Since this layout effectively utilises natural light, it will reduce the need to use artificial fixtures during the day.
Additionally, this layout offers versatile room configurations, making adapting the space for different purposes or activities easier.
For example, you can foster a central gathering point, promoting a more interactive and social atmosphere. This will also allow for better traffic flow, giving the illusion of more floor space, which makes the floating layout great for entertaining!
If your living room is in an awkward shape and, again, has limited wall space, you should opt for the L-shaped layout.
Place furniture against two walls to create an L shape. This will optimise the space and functionality, enabling further seating options and distinct zones.
For example, a sofa along one wall and a loveseat or chairs against the adjacent wall will define different areas within the living room, promoting social interaction and helping to create a cosy atmosphere.
The L-shaped layout allows easy movement and visually balances your irregularly shaped rooms.
The symmetrical layout is a versatile design approach that works in various rooms, regardless of size or shape, so don't be afraid to give it a go in your living room!
Position your key furniture pieces, such as two sofas and a coffee table, in the centre of the space. This creates a focal point and establishes a sense of equilibrium.
Mirroring furniture arrangements, such as using identical or matching pieces on each side, makes your room feel organised and harmonious.
Consider your room's traffic flow when planning furniture placement and ensure clear pathways for easy movement. This is even more important if you have a family.
Leave sufficient space between furniture pieces to facilitate comfortable navigation, especially in high-traffic areas and to make the room feel spacious. Ensure easy access to functional elements such as coffee tables and media units.
Ideally, you should place your TV in an area of your room that does not constantly have people walking in it.
Also, arrange furniture to encourage conversation and interaction while maintaining accessibility. Position seats to face each other or in circular arrangements for social engagement.
A large coffee table in a living room offers multiple benefits. It creates a central gathering point and anchors the seating arrangement.
Additionally, a coffee table such as our Dalston Coffee Table has a spacious surface, providing practicality for serving and storage. Something to remember: ensure that there is easy access to a table for every seat in your living room! It's a good idea to position a large coffee table in the middle of a seating area; it's highly convenient for your guests and aesthetically pleasing.
Position living room lighting strategically to ensure adequate illumination in different areas, which will significantly impact the overall atmosphere of the space.
Opt for dimmers and adjustable fixtures so you can adjust the lighting according to the time of day or your mood.
By selecting and placing lighting thoughtfully, you can enhance the aesthetics and usability of the living room.
Our Mayville Table Lamp and Mayville Floor Lamp will create different levels of light that layer stunningly together.
A floor lamp looks stylish placed next to an accent chair; plus, it creates an excellent reading space!
You don’t have to position a table lamp on a table; it will also look great on a bookshelf or mantel.
Selecting a focal point in the living room is crucial for interior design. It serves as a visual centrepiece, anchoring the room and creating balance. Whether it's a fireplace, TV wall, or artwork, the focal point sets the tone for the space.
However, ensure that you only have one focal point! If you have a TV and a fireplace, consider making your fireplace the focal point. One way to do this is to incorporate your TV into a bookcase, helping it to blend into the room and not distract from the fireplace.
Arranging furniture around the focal point is critical to creating a cohesive and engaging room.
Position larger furniture pieces facing your focal point to direct attention and encourage conversation.
Aim for symmetry and balance by placing matching items on either side of your focal piece. Consider proportions and ensure clear sightlines so that anyone can admire it no matter where they are sitting.
To enhance the impact of the focal point, layer decorative elements around it. Add accent pillows, rugs, or lighting fixtures that complement the centrepiece.
If your focal point is a fireplace, mount an ornate mirror or eye-catching painting above it.
Creating functional and comfortable seating areas involves pairing armchairs with side tables.
A side table offers convenience by providing a surface for drinks, books, or lamps near an armchair. They eliminate the need to stretch or reach for belongings, ensuring a comfortable experience.
When choosing side tables, it's essential to consider style and scale. Select tables that complement your armchairs and harmonise with the room's aesthetic.
If you prefer, opt for small occasion tables at varying heights, adding diversity and depth to your living room.
Our Vintage Brown Leather Armchair goes well with contemporary, traditional, and quirky designs, so finding a coffee table to complement it is easy.
A conversation area aims to promote face-to-face interaction and comfortable discussions. It involves arranging furniture intimately and invitingly.
To enhance natural socialisation and connection in the conversation area, angle chairs to each other and incorporate side tables for convenience.
Additionally, consider the mood by using ambient lighting and adding personal touches like pillows or throws.
Incorporating easily accessible storage options that blend seamlessly with the overall design is crucial for an organised and functional living room. They provide designated places for belongings, maintaining a tidy and clutter-free space. Sideboards, shelving units, or built-in cabinets are excellent options to consider.
When integrating storage solutions into the living room layout, thoughtful planning is essential.
Place sideboards against walls or use them as room dividers, offering closed and open storage. Shelving units can be freestanding or wall-mounted, providing open storage space for books and decor. You can customise built-in cabinets to fit the space and seamlessly blend with the room's design.
Our Woodstock Reclaimed Sideboard is perfect for storing books, records, board games, toys, and other items that don’t need to be left out. The wood's natural warmth and unique grain will add a touch of elegance and character to your living room, regardless of the theme.
If you're looking for a cabinet to store your glasses and tableware, our Wooden Display Cabinet is perfect, with four spacious shelves, a large drawer, and glass doors. You can keep your precious items safe while displaying them to your guests. Furthermore, the reclaimed wood's knots, marks, and grains will hint at its unique history, bringing depth to your living room.
Art is vital in the living room, adding personality and visual interest. It transforms the space, infusing it with character and creating a captivating atmosphere.
Select artwork that resonates with your taste and interests, adding a personal touch to your living room. You should place it above a focal point or in empty wall spaces.
Art can also complement furniture arrangement, guiding the selection of pieces harmonising with its style, colour palette, and mood.
Consider the size and scale of the artwork in relation to the available wall space and furniture. For optimal viewing, hang it at eye level, around 57 to 60 inches from the floor.
Experiment with grouping multiple artworks to create visually striking arrangements.
Lighting is crucial for showcasing artwork, so use spotlights or adjustable track lighting to highlight it effectively.
By following our tips on living room layout ideas and furniture placement, you can effectively maximise comfort, functionality, and style in your living room space.
Consider your living room's shape and size before choosing the design layout that is most appropriate and acquiring furniture.
At Hemming & Wills, we are well known for our vast array of reclaimed and sustainable furniture options, enabling you to style your living room in an eco-friendly fashion easily.
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