Perfect Living Room Layout Ideas
Whether your living room is a large, open concept floor plan or a tiny space with odd angles, there are advantages and challenges that come with many living room layouts.
If you want to rearrange your living room and don’t know where to start, here are a few living room layout ideas to point you in the right direction.
1 - The Open Plan
UPSIDE:
DOWNSIDE:
Large, roomy space that's open and airy
It can devour your furniture if you don’t have enough pieces to fill the space or if you place them too close together..
SOLUTIONS......
THE CORNER
In an open-plan living room that connects to a kitchen or a dining space, consider using an corner sofa. You can divide the space by placing the sofa in the middle of the seating area so that the back of the sofa acts as a room divider. You could also have the sofa away from the wall, facing two chairs that act as dividers, defining the seating area. A sofa and love seat can also form an L if you don’t have an L-shaped sectional.
SCREEN
If the room has high ceilings, consider using a screen or decorative room divider to separate the living area from the dining area or office space.
WALLPAPER
Use wallpaper to define specific spaces within an open concept layout. A textured wall (brick or stone) is also a great way to draw the eye to one particular area, clearly defined by the furniture in front of it.
THE RUG
In addition to adding pattern and colour, an oversized area rug also defines a seating arrangement. If you are using a large area rug, all furniture should be entirely on the rug. If your space is smaller, make sure the rug is tucked beneath the front feet of each piece of furniture.
ENTERTAINING
An open concept is great for entertaining. Ensure you have plenty of seating in your living space. You can use sofas, chairs, even giant floor cushions. Sit in each seat and pretend you have a glass of wine in your hand. Are there enough side tables or a coffee table within reach of every seat, to place your glass?
2 - The Tiny Space
UPSIDE:
DOWNSIDE:
A smaller room is cosier and inviting (it’s also easier to clean).
You need enough seating but it can be hard to arrange it without the room looking cluttered
SOLUTIONS......
MIND THE GAP
In an open-plan living room that connects to a kitchen or a dining space, consider using an corner sofa. You can divide the space by placing the sofa in the middle of the seating area so that the back of the sofa acts as a room divider. You could also have the sofa away from the wall, facing two chairs that act as dividers, defining the seating area. A sofa and love seat can also form an L if you don’t have an corner sofa.
MIRRORS + LIGHTING
I know you know the mirror trick, but it's worth saying again! Place a mirror above a fireplace or sofa to double the look of your space and bounce around light. Or consider mirrored tiles on a full wall. If you've maxed out your mirrors, then think about your lighting. Light up the shelves, bookcases with integrated lighting, that dark corner with a table lamp.
NARROW, ROUND OR GLASS
Choose long, narrow or round coffee tables and airy side tables. Avoid bulky furniture in a small space. Air should be able to flow beneath the sofa, chairs and tables. Glass tables are always a good choice to open up a small space, and a round coffee table works well in tight spaces because it can serve everyone seated around it.
USE THE WALLS
Bookcases and wall shelves provide storage while freeing up precious floor space. A TV hung on the wall instead of on a TV stand also gives the appearance of a larger room.
CLEAR THE CLUTTER
If there are activities that take place in your living area (such as reading or playing games) keep furniture and accessories together. For example, if you have a reading chair in your living room, place a basket for books beside the chair and a throw across the back of it. Keep games near the coffee table, stashed inside the ottoman for quick access. Oversized pillows to sit on for game night can be used to decorate the sofa when not in use. Items that belong together should be within easy reach yet hidden out of the way to keep the space from looking cluttered.
If you need to clear some clutter, get our ultimate declutter checklist here.
3 - The Awkward Space
Some living rooms have odd, angled walls, or off-center/corner fireplaces which can make it difficult to know where furniture should be placed.
UPSIDE:
DOWNSIDE:
You can use odd walls and corner fireplaces as focal points
An awkward room shape can make furniture appear off balance
SOLUTIONS......
BALANCE ANGLES WITH ANGLED FURNITURE
Your furniture doesn’t need to be against a wall or centered in a room. Place your furniture in a grouping that is also on an angle to balance out the look.
EXTEND THE FOCAL
Place a piece of furniture near the focal point to extend it into the space. Visually extend an angled fireplace with a sideboard say, and that balances out the furniture placement.
4 - The High Traffic Living Room
UPSIDE:
DOWNSIDE:
Anyone walking through can admire your living room decor 😉
Furniture needs to be placed in such a way that it doesn’t interrupt the flow of traffic through the room
SOLUTIONS......
BALANCE ANGLES WITH ANGLED FURNITURE
If your living room is the only access to another space, such as the kitchen entrance place furniture further back from the entrance and create a natural path along the outer edge of the room.
EXTEND THE FOCAL
Place the sofa against a wall (a few inches away 😉) and place two chairs opposite it to create a cosy conversation area. The backs of the chairs will act as a divider for a pathway along the outer edge of the seating area. If your living room is tiny and access to the next room is directly through the middle of your living room, create an open path between the chairs and the sofa.
