12 Rules to Arrange Living Room Furniture

Arranging living room furniture with a TV can be a daunting task. But filling an empty room in a practical and aesthetically pleasing way around your electronics can be done. Over the years, interior designers have recognized several simple, easy-to-apply principles that work to make your TV look good in your living room. Just follow these common-sense rules, and you'll find that arranging furniture—with or without a TV in the picture—isn't so scary after all.

Consider Popular Furniture Layouts

Simplify your options by considering timeless living room layouts that designers gravitate to for the most beautiful rooms. Here are a few living room furniture arrangement examples.

• Symmetrical layout: A symmetrical layout works in any size or shape room because it visually balances the space. Two sofas facing one another separated by a table is a symmetrical layout. A sofa flanked with matching side chairs is considered symmetrical.
• Floating layout: If you have a living room with many windows but not enough wall space to anchor your furniture, opt for a floating furniture layout. Float your furniture a few feet away from the walls to create an island in the center of the room with a TV mounted on one wall.
• L-shaped layout: An L-shaped living room and dining room combination is considered an awkward space and presents its own set of challenges, such as less wall space for furniture and TV placement. There are usually two walls you can use for furniture and TV positioning; the sofa sits on the long wall and the TV can be positioned on the wall directly in front of the sofa.
• Layouts for irregular rooms: Narrow living rooms, spaces with nooks and crannies, or fireplaces on an angle—all are considered awkward or irregular-shaped rooms. The key to arranging furniture in awkward living rooms is to create zones using furniture on area rugs. You can also anchor a zone with an oversized statement piece like a dramatic floor lamp.
• Layouts for long, narrow rectangular living rooms: You'll have two long walls to work with so it's common to place a sofa on one wall and the TV on the opposite wall, whether it's mounted or placed on a stylish stand.
  

1. Choose a Focal Point

Never underestimate the power of a focal point in a room. Sometimes they appear naturally, such as if you have a prominent window or a built-in fireplace mantel, while other times you may need to create them yourself, as with TV stands and televisions. Whatever your chosen focal point, make a decision and stick with it. You’ll want to arrange furniture around it as much as possible.

2. Don’t Push Furniture Against the Walls

Despite popular belief, pushing furniture up against the walls does not make a room feel bigger. Even in a small space, give yourself a little breathing room by pulling the furniture away from the walls and creating several inches of space between the backs of the furniture and the walls.

If you have a larger space, feel free to arrange furniture in such a way that conversation areas are created in the middle of the room, leaving several feet between the walls and the furniture. Creating walkways will make the space feel more open, as above.

3. Determine TV Placement

The size of your TV and other factors will help you determine where to place your TV. Here are a few tips:

• The TV should be placed in an area of your living room that is not affected by sunlight or glare from natural or other lighting.
• Place your TV out of high-traffic areas. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to watch TV while people keep walking past it.
• In general, your TV should be positioned facing your seating so you can comfortably watch it from your couch or chairs.
• Mounting a TV above a fireplace has its pros and cons but if it's done correctly it can free up floor space in a small living room layout.
  

4. Create Conversation Areas

People should naturally be able to talk to each other without having to crane their necks or shout across the room. Position the sofas and chairs to face each other (not necessarily straight on, but close), and so they are close enough that people can converse without raising their voices. If the room is too large, create multiple conversation areas.

5. Find Balance When Arranging Furniture

To create balance, consider the size and placement of various furniture pieces. Avoid grouping all the small or large pieces in one area, or the room will feel lopsided. Mix small and large items together, as well as high and low items. A round side table with spindly legs can go near a sturdy couch, and a tall plant can be paired with the two for a third level.

Make sure there’s variety in the shapes—if you’ve got straight-lined seating, for example, consider choosing a round coffee table.

6. Consider Traffic Flow

One of the most important things to consider when arranging furniture in any room is traffic flow. People should not be tripping over furniture, or each other, to pass through the room. Make sure there are a couple of feet (give or take a few inches) between the coffee table and sofa and between chairs. Create a clear path so people can walk from one end of the room to the other without difficulty.

7. Use the Right-Size Rugs

Area rugs belong under the furniture—all the furniture if you can manage it. Exposing some flooring around the edges of the room is fine, but when choosing an area rug, make sure it’s big enough that all the furniture in a seating arrangement can rest on it. At the very least you want the front legs of large pieces to sit on the rug (the backs can be on the floor, if necessary).

8. Get a Big Coffee Table

When it comes to selecting a coffee table, bigger is usually better. A large coffee table in the middle of a seating area is great for both aesthetics and function. It acts as an anchor for the room and creates space for people to put down drinks or for you to display favorite accessories. A large table also offers easier access from the seats around it.

Make sure to leave enough room between the seating and the coffee table for people to pass by (about 18 inches). Two smaller tables next to each other or a large ottoman with a tray on top can be good substitutes.

9. Put Tables at Arm’s Length

Every seat should have easy access to either a side table or a coffee table. Avoid layouts that force people to move from their seats to put down or retrieve their drinks. When it comes to table height:

• Side or end tables should be approximately the same height as the nearby chair arms (if that’s not possible, lower is better).
• For coffee tables, the height should be the same height as chair and sofa seats, or lower.

10. Let There Be Light

Always use a mix of overhead lighting, floor lamps, and table lamps (and sconces, if you can). A floor lamp looks at home at the end of a sofa or behind an accent chair. Table lamps look lovely on side tables, shelves, and even mantels.

Lighting needs to be placed at different levels to be properly balanced, so use a variety of fixtures liberally throughout your room.

11. Use the Right-Size Artwork 

Artwork hung on the living room wall along with mirrors or sculptural objects needs to be placed strategically and in proportion to the furniture. Don’t hang a tiny photo over the back of your sofa, for example. Instead, use either a large piece that is approximately two-thirds the length of the sofa, or hang a grouping of pieces.

If you’re determined to use a particular piece of art that is too small, put it in a large frame with a mat board around it so it can hold its own when positioned near a big furniture piece. 

12. Putting It All Together

When it comes to arranging furniture and accessories, it's best to plan ahead if your plan involves buying new pieces. Either use an online floor planner or old-fashioned graph paper to sketch out your desired floor plan. It's the only surefire way to know whether or not things will fit the way you want.