For many families, the living room is the heart of the home, the place where the whole family gathers to relax, and the space to entertain friends and guests. Create a welcoming and comfortable space that everyone can enjoy with a few basic design principles.

Focus on the view

Arrange your furniture to take advantage of the central focal point, the cornerstone of your living room design. Whether the room features a beautiful stone fireplace, a stunning piece of artwork, or a bank of windows, arrange your sofa or sectional and chairs in a seating group to take in the view.

Consider balance and symmetry

Once the seating area is set around your desired focal point, place your coffee table or ottoman in the middle of your sofa and chairs. Allow about 16 to 18 inches between the table and your sofa or other seating for ample leg room—this distance is still close enough to keep a book, magazine, or tray of drinks within reach.

Place side tables and lamps next to your sofa and chairs, leaving about 30 inches of open space between furniture pieces for a walkway. Center your area rug in the middle of the main seating arrangement, allowing the rug to anchor the entire room. If your living room is carpeted, an accent rug is an effortless way to add warmth and dimension.

Create a conversation area

Make conversation easy by arranging your living room seating pieces to face each other over a shared coffee table. If your living room features a fireplace, arrange your sofa and chairs in a semi-circle around the hearth, creating a natural conversation area that makes it easy for your guests to interact.

Make space for entertainment and relaxing

If your living room includes an entertainment center, position your sofa, couch, or sectional to face that wall for viewing comfort. A sectional sofa provides flexible, comfortable seating for groups of any size, and pieces can be combined to perfectly fit your available space.

Maximize a larger space

An L-shaped furniture arrangement is a natural choice for a large and open living room. Arrange your sofa and loveseat to form an L, framing your coffee table, or opt for an L-shaped sectional. An additional chair or two can easily be moved closer for conversation when you’re entertaining.

Enlarge a smaller space

If your living room feels boxy or crowded, try placing your furniture on the diagonal to create a natural and welcoming flow through the room. Place both your sofa and coffee table on the diagonal, and arrange your additional chairs on the same axis. In a small living room, consider skipping the sofa and arranging a collection of four armchairs around your coffee table to create the illusion of openness and greater space.

Want to learn more design principles for your home? Don’t miss Part 1 of our series, Design Tips: Arranging Your Bedroom Furniture. If you’re ready for a living room redesign, our furniture experts are here to assist you—contact us today to get started.