When decorating a room, one of the first things to do is to determine the layout. In a living room, finding the right layout depends on how you want to use your space and what parts you want to include.
Check out our living room checklist to see all your essential living room furniture.
So start by asking yourself how you want to use your living room. Do you often entertain family and friends there? Do you want to build a play area for your kids? Want to know the layout of the living room with the fireplace? Or do you have an open floor plan where living and dining Spaces need to be cohesive? Whatever your needs, knowing exactly how you will be involved in living room design on a daily basis will help define your layout.
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Best Living Room Layouts for TV Watching
If you’re using your living room more as a place to party with family and friends on movie nights and Weekends with Netflix, here are two layouts you’ve already introduced. These living room ideas all revolve around television as the main focal point of the seating area.
TV Viewing Layout #1
The living room with TV and fireplace is a carefree and comfortable space, everything is designed around the joint focus of the fireplace and TV.
How to set up this layout:
- Invest in big seats.
When the focus of your space is entertainment around the TV, opt for a comfortable, sunken partition and lounge chair combination to create the ultimate lounge area. Not sure if you want a sofa or a combination sofa? See our guide for their pros and cons.
- Boost TV ratings.
Even if you don’t have a fireplace, hang the TV up high to avoid craning your neck to watch a movie. To make your TV look more decorative, check out our simple tips for incorporating work TV viewing into any living room layout.
- And finally, extra seats.
A profile and lounge chair alone won’t fill your living space, so be sure to add an extra sofa or armchair. This will make your living room more flexible as a conversation area, not just for watching TV.
TV Viewing Layout #2
While the first arrangement gives you a comfortable seating alcove, this furniture arrangement gives you a central boxed TV viewing point that still has good mobility and leaves plenty of walking space around. Unlike previous designs, this layout allows the living room to be more formal while still focusing on the TV.
How to set up this layout:
- Try multi-part seats.
Another seating option is a large multi-piece sectional seat designed to fit into your room and accommodate many bodies. Try the floating furniture method with this layout, as a floating sofa can also be used as a room divider. This method is especially suitable for large rectangular living rooms.
- Add more moving parts.
There is a section that forms a conversation circle, paired with a versatile accent table that can be easily pulled in and out of the space. Try a round coffee table and a C-shaped drink table for small, convenient options.
- Optimize the surrounding space.
Tuck a bench behind the sofa to make it easy to find extra seats if needed. A bench can be a great place to perch in for a family game night, or an extra spot to set up a plate of drinks.
Best Living Room Layouts for Casual Conversation
Clients often choose relaxing conversation areas in a living room layout. It’s easy to see why, as these designs encourage intimate conversation. If you want a comfortable living room where people can mingle and relax, it’s all for you.
Session Layout #1
The layout focuses on three mini seating areas around the space. Sofas and woven Ottoman chairs are the main seating in the room, while armchairs by the fireplace are set up as reading corners, with their own Ottoman chairs and drink tables. Provide more layout ideas for the living room with a corner fireplace.
How to set up this layout:
- Use three-point seats.
Arranging your seat in a triangle, like a sofa opposite the fireplace and the inward-facing armchair here, instantly centers your seating area and creates a relaxing conversation area.
- Go round.
Choosing curves in your living room furniture will make your space look less rigid. It will also create a good flow of people so that many people can easily pass through the seating area.
- Think as little visually as possible.
Monochrome prints, black and white Moroccan rugs, and white sheepskin make the space feel comfortable, rather than busy and oppressive.
Session Layout #2
Can imagine this kind of split-type sitting room layout as your space “dialogue pit”. Although the first layout is open, this one is formal and structured, and the living room furniture creates a comfortable atmosphere. If you want a simple layout, this is a simpler living room idea.
How to set up this layout:
- Line up your seats.
An easy way to create a conversation area in a living room is to arrange sofas, armchairs, benches, and footstools in a U-shape. In this way, they form a semi-enclosed seating area that feels intimate.
- Stick to an open foundation.
Because your seating arrangement is rectangular, even the furniture on your legs should have an open base for an airy contrast.
- Choose classic colors.
There’s no need to be completely neutral, but sticking to light blues, greens and beiges in accents creates a cohesive look that’s both powerful and easy to see.
Best Living Room Layouts For Multi-U use Spaces
For many people, the living room is more than just a place to rest (especially when sheltering). This space may flow into the dining area, or it may also need to be used as a children’s play space or a temporary home office. If your home is like this, these multi-purpose living room ideas with a flexible layout will certainly help you deal with your space.
Multipurpose Layout #1
For a small living room that needs to be used as both a living and dining room, clearly delineating the starting and ending points of each area is key. That means where you put your living room furniture can make all the difference.
How to set up this layout:
- Segregate them with furniture.
Use sofas to separate living and dining areas. The back of the sofa acts like a wall, dividing the room into two different Spaces with different functions. If you’re not sure where to start, check out these open living and dining layout ideas.
- Add a high accent.
Whether it’s lighting over your dining table, tall plants next to your sofa, or art on your wall, visual markers help further separate your living and dining spaces.
Multipurpose Layout #2
Balancing multiple functions in a living room can be tricky, especially when it comes to children’s Spaces. When setting up a play area or a fun corner for kids, it’s even more important to have a layout that clearly distinguishes the different “areas”
How to set up this layout:
- In the corner.
Carve out a corner for the kids. You can officially designate the space as your children’s play area by physically dividing the space with a carpet and placing children’s furniture on top of it. Is it difficult to do this in your own space? Check out more ways to make your living room work as a playroom.
- Use child-friendly markers.
We’re not saying you should let your kids draw on the walls! We simply mean hanging a young piece of art to indicate that the area below it is a play space. You can also store toys and sundries in baskets and a child-friendly pantry, which ultimately indicates a separate space from the rest of the living area.
Multipurpose Layout #3
One of our favorite living room open plan ideas is incorporating a mini-office space. Getting the layout right can be tricky, though, because you want to make sure you add functionality without causing more visual clutter.
How to set up this layout:
- There’s a table in the back.
Tuck a desk behind your couch to create an open workspace for yourself. The back of the sofa acts like a mini wall that instantly separates your office area from the rest of the room. Can’t fit a desk behind the sofa? Discover more of our ideas on how to create an office in your living room.
- Work in specialty furniture.
As such, a table in the middle of a living room can feel a bit disorganized. Try placing a side table, a few items, or a pair of stools on either side of your workspace. This adds instant symmetry and balance while formalizing the area as a dedicated workspace. Want more ideas? Get an overview of our favorite multi-purpose furniture.
Best Living Room Layouts for Formal Entertaining
These formal living rooms tend to be less casual and more cocktail and book club Spaces. These layouts are more in line with the traditional rules of interior design, so it is expected to achieve a more classic and elegant living room concept through furniture arrangement and decoration.
Official Layout #1
This layout method works when it comes to formal living room ideas. With symmetrical furniture arrangements and elegant decor, this layout provides an instant sense of complexity that never forgets to impress guests.
How to set up this layout:
- Double everything.
The layout is paired, from the opposite sofa to the fireplace side lamp and matching pillow. Start with your sofa in as classic a shape as possible, then switch to smaller accents and accessories.
- Symmetry rule.
This is key if you want a classic formal layout. Not only does it provide a sense of order and structure to the space, but it also provides a tailored look and focuses on architectural details such as Windows or fireplaces.
- Neutral is best.
The best way to ensure that this formal living room layout maintains a streamlined and elegant look is to use neutral shades of grey and white. It will soften sharp lines and dark materials, giving your space a light chic charm.
Official Layout #2
If you want to make a difference in formal living room design, try this elegant, carefully planned conversational layout. The key here is to combine many different seats in different styles and materials, which will give a sophisticated atmosphere.
How to set up this layout:
- Change your seat.
The most important elements in the layout of the living room are the combination of Ottoman and armchair chairs, as well as benches and sections. Together they create a formal yet balanced look that gives any living room a sense of intimacy and elegance.
- Center the accent.
For various seat styles, you need to make sure the seating area remains focused. Use a collection of art prints and a large end table as visual anchors to anchor the center of the space.
- Outline with carpet.
No matter what your living space, the carpet will make room for your seating area. This is crucial in this formal layout, as light-colored carpets unify all the different designs.
Conclusion
Figuring out how to furnish a living room can feel like an endless conundrum involving sofas, chairs, coffee tables, side tables, stools, sofas, carpets, and lighting. The key to functional living room design is to determine the space and lifestyle that best suits you. Whether you’re designing an entertainment venue, a comfortable, casual family entertainment center, a TV-centric lounge area, or a stylish seating and lounge area in an open-plan home or city apartment, it all needs to work with the rest of your space.
Learn about layouts and how to leverage our casual and formal living room layout ideas to bring the look of each layout into your home.
