Living rooms can serve different functions for different families. In some houses the living room is the main spot for family gatherings whereas in others they are a showroom used only for company. Keep reading for some tips for how to place the furniture in your living room for the biggest visual impact and functionality.
1. Chairs and Sofas
These are usually the biggest pieces in your living room so when you’re shopping, make sure you measure before you buy. You will want the pieces to be just the right size, not too big or too small. It helps to sketch out a floor plan on graph paper using the measurements of your room. You can cut out shapes the equivalent size of the furniture you’re considering and place it in different spots to see what will work best for your living room.
2. Coffee Table
Coffee tables are usually the centre piece of conversation areas, and are practical as well as stylish. Choose one that is lower than the seat height of the chairs and sofa around it. Length of the table should be about one-half to two-thirds the length of your sofa. Make sure you leave enough leg room between any seats and the table: between 14 and 18 inches is best.
3. Side Tables
The number of side tables you will need depends on how many seats you have. Everyone sitting down should have somewhere to place their drink without having to move to reach a table. Put one on either side of the sofa, and between each pair of chairs. The trick is to offer enough surface space without making the room overcrowded. The tables should be the same height as the arm of the sofa or chair next to it.
4. Rug
Area rugs are a great way to designate seating areas, but make sure the rug isn’t too small. All of the living room furniture within the conversation area should fit onto the carpet, or at least the front legs.
5. Over the Sofa
If you hang a piece of art over your sofa, make sure it’s about two-thirds of the width of the sofa. You can hang a grouping of smaller pieces together, but make sure the space between each frame is between two and three inches.
6. Over the Mantle
It’s best to hang your art four to 12 inches above the mantel. If your mantle is over four feet tall, hang four to six inches above it. If the artwork is taller than three feet, you can lean it on the mantel.
7. Beside a Window
Make sure you have enough room between the walls and the drapes so the art piece doesn’t look crowded. Ensure you have at least four to six inches of space on each side of the framed art.
8. Other Tips
Once you have your furniture where you want it, you will want to think about accessories for your living room. This includes artwork, window treatments, and maybe a television. For hanging art, there are a few rules to follow. And as always, make sure you hang the art so that the centre point of any art piece or grouping of pieces is at eye level.
- When you are planning to arrange your living room furniture, you will need to choose a focal point. This might be the television, a window, or a fireplace.
- Use your furniture to create areas for conversation. People don’t want to have to shout or twist their necks uncomfortably to have a chat. If the room is really large, you may want to think about making up two or more conversation areas.
- Consider traffic flow. Leave room for people to walk around the furniture.
- Pull furniture out from your walls. When pieces are closer together it creates a more cozy, intimate setting.
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