cozy white living room with peach colored accents and a warm fireplace A room’s furniture arrangement is one of the key elements that sets the tone of the room. In the living room, you’ll be aiming for a welcoming and comforting environment, and choosing your furniture layout carefully can make or break that feel. Whether you’re remodeling your living room or simply looking to give it a fresh vibe, start with these tips for arranging your living room furniture.

1. Choose a Focal Point

Choosing a focal point helps draw the eyes into the room and helps determine where the rest of the furniture will lie. Your focal point may be clear in the architecture of the space, such as a fireplace or window. Other times, you can manufacture your own focal point, such as with an entertainment center.

2. Angle Furniture Toward Each Other

The living room is the perfect place to hang out when guests come over, but not every furniture layout lends a sense of comfort to house guests. Arrange your furniture to facilitate conversation. A couch along one side and a chair or two angled toward it makes it easy to face each other when guests come over. Place a coffee table in the center of your layout so guests have something between themselves and the host, which can make them feel more secure and less vulnerable.

3. Consider Float Seating

Float seating is a type of layout where the furniture is placed at the center of the room rather than at the edges. This is a good choice for large living rooms, especially those that have fireplaces, windows, and other architectural elements against the walls that makes placing furniture difficult. Plus, it can help the furniture from obstructing walkways, depending on the home. Use a large area rug to visually connect the seating area, and then line the room with additional cabinets or tables.

4. Mind the View

Obstructing one’s view with large furniture pieces can instantly make a large room feel small. Start by focusing on the view from attached rooms. Avoid placing pieces of furniture in front of this viewing path. By keeping this area open from one room to the next, you’ll expand the feel of the room. Likewise, don’t obstruct the view in front of windows. You’ll block out the natural light that helps open up the space. If you can’t avoid placing furniture in front of windows, opt for smaller pieces, preferably those that are lower than the window.

5. Place Tables Near Seating Areas

Don’t underestimate the functionality of a properly placed table in your living room. Tables placed across the room from the seating area — or having no table — can be a huge inconvenience to guests. You don’t want them to have to get up every time they want a sip of their drink, for example. As a general rule of thumb, tables should be placed at arm’s length from the seating area. This might include a coffee table between the sofa and chairs or end tables near each seat.

6. Think About the Flow and Access

Living room furniture shouldn’t obstruct the flow of traffic. You don’t want guests skirting around ottomans or having to step over other people’s feet to get to their seat. Allow enough space between each piece of furniture to make it easy to move around the room. Create clear lines between entryways and seating areas to encourage a comfortable environment. If you have two or more entrances/exits to the room, make sure you don’t have to weave your way through the furniture to get from one to  the other. Finding the perfect pieces of furniture and arranging them effectively in your space can be difficult, but with these ideas in mind, you can plan your layout so that it’s comfortable and inviting for both you and your guests. A little thought into your layout can go a long way. The Back Store knows a thing or two about comfort. We specialize in Scandinavian furniture chosen specifically for quality and comfort. Browse our sofa, sectional, and accent table selections today to find a new piece for your living room.