How to Design Your Living Room, Starting with the Layout

How to DESIGN YOUR LIVING ROOM,

STARTING WITH THE LAYOUT

Creating a cozy, functional, and stylish living space is more than just buying beautiful furniture - it's about how you place it all together. Planning a layout is always the first step in our design process. Once you have a functional layout, you’ve created a shopping list for the room.


Living Room Layout: Crafting a Cozy Gathering Space

1. Orient Your Sofa First
The sofa is the anchor of your living room, so start by deciding its placement. Consider the room's focal point - maybe a fireplace, TV, or a stunning view through a window. Ask yourself: Do you have enough space for a chaise lounge or an L-shaped sectional? These options offer extra seating and are perfect for lounging.

Cozy Living Room Design

2. Seating and Walkways
Once the sofa is in place, consider adding a side chair or two. This is where walkways become crucial. Aim to maintain clear paths that are at least 42 inches wide to ensure easy movement around the room. This way, the space feels open and inviting, not cramped and cluttered.

Living Room Layout Cozy Kitchen Sofa

3. Coffee Table or Ottoman
Your sofa needs a partner, and that's where a coffee table or an ottoman comes in. Place it about 16-20 inches from the front of the sofa. This distance is close enough to reach but far enough to allow legroom and easy passage.

4. Side Tables for Convenience
Not all seats will be close to the coffee table, so add side tables next to chairs or sofa sections that can't easily reach it. These provide handy spots for drinks, books, or decorative items, enhancing both function and aesthetics. Rule of thumb: every seat should have a place to set down a drink.

Sofa Wall Art Living Room Cozy Game Room

5. The Area Rug
An area rug ties the room together, quite literally. Choose one large enough to fit under all the main pieces of furniture. Ideally, the rug should extend 6-12 inches beyond the edges of your sofa and chairs. Alternatively, you can have the rug extend just halfway under the sofa and stop in front of your chairs. The rug anchors the seating area and adds a layer of warmth and texture.

6. Art on the Walls
Blank walls are like canvases waiting for art. Identify the two largest blank walls in your living room and add one or several pieces of art. This brings character and personality to the space and draws the eye upward, adding height and dimension. Tip: Tape out artwork on the wall with painter’s tape (make sure you’re taping it to scale) to confirm you like the height, size, and location.

shuffle board table game room living room

Looking to do a full DIY living room design yourself? Purchase our How to Design Your Living Room guide.

Interested in working with an expert when it comes to designing a functional and comfortable layout? Learn more about our design services or connect with us to schedule a 20-minute call. We look forward to connecting with you!

Alison Tillitz