How to plan and arrange living room furniture in a modern home

Natasha Kurien Natasha Kurien
DDA flat at Rohini, Design Essentials Design Essentials Living room
Loading admin actions …

More often than not, the interior decoration of a home is seen to be an intimidating task. Being in an empty room without knowing where to begin can leave one baffled as to how to go about it. Several factors need to be considered including lifestyle, budget and the aesthetic one wishes to achieve.

As a rule of thumb, it is best to begin with the arrangement of furniture for living rooms. It includes the chairs, tables, sofas, storage cabinets and any other piece you would like to add.

This living room furniture layout guide with photographs from the interior designers and decorators at homify is simple and effective, saving you the pain of having to start with a blank page. From small living room layouts with TV to sofa set designs for small living rooms- this guide covers it all! Here's how you can go about planning and arranging your living room furniture efficiently.  

1. Measure the dimensions of the room to decide on the ideal living room furniture

The first step of the process is to note the measurements of the living room on all sides. You can either record the dimensions on the computer or perhaps draw it out to scale on graph paper. Having a scale floor plan is helpful to utilise the space effectively.

Once the dimensions of the room are clear to you, it is time to get measurements of the furniture that you have in mind. Draw out the dimensions on the graph paper, or you can even opt for a 3-D representation of the area. Measuring is especially essential for a small living room design so that you can ensure that everything fits into the space available to you. 

2. Decide on the focal point and arrange the living room furniture accordingly

Deciding on the focal point of the living room is a crucial decision in open-plan living room furniture layouts. The focal point in the living room can be the TV, fireplace, chandelier or artwork when you opt for a minimalist design. Once it is decided upon, the furniture arrangement becomes easy to plan.

The standard distance between the furniture and the TV should be around 8 to 12 feet maximum, with a viewing angle of not more than 30 degrees. The sofa and chairs present in the room should be placed facing the wall on which the TV is mounted.

In living rooms without a TV, a focal point still makes sense. You can even make a coffee table the highlight and place chairs around it.  

3. Assign decor that complements the living room furniture

It is essential to pick out decor that syncs well with the furniture of the living room. It can include lamps, side tables, and similar decorative pieces. In a small room, the floor lamp might occupy the space of the side tables, so the coffee table should be well within arm's reach so that drinks can be set down on it. In the case of placing table lamps on the side table, ensure that they do not occupy the entire tabletop.

Chandeliers too should be centred right above the main seating area for better aesthetics of the room. Spotlights can be installed to highlight artwork, sculptures or even built-in libraries.  

4. Arrange the living room furniture neatly

Rectangular living room layout ideas involve the placement of furniture and storage cabinets, if any, around the central coffee table. It is best to allow a distance of 18 inches between the coffee table and sofa so that the TV remote and the drinks can be placed on it. Side tables can also be added right next to the armchairs on either side of the sofa. In smaller spaces, you can make use of nesting tables that expand when they are needed and stack away when not required.  

5. Centre the area rug and place your living room furniture around it

The most straightforward item to incorporate into the living room furniture layout is the rug. It should be neatly centred in the middle of the central seating arrangement and extend a few inches beyond the sofa and chairs to anchor the entire room. For carpeted rooms, adding a thicker rug to the ensemble makes for a subtle warm effect that welcomes guests and family members with a cosy vibe. The colour of the carpet should be mellow and of a lighter shade if you want to avoid it from overpowering your arrangement. Alternatively, there are several stunning living room colour combinations that you can opt for to brighten your living room walls in a matter of minutes!

These five simple steps can make the planning of your home both fun and simple! Consult a professional to make the most of your living room floor plan.  

Need help with your home project?
Get in touch!

Highlights from our magazine