Furniture Guide: Create a Stylish and Functional Living Room!

Living rooms are an essential part of any home, and they tend to serve a wide range of purposes. They are the place where many of us relax and seek peace after a long day’s work, but they’re also one of the primary places where we entertain friends and family. They are a space we want to feel comfortable and relaxed, but they should also show off our home’s style most effectively. 

Because living rooms often need to serve a wide range of functions, it can be hard to know exactly how to go about styling them. But, don’t worry, we’re here to help! 

Whether you need help on where to place your foundational pieces like sectionals, sofas, futons, recliners, and TV stands; or if you’re wondering how to best show off your accent furniture and decor, we’ve come this comprehensive guide can help anyone learn how to set up their ideal living room. 

Space Planning and Layout

The first thing to do when designing any room is to get comfortable with its dimensions. Start by measuring the perimeter of your living room and recording them in your phone or a notepad so you can have them handy. Doing this will make it easy for you to determine whether or not any new piece of furniture will fit comfortably within the space. 

When it comes to living room seating,  a good "rule" to keep in mind is: you want to have at least 30 to 36 inches of walkway space throughout the room's primary walkways. 

The next step is to think about the kind of living room you want to create. We all like to live our lives differently, so it makes sense that not everyone’s living room will function the same. Most people tend to organize their living room furniture with the goal of creating either an entertainment zone or a conversational area. Here’s a quick breakdown of each type:

Entertainment Zone - A large percentage of people today tend to arrange their living room seating around a TV in a comfy "entertainment zone". To do this, you start by knowing where your TV stand is going to be, then you ensure that all seating within the zone is oriented towards the TV for easy viewing.

Here are some quick guidelines to help you create a functional entertainment zone in your living room.

Entertainment Zone Guidelines:

• When considering the distance between the TV and the primary sofa or sectional, the general interior design rule is: you should have 1-foot of distance between your sofa and TV for every 8" of the TV's screen diameter. *If that sounds confusing, just take your TV screen measurement (in inches) and divide by 8 to see the distance in feet! 

• When considering the distance between your sofa or sectional and the other pieces in an entertainment zone like accent chairs, recliners, and coffee tables, the general interior design rule is: each seating piece should have at least 10-12" of space between them, but no seating piece should be further than 6" away from the central coffee table.

   

Conversation Area - Those who don’t want their living space centered around a TV usually use their living room furnishings to create a lively conversation area. To create a conversation area, start by knowing where you want your largest living room seating item to go -usually a sofa or sectional - then, you arrange your other seating pieces around your largest item in a configuration facing each other to encourage conversation. 

Conversation areas have more leeway when it comes to the placement of individual pieces. Because there is no TV to consider, conversation areas can inhabit any area of the room, including corners or central in the space. 

Conversation Area Guidelines:

• If you're creating a corner conversation area, the general rule is that seating pieces should be placed close to the wall, but with about 4" of room between the wall and the back or side of the piece. *If you have reclining furniture, then they will need to be placed further away so there is room to recline.

• If you are creating a central conversation area, you don't necessarily have to follow the same spacing rules as in entertainment zones. The seating pieces can have more room between them, and they can be angled towards one another instead of a TV, but we do still recommend keeping all seating pieces in your conversation area within 6" of a coffee table or end table so your guests have a place for drinks and food. 

Choosing the Right Foundational Furnishings

Sectionals - Sectionals are perfect for large spaces, and people love their versatility as many sectionals can be configured to fit the corner of a room, all while providing ample seating and a cohesive look. Sectionals also usually offer a wide variety of different storage and comfort features. Today, you can choose anything from sophisticated power reclining sectionals with plenty of storage to modular, minimalist sectionals that are perfect for facilitating conversation and movement. 

Sectional Placement: Choose a sectional that complements your needs and decor, then use it as one of the anchor pieces in your room. 

• If you’re creating an entertainment zone, you should focus on placing your sectional an appropriate distance away from your TV stand, either along a wall or in a central location, depending on the size of the room. 
• If you’re thinking about a conversation area, you don’t need to consider the TV stand, so just use your sectional as an anchor and place it where it best fits and has enough space around it to place your other seating options. 
   

Sofas - Sofas are the classic choice for living rooms. Like with sectionals, you should start by figuring out a size and shape that will best suit your space, then you should narrow down your search by determining the types of features you want it to have. 

• If you think you’ll primarily be using your living room for personal relaxation, then maybe it’s time to consider a power reclining sofa. 

• If you don’t watch much TV and use your living room for entertaining friends, then maybe a smaller sofa with undeniable style is more your vibe. Opt for a design that complements your decor and provides the right kind of comfortable seating for your needs. 

Sofa Placement: For sofas, follow the same placement advice given above for sectionals. 

TV Stands & Home Theater Walls - When purchasing a TV Stand or home theater wall, start by finding one that can both fit within your designated entertainment space and accommodate your television. TV stands and home theater walls are built to offer storage for media devices, game consoles, and other accessories; so use your best judgment when deciding on which TV stand will best meet your needs. 

TV Stand Placement: TV stands and home theater walls are almost always found placed along a primary wall in living room entertainment zones. Modern homes are designed with television in mind with cable access points located along the walls of the living room, and placing your TV stand close to these outlets makes the most sense to keep any wiring hidden from view. 

Coffee Tables - Coffee tables are not only functional pieces of furniture, but they also serve as another focal point in your living room. When choosing a coffee table, consider the size and shape that will best complement your seating arrangement and your home's style. If you have a large sectional or sofa, opt for a coffee table that is proportional in size, allowing enough space for movement around it. 

*Don't forget - it's also important to think about the construction material of your coffee table! If you have a modern or contemporary living room, a sleek glass or metal coffee table can add a touch of sophistication. For a more traditional or rustic look, consider a wooden coffee table with ornate design details or a maybe one with a fashionably-distressed finish. 

Coffee Table Placement: The placement of your coffee table should be centered in front of your seating arrangement, within reach of all seating options for easy access to drinks, snacks, or books. Leave enough space between furnishings to allow for easy movement around the room. Additionally, consider the height of the coffee table in relation to the height of your seating. Ideally, the coffee table should be at a similar height to the seat cushions or slightly lower, creating a comfortable and visually pleasing arrangement.

Accent Chairs & Recliners -  Accent chairs and recliners are great for ensuring your living room is extra comfy for both you and your guests. Today’s living room chairs range from the ultra-indulgent modern power recliners to streamlined accent chairs with a focus on style. So, step one is to decide on which type of lounge chair or recliner is best for your home.

• If you plan on creating an entertainment zone in your living room, then you may want to think about living room chairs with sophisticated comfort features, or convenient features like cup holders and USB charging ports.
• If you plan on creating a conversation area in your living room, you'll probably want to focus more on aesthetics. Today's accent chairs come in every style you can imagine, plus they're also plenty comfy too! 

Placement: Lounge chairs usually work best in living rooms when they are used as additional seating options in your entertainment zone or conversation area, so it’s usually best to place them near your sofa or sectional. That said, you can also use them as stand-alone pieces in a cozy corner to create the ultimate reading nook or rest area!

Futons & Daybeds - futons and daybeds are the ideal pieces to use if you want more sleeping options in your home. These furnishings are designed to function as both comfy seats and as beds for overnight guests, so they can transform any living room into a guest bedroom with ease. In general, futons tend to have a casual-contemporary look while daybeds often have a more timeless or classic aesthetic, so make sure you take style into consideration when purchasing your own. 

Placement: Futons are great for smaller homes, or for secondary living rooms in bigger homes, because they can often take the place of a traditional sofa in these spaces. Daybeds often function best as accessory pieces, and should usually be placed along a wall, away from your primary entertainment zone or conversation area. 

Styling and Decor

Now that we've covered the important foundational pieces of your living room, let's quickly talk about some other style-related elements you should keep in mind during this process. Remember that the key to a successful living room setup is finding a balance between style, functionality, and comfort.

Color Palette - For any piece of furniture you’re thinking of buying, you should always be looking for a color palette that will complement your existing decor. Pieces that showcase neutral tones are versatile and can be used in traditional and contemporary environments, while colorful furnishings are great for creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere. Consider the existing colors in your room and how they will coordinate with any new furniture that you buy.

Accent Pieces - Incorporate accents like sofa tables, end tables, and other decorative accent furnishings to showcase your personal taste, and to provide additional surface area for drinks and other personal items. Choose pieces that complement your furniture and deliver on both functionality and style, and make sure each seat in your living room has access to a nearby horizontal surface. 

Textiles & Rugs - Consider using throw pillows, throw blankets, and area rugs to introduce more comfort, texture, and personality. Along with being comfortable, interior designers love using throw pillows and blankets because they are a great way to mix and match textures and patterns to add visual interest to the room. Create a designer look by using pillows and throws with different colors and textures than your foundational pieces.  Area rugs also increase the comfort level and warmth of any space, and they can be used to anchor the different zones within the living room. Look for rugs that not only complement the overall color scheme and style of the room, but are also the appropriate size for the seating arrangement you’re creating. Each seating area should have a rug to anchor it within the room.

Art & Decor - Use hanging artwork, mirrors, or other wall decor to enhance your living room's aesthetic. Keep scale in mind, here – larger pieces usually work best on larger walls, and you can usually save smaller pieces for more intimate spaces. Consider the placement and arrangement of your decor to create a balanced and visually appealing display.

Lamps - Floor lamps and table lamps should be placed strategically throughout the room to provide both ambient and task lighting. Consider the height and placement of your lamps compared to the surrounding furnishings to ensure they provide adequate illumination.

It’s hard to overstate just how much of an impact a well-designed living room can have on both your personal life and in your experiences with family and friends. With that in mind, don’t be afraid to experiment with different arrangements when restyling your space! Ultimately, your living room should be a reflection of your lifestyle and preferences, and a welcoming atmosphere for both you and your guests. No one knows how your living room should function better than yourself, and, now that you know the basics, the only thing left to do is to start creating a room that works for you!