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SubscribeAre you ready to give your living room a major makeover but feeling stuck when it comes to the layout? Don't worry, we've got you covered! The way you arrange your living room furniture can have a huge impact on how the space not only functions but how it feels.
With just a sprinkle of our expert guidance and a dash of creativity, you'll be able to whip up a living room layout that is both stylish and functional. Our team of experts has put together some simple rules and guidelines to help you achieve the perfect living room layout that suits your unique needs and personal style.
Living room layout rules
Image credit: My Bespoke Room. Full house tour here.
Living rooms come in all different shapes and sizes but there are some general rules that our interior designers use when tackling a lounge layout:
2 - Focal Point: design the layout around a focal point or key feature. This can be an existing feature like a fireplace or a stunning piece of furniture.
5 - Place the TV outside the traffic area
6 - When choosing a rug, make sure it’s big enough that at least the front legs of the seating pieces sit on it.
7 - Once the key pieces of furniture are in place, think of the lighting and work in layers: overhead lighting, floor lamps and table lamps. Position them in the key places to support certain functions like reading, conversations or watching TV.
9 - Lastly, think of wall art and mirrors. Wall art needs to be in proportion to the item of furniture below. Don’t place a small tiny frame over a large sofa. Either one large piece or a group/gallery of smaller ones will work better.
Small living room layout
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There's so much we can say about small living rooms, we could dedicate a whole blog to it.....which we did and you can read here!
But to summarise and focus on the layout specifically, our top tips are to keep the amount of freestanding furniture to a minimum. This not only reduces the tripping hazards around the room but it maximises the floorspace and makes the room feel more open and spacious. Choose only the items that you really need - a sofa, media unit and perhaps a slim armchair.
If you're lacking floor space, think vertically! Try to mount as much as you can to the walls - your TV, shelving to display items and wall mounted lighting being the best examples. Also, if you have any alcoves or niche's, these are perfect for bonus fitted storage.
It's all about smoke and mirrors! Well, less about smoke and more about mirrors which are also a must have for small living rooms as they bounce light around and trick the eye into thinking there's more space than there actually is. Position one opposite a window if possible to bounce the natural light around like in this example below:
Both of these small living room layouts have kept the furniture in the room to a minimum. Below, the designer has cleverly opted for furniture with slim profiles on legs. By lifting the furniture you can see more of the floor which makes the room feel more generous. The designer has also sourced a generous sized coffee table but with a glass top so that it won't feel large and dominating in the space and you can see more of that precious floor!
Need help getting the most from your small living room layout? Book your room design today from just £450:
Rectangular long narrow living room layout
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Long narrow living room layouts are among the trickiest to get right. If you place your seating at either end of the room, you'll have to shout at each other to be heard and it creates a lot of wasted space in the middle.
We recommend splitting the space into sections or 'zones' as we love to say in the biz! In the image above, the green sofa has been placed slap bang in the middle of the room to create two rooms for the price of one, using the sofa as a room divider and conveniently moving it closer to the TV mounted on the wall.
To use the layout below as another example, the designer has split the room in two and created a seating area and then a playroom at the end. The ways that she's distinguished the two is subtle but effective. The two rugs provide an outline for the two areas and she's also used furniture as room dividers in the form of the back of the sofa and two small pouf's in the middle. Even the plant in the middle of the plan was placed strategically to create a natural room divider.
Need help getting the most from your narrow living room layout? Book your room design today from just £450:
Large living room layout ideas
Image credit: My Bespoke Room. Full house tour here.
You might think that a large living room layout is the easiest but it's not always the case! With so much space it can be a challenge to make it feel intimate and cosy. Similar to the previous section, create rooms within rooms in your large living room layout.
In the layout example below, the designer Lucy brought the seating closer together centred around a large rug to make it feel more intimate. This also allows for easy walking space around the room without having to break up the flow of conversation in the middle. Lucy then placed side tables and cabinets around the edges of the room to display decorative items and the all important low level lighting, essential for any living room.
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In large living rooms, it's also important to add an anchor to the plan so that furniture doesn't just float about the room. In this example, the anchor is the beautiful marble coffee table in the middle underneath a stunning gold sculptural ceiling light. The rug and then the seating all flows out from that centre point.
Scale is also just as important here - take advantage of the open space and bring in larger items of furniture, lighting and tall sculptural plants to fill the room. If you have a large sofa or sideboard, don't hang a small piece of artwork or mirror above it. Go big or create a gallery wall instead.
Need help getting the most from your large living room layout? Book your room design today from just £450:
Living and dining room layout
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Does your living room layout need to include a dining area as well? Incorporating a dining area into your living room can be a great way to maximize space and create a multi-functional space for entertaining and everyday living. When designing a living and dining room layout, it's important to consider the flow and functionality of both areas.
One approach is to create distinct zones within the room. Use furniture placement and rugs to define the living and dining areas. For example, you can position the sofa and armchairs to create a cosy seating arrangement in the living area, while placing a dining table and chairs in a separate section of the room.
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Another consideration is storage. In a living and dining room, it's important to have sufficient storage for both areas. In the example above the designer has suggested incorporating built-in cabinets and shelving units to hide away clutter and display decorative items and then in the dining area, they've added a mini bar cabinet - perfect for glass top ups without taking a trip to the kitchen!
When selecting furniture for a living and dining room layout, choose pieces that complement each other in terms of style and scale. This will create a cohesive look and ensure that the two areas blend seamlessly together. Opt for a dining table and chairs that coordinate with the sofa and coffee table in the living area. In the example below you can see that similar dark wood tones, brass fixtures and pops of green are used in both zones.
Lighting is also crucial in a living and dining room layout. Install pendant lights above the dining table to provide focused illumination for meals, and use floor lamps or table lamps in the living area to create a warm and inviting ambiance. By incorporating different types of lighting, you can easily transition between dining and lounging areas.
In the example above you can also see how important lighting is where a pendant has been added above the dining table. If your ceiling light doesn't naturally sit above the best space for your dining table, you can install a long cable pendant and then loop it using a hook over to the correct position like this designer did here:
Image credit: My Bespoke Room. Full house tour here.
Need help getting the most from your living and dining room layout? Book your room design today from just £450:
Bay window living room furniture layout
Image credit: My Bespoke Room. Full house tour here.
We all love a period property! A bay window is a real gem in any living room, adding character and charm while flooding the room with light. However, it's important to make the most of this unique space and not let it go to waste.
One way to maximize the potential of a bay window is to create a cosy reading nook or seating area. Place a comfortable armchair or love seat in the bay window and add some plush cushions and a soft throw blanket. This will not only make the space more inviting but also provide a perfect spot to relax, read a book, or enjoy a cup of tea while taking in the beautiful view outside.
Another idea is to transform the bay window into a mini home office or study area. Install a narrow desk or a floating shelf along the length of the window and pair it with a comfortable chair. Add some storage solutions like a small filing cabinet to keep your workspace organized. With natural light streaming in from the bay window, this will be a bright and inspiring place to work or study.
With a little creativity and attention to detail, a bay window can become the highlight and the focal point of your living room, adding both functionality and visual appeal.
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Living room layout with fireplace
Image credit: My Bespoke Room. Full house tour here.
Another beautiful period feature in a living room is a fireplace. Not only does it add charm and character to the space, but it also serves as a focal point and provides an anchor for your living room layout. A fireplace can become the natural gathering spot for family and friends, offering warmth and comfort.
When designing your living room layout around a fireplace, start by positioning your seating arrangement, such as sofas and armchairs in a semi circle around the fireplace. In the example below, the designer has brought the sofa into the middle of the room to do just this:
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And hey, why not jazz up that fireplace even more? Add some built-in shelves or cabinets on either side to showcase your favorite knick-knacks or stash away your collection of books and media gadgets. Not only will this give you some extra storage space, but it will also balance out the visual impact of the fireplace.
Don't forget about lighting! Wall sconces or recessed lighting above the fireplace can highlight its architectural features and create a warm, inviting glow. And don't forget about floor lamps or table lamps strategically placed around the seating area to provide even more lighting options and create a cosy, intimate atmosphere.
Need help getting the most from your lounge? Book your room design today from just £450:
Pass-through living room layout
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A 'pass-through room' poses a real challenge to homeowners - how do you create a cosy, quiet living room to settle down to watch the latest episode of Love Island....I mean that latest documentary, when when people keep walking in and out?!
The answer, yet again lies in the layout. In the example below, the designer has used a sofa as a room divider along with a side table and large sculptural plant to further add privacy.
The rug also defines the space by creating a break in the flooring and making it instantly more cosy and tactile. It also helps with sound insulation which is an unavoidable issue with large spaces like this one with wooden flooring throughout.
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The example below is not only a pass-through room but it's also teeny tiny! You can see the tell-tell signs of a designer at work here with a mirror to reflect light and create depth, slim profile furniture on legs and also shelving to make the most of the walls.
In a pass-through room, the furniture choices are even more important as you want to avoid blocking the flow through the room. The sofa below is a narrow one so that it doesn't impede into the space and sadly a coffee table was a no-go, replaced instead by side tables. If your pass-through living room is large enough for a coffee table, choose one that's oval in shape which takes up less space than a rectangle and helps with the flow. Just think of it as a mini roundabout in your room! (Or not).
Awkward living room layout ideas
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First things first - it's not 'awkward' it's 'unique'! We love a quirky room layout, not only because it allows us to flex our design muscles but also because it makes a truly interesting space. You just need to make it work for you and embrace the quirks of the room and let them guide your design choices, rather than fight against them.
It's more important than ever to define different zones. An awkward living room often has unusual angles or irregular shapes. Use furniture placement and rugs to define different zones within the space. This will help create a sense of purpose and organisation.
In an awkward layout it's important to make the most of every inch of space. Consider incorporating built-in storage solutions to maximise storage and keep the room clutter-free. Look for furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes, such as ottomans with hidden storage or coffee tables with built-in shelving.
Play with scale: In an awkward living room, playing with scale can help balance out the space. Mix larger furniture pieces with smaller accent pieces to create visual interest and ensure that the room doesn't feel overwhelmed or cramped. In the example below, the designer has paired a large three seater sofa in the centre with a slim accent chair in the awkward corner of the room.
Need help getting the most from your awkward living room layout? Book your room design today from just £450:
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