When it comes to working out how to arrange your furniture in a small living room it can feel a bit like solving a jigsaw puzzle. Working out furniture placement to get the most from your space, to make it look welcoming, and feel like home can feel like a bit of a tall order. So, whether you’re moving in, redecorating or just feeling like a change in layout we’ve got options for you to consider.
If you’re not looking for first steps to help you work out how to arrange your furniture and you don’t need our key tips why not skip down to our layout suggestions to get some inspiration. Just remember, one of the best ways to arrange furniture in a small living room is to choose a focal point and orientate your furniture around that area.
Measure Your Living Room
It’s possibly one of the most boring parts of arranging your furniture in a small living room, but it’s a crucial step. Measure your living room accurately. Knowing the dimensions of the room means that you can make informed decisions about the size and placement of your furniture.
Use these measurements to create a floor plan, either digitally or on paper, and experiment with different arrangements. This step helps you avoid overcrowding your living room and making it feel cramped and means you don’t end up with the disappointment of buying new furniture only to find it doesn’t fit.
Additionally, you also need to consider how people walk around and pass through the living room. You need enough space for people to be able to walk by some pieces of furniture without bumping into it. For small living rooms, it’s best to keep main walkways clear, to avoid blocking windows, and to keep doorways free.
Know how you use your living room
Although we all like our living rooms to look amazing, in reality they are spaces we use quite a bit so you need to know how you use yours. Is it the place where everyone tends to sit at night, is it where you sit and chat with your visitors? You need to think about these things when working how to arrange your furniture in a small living room.
Knowing how you use the space helps you arrange your furniture. It helps you decide what furniture works best for your needs and how you can arrange it to meet how you use your space.
For example, if your small living room is used as a space where your family cosy up and watch TV, you may want to prioritise the placement of your comfy sofa and the TV over other décor like plants or bookshelves.
10 key tips for arranging furniture in a small living room
1. Choose multi-functional pieces
Small living rooms can start to feel cluttered fast, so choose furniture that isn’t just pretty. Using multiple purpose furniture, like a storage ottoman for a foot rest, will help you keep living room clutter at bay while keep your living room feeling like a relaxing place.
2. Scale appropriately
As tempting as it is to just pick what you like, when you buy furniture for a small living room you need to select furniture that fits the room’s size. Avoid bulky pieces that overwhelm the space, that you will inevitably end up struggling around making the living room hard to get around.
3. Create a focal point
Arrange furniture around a central element like a fireplace or TV to give the room direction. Orientating your furniture in this way, will help you create a visually pleasing layout too.
4. Use vertical space
Wall space in a small living room can often get overlooked, so when you arrange furniture remember to use walls in your layout. Incorporating tall bookshelves or wall-mounted storage not only helps you get the most out of storage in your room it also gives the space depth which makes it feel more homely.
5. Float furniture
Pull some pieces away from walls to create a sense of openness. Being able to walk around a chair for example will make you feel as though your living room is larger than it is.
6. Define areas
Use rugs or furniture placement to create distinct zones for different activities. If you mainly watch the TV in your living room but also enjoy snuggling up with a good book some nights, place a chair and a tall standing lamp towards a corner inclining away from the TV, perhaps with a little table.
7. Maximize natural light
Keep windows free to help make the room feel larger and brighter. Being able to walk in front of your window to open curtains or blinds without stretching helps a small living room feel bigger.
8. Consider traffic flow
Ensure there’s a clear path through the room. If you can’t easily get from side of your living room to another, your furniture isn’t right for your room.
9. Use mirrors
Strategically place mirrors to reflect light and create the illusion of more space in your small living room.
10. Declutter regularly
Keep your small living room tidy to maintain a sense of openness. A living room doesn’t feel small when you can get around it without falling over lots of items that don’t have a home.
Small living room layout ideas
Here are some examples of how you can arrange your living room furniture by focusing on how you use your living room.
Layout 1: Sofa and armchair arrangement
This layout is designed for general use and optimal TV viewing. The sofa is against the longest wall to get the most from your seating space and allow you to stretch out. Place the TV opposite the sofa to create a clear focal point for the room and the best viewing angle for anyone sitting on the sofa.
Place an armchair to create an L-shape with your sofa so you can sit and have a conversation. Centre a coffee table and a rug to create a warm space where you can pop drinks and snacks. Use your corners to add a tall vertical bookshelf to display items and store books.
Benefits of arranging your furniture like this:
- Balanced layout for both TV watching and socializing – great for anyone who uses their small living room a lot.
- Clear traffic flow from the entrance.
- Efficient use of wall space to add some visual depth to the room.
- Defined seating area with the rug and coffee table so the living room feels cosy.
Layout 2: Corner Sofa
This layout prioritizes seating capacity and creates a cozy atmosphere:
- L-shaped sofa in the corner: Maximizes seating and creates a sense of enclosure.
- TV on opposite wall: Maintains good viewing angles for all seats.
- Two chairs added: Increases seating options and flexibility.
- Coffee table moved closer to sofa: Creates a more intimate setting.
Benefits of this living room arrangement:
- Increased seating capacity for entertaining
- Cozy, enclosed feeling that can make the room feel larger
- Flexible seating arrangements with additional chairs
- Opens up floor space in the center of the room
Layout 3: Conversation-Focused
This layout emphasizes face-to-face interaction:
- Sofa against short wall: Changes the room’s orientation.
- Chairs facing the sofa: Encourages conversation.
- TV in a less prominent position: De-emphasizes TV watching.
- Coffee table centrally located: Serves all seating equally.
Benefits:
- Promotes social interaction and conversation
- Creates a more formal, living room feel
- Potentially opens up more wall space for art or storage
- Good for homes where TV isn’t the primary focus
Layout 4: Work-from-Home
This layout balances work and leisure spaces:
- Desk added along the window: Takes advantage of natural light for work.
- TV moved to side wall: Maintains a separate relaxation area.
- Seating arranged to face away from work area: Creates distinct zones.
- Bookshelf used as room divider: Separates work and leisure spaces.
Benefits:
- Accommodates a home office in a small living room
- Natural light for the work area reduces eye strain
- Clear separation between work and relaxation zones
- Efficient use of space for dual purposes
Adapting layouts for your specific needs
Remember, the best layout for you will depend on how you use your living room, the exact dimensions of your room, and your lifestyle. Why not mix elements from different layouts to create a custom arrangement that works best for you.
Tips for choosing layout according to your lifestyle
- For frequent guests: Choose Layout 2 with the corner sofa, so you have plenty of seating to enjoy your time with your guests. Add a sofa bed to any of the layouts if you often have guests stay over and don’t have a spare room.
- For book lovers: You can add more bookshelves along the walls in any layout.
- For minimalists: Simplify Layout 1 or 3 by removing some furniture pieces and keeping only essentials like the sofa and TV.
- For home office: Take Layout 4 and adapt it as necessary. A wall mounted desk that folds up instead of a bookshelf could help save even more space.
- For open floor plans: Use furniture to define the living area within your larger space.
- For families with children: Add storage solutions and consider a play area in one corner instead if a bookshelf.
Conclusion
However you choose to arrange your furniture in a small living room, it needs to fit in the space with ease and work for how your family use your living room.
