A beautiful and cosy living room doesn't end with buying the right sofa. Putting all your living room furniture together to create a good layout also affects the looks, comfort, and ambiance of your living space. Sure, laying out a living room looks pretty simple when browsing professionally styled rooms or watching tutorials, but the process can be daunting. If you have a small space, your challenge is to make it look big.
For big areas, the challenge is sectioning your area to avoid looking underutilised. Irregularly shaped rooms have other obstacles to offer.
So how do you plan your sofa and living room layout? Where do you start? How will you overcome the constraints?
In this quick guide, we'll help you figure out and draft the living room layout that will work for your space and your needs.
First Things First
Before planning your sofa layout, take a look at the following factors:
- How do you use your living room? For watching TV? Simple family bonding? Large gatherings?
- How often do you use your living room?
- What is your living room's layout? Is it small? Big? Open plan?
- What will be your focal point? Is it your sofa? Do you have an extravagant entertainment set?
These questions will help you identify what to focus on when planning your layout. Think about functional aesthetics. Your goal is to create a beautiful living room that serves its function.
Intimate Living Room
Small living rooms call for intimate gatherings with cosy furniture and a connective arrangement. Intimate layouts include a compact 3-seater sofa, a coffee table for entertaining, and accent chairs of your choice, depending on your needs.
Mid-century modern furniture pieces with mindfully tailored designs and natural appeal are ideal for homey setups.
To achieve this, place your 3-seater sofa in front of your entertainment unit, the coffee table in the middle, and the accent chairs on both sides of the sofa facing each other. This layout gives you a good view of your television while encouraging conversation. The symmetrical look creates a laid-back feel that is cosy and welcoming.
Layout for Entertaining Guests
Want a carefully designed formal area for entertaining guests? Place two sofas in front of each other to give enough room for your guests. This layout is also good for compact spaces as it doesn't break out the traffic flow where your guests can enter and exit with ease. Because of the minimal amount of accents, you don't have to spend a lot of time rearranging your furniture after entertaining your guests. If you have a small room to work in, opt for a slim coffee table to match your layout. To avoid visual distraction when facing each other, choose low-profile or slipcover sofas. Don’t be afraid to use two sofas with different designs. The key here is to achieve a balanced and cohesive space.
Large Living Room Area
Let's get it straight. Having a sizable living room doesn't mean you have to buy sizable furniture. A great way to make use of your space is by sectioning your room into smaller areas where you can enjoy conversations and have your me time. You can create a conversational and entertainment area on one side of your room and set up a tea set or a recliner armchair on the other side.
Read more: A Comprehensive Guide to Buying a Sofa in Singapore
A Place for Conversation
Establish casual conversations with a spacious sectional. This large sofa provides enough space for seating and encourages conversations with its versatile layout. It also allows a smooth flow of traffic with its open design. This layout is ideal for those who prefer a casual atmosphere. Add a side table or additional chairs to anchor your piece. Choose a coffee table that is accessible for everyone to enjoy a remarkable bonding time.
Multifunctional Space
Split your large living room into two to make the most of your available space. You can do this if you want a separate zone for intimate family bonding and binge-watching, an area for your guests, or a dedicated play space for kids. A tuxedo sofa or a sectional can help divide your big space into smaller areas.
Convertible and Functional Area
The presence of convertible furniture is important in building a functional area. If you're short on space, a convertible coffee table, storage sofa, or stackable chairs and stools can help you maximise your space when you need to fit more people. Take note of your needs when setting up a convertible space. If you're into sleepovers, choose a sofa bed or a trundle instead of a conventional sofa. Consider some poufs or plastic chairs for large gatherings that you can transfer from your dining table to your living room.
Your Everyday Living Room
A walk-through layout is needed for a balanced and accessible space in the rectangular living room shapes. Although some designers discourage pushing furniture pieces to the wall, a walk-through layout can efficiently pull off this everyday look. To achieve a walk-through layout, place your sofa and TV console on both edges of your rectangular room to give you enough space to fit your coffee table. Keep your doorway unoccupied and place the accent chairs on the side where there will be no distraction.
Open Concept Layout
Open-plan living rooms connect with the dining space and kitchen. Having this layout might be a bit challenging and distracting, especially if you have guests. Enclave your living room by positioning a sectional. Anchor your sofa with a side table to give it a closer look. Place a welcoming coffee table to complete your design.
Be mindful that not all L-shaped sofas are the same. The smaller part of the L-shape can be placed on the left or right side of the bigger part. As much as possible, although you're sectioning your floor, you still won't obstruct the flow of traffic in your living room.
Living Room Layout Ideas with TV: Additional Living Room Lay-out Tip:
Consider a layout where the TV is the focal point, flanked by comfortable seating like a sectional sofa and a couple of accent chairs, facing the screen. Incorporate a coffee table for functionality, and ensure there's enough walking space around furniture. Use wall shelves or cabinets for storage and decoration, enhancing the room's ambiance while keeping it organised and inviting.
Now that you know how to choose your layout, it's time to level up your living room! Add some accent furniture, decorative items, and window treatments. Add some spice with wall art and textures through your pillows and rugs. You can do so much with your living room. After carefully considering your layout and design, you're ready to enjoy your amazing living room.