One of the most common questions people have when decorating a living room relates to the position of the sofa. This is typically among the largest pieces of furniture in the room, and there may only be a few different options available for placement due to its size. However, its placement will also impact the placement of other pieces of furniture as well as traffic flow, general ambiance and the comfort of those who sit on the sofa. With this in mind, it is important to understand more about living room layout before positioning furniture.
Consider the Focal Point of the Room
In many living rooms, the focal point is the television. In other living rooms, it may be a fireplace or a fabulous view out of panoramic windows. The sofa typically should be positioned so that it faces the focal point of the space. The majority of people who sit in the living room will choose to sit on the sofa because it is the seating option that offers the maximum space. When the sofa directly faces the focal point of the room, people can enjoy a head-on view of the focal area. This will promote maximum comfort. There are situations where the room layout will not enable a direct view of the focal point. In this type of situation, angling the sofa so that a view of the focal point is maximized is ideal.
Create a Path for Traffic
After positioning the sofa so that it faces the focal point, most people will need to position other pieces of furniture in the living room. For most, this includes a loveseat, one or two chairs and a set of coffee and side tables. Generally, it is best to consider the natural flow of traffic through the room and to position these additional pieces so that people can easily walk along the natural pathways. When people have to change direction in the middle of the room to get around furniture, this can make the space feel awkward and cramped. Therefore, look at all of the doorways, and place furniture so that there is a clear, straight line between the various doorways if possible.
Think About Balance
The above considerations are among the most important when choosing living room layout. When space is limited, these two considerations should be primary goals to focus on. When additional space is available, however, the goal of balancing the furniture in the room should receive some attention. In a large room, for example, placing the sofa in the center of the space opposite a fireplace or a TV entertainment center is ideal. To create a sense of balance or symmetry in the room, two armchairs can be placed on either side of the sofa. A coffee table can be placed in front of the sofa, and side tables can be placed on either side of the sofa next to the armchairs.
The placement of a living room sofa will dictate the placement of the rest of the furniture. It will also impact traffic flow, ambiance and more. Focusing on these tips can promote ideal layout of all living room furniture.