FT NEWS

How you arrange the furniture in your living room will depend on the shape and size of your room, the items you need to arrange, the number of people in your household, and the position of doors and windows. If you’re having trouble deciding where to place everything, here are some options for inspiration.

Opt for opposites attract
This is the classic living room layout – two identical sofas, with space in between for a coffee table. It’s relaxed and sociable, and it allows a view of the TV. For extra seating, consider placing a footstool at the side of each sofa, which can be brought out when guests arrive.

Pop in a sofa and two chairs
Two sofas can make smaller or slimmer rooms feel swamped, plus you may not want the expense or commitment. And while one sofa can be butted up against a wall, having another too close to a window can be impractical.

It may make sense to pair one sofa with a couple of slimline armchairs. This duo are Scandi-style, featuring minimal wooden frames, which allow for a sense of space and light.

Banish the sofa
Sofas tend to rule in our living rooms. But you could eschew a sofa altogether, or let it take a back seat, as they’ve done here.

Maximise the corner
A corner sofa is a great way to provide the luxury of lounging, even if your room isn’t massive. It also solves the problem of how to lay things out as it does most of the work for you. 

Fit in what you can
Often the living space you have will dictate the layout you go for. Our homes are getting smaller, so we need to be more creative.

Factor in a bookcase
If you’re a book lover, chances are you don’t want to keep all your favourite novels out of sight. Including space for a bookcase in your living room can make sense in many ways. Books add a creative warmth and character to rooms, and shelves solve the storage problem.